Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13323, John Harkerader, Penn.
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Service    Number
Penn.  Harkerader, John or Harkerider
S. 13323
Contents    Carded
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[left-hand side of page]
See letter to P. {illegible} Oct. 8. 1834
Died 24th Nov. 1837
Letter to C M Mitchell. 27 Feb. 1838.
Letter to H. C. Spalding 10 June/53

[right-hand side of page]

Virginia 16.800-
-------------------------------------
John Harkerider of Wythe in the State of Va. who was a Lt. Major in the ____ commanded by Captain ____ of the Reg't commanded by Col. Hunter in Va line for 8 -130 months --
Penn Service Records corrected
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Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia Feb'y 16 04 at the rate of 121. Dollars 31. Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
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Certificate of Pension issued the 2d day of Sept. 35 and {illegible} Isaac J Leftwick, Wythe C H. Va
-----------------------------------------------
Arrears to the 4th of September 1833   303.27
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar. 34     60.65
$363.92 [double underlined]

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by N Rice
Book E  Vol. 6  Page 1
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20777 John Harkerader
{Declaration 
{for Pension
----------------------
418.
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[illegible]}
[illegible] County }
On this twelfth day of November 1832, personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the County court of Wyeth County  now willing to bring a court of record, John Harkerader [illegible] of the said county of Wyeth and State of Virginia aged Eighty two years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the pension of the act of congress passed [illegible] the 7th 1832      that he enlisted the service of the United States as a [illegible] under the command of a Lieutenant on the 1st army of August 1775 has been [illegible] of said commissary of a company in Rifle man in the Second Battalion of Association in the County of Lancaster in the state of Pensylvania [sic]. which said [illegible] him to continue in form until revoked by the aforesaid heirs the seat of the State and Signed by order of the [illegible] John Morton Spratur which said commission is [illegible] by the said court and [illegible] to be genuine and thus he served under Said commander as a Lieutenant the time of five months under the following named officers, Thomas Harkerader Capt Major Abraham Latcha that he was at the time of in being to Service aforesaid a resident of the county of Lancaster in the State if Pensylvania [sic] , that he was marched to the State of New York and was stationed in a little town called Bargan town appints the city of New
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York where he remained until his term of service had expired which was on the [illegible] day of October 1775. has he [illegible] applied for any discharge or obtained a [illegible]. That he is now nearing eighty three years of age Since the [illegible] day of Octobr. last. having been born on the 1st day of October 1730. Then went out the [illegible] in time as a volunteer, while still a resident of the said county of Lancaster untill his commission [illegible] as a Lieutenant, he [illegible] in the Latter and of this year 1776. is - [illegible] home a for cage pension to do taking to Hessians at Trenton, as he was him on his march to [illegible] and before he got time they ran Lakeon,  That he served during that tour the term of two months ^ and some days under the following named officers. Capt. Jacob Stover  Major Abraham Latcha Col.o Timothy Green, who was of the first Battalion of Rifleman of Lancaster malitia but to said Col.o Green was not out that tour  That he was marched from the said county of Lancaster first to Philadelphia and from there to his Scracy, where he was stationed at a place called Rocky Hills, on [illegible] Stone River until his term of serves had [illegible] and was discharged on the 10th day of March for [illegible] 1777. Now he run a no written discharge  having applied for now. That he turns out he thrice time as a volunteer while still  a resident of the said county of Lancaster under his commission of Trenton and aforesaid he thinks in the year 1777 and served the term of two months, under the following named officers. Capt. Michael Moyer Major William Brown,
