Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23,253, John Harkness, Continental N.H.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE|[blank]|NUMBER
Continental|Harkness, John|W.23.253.
N.H.|Elizabeth|B.L.Wt. 34,267-160-55
CONTENTS
Page 2

[verso]
2481
Maine
Elizabeth Harkness widow of John Harkness N.H. who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Ensign & Lieut
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 240 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Dec'r 1848 and sent to Hon. E. H. Stuart H of R 

[recto]
Reported Dec'r 19/48
Page 3

[verso]
Mar 3
202837. Aug 17/55
Elizabeth Harkness wid of Harkness, John Ensign & Lieut
Mass Mil 
En 1876?
[overwritten: 34267 iss July 17/46]
Revolution
Pen cert. 2481. Feb 2/48
Page 13 Vol. 2
Ad: 160 acs July 14/56
Boynton
R
N.T. Talbot
Rockford Me

[recto]
vol=H=1=36
Page 4

2397
Elizabeth Harkness
$240 per ann
William H. Codman
Camden (Me)
Page 5

State of Maine Waldo Co ss
On this twentieth day of June A.D. 1843 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Waldo personally appeared Elizabeth Harkness of Camden in said County aged seventy eight 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 on the 3d of March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War, that she is the Widow of John Harkness who was an Ensign and Lieutenant in the Army of the Revolution that from want of recollection she is unable to state the corps or regiment in which he served but refers to her  former proofs on file an that under the act of July 7 1838 she received an annual pension of Two hundred & forty dollars. She further declares that she is still a Widow. - 
/s/Elizabeth Harkness
Waldo ss. June 20 1843 Subscribed & sworn to by said Elizabeth Harkness who is personally known to me to be the identical person who received a pension as the Widow of John Harkness as above stated - 
/s/Wm H. Codman Jus Peace
Page 6

State of Maine Waldo ss. I Deborah Harkness of Camden in said County of Waldo on oath depose and say that I have long known the above named Elizabeth Harkness who has signed the foregoing papers & she is the identical person who was & is the Widow of John Harkness who was an officer in the Revolutionary army & who received a pension of Two hundred & forty dollars, under the former act. 
/s/D. W. Harkness
Waldo ss June 20 1843 Subscribed & sworn to be said Deborah W. Harkness who is known to me as a person of respectability & veracity
/s/Wm H. Codman Jus. P.
Page 7

State of Maine
Waldo ss I William H. Burrill clerk of the Judicial Courts within & for said County certify that Wm. H. Codman is a Justice of the Peace within & for said county duly commissioned & qualified & that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine - 
[court seal] In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of our Supreme Judicial Court this 24th day of June A.D. 1843. 
/s/Wm. H. Burrill Clerk
Page 8

202837
Filed by N. T. Talbot
Rockport, Maine. 
Not Pub.
Page 9

STATE OF MAINE.
COUNTY OF Waldo
On this sixteenth day of March A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me, N. T. Talbot Notary Public a Justice of the Peace, duly authorized to administer oaths within and for the County aforesaid, Elizabeth Harkness aged Ninety years, a resident of Camden in the County of Waldo and State of Maine who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of the identical John Harkness who was a Ensign & Lieutenant in the Company commanded by Captain [blank] in the Regiment of [blank] commanded by [blank]
That he enlisted at Lunenburg County of [blank] and State of Mass. on or about the [blank] day of   [blank] A.D. 1876 (1776) to serve for [blank]  and continued in actual service in said war for the term of [blank]  and was honorably discharged at [blank] 
He was in the Battle of Bunker Hill
He was in the Southern Campaign the whole of it under Gen'l Greene
She is the Widow of s'd Harkness, who died at Camden in the State of Maine, May 14, 1806 - 
My maiden name was Elizabeth Ott. Was married to s'd Harkness Feb 19 1784 Mason I Wheaton Esq a Justice of the Peace, all which facts will appear on file in my Revolutionary Pension Papers act Feb 2, 1848. Page 13 Vol. 1 No 2481 - 
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the act granting Bounty Land to certain Officers and Soldiers who were engaged in the Military Service of the United States, passed March 3, 1855. 
/s/Elizabeth Harkness
Subscribed and sworn to before me the day and year first above-mentioned; and I certify that I believe the said Elizabeth Harkness is the widow of ['to be' crossed out] the person who performed the Military Service aforesaid, and to be of the age above stated; and that I have not interest in the result of the above case, and am not concerned in its prosecution. 
/s/N. T. Talbot Justice of the Peace.
Page 10

