Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4979, Jonathan Harris, N.C.
Page 1

Service
N. C. 
Harris, Jonathan
Margaret
N. 4979
Page 2

9606
Tennessee Nashville
Margaret Harris deed
widow of Jonathan Harris 
NC
who was a private 
in the Revolution


Inscribed on the Roll at the rate 
of 20 Dollar and 00.
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March 1843.
and end 24th August 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued
the 4th day of June 1855
and sent to 
G.G. Debrill
Sparta Ten

[ Acts of March 3, 1843, and June 17, 1844]

Recorded in Book: A
Vol.  2 Page 192

G.G. Debrill June 21 1855
Page 3

(8-1776)

SERVICE
N.C.

Harris, Jonathan
Margaret

NUMBER
W. 4979

CONTENTS
West Tennes[see]
Jonathan Har[ris]
of White Co in the State of Tennes[see]
who was a private in the com 
by Captain Reed of the regt command
by Col Caldwell in the N Carolina
line for 6 months

Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennes[see]
at the rate of 20 Dollars [blank] Cents per annu[m] to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of [blank] 1833 and Hugh [ ] Carrick Sparta
Arrears to the 4th of Sept   50 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March  10
$60
Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Dan Boy[d] Clerk,
Book E Vol 7 Page 83
Page 4

(8-1776) NUMBER
NC  Harris, Jonathan  W.49797
       Margaret

State of Tennessee
White County

SS On this 16th day of August A.D. 1833 personally appeared before me Joseph H[erd] an acting Justice of the peace for said County and State Jonathan Harris a resident of the County of White and State aforesaid aged Eighty tow years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of teh Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 -
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein Stated. -- He was drafted for three Mo=nths under Captain Samuel Reed his lieutenants name not recollected - He then resided in Roan County in the State of North Carolina. He is unable from his age and the consequent loss of memory to state the period when he entered the service as above. 
David Colwell was his Colonel. He marched from Roan County and joined General Greens Army - Genl. Green he supposes it was [blank] General Pickins and Col. Lee with about five or six hundred men in pursuit of T Genl Tarlton ^of which number deClaraut was one
In pursuing Genl Tarlton we came upon four or five tories under Genl. Piles near the residence of one Col. Oniels' where we had a severe engagement with the tories and defeated them and took a number of those who escaped death during the engagement prisoners -- At the time of the above battle Genl. Tarlton was at Col. Oniels' and made his escape by flying -- Genl. Tarlton there went to Hillsborough where the whole of [blank] were under Lord Cornwallis -- This declarants three months having expired he was dismissed and returned home to his family -- Here he remained a short time, when he again entered the service by volunteering under Col. Colwell, the object was to go against the tories. He was marched to the Shallow ford of the Yadkin River, where we had a severe engagement with the tories. He recollected that a captain by the name of Francis was killed in the engagement. We defeated the tories -- After the above battle was fought he went in pursuit Col. Bryant a tory we pursued him to Pedee but he
Page 5

(8-1776)
SERVICE
NC
Harris, Jonathan
Margaret

NUMBER
H. 4979

CONTENTS
was so far ahead of us that we were unable to overtake him -- This declarant believes he served in all more than six months, but he cannot recollect precisely how long.- He feels confident that he served as long in all as six months and claims a pension for that period. He states that owing to his age and infirmity and the great loss of memory he is unable to say more than the foregoing in relation to the services performed by him to his country --
He was discharged by Col Colwell and retur==ned home again to his family - He has no documentary evidence nor does he know of any person, whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service. He hereby relin==quishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State --
1. He was born in Hopewell County in the East Jerseys in the year 1751 as well he now recollects -
2. He has no record of his age -
3. He was living in Rowan County each time when called into service as already stated -
4. He was drafted the first tour the 2nd He volunteered -
5. He has stated the name of all the principal officers he recollects together with the general circumstances of his service as well as his memory will permit -
6. He does not recollect that he got a written discharge from either of his tours if he did they are lost - 
7. He states the names of the following persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood and who can testify as to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution/Viz: Rev. Peter Buram - Rev Abel Hartson Major Lewis Philips & Samuel Moore Esqr
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above mentioned } Jonathan X his mark Harris
Joseph Herd Justice of the peace
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3436
Margaret Harris
Tennessee
Declaration
of Mr. Harris
widow of Jonathan
Harris Deceased
A W B Campbell
Page 7