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that he was on march at said town from Lancaster toward Philadelphia and stayed within above County five miles of the City and then reroute orders from Gen. Washington to go over and fire on the British who were then in the City of Philadelphia, which order was executed by Sgt John Bull and his fire was returned by the British to no effect; then that having rapid intensity over the heart of the army.  That happened a few days before Christmas he thinks, in 1777. he thinks he was [illegible] by land.  I am a Potter [illegible]
Graham Banard but what date namely he does not recollect.  That he went out and voluntarily on the fourth tour of duty while still a resident of his said county of Lancaster in the State of Pennsylvania the commission of Capt. which said commission bears date on the 10th day of May 1780. and has the [illegible] seal of the commonwealth and Philadelphia and was signed by Wm [illegible] Vice President No. 4 and attested by J Mallack, Secretary which appointment of Capt as aforesaid into a company of Foot in the North Battalion of Malitia in the County of Lancaster in the State of Pennsylvania and which commission was to continue in force until the said time of Service by the laws of the State shall of commissioning  under which said commission is [illegible], and  inspected by the court here and determined to be genuine.  That his service under said commission as Captain for the term of five months commencing on the 12th day of July 1780 to the 8th
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day of September following,  [illegible] with the allowance of five days [illegible] for coming home, as appears from a Pay Roll [illegible] to said [illegible] John Harkrider Company having [illegible] 1780. [illegible] by Philip Marstetter [illegible] of Lancaster County Militia or a [illegible] to the said Capt John Harkrider commissioned with a draft or to Treasury for the sum of [sign for British pound] 362..3..8 that being the amount of money the said Company is entitled to for the service aforsaid and that has he paid off his troops when they returned home as Lancaster County aforsaid, for which [illegible] of them respectively and now show to the court, as a [illegible] to be given together with the Pay Roll or warrant aforsaid. That he was marched from Lancaster aforsaid on his forth tour to Northumberland County in the State of Pennsylvania and was [illegible] Sunbury in said county until he returned home, and was there under Col Hunter during the term aforesaid. That he received a certificate from Col John Radges [illegible] Battalion J.C.M. certifying that the said Capt John Harkrider has served in the [illegible] of Capt [illegible] Company of the 1st Battalion of Lancaster county [illegible], and [illegible] himself as a soldier and in due [illegible]
to [illegible] of his county both civil and military, and now [illegible] any fines, whatsoever. [illegible] 30th May Anno Dom 1783. Signed "John Radges Col [illegible] and directed to all to whom it may concern which is also
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{the top paragraph is very faded and partly illegible}
produce in court and believed to be {illegible}  That he was born in Bucks County, Pensylvania {illegible} township, that he removed from {illegible} to Lancaster in the same state, and from there to Wythe County in the state of Virginia where he has ever since resided, that he has no record of his age {illegible} That he is well known in the neighbourhood in Wythe County where he resides by the following named persons Casper Yost - & John Haller