"Intentions of marriage between John Harkness and Elizabeth Ott both of a Plantation called Cambden, next adjoining to Thomaston, were entered with the town clerk July twenty seventh, ['in the year of our Lord' crossed out] one thousand seven hundred & eighty three"
"A True Record, Attest /s/Israel Lovett Town Clerk."
Town of Thomaston in the County of Lincoln & State of Maine. Town Clerk's Office November 29, 1838} I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the record, with the exception of a part of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows "1783"
/s/Oliver Fales, Clerk
I, Oliver Fales above named, depose & say that I hold the office of Clerk in the Town, County & State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of the said Town with the exception above named, as certified by me; and I further depose & say that there is no record of marriages or town Books of said town of Thomaston, prior to the year, Seventeen hundred & eighty nine, and that I know of the existance of no record of the marriage of said John & Elizabeth.
/s/Oliver Fales, clerk as afore'd
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State of Maine
Lincoln ss
Nov. 29, 1838} [margin note: over]
Sworn before me, 
/s/Henry C. Lowell, Justice of the Peace
Lincoln ss. I hereby certify that the erasure of the words "in the year of our Lord" in the foregoing certificate was made prior to the execution of the paper by the said Oliver Fales as town clerk. 
/s/H. C. Lowell, Just. Peace
[margin note: omit]
State of Maine. 
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
LINCOLN ,SS - I JACOB SMITH, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that Henry C. Lowell Esq. whose name is affixed to the annexed paper, is a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE is legally commissioned and duly qualified to act as such, and that the name so affixed is his own proper signature, to me well known. 
[court seal] IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this 28th day of December A.D. 1838
/s/Jacob Smith CLERK.
Page 12

[typewritten letter]
March 30, 1938
xxxxxxx
John Harkness, W.23253
BA-J/MCS

Mrs. H.P. Blodgett
150 Talbot Avenue
Rockland, Maine

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to John Harkness who served during the Revolution as ensign with the New Hampshire troops, married Elizabeth Ott and died May 14, 1806.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, W. 23253, based upon the military service of John Harkness.
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of John Harkness were not given.
While living in New Ipswich, in Hampshire, he entered the service on April 23, 1775, as ensign in Captain Ezra Town's (Towne) company in Colonel James Reed's New Hampshire regiment, was in the battle of Bunker Hill and served eight months. He then served as second lieutenant in Captain Ezra Town's (Towne) company in Colonel James Reed's New Hampshire regiment, length of this enlistment one year.
He married July 27, 1783, at Camden, Waldo County, Maine District, Elizabeth Ott, the daughter of Peter Ott, both John Harkness and Elizabeth Ott were then residents of Camden.
John Harkness died at Camden on May 14, 1806.
His widow, Elizabeth, was allowed pension on her application executed January 3, 1833, at which time she was seventy-five years of age and was living in Camden, Maine.
Page 13

[typewritten letter continued]
The widow, Elizabeth Harkness, was living in Camden, Maine, in 1855.
In 1843 one Deborah Harkness was living in Camden, Maine, relationship not shown. In 1855 Mary Amelia Harkness and George I. or J. Harkness were living in Camden, Maine, relationship not given.
There are no further data on file relative to the family of John Harkness.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 14