8-1776
Service Number
N.C.
Harris, Jonathan W. 4979
Margaret
Contents

Certify and so State and declare that the aforesaid Margaret Harris the widow of Jonathan Harris Deceased, a Soldier of the Revolutionary war, and who now resides in the County of White about thirteen or fourteen miles from the Town of Spar-ta the seat of Justice for said County, and whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Decla-ration, made under the act of Congress of the 4th of July A.D. 1836 owing to her age and bodily infirmity is wholly unable to appear before a Court of Record, in order to make said Declaration.
April 4th 1838
Matthias Hutson 
Justice of the peace

State of Tennessee
White County } [blank]
Personally appeared before one Matthias Hutson one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for the County of White and State of Tennessee the person in whose names are herento subscribed and after being sworn according to [blank] upon him oath do say, that they were personally acquainted with Jonathan Harris Deceased in his lifetime, and with his wife Margaret Harris his wife (now his widow) whose name
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Service N. C. Harris, Jonathan Number  W. 4979 Margaret
Page 9

N.C. Harris, Jonathan W.4979
Margaret
Page 10

N.C. Harris, Jonathan W.4979
Margaret
Page 11

(8-1776)
Service Number
N. C.
Harris, Jonathan W. 4979
Margaret
Page 12

showing the amount of said services that said Jonathan Harris was entitled to receive as a pensioner the sum of Twenty dollars per year; which he drew up to the 21st of March in the year 1834. She further declared that she was married to the said Jonathan Harris on the   day of February in the year seventeen hundred and seventy two, in Lancaster County in the State of Pennsylvania, by a Regimen Ordained minister of the Gospel name not recollected but that she has no record showing this marriage; that her husband, the informant Jonathan Harris died on the 28th day of June in the year 1834 at his residence in the County  (eligible) and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, a will now fully appear by the proof hereto  answered.
Sworn to and sub on the
day and year above written 
before on the 11th April 1838
Mathias Hutson
Justice of the Peace
  Maryell his X mark Harrison seal
Page 13

State of Tennessee{
White County          { On this the 24th day
of February A.D. 1852.  Mary Chisam came
before us the undersigned as acting
Justice of the Peace for said County duly
authorised by Law to administer oaths
and made the following acclimation in
Order to Obtain the amount due the Heirs
of Johnathan Harris & Margrett Harris Due
under the acts of congress passed July 4th
1836 July 7th 1838 and 7th June 1832 this
claimant states that she is the Lawfull
child of Johnathan Harris & Margrett 
Harris late of said County and that 
her Mother Margrett Harris Widow of
Johnathan Harris applied for a Pension
and the same has never been granted
that her father Johnathan Harris Died
on the Twenty Eighth day of June in the
year Eighteen Hundred and Thirty four.

Leaving a wife named Margrett
Harris who did not intermarry after
the death of her said Husband and butt Died on the Twenty forth day of August in the year
Eighteen Hundred and Forty Nine
being the Widow of the Said Johnathan 
Harris the Said Johnathan & Margrett
Harris Died leaving but one child
Page 14

Surviving them which is officiant 
Mary Chism aged Sixty nine years - who
was Resides in White County Tennessee  
Sworn to and Subscribed before me
date above            Mary x Chisum
                               ---------------
                                       mark
Warren L Woods ℗
Justice of the Peace 

I certify from my personal
acquaintance with the above affiant
the She is the [illegible] person She represents 
herself to be and that She is a 
Woman of respectability in whose
Statement full confidence may be
placed given under my hand and Seal
this the 24th day of February 1852
  Warren L Woods ℗
  Justice of the Peace 