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 the agency of any state {illegible}  Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
John Harkerader

State of Virginia
Wythe County 
Henry Umberger who being first duly sworn in open court states that he is well acquainted with Capt John Harkerader who has sworn to and subscribed the forgoing declaration and that he was out on tour with him in the revolutionary war and that the said Capt. Harkerader is a man of good character in the neighborhood where he resides, sworn to and subscribed the {illegible}
Henry Umbarger {X is his mark}
State of Virginia
Wythe County 
We Casper Yost a Clergyman
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residing in the county of Wythe aforesaid, and state of Virginia and John Haller residing in the same place aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Capt. John Harkerader who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty two years and rising eighty three, as he states, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we fully concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Casper Yost {initials illegible}
John Haller.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.  And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Casper Yost who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the said County Wythe, and that John Haller, who has also signed the same is a resident in the said County of Wythe, and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, John P. Mathews, Clerk of the Court of Wythe County in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Harkerader for a pension. 
In Testimony
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whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 29th day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
J. P. Mathews, clerk
By A. B. Moore D. C.

I John P Mathews Clerk of the court of Wythe County in the state of Virginia, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said court in the matter of the application of John Harkerader for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 11th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three. 
J. P. Mathews Clk.
By A. B. Moore. D. C.
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1
State of Virginia 
Wythe County SS
On this twelfth day of November 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the County Court of Wythe County now sitting it being a Court of record, John Harkerader a resident of the same County of Wythe and State of Virginia aged eighty two 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 June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States as a volunteer under the Commission of a Lieutenant on the 1st day of August 1775 that being the date of said commission, of a company of Riflemen in the Second Battalion of Association in the County of Lancaster in the State of Pensylvania which said Commission was to continue in force until revoked by the Assembly or by the present or any succeeding committee of safety and bears the seal of the State and signed by order of the Assembly "John Morton Speaker" which said Commission is inspected by the said Court and believed to be genuine  And that he served under said Commission as Lieutenant the term of two months under the following named officers  Thomas Copenheifer Capt. Major Abraham Latcher, that he was at the time of entering the service aforesaid a resident of the County of Lancaster in the State of Pennsylvania, that he was marched to the State of New York and was stationed at a little town called "Bargan Town" opposite the City of New York where he remained until his term of service had expired which was on the 1st day of October 1775.  That he never applied for any discharge or obtained any.  That he is now rising eighty three years of age since the 1st day of October last having been born on the 1st day of October 1750.
That __ went out the second time as a volunteer while still a resident of the said County of Lancaster under his commission aforesaid as a Lieutenant, he thinks in the latter end of the year 1776, it being however a few days previous
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2
to the taking the Hessians at Trenton, as he was then on his march to that place and before he got there they were taken.  That he served during that tour the term of two months and some days under the following named officers Capt Jacob Stover Major Abraham Latcha Col. Timothy Green who was of the first Battalion of Riflemen of Lancaster Malitia, but the said Col. Green was not out that tour.  That he was marched from the said County of Lancaster first of Philladelphia and from thence to the Jerseys where he was stationed at a place called Rocky Hill on Mill Stone River until his term of service had expired and was discharged on the 10th day of March (he thinks) 1777 but he received no written discharge having applied for none.  That he went out the third time as a Volunteer while still a resident of the said County of Lancaster under his commission of Lieutenant aforesaid he thinks in the year 1777 and served the term of two months under the following named officers Capt Michael Moyer, Major William Brown that he was marched on said tour from Lancaster towards Philladelphia and stoped within about twenty five miles of the City and then received orders from Gen'l Washington to go down and fire on the British who were then in the City of Philladelphia which order was executed by Gen'l John Bull and the fire was returned by the British but to no effect, their shot having passed entirely over the heads of the Army  That happened a few days before Christmas he thinks in 1777, he thinks he was discharged by Gen'l James Potter at Graham Barracks, at what date precisely he does not recollect.  That he went out as a volunteer on the fourth tour of duty while still a resident of the said County of Lancaster in the State of Pensylvania under the commission of Capt which said commission bears date on the 10th day of May 1780 and bears the lesser seal of the Commonwealth at Philladelphia and is signed by Wm Moore vice President No 4 and attested by "T. T. Matlock Sec'y" which appointment of Capt as aforesaid is to a company of foot in the ninth Battalion of Malitia in the County of Lancaster in the State of Pennsylvania and which
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Commission was to continue in force until the said term of service, by the laws of the state shall of course expire and which said commission I exhibited and inspected by the Court here and believed to be genuine, that he served under the said commission as Capt for the term of two months commencing on the 12th day of July 1780 to the 6th day of September following including two days extra pay with the allowance of five days for coming home as appears from a payroll or warrant  for the pay of the said Capt John Harkerider's company bearing date at Lebanon 17 day of September 1780 signed by Phillip Marsteller pay master of Lancaster County Militia and directed to the said Capt John Harkerider accompanied with a draft on the treasury for the sum o$362.38 that being the amount of money the said company were entitled to for the service aforesaid and that he paid off his troops when they returned home to Lancaster County aforesaid, for which receipts were taken of them respectively and now shown to the Court and believed to be genuine together with the payroll or warrant aforesaid that he was marched from Lancaster aforesaid on his fourth tour to Northumberland County in the state of Pennsylvania and was stationed at Sunbury in said County until he returned home and then undertook Kennten during the term aforesaid.
That he received a certificate from Col. John Rogers of that battalion L. C. M.certifying that the said Capt John Harkerider
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That he is well known in the neighborhood in Wythe County where he resides by the following name, the said Casper Yost & John Haller.  Does hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not in the pension rolls of this Agency of any State whatever
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
John Harkerader

State of Virginia Wythe County
Henry Umbarger who being first duly sworn in open Court states that he is well acquainted with Capt John Harkerader who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing declaration and that he was out one town with him in the Revolutionary War and that the said Capt Harkerader is a man of good character in the neighbourhood where he resides.  Sworn to and subscribed this day aforesaid
Henry Umbarger [his mark]

State of Virginia Wythe County
That Casper Yost a Clergyman residing in the County of Wythe aforesaid and State of Virginia and John Haller residing in the same place aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Capt John Harkenrider who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty two years of age and rising eighty three as he states and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we fully concur in that opinion  Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Casper Yost Mg
John Haller