State of Maine.
County of Waldo ss. 
ON THIS sixteenth day of March A.D. 1855 before me N. T. Talbot a Justice of the Peace, duly authorized to administer oaths for public purposes within and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Mary Amelia Harkness & George J. Harkness residents of Camden in the County and State aforesaid, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn according to law, declare and say that they were present and saw Elizabeth Harkness sign & make Oath to the foregoing declaration; and they further swear that they have every reason to believe that she is the identical person (s)he represents herself to be. 
/s/M. A. Harkness
/s/G. J. Harkness
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year first above written. 
/s/N. T. Talbot Notary Public Justice of the Peace.
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34267
160 acres
Page 16

[verso]
Maine - 1916
Elizabeth Harkness widow of John Harkness, dec'd ['who was a pensioner under the Act of' crossed out] and who died on the 14th of May, 1806, of Waldo Co. in the State of Maine who was an Ensign & Lieut in the compy commanded by Captain E. Towne of the Regt commanded by Col. J. Reed in the N. Hamp. line for 8 mos Ensign
  12  "  Lieut.
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 240 Dollars ['[blank] Cents' crossed out] per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27th day of February 1839 and sent to Hon. H. J. Anderson, H.R.
Arrears to the 39. 
4th of Sept. 1838 = $600:00
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Mr '39 120.00
$720.00
{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by S. A. Elliot Clerk,
Book A Vol. 1, Page 11.

[recto]
Let to W. H. Codman May 15 '39.
 do May 20, 1839 to same -
Page 17

[verso]
2081.
Maine
Elizabeth Harkness widow of John Harkness who was an Ensign & Lieut in the N.H. line for 8 mos. Ensign
12  "  Lieut
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 240 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of Sept. 1843 and sent to Wm. H. Codman Camden, Maine
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1 Page 5.

[recto]
Rept Sept 25
Widow's death not in A.B.
Page 18

Application for Pension 
Elizabeth Harkness
AA 2081
Page 19

State of Maine Waldo ss
On this Fourteenth day of September 1848 personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace within & for the County of Lincoln Elizabeth Harkness a resident of Camden in the County of Waldo aged Eighty three years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 2nd of February 1848 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the Widow of John Harkness who was an Ensign & Lieutenant in the Revolutionary Army & that she is unable to state the Regiment or corps in which he served all the documents & other proof in her possession having been transmitted to the Pension Office on his former application that she has received a pension under the former law at the rate of Two Hundred & Forty Dollars per annum & that she is still a widow
/s/Elizabeth Harkness
Witness /s/Wm H. Codman
Page 20

State of Maine Waldo ss Subscribed & sworn to this fourteenth day of September 1848
Before me /s/Hiram Bass Jus of Peace
State of Maine
Waldo ss I William H. Burrill of the Judicial Courts within & for said county certify that Hiram Bass is a Justice of the peace within & for said County duly commissioned & qualified & that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine - 
[court seal] In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of our Supreme Judicial Court this fourteenth day of September A.D. 1848
/s/W. H. Burrill Clerk
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[addressed envelope]
[margin notes: W. Feb 20. Eliz Harkness Hannah Richard Wm. McFarlane
2408.80 320 160/240]
[postmark: CAMDEN Maine. FEB 14] FREE
Hon. John L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington
Page 22

[handwritten letter]
Camden Feb 14, 1839

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir,
I wrote some weeks since to the Department & inclosed the papers relating to the application of Elizabeth Harkness for a pension & also the papers of Mrs McFarlane & stated at the time that some original papers were forwarded & requested to be informed whether they were received at the Pension Office I again forwarded, a few weeks afterwards, the papers of Hannah Richards, & again requested to be informed of their reception as well as of the former. As neither request has been noticed, I have been induced to fear that, I had violated some rule of the Office in making the request, & have carefully looked over the letter of the Secretary of War Jan 19, 1838 containing the Pension laws &c. I do not find there any rule that I have transgressed in making the above simple request.
If any such rule exists, will you oblige me with a copy, & if not will you do the applicants
Page 23

[handwritten letter continued]
the favor to inform them whether their papers have been received at the office. - 
I have the honor to be with the most respectful consideration yours &c
/s/Wm H. Codman
Page 24