State of Tennessee {
White County           {
On this the 24th day of
February 1852 personally appeared before
me Jesse Franks and Green Templeton
who are persons entitled to full faith
and credit and who is disinterested 
in the foregoing claim and made oath
in due form of law that they were
personally well acquainted with Johnathan
Harris and his Widow Margaritt Harris
Page 15

and the said Margrett Harris Died
On the 24th day of August 1849 Leaving but
One child which is Mary Chisam
formerly Mary Harris who is a Legal
heir of the the said Johnathan Harris
and Margerett Harris Sworn to and
subscribed before me the date above
to
Waran L Woods
Justice of the Peace
Jesse Franks
Green Templeton
Test,
M.C. Dibrell
James Templeton
know all men by these presents that
I Mary Chism of the County of White
and state of [illegible] have this day
Erravocably appointed Moore & Dibrell
my three and Lawfull attorneys to
prosecute my claim for a Pension
due to me as the Heir of Johnathan
& Margrett Harris. I authorise my said
Attorney to demand a certificate from
the proper officer of the Government
the amount that may be found due
me as aforesaid hereby Ratifying
whatever my said Attorneys may
Lawfully do in and about the finances
given under my hand and seal this the
24 day of February 1852
West
M. C Dilell
Mayhew Seal
mark
Wm. Chisam
Page 16

I Warren L. Woods acting Justice
of the Peace in and for White County
Tennessee hearby certify that Mary Chisam
came before me and acknowledged 
that she Signed the written Power of
Attorney for the purposes therein
exercised given under my hand &
Seal this the 24th day of February 1852

Warren L. Woods ℗
Justice of the Peace 

State of Tennessee {
White County           {
I George G. Dribrell Clerk of White
County Court do hereby certify that
Warren S. Woods whose genuine Signature appears
to the foregoing Certificate is now and was acting
Justice of the Peace for Said County and that all
his official acts as such is entitled to full faith 
and Credit.

Given under my hand
and seal at office in 
Sparta this 25th day
of February 1852

G.G. Dribrell clerk
of White County Court
By S. Rengland
Page 17

address
G.G. Dribrell
Sparta
Tennessee
Page 18

Jonathan Harris Deed Last Will & Testament

In the name of God Amen!  I Jonathan Harris of the County of White and State of Tennessee being weak and sickly in body but of sound mind and perfect memory do make and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner and form as follows Viz. First and in the first place I give my soul to almighty God who first gave it me and my body to the dust from whence it came to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors and as Touching [illegible] my worldly estate, which it had he pleased God to help with, I dispose of in the following manner.

I give and bequeath to my beloved wife all my Land during her natural life, and a chestnut sorrel mare called the Big Frilly and his colt and a cow & calf and all the house hold and Kitchen furniture.  And a yoke of steers and cart and what hogs she wants for meat.  And further I want my other two horses and the balance of my cattle and what hogs my wife dont want for her meat and sheep to be sold on a twelve months credit with bond and sufficient security.  And my wife to have the use of the money during her natural life.  And at her death John and Polly Chisom to take possession of all that is left and at their death I want it all equally divided among all my Grand children.

In Confirmation of this my last will and Testament I nominate and appoint John [illegible] Son. my Sole Executor to this my Last will and Testament.  In witness where I hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fifth day of June One Thousand eight hundred and thirty four.


Jonathan X Harris    (seal)
                 his mark 

Wilber Upchurch {
John Chisom        {
Leroy Helton         {
Page 19

State of Tennessee { March Term AD 1843
White County {

This day John Chison produced in open Court a writing purporting to be the last will and Testament of Jonathan Harris late of the County of White deceased whose death being duly proved, the due execution and publication thereof as such was duly proven in open court by the Oaths of Wilson Upchurch and Leroy Walton two of the Inscribing witnesses thereto for the purposes therein contained

And at the same time made oath that the said Jonathan Harris was at the date of the execution and publication thereof as such was of sound as disposing mind and memory which is ordered to be recorded Given at office 7th March 1843

Test N Oldham Clerk 
of White County Court

State of Tennessee {
White County {
I George G Dibrell Clerk of White County Court hereby certify that Elijah W Donor Esquire whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing Declaration and affidavits is now and was at the time of Signing the same an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified that all of his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit I further certify that the within is a true and perfect copy of the original will of Jonathan Harris Deceased with the probate thereon as appears now on file in my office In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office in on to the 3d day of February A D 1855 G. G. Dibrat Clerk of White County Court
Page 20

Proof
Jonathan ?Oduris died 28th Jnw 1834 [illegible] the Declaration also the [illegible] of the [illegible] on 4th [illegible] as to death of each also copy of will dated 25th Jnw 3 days before his death. [illegible] seems to be as full as I can [illegible]and that will be [illegible]
Very Respectfully
G.G. [illegible]
atto
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26.596
Jonathan Harris
White Co.
Son
from private
6 mo.
$20
Hugh S. Carrick
Sparta
Tennessee
Page 22