And said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of this matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary War soldier and served as he states.  Another Court further certified that it appears to them that Casper Yost who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the said County of Wythe and that John Haller who has also signed the same is a resident in the said County of Wythe
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and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
I H. S. Mathews Clerk of the County Court of Wythe State of Virginia certify that the foregoing is truly copied from the records of said Court
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at my office in Wytheville this seventeenth day of January AD 1853
H. S. Mathews Clerk
Wythe County Court
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State of Virginia Wytho County to wit
Be it known that on this fifteenth day of January A D 1853 before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Wytho state of Virginia David Harkerider resident of Rural Retreat in said County of Wytho and made oath according to law that he is the son and only executor of John Harkerider deceased who was the identical John Harkerider who was a soldier and Lieutenant and a Captain in the war of the Revolution and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the pension act of
That he is directly interested as a claimant in said pension and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or argument as his agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Countermanding and revoking all powers of attorney and authority heretofore given I hereby constitute and approve H.C. Spalding of Washington City District of Columbia my true and lawful attorney to prosecute the claim of John Harkerider for any amount of Revolutionary pension or increase of pension that may be due. And I hereby authorize my said attorney to examine all papers and documents in relation to said claim on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere to file additional evidence or argument, and to receive for my exclusive benefit the certificate which may be found for said claims, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City DC agency, to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purpose herein exemplified and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said attorney and agent shall lawfully do in this premised
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Forthwith  the following signature and seal 
The words David Harkerider interline before signing
David Harkerider Sworn to and subscribed and acknowledged before me this day and year above written and I hereby certify that I believe the said David Harkerider to be directly interested as sole heir of John Harkerider in said claim as set forth and that the father of said David Harkerider was the identical John Harkerider who served who served as therein stated.
John Sexton JP
Wytho County to wit
I Harold S. Matthews Clerk of the County Court of Wytho State of Virginia certify that John Sexton whose genuine signature is signed to the above certificate is now and was at the date thereof an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the said County duly elected commissioned and qualified and fully authorized to take acknowledgement of writings 
In testimony whereof I herewith set my hand and affix the seal of said Court at my office in Wytherville this fifteenth day of February 1853
H. S Matthews  Clerk
Wytho  County Court
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20771 

Jn. Harkerider 
Va 

Admit 
Lew  6mo [spelling?] 80 
Capt 2 2/30 mo 41.31 
___
121.31 

Isaac Leftwick Wythe C H
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WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Pension Office, 
183 

Sir. 

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: ⎬). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your 

A Statement, shewing the service of John Harkerader Wythe [illegible] 

Period when the service was rendered |
Duration of the claimant's service. Years. Months. Days. |
Rank of the claimant. |
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. |
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. |
Country through which he marched. |
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. |
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.

[illegible] - May '75   2 Bat [superscript]m of [illegible]   |
.. 2 ..  |
Lieut  |
Cap. Openheifer |
Maj. Latcha |
x  |
Pa. N.Y.  |
82.3 Lansute [illegible]  |
Grady & documentary

___'7 [two slashes] to March '77  |
.. 2 ..  |
do [I think it means ditto]  |
Cap. Stover  |
"   |
x  |
"  N. J.  |

--- '77  |
.. 2 ..   |
do  [ditto]   |
Cap. Michael  [spelling?]  |
" Brown  |
x  |
Pa.  |

in July '80  |
.. 2  24  [crossed out]  |
Capt.  |
..  |
Col. Hunter  |
x  |
"  |

I am, respectfully,  
Your obedient servant, 
J. L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out at patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1.  The Regular Troops.
2.  The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3.  Persons employed in the Naval service.
4.  Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides.  And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Contress of hte 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of )
County of                              ) ss.
On this                 day of                           personally appeared (a) 
before                               A.B. a resident (b) of                                   in the county of                         and State, Territory or District of                                aged (c)                  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 provion made by the Act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.  Thate he enlisted in the Army of hte United States in the year (d)               , with                   and served in the           (e) regiment of the                   line, under the following named officers: 
[Here set forth the names and rank of he Field and Company Officers, the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers and the town or country and State in which [illegible] 
the militia, volunteers, navy
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (d any) only on that of hte Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A.B.
[and then will following the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I                                  of the Court of                     do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of application of                                    for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this           day of               &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the               and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with                                , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be                 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
[And then will follow the certificate of hte Court.]
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 A. B. and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the                            and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,                            Clerk of hte Court of                 do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of hte application of                             for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal                   of office, this      day of                          
                        &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power.  This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, of possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and how will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in hte investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of hte period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person
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3 [page number, top center of page]
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.