State of Maine
Waldo County ss
On this third day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine personally appeared Elizabeth Harkness aged seventy five years before Alfred Johnson Judge of Probate for said County a resident of Camden in the County of Waldo 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 7, 1838 entitled an Act granting half pay &c to certain Widows, that she is the Widow of John Harkness, who entered the service of the United States under the following officers and served as herein stated. - That the said John Harkness at Cambridge in the State of Massachusetts enlisted as an Ensign in a Company of the Continental establishment in the twenty third day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy  five, of which Ezra Town (Towne) was Captain and Josiah Brown Lieutenant and served therein as Ensign a Period of Eight months, the particulars of which said service are more fully set forth in the accompanying testimony. That after the expiration of said period of service the
Page 25

said John Harkness served as Second Lieutenant in said Company & under the same officers an additional period of One year, the particulars of which service are fully set out in the annexed testimony. And the said declarant on her oath further states that from conversations with the said  Harkness that he continued as she verily believes in the service of the United States a period of not less than Three years in all but from old age & consequent loss of memory she cannot state the particulars of said service other than as above, but she verily believes the Records of the War Department will prove a greater amount of service than the Twenty Months proved by the accompanying depositions - 
She further declares that she was married to said John Harkness on the nineteenth day of February seventeen hundred and eighty four - that her husband the aforesaid John Harkness died on the fourteenth day of May in the year eighteen hundred and six, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving to the service, but the marriage took place prior to the first day of January
Page 26

seventeen hundred and ninety four viz at the time above stated. 
/s/Elizabeth Harkness
The words "aged seventy five years" were inserted before the above declaration was signed & sworn to.
Attest /s/W. H. Codman
Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written, & I inserted the words "before Alfred Johnson Judge of Probate for said County" - 
Before me /s/Alfred Johnson Judge of Probate
I also certify that the above named Elizabeth was unable to attend the Court by reason of bodily infirmity, & that the above oath was administered to her at her dwelling house in Camden
/s/Alfred Johnson Judge of Probate
State of Maine
Waldo ss - I the subscriber Register of Probate hereby certify that Alfred Johnson before whom the proceedings were had is Judge of Probate for the County of Waldo - 
I also certify that the above contains the original proceedings of the said Alfred in the matter of the application of Elizabeth Harkness for a pension. 
[court seal] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of said Court this third day of January A.D. 1839
/s/Solyman Heath Register of Probate
Page 27

I Moses Thorndike of Camden in the County of Waldo and State of Maine on oath depose and testify that I am seventy two years of age that I was brought up and lived in the neighborhood of John Harkness and Elizabeth Ott of Camden. I knew them both well, before they were married. I was acquainted with John Harkness four or five years before his marriage and with Elizabeth Ott from a child. They were married in the month of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty four. I was present at the house of Peter Ott the Father of Elizabeth Ott when they were married. They were married by Mason Wheaton a justice of the Peace who married most of the people of this town & Thomaston at that time. I lived in the house of the said John Harkness for some time after he commenced house keeping for himself. He never had but one Wife the said Elizabeth Ott with whom he lived till his death which took place over thirty years ago, I recollect the year & date of the marriage from the fact that it was the same month in which I left school at Warren about twelve miles from Camden & that I had just returned to Camden from school when the  marriage took place. Elizabeth Harkness of Camden is the identical person who was married to the said John Harkness & is his Widow. 
/s/Moses Thorndike
Page 28

Waldo ss. Dec. 22, 1838. Personally appeared the within named Moses Thorndike and made oath that the within deposition by him subscribed is true
Before me /s/William H. Codman Jus Peace
I hereby certify I am acquainted with the within named Moses Thorndike, that he is a man of truth & veracity & his statement entitled to full credit & belief
/s/Wm. H. Codman
State of Maine
Waldo ss. 
I Bailey Peirce Clerk of the Judicial Courts of said Waldo County, Certify that Wm. H. Codman is a Justice of the Peace in said County, duly authorised to act in that capacity and the above Signature purporting to be his is genuine - 
[court seal] In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said County, and Subscribed my name this Twenty fifth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight. 
/s/B. Peirce
Page 29

m 83 - d 18806
75. Ensign 8 mo.
'76 Lt 12 - 
see Mass Line
see detached roll of Capt Ezra Towne
admd
8 mo Ensign 
12 Lt.
240$
no deduction 
Hon. H. ['Wm.' crossed out] J. Anderson
Page 30