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of Jonathan Harris
Period when the service was rendered.
Duration of the claimant's service. 3 Months
Rank of the claimant. Pv Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Cap Reed Col Caldwell. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. 82. Md. Proof by which the declaration is supported. Traditionary
Period when the service was rendered. 3 Months Rank of the claimant. Pv Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Coldwell
I am, respectfully,
your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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 2[page]
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 as 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, mucicians 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 Congress of the 7th of June, 1852.
Sate, Territory or district of County of } ss.
On this  day of  personally appeared (a) before
A. B. a resident (b) of 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the 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 the 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;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
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 (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
And then will follow 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
the 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 and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
(And then will follow the certificate of the 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.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
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 the Court of
do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the 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, if 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 he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
Page 24

3 [page number]
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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?
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 inquiry 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, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, 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  ----; 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.
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.
Proof of Service.
(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, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[pointer] 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.
Page 25


Pen Off, May 28 1855
Sir
Please inform me when Jonathan Harris of Tenn, Act 1832 $20 a year, was last paid
[illegible] 
S Cole 
Ch Clk Pen Off
R. J. Atkinson Esq
3d Auditor
[illegible]
Jonathan Harris paid to 4 Mar 1834
Robt J Atkinson
Auditor
Page 26

Sparta Tennessee 21 Augt 1833
Hon Lewis Cass
Sir
I enclose you the declarations
of John Knowles and Jonathan Harris
which you will please to examin and
Pass upon,
Respectfully
Hugh L. Carrick
Page 27

No 15301
Margaret Harris
decd widow of Jonathan
White Co. Tenn
atmd July 7 1838 &
[illegible] in $20
per annum from
4 March 1836 to
24 Aug 1843,
when she died

except 2 years,
Pay to Mary Chisom only
child,
Cert to
G G Dibrell Esq
Sparta
Tenn
Page 28


Pension Office
June 21, 1835.
Sir
I am not able to discover from an examination
of Jonahan Harris papers when his service
was rendered. He claimed to have served 6 months and was allowed upon his own declaration without proof of service. His widow claimed to have married in 1772, which is established would have entitled her under the act of 1836, but the proof on file is
that a child was born in 1782, and as I did
not know and have no means of ascertaining
when her husband served, as indeed there is no proof that he ever served at all, I think the allowance under the act of 1838 is a very liberal one, for under the Regulations of the office, as she did not live until July 1, 1848, I could have insisted on proof of his service, which would probably, have prevented the allowance of the case altogether. I cannot change the allowance to one more
favorable,
I am respectfully
Your Obd. Servt 
L P Waldo Commissioner
G. G. Debrill Esq.
Sparta,
Iowa [Tennessee]
Page 29


Sparta Tennessee
24th April 1855

Now L P Waldo Cons &
You will please find enclosed an amended Declaration of Mrs Mary Chisom daughter of Jonathan & Margaret Harris Decd
Also the affidavit of Wm Adcock
and Justices certificate of the date of
the birth of Mrs. Chisom all of which taken with the other I think sufficiently establishes the claim.
I was of the opinion the children were entitled if the Parents were married prior to 1800 until I read your letter.
This is the cause of my not being more particular in the dates in her first declaration,
the fault was with me, and not Mrs Chisom
Hoping this proof and explanation will be satisfactory
I remain Very Respectfully Yrs H
G. G. Dibrell
atto
Page 30

Sparta Tennessee
12th June 1855
Hon L P Waldo
Court of Pensions
Sir
I have just received the Pension Certificate
of Mary Chisom only heir of Margaret
Harris Deceased widow of Jonathan, issued by you on the 4th Instant under act of 7 July 38 & 3 March 43
I expected this pension to date back to the 28th June 1834 the death of Jonathan Harris, under the act of 4th July 1836 and I think the parties must have been married prior
to the last term of service of Jonathan Harris Decd But I cannot prove any thing about his service and have to refer you to the proof of service made by Jonathan Harris in establishing his claim under the act of 7 June
1832.
You will please examine the proof of Service
made by deceased and issue a certificate for the balance
Very Respectfully
G. G. Dibrell atto.
Page 31