1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier.{ Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
6. [To an Officer.{ Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.

The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.

Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, [words illegible due to tear], before a [missing words] a Court of Record of the [words illegible/missing] execute the [words missing] the Court is herein requested to perform and will also certify that the applicant cannot [words missing] , attend the Court.

Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.

No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

_______________________
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: ---For_____ year ______ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. 
For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] the Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers. [centered section header]
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. [section marked by a hand drawn bracket]

Proof of Service. [centered section header]
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses by the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[ ] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

[hand written signature at bottom of document] W. L. William Ct Clk
Page 22

May 12, 1939.
BA-J/CC
John Harkerader or Harkerider
S.13323
Mrs. Philip A. Spence
Wytheville, Virginia.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Harkrader who died in 1837, in Wytheville, Virginia.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim S.13323, based upon service of John Harkerader (also spelled Harkerider). in the Revolutionary War.
John Harkerader was born October 1, 1750, in Mexatawny[Maxatawny] Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, names of his parents are not shown.
While residing in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, John Harkerader volunteered and was commissioned lieutenant in company of Riflemen 2nd Battalion, Lancaster County, August 1, 1775, served under Captain Thomas Copenheifer and was discharged October 1, 1775; entered the service as lieutenant the last of 1776, served in Captain Jacob Stover's company, Colonel Timothy Green's Pennsylvania Regiment and was discharged March 10, 1777; served two months in 1777, as lieutenant in Captain Micheal Moyer's Pennsylvania company, dates of this service not stated; entered the service May 10, 1780 and commissioned as captain of the 9th Battalion Lancaster County militia in Colonel Hunter's Pennsylvania regiment and was discharged September 6, 1780; served as captain of the 4th company, 1st Battalion Lancaster County Militia, length of this service not stated.
[End of letter page]
Page 23

John Harkerader was allowed pension on his application executed November 12, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Wythe County, Virginia.
He died November 24, 1837.
Date and place of marriage of John Harkerader and name of his wife are not shown, he was survived by children, David, who in 1853, resided at "Rural Retreat" Wythe County, Virginia, is the only name shown.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 24

Harkerader John

John Harkerider SFell 13, 323.

His commission as Lieut. co. of Riflemen 2 Battln. [probably Battalion] of association in Lancaster Co. dated Aug 1, 1775. 

Commission as Capt of Co. of foot in 9th Battln. Lancaster Co.  Militia, May 10, 1780. 

Oath of Allegiance & Fidelity dated Nov. 8, 1777, have been removed from the case for safe keeping; 

Warrant for the pay of Capt. John Harkerider Co. signed by P. Marsteller Pay Master has been removed from this case for the purpose of transferring the [illegible] to the war Dept. at some future date, all papers may be found in the safe, in the room of the Chief of the Old War and Navy Div. 

S.S.C.
Feb. 8, 1904.
Page 25

[Postal stamp illegible]

Mr Evans 

Feb 26

J. L. Edwards
Page 26

Richmond Feby 23th 1838 

J L Edwards Esq. 

Sir 

The agent here has rejected the enclosed vouchers, cause the order of Court shews that there are other children than the one who makes the Power of attorney, and who are equally entitled, [words crossed out] he thinks, to the arrears of pension and the variances in the names. Please to return the papers to me as soon as convenient, and instruct the agent to pay the claim, if you should deem it proper to do so. 

Very respectfully 
your [illegible] 
Chas. M. Mitchell
Page 27

This is to Certify that the bearer hereof Capt John Harkerider hath served in the Character of Capt of 4th Compy of the1st Battalion of Lancaster County Militia and has ever behaved himself as a soldier and in due Subbordination To the Laws of his Country both Civil and Millatary [sic] and never incurred any fines whatsoever   Certify the 30th of May Anno Dom 1783 by John Rogers Col 1 [illegible] JCM

 To all whom it may Concern
Page 28

[postal stamp]
STAUNTON 
MAR 10 

Jno. Harkerider 
Va in Col 32. 