I William Brown of Camden in the County of Waldo and State of Maine on oath depose and testify that I am well acquainted with John Harkness of New Ipswich in the State of New Hampshire when he resided in said town. I was an inhabitant of the same town and we were well acquainted. The said John Harkness removed to this State before I did and when I came to Camden I found this same identical John Harkness settled in Camden and married to Elizabeth Ott. 
I further testify that Elizabeth Harkness of said Camden is the Widow of the same John Harkness formerly of New Ipswich. They lived together as Man & Wife and she was always known and recognized as the lawful Wife of said John Harkness until his death which took place in 1806 or 1807 as near as I can recollect. 
The said Harkness was a Surveyor of land when at Camden and sustained a good moral character and a respectable standing in society 
/s/Wm. Brown
{The words "until his death" inserted before signing.} /s/Wm Simonton 2d J.P. 
Waldo ss. Dec 24 1838 Personally appeared the above named William Brown & made oath to the above deposition. 
Before me /s/Wm Simonton J.P. 
"William Brown" inserted in my presence /s/W Simonton 2d J.P.
Page 31

I hereby certify that the within named William Brown is to my personal knowledge a person of strict veracity, of unimpeachable moral character & his statements entitled to full credit & belief.
/s/Wm. Simonton 2d J.P. 
State of Maine
Waldo ss
I Bailey Peirce Clerk of the Judicial Courts of said County of Waldo, certify that Wm. Simonton 2d is a Justice of the Peace in said County, duly authorised to act in that capacity, and the Signature above, & purporting to be his, is genuine - 
[court seal] In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said County and subscribed my name this Twenty Fifth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred & thirty eight
/s/B. Peirce
Page 32

I Stephen Barrows of Camden in the County of Waldo on oath depose & testify that I hold the office of Town Clerk of said Town of Camden & that said town was incorporated in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & ninety one & that there are no records of publishments or marriages prior to said year. - 
/s/Stephen Barrows
Waldo ss. Dec 5. 1838. Subscribed & sworn to 
Before me /s/Wm. H. Codman
The above named Stephen Barrows holds the office of Town Clerk & is a respectable & credible witness
/s/Wm. H. Codman J.P. 
State of Maine
Waldo ss. I Bailey Peirce Clerk of the Judicial Courts of said County certify that William H. Codman is a Magistrate and Justice of the Peace in said County duly authorised to act in that capacity and the Signature to the above Deposition & purporting to be his is genuine - 
[court seal] In testimony whereof I hereunto affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said County, and Subscribed by name this fourteenth day of December in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred & thirty eight
/s/B. Peirce, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of Waldo County
Page 33

I Ebenezer Prutt do testify and say that in the spring of Seventeen hundred and seventy five I went with John Harkness and others from New Ipswich N.H. to Cambridge M.S. and was with said Harkness in the battle called the battle of Bunker Hill. that previous  to said battle the said Harkness and myself inlisted into the service for eight months under Cap't Ezra Towne, that we continued in Cambridge and vicinity till the said eight months expired and then Inlisted under the said Cap't Town (Towne) for one year, and marched from Massachusetts to New York where we tarried one month, we then marched from New York to Montreal where we continued one month, after which time we marched through Albany to New Jersey where we continued untill the time our enlistment expired 
I further say that the said Harkness did the duty of an Ensign during the first eight months service, and that he the said Harkness did the duty of a Lieut. through the said year's service. 
/s/X [his mark] Ebenezer Prutt
Attest
/s/Thacher Bradford
/s/Supply Watson
Hillsborough ss November 12th 1838 
Then personally appeared the above named Ebenezer Prutt and made oath that the above affidavit by him signed is true before me 
/s/Thacher Bradford Jus. of the Peace 
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Ebenezer Prutt and that he is a respectable & credible witness & that his statement is entitled to full credity & belief
/s/Thacher Bradford Jus of the Peace
Page 34