Widows
File No. 4.979
Margaret Harris 
Widow of 
Jonathan Harris 
Rev War. 
This paper to be filed 
with the case
June 2/79
Page 32

B.L. and D.
W E [E is underlined]
Department of the Interior
Pension Office
Washington D. C. Aug. 14 1877
Dear Sir
Please furnish this office with the names and present P.O. address of some of 
descendants of Margt [Margaret] Harris wid. [widow] of 
Jonathon Harris a private in the Rev. [Revolutionary] War.
Their only child - Mrs. Mary Chisom made
application for pension in 1855. and sent a
Bible to this Office, through her agent Mr.
G. G. Dibrell of your town, to be filed in evidence.
This family formerly resided within the delivery
of your office.
Please return this letter with your rely in
the enclosed envelope.
Post Master  Sparta White Co.
Tennessee
Very respectfully
O.P. Clarke
acting Commissioner
in M.P.
Page 33

Pension Office
March 8, 1835
Sir:
The declaration of Mary Chisom, and the
accompanying proofs, forwarded by you in support of the claims for pension of her mother, Margaret Harris, decd widow of Jonathan of Tennessee, under the
Act of July 4, 1836, have been examined.
This claim cannot be substantiated under
proof, that the [marriage -struck through] claimant's father & mother intermarried before the termination of his service, nor could it be allowed under the Act of July 1838, without proof that the marriage
took place prior to June 1. 1794
I am 
very respectfully
Your Obt Servant
L P Waldo
Commissioner
G G. Dibrell Esq
Spart Tenn
Page 34

N.C.                                              W. 4979                                                    
Harris, Jonathan 
           Margaret
Page 35

State of Tennessee
White County
 On this 23d day of April AD 1855 William
Adcock a resident of Dekalb County Tennessee
aged Seventy Seven years personally appeared before the undersigned and made oath in due form of Law that he is the age above
stated and that he has been acquainted with Mary Chisom and with her mother and Father Jonathan and Margaret Harris Deceased for some Sixty seven or sixty eight years, that the
said Jonathan & Margaret Harris had been married for many years before he knew them and lived together in good report as
husband and wife, that said Mary must have been six or seven years of age and that from his personal acquaintance
and from their statements and from Mrs Chisoms statements I am fully satisfied that the said Jonathan & Margaret Harris were married before the Army of the Revolution
and that they were certainly married before his service in the Revolution expired. This affiant further states that the said Jonathan Harris must have been fifty or sixty years
old when he first knew him at the time above stated & that he has no interest in this claim
Wm Adcock
Page 36

The within Declaration and affidavit was sworn to and subscribed before me the date first above mentioned and I hereby certify
that I have this day Examined the Family Record of said Mary Chisom in a very old Bible printed in Seventeen hundred &
sixty seven (1767) and that her birth is set down at being born 23d February Seventeen hundred and eighty two and I believe
it genuine I further certify that her statements are entitled to full faith and credit and that said William Adcock is a credible witness and I have no interest in this claim
Elijah W. Denton
Justice of the peace
State of Tennessee 
White County 
 I George G Dibrell Clerk of White County Court hereby certify that Elijah W. Denton Esq whose genuine signature appears to the within and above affidavits and certificate is now and was at the time of signing the same
an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified that all of his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at
office in Sparta this 24th day of April
A D 1855
G. G. Dibrell Clerk
of White County Court
Page 37

Sparta Tennessee
17th May 1855
Hon S P. Waldo
D Sir 
I here with enclose you the additional proof
required in yours of the 5th 
Inst which certainly establishes
the claim beyond all doubt.
Mrs Chisoms desires very much that there
old Bibles should be returned to her after they are inspected particularly the old one which she says was a keep sake left her by her
Mother.
You will see on next to the last leaf in the Back of the old Bible Mary Harris (now Mary Chisoms) birth as set down she says by her Father Jonathan Harris, and on the 
first lid of the new Bible the date of their death
and on the affidavits the date of their deaths. 
 The affidavit of Bofon clearly convinces me that Margaret Harris died 24th Augt. 1843
It is usual in this Backwoods Country when a person dies, every thing is furnished the workman to hand to make the coffin. And he charges only for his work
$2 or $3.00 and no memorandums are kept. I tried to find out something of the date by the date her shroud was purchased but Mrs. Chishom informs me that her mother had made all of her Burial clothes for many years before her death
That the claim is a just one there can be no possible doubt
and I hope you will act upon it at once Very Respectfully
G. G. Dibrell
atto
Page 38