[written sideways]
Godwin Esq.
[illegible]

Godwin
Page 29

Wythville. 9 March 1852. 

Mr. S. Godwin 

Dear Sir 

Some years ago (say about 1834) as the agent of Capt John Harkrider, (Harkerider) & procured for him a pension under the law of 1832 of $120 per year. I am now [illegible] impressed that he was entitled to much more. His commission is now in existence & all the [illegible] at hand of his having since (in the malitia I think Pensy Company first - as a Lieutenant then as a captain. Will you be so good as to make enquiry into the subject, & inform me of the result.

 Very Respectfully
 Isaac J. Leftwick
Page 30

Pennsylvania. 

In Assembly.

To John Harkerider Gent August 1 1775 

WE reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotim, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be a Lieutenant of a Company of Riflemen  the Second Battalion of Associators in the County of Lancaster 
for  the Protection of this Province, against all hostile Enterprizes, and for the Defence of American Liberty. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a Lieutenant as aforesaid by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers, under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as their Lieutenant. And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions, from Time to Time, as you shall receive from the Assembly during their Sessions; and, in their recess, from the present or any future Committee of Safety appointed by the Assembly of this Province, or from your superior Officer, according to the Rules and Regulations for the better Government of the Military Association in Pennsylvania, and pursuant to the Trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in Force until revoked by the Assembly, or by the present or any succeeding Committee of Safety. IN ASSEMBLY. 

Signed by Order of the Assembly, 
John Morton Speaker.

S. File 13,323,
Page 31

Wm Moore Vice President 

In the NAME and by the AUTHORITY of the FREEMEN of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, The SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL of the said Commonwealth, 

To John Harkerrider Esquire

WE reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be Captain [illegible] company of foot in the Ninth Battalion of Militia, in the County of Lancaster.  You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of Captain by doing and performing all manner of Things thereunto belonging. And We do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as Captain. And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions as you shall from Time to Time receive from the Supreme Executive Council of this Commonwealth, or from your superior Officers, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, and in Pursuance of the Acts of Assembly of this State. This Commission to continue in force until your Term, by the Laws of this State, shall of Course expire. 

GIVEN under the lesser Seal of the Commonwealth, at Philadelphia, this 
tenth Day of May in the Year of our LORD, One Thousand Seven Hundred and eighty  

[initials]
ATTEST. 
T. Matlack 
Secy
 

S. File 13,323,
Page 32

In reply to your request of _____ , received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Harkerider a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [ the words in parentheses are struck out] (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau, S. File 13.323. 

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. |
LENGTH OF SERVICE. |
RANK. |
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. Captain.    Colonel.  |
STATE.
Aug. 1, 1775 to Oct. 1, 1775  |
Lieut. |
Thomas Copenheifer |
2" Battle Lancaster Co. |
Pa.

Last of 1776 to Mch. 10, 1777 | 
Lieut. |
Jacob Stover |
Timothy Green  |
"

[checkmark] 1777 | 2 mos. 
Lieut |
Michael Moyer |
[checkmark] |
"

May 10, 1780 | Sept. 6, 1780 
Captain |
9" Battle, Lancaster Co. Mil. |
[Hunt crossed out]  Hunter |

[checkmark]  |
[checkmark]  |
"    |
4th Co. 1"Battle Lancaster Co Mil. |
[checkmark]

Battles engaged in, [checkmark]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Lancaster Co., Pa. 
Date of application for pension, Nov 12, 1832. His claim was allowed. 
Residence at date of application, Wythe Co. Va. 
Age at date of application, born Oct. 1, 1750 Maxatawny Twp. Berks Co. Pa 
Remarks: He died Nov. 24, 1837, leaving children, no names stated except David who resided at "Rural Retreat" Wythe Co. Va. in 1853. 

Very respectfully, Commissioner.