[margin note: Omit]
State of New Hampshire
Cheshire ss. 
[court seal] I Henry Coolidge Clerk of the Supreme Court of Judicature for the County of Cheshire certify that Thacher Bradford was on the 12th day of November instant and still is a Justice of the Peace in the county of Hillsborough & State of New Hampshire duly commissioned and sworn and that his name subscribed to the within Certificate is his genuine signature. 
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Superior Court at Keene this thirteenth day of November Eighteen hundred and thirty eight
/s/H. Coolidge Clerk
Page 35

[margin note: Omit]
I Joseph Felt of Nelson in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire eighty one years of age do testify and say that I served in the service of the United States the first eight months in the Revolutionary War in the vicinity of Boston and that Ezra Town (Towne) was Capt. of the Company and John Harkness was Ensign in said Company the Rigement Commanded by Colo. James Reed that he the said Harkness served the whole eight months and that he the said Harkness was in the Battle on Bunker hill
And that I served in the years service of 1776 in the said Ezra Town's (Towne) company and I think the said Harkness was Lieut. of said Company if he was not I do not remember who was our Lieut. 
/s/Joseph Felt
State of New Hampshire
Cheshire ss} November 13 - 1838 
Then personally appeared the above named Joseph Felt and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by his subscribed is true 
Before me J. ROBBINS Justice of the peace
I hereby certify that I have long been acquainted with the above named Joseph Felt that he is a person of strict varicity and that his testimony may be relied on as truth
Nov. 13 - 1838 /s/J. ROBBINS Justice of the peace
State of New Hampshire
Cheshire ss. 
[court seal] I Henry Coolidge Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the county of Cheshire certify that Josiah Robbins is a Justice of the Peace in the County of Cheshire aforesaid duly commissioned and sworn and that his name subscribed to the above certificate is his genuine signature
I witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Superior Court at Keene this thirteenth day of November A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty eight
/s/H. Coolidge Clerk
Page 36

Mrs. H. P. BLODGETT
STATE CHAIRMAN GENEALOGICAL RECORDS
MAINE D. A. R.
150 TALBOT AVENUE, ROCKLAND, MAINE
 [logo: DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION]
March 11, 1938
[receipt stamp: RECEIVED MAR 12 1938 MAIL SUB-DIV. VETS ADM READER #27]
Veterans Administration
Pension Bureau,
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen: -
Lieut. John Harkness, of Camden, Maine, Revolutionary Pensioner:
I would like very much service record, etc., of this John Harkness, who, as I understand it, enlisted in Camden, Maine, for 8 mos. 4-23-1775, as a private and clerk, Capt. Ezra Towne's 4th Co., Col. Jas. Reed's N. H.  regiment, marched to Cambridge and took part in Battle of Bunker Hill. Com., Ensign 6-6-1775 by the Colony of N.H., being mustered July 11, and again July 1, 1775, com., as Ensign by Continental Congress. Was he in the War of 1812?
John Harkness died of cancer 5 -14-1806 (?) If 1806 is correct, of course he was not in the War of 1812.
His wife, Elizabeth Ott Harkness applied for a Pension 1-3-1839, giving her age as 75. Is this correct date?
Thanking you for anything you may tell me,
I remain
Yours very truly,
/s/Maude Blodgett
Page 37