Margaret Harris 
Jonathan - Ten - ous - 1840
Pension Office
May 5, 1855
Sir
In the case of Margaret Harris died of Tenn the exact date of her death and her husband's and that the applicant is the only child must be clearly proved by disinterested witnesses.  The original Family Record must be sent to this office for our inspection.
I am respectfully your obt.  servt.
LP Waldo
Commissioner
GG Dibrill, Esq.
Sparta, 
Tenn.
Page 39

State of Tennesee
White County  
On this 16 May 1855 Overton Chisom aged forty four years a resident of said County Came before me & made oath that he set the names Jonathan Harris & Margaret Harris down with the dates of their death
on the lid of the Bible this day handed by his mother Mary Chisom to her agent GG Dibrel to send to Washington City, and that he set them down soon after their deaths and knows them correct, so knows the date of Jonathan Harris death from the birth of one of his
children, and is certain of the dates their mentioned being correct
Viz Jonathan died 28th June 1834. and Margaret 24 Augst 1843.
Overton Chisam

State of Tennessee
White County 
On this 16" day of May 1855 John Swindle
aged forty six years a resident of said County
also made oath in due form of Law before me that he was personally aquainted with Jonathan & Margaret Harris Deceased in their
life time and that he made the Coffins in which each of them were buried He recollects distinctly that Jonathan Harris
died in the latter part of June in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty four. He was of the opinion that it was over the Twenty
fourth day of June. He remembers the circumstance by a violent
storm which happened on the day said Jonathan died. He does not remember the date of the death of Margaret Harris
although he made her coffin. He further declares that he was acquainted  with the Deceased as far back as he
can remember, and he always understood that Mary Chisom was their only child, Margaret Harris lived for several years after her Husband died & he has no interest in this claim
 John Swindle
Page 40

Samuel Richardson a Resident of said County aged Forty eight years also made oath that he was acquainted with Margaret Harris in her life then and that she died in the month of August in the year Eighteen hundred and forty three the day of the month he cant remember, she
was living upon her land at the time of her death and that Mary Chisom is the only child said Margaret had that has ever heard of and that he has no interest in this claim
Samuel Richardson x his mark
William Bosson aged Forty nine years a resident of said County made oath also in due form of law that in 1843 as a Merchant in the neighborhood of Margaret Harris decd
and that on the Twenty fourth of August Eighteen hundred and forty three his Books show that William Chisom a Grandson of said Margaret Harris is charged with ten cents worth of nails which may have been for the coffin. He has no other means to prove her death that he knows of, & has no interest in this claim
W Bosson
The foregoing affidavits were all sworn to and subscribed before  me on this 16 day of May 1855 and I further certify that I am personally acquainted with affiants Overton Chisom
John Swindle Samuel Richardson
and William Bosson and that
they are credible witnesses
that the Bibles here to annexed
are the same from which the dates in Mary Chisoms declaration was taken as to the death of Dec & the Mary Chisom's Birth 
Witness my hand & seal
Elijah W Denton  Seal
Justice of the peace
Page 41

State of Tennessee
 White County
I George  G Dibrell Clerk of White County Court hereby Certify that Elijah W Denton Esq whose genuine Signature appears to the
within certificate and to the Certificates in the two Bible hereto annexed is now and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County and
State aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified, that all of his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of said Court
at Office in Sparta the 17th day of May AD 1855
G. G. Dibrell Clerk
of White County Court
[seal]
Page 42

Sparta, Tenn
Aug. 22nd 1877
Commissioner of Pensions:
Dr. Sir: 
After Consulting Gen G. G. Dibrell in regard to
the descendants of Margt, Harris I find
that Mr. Overton Chisom is a decendant
and his address is
Teeter's
White Co
Tenn,
Yours & C.
W. N. Cameron P.M.
Per Hamby ast."
Page 43

Brief in the case of Margaret Harris deceased widow of Jonathan Harris
White County and State of Tennessee
act July 7, 1838
Claim, ("original"
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
in
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls?
Her husband was a pensioner under the act of 
June 7, 1832 at $20 a year, (service shown in his papers)
For proof of Marriage, Family Record filed showing birth of a child in 1782, (to claim under the above acts she must have been married before 1754. 