6 -- 2855
Page 33

[Postage stamp w/ postmark]
Wytheville, VA
Mar 18
3-PM
1939
[printed]
This side of card is for address
[large, circular stamp]
Received Mar 31 1939
Mail Sub-Div.
Vets Adm.
[last line of stamp illegible, large 74 next to bottom 2 rows]

[Handwritten ]
Veterans Administration
War Dept.
Washington
DC
Page 34

Wytheville, Va - 3 /17/39.
Dear sirs, 
John Harkrader who died here in 1837, left a son David who was to have a pension certificate, bearing date Sept. 26, 1833, signed by Lewis Coss secy of war. David was his executor, and sole heir by reason of his maintaining his father, but there were other children not named in will, etc. - 

Please [tell?] what war he served in, also give service, dates, commanders, [illegible], names of children, name of wife and any other information which the claim declares and ranks. We hope to establish a D.A.R. line. [not sure about this]
Truly,
Mrs. [illegible] A. Spence
Page 35

Record Division.

December 5, 1911.

Mrs. Mary H. Carson,
Lebanon, Tenn.

Madam:

In response to your letter dated the 28" ultimo and received the 1" instant, you are herewith furnished the military history of John Harkerider, Sur. File No. 13,323, Rev. War, and advised that the Revolutionary War pension records fail to afford any information in regard to Conrad Harkreader described by you.

Very respectfully,

Commissioner.
Page 36

United States Post Office
____________________
____________________
COUNTY
____________________
STATE
Lebanon, Tenn. Nov. 28, 11.
___________________, 19
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:-
Please furnish me any data you can relative to this matter,
Resp'y,
Mrs. Mary H. Carson

[circular stamp at bottom]
US Pension Office F 
Dec 1 1911
Page 37

[round stamp at top of page with date Dec 1 1911]

Lebanon Tennessee Nov. 23. 1911
Supt
Records & Pension Dep.
U.S. War Department
Washington. D.C.

My Dear Sir
I shall be much obliged for the Revolutionary
record of Capt John Harkreader Franklin County, Virginia. Nothing has been preserved as to his company, brigade &c but his descendants know
Page 38

by reliable [underlined] tradition that he was
of soldier of the Revolution. His descendants now live near Wytheville Va.

Please also give record of Conrad Harkreader if it is available. Conrad Harkreader was father of Capt. John. 
-
Respectfully & c
Mrs. Mary H. Carson
(Carson)
Page 39

1911 Dec. 5. Hist. to Mrs. Mary H. Carson 
_____________________
1939 - May 12 - Hist to Mrs. Philip A Spence is 

13323
INVALID.
{handwritten vertic
____________________
File No. 13.3.23
John Harkerider
Capt. Rev. war
___________________
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:-- Vol. 1 Page 435
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 40

Treasury Department,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
May 9. 1854

Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23
1842, extending the time within which Pensioners may receive their pensions from the Pension Agents,
the Adm's of
John Harkerider, dec.
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond
Agency, at the rate of one hundred & twenty one Dollars and 31 Cents per annum under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1837, to the 24 Nov. 1837.
Respectfully, yours
Comptroller
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.
Page 41

16800
John Harkerider, Pensioner, Va roll.
Act 1832.  H.C. S.

C.C M Cole Nov 15. 1836
Page 42

Washington, Feby 21st 1853.-
Honorable Jos E. Heath,
Court of Pensions

Sir,
I have the honor present a power of Attorney, and the accompanying documentary evidence
in behalf of David Harkerider of Wythe
County in the State of Virginia, in support of his application for an increase of the amount of pension received by his father, John Harkerider, for his services in the war of the Revolution, in four tours of service as shown in the authenticated copy of his original declaration herewith submitted; to wit: three [underlined] tours of two months [underlined] each as a Lieutenant, and one [underlined] tour of two [underlined] months as a Captain [underlined] making in all six full months [underlined] service as a Lieut. [underlined] and two months [underlined] as a Captain, service. 

His Father John Harkerider was placed on the pension Roll under the Act of 7th June 1832, at the rate of $121:31. only. David Harkerider as sole executor of his Father, hereby authorises me to apply for the increase to which he thinks his father was entitled, and if it shall appear that an increase is due, he
desires the certificate to be issued payable in the City of Washington in the District of Columbia. 

Very respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
H. C. Spalding,
Attorney

P.S. I desire to examine the papers in this case.
H.C.S.