1-681 [initials: CPS] SUBMIT IN DUPLICATE PHONE Branch 476
All inquiries regarding this job should refer to Requisition No. 42126
Requisition for Duplicating, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work. 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WASHINGTON
CHIEF, Division of Publications, Room G139. April 14, 1930.
Please furnish work specified below. 
Bureau ordering Pension Deliver to Room No. 5033 
(ALL COPY FOR DUPLICATING WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN ELITE TYPE, EXACTLY LINE FOR LINE AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON FINISHED JOB.) 
Title and description of job photostatic copies of 7 pages from Revolutionary War pension claim of John Harkness, N.H. Troops, W.23253. 
No. of copies 1 of each Shall form be kept standing? [blank] [blank] days 
For further information see Mrs. M.M.H. Finch Room No. 5033 Phone No. 541 
Approved: A. D. Wilkinson Chief Clerk of Bureau. KPW /s/Margaret M. H. Finch Chief of Branch or Division 
NOTE: No order made "SPECIAL" unless statement showing necessity is written below and approved by Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering [blank] 
[margin note: See request in Isaac Hall, S.17461.]
[receipt stamp: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLICATION DEPT [illegible] RECEIVED APRIL 1 1930]
CHECK WORK DESIRED 
Duplicate Multigraph single of double space? [blank] Facsimile signature [blank] 
Mimeograph one side or both sides? [blank] Facsimile signature? [blank] 
Folding once or twice? [blank] 
Assembling Stapling Once? [blank] Twice? [blank] Side? [blank] End? [blank] Electric typewriter Fill in addresses? [blank] Dated? [blank] Addressograph from lists 
Envelopes, size [blank] Cards, size [blank] Proof list [blank] Pay rolls [blank] 
Labels (submit sample) [blank] Corrections [blank] Fill in letters [blank] 
Tabulation sheets [blank] 
Photostat x Size actual Official use? [blank] Repay? yes $1.05
Blue Print Size [blank] Official use? [blank] Repay? [blank] $[blank] Remarks [blank] 
(OVER)
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NOTE: Routine changes of addresses may be made on this blank without formal reference through or initialing of chiefs of branches or chief clerks of bureaus. [blank] 192[blank] (Date) 
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[verso]
Revy WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 23253
Elizabeth Harkness 
Wid of John Harkness
Lieut. Rev. War
Act: Feb 2d 1848. 
Index: Vol. A, Page 318
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[recto]
Dec 5 '98 
J. T. Daly, Cir - 
1930 Apr. 24. Photos mailed to Edw. K. Gould, See Isaac Hall, S.17461. A.D.Y.
1938, Mar. 30. hist. to Mrs. H. P. Blodgett. M.C.S.
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IN CONGRESS.
The DELEGATES  of the United Colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, and South-Carolina, to John Harkness Gentleman
WE reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, valour, conduct and fidelity DO by these presents constitute and appoint you to be the Ensign of Captain Towne's Company, in the 3d Regiment, commanded by Colo. Jas Reed in the army of the United Colonies, raised for the defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof, You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Ensign 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 Ensign And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United Colonies, or Committee of Congress, for that purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the time being of the army of the United Colonies, or any other your superior office, according to the rules and discipline of war, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. This commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress. 
July 1st 1775. By Order of the Congress, 
/s/John Hancock President
Attest /s/Chas. Thomson Sec'y
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THE CONGRESS OF THE COLONY OF New-Hampshire.
To John Harkness Gentleman
GREETING.
WE, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Courage and good Conduct, Do, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you the said John Harkness to be Ensign of the Fourth Company in third Regiment of Foot whereof James Reed Esqr is Colonel raised by the Congress aforesaid, for the Defence of the American Colonies. 
You are, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of an Ensign in leading, ordering, and exercising the said Company in Arms, both inferior Officers and Soldiers, and to keep them in good Order and Discipline; and they are hereby commanded to obey you as their Ensign, and you are yourself to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall, from Time to Time, receive from the General and Commander in Chief of the Forces raised in the Colony aforesaid, or any other your superior Officers, according to such military Rules and Discipline in War, as have been or hereafter shall be ordered by the Congress of said Colony, in Pursuance of the Trust reposed in you. 
By Order of the Congress, 
/s/Matthew Thornton President. 
Exeter, the Sixth Day of June A.D. 1775.
/s/E. Thompson Secretary