For identity Death &. 
Overton Chisom
John Swindle (coffin maker) Saml Richardson
 & William Bosson, [proper certian]

Name and residence of Agent
G. G. Dibrell 

Thornton Triplett
Examining Clerk
Page 44

Jonathan Harris:  28 June 1834
Margaret Harris: 21 Aug 1843
Mary Chisom
Overton Chisom, 
John Swindle (Coffin Maker)
Saml Richardson, Wm Bosson
Family Record of marriage
filed up stairs
child born 1782
Page 45

Bible returned & papers filed
File No. 4979
Mary Harris
Widow of
Jonathan Harris
Private Revolutionary War
Heir and only child.
Mrs Mary Chisom {Chisom applied
for pension in 1855)

G. G. Dibrell
Sparta, Tenn
Two Bibles sent to [  ]
only one found
& returned
Page 46

Mary Harris
Pa

Suspended
L. B. True
[Present]
Page 47

Margaret Harris
Tennessee
Act 4 July 1836
Suspended

[Ace let] 30 April
1838 [N.] W. B. Campbell
L. W. Glenn
G. G. Dibrell March 8, 1855
same May [5], 1833
Page 48

Revy WIDOW, &c.

File No.  4979
Margaret Harris
Widow,
Jonathan Harris
Private Revolutionary War
---
Act: Mch. [343]
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 303
Arrangement of 1870
Page 49


House of Repesentative
April 28, 1838


Sir,
I here transmit you the declarations
of the widows of Revolutionary soldiers
asking for pensions. You will please
communicate to William Glenn Esq.
of Sparta, White County Tennessee.
Your decision upon these cases, and
Oblige your Most   [    ]
W. B. Campbell

J. L. Edwards Esq
[count] of pensions
W B Campbell
Page 50

[unknown] of Pensions, 
Sir, Enclosed are pension claims of Margaret Harris [deed?], and Sarah Chrisam, [deed?], which please examine and report to

[unknown] Moore + Ditrell 
Sparta
[unknown}
Page 51

26. 596
Jonathan Harris
Page 52

We Peter Buram and Abel Hutson Clergymen
residing in the County of White and State of
Tennessee do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Harris who has subscribed and sworn to the above and foregoing declaration that we believe him to be Eighty two years of age
that he is reputed and believed in the neighbor
hood where he resides to have been a soldier
of the Revolution and that we concur in that
opinion.
Peter Buram
Abel Hutson

Sworn to and subscribed before me this day and year above named
Joseph Herd
Justice of the peace
Page 53

State of Tennessee
White County
Jacob A Lane Clerk of the Court of
Pleas and [Quarter Sessions] in and for the
County of White aforesaid do hereby certify that Joseph Herd
whose name is subscribed as Justice of the peace to the foregoing
several testimonials is now and was at the time of subscribing the same [thereto] as such am acting Justice of the peace
and for said County of White duly commissioned and qualified to act as such and that full faith and credit is due and should be given to all his official acts as
[attestations] as such and that said several signatures is the proper hand writing of said Joseph Herd.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court at office the 21st day of August
A.D. 1833. And of the [  ] of
the United States [the fifty Eighth]
[Atsest] Jacob A Lane
Clerk of White County Court
By N. Oldham Dep Clerk
Page 54

11-7-60
Tennessee
Margaret Harris __ decd
widow of Jonathan
who died on the (blank space)
of (blank space) in the, Stare of (blank)
who was a _erevate in the (blank) commanded
by the Captain (blank) of the (blank) commanded
by (blank) in the Revolution 
line for 6 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Nashville
at the rate of 20 dollars 00 centsHer annum to commence on the 4th day of 
March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issues the 4th day of 
June 1853 and sent to 

Arrears to the 4th of (blank)
Semi-annual allowance ending (blank)

Signed: G.G. Dibbrell Sparla
Tenn:

other signature: G. T. Gelly
Page 55

State of Tennessee
White County

On this 14th day of February 1855 Nancy
Fisher aged Sixty four years a
Resident of the County & State aforesaid came before me and made oath in due form of law that she is personally
acquainted with Mary Chisom the within applicant for a Pension and has been for many years and that she was acquainted with her Father Jonathan Harris Deceased a Pensioner of the United States and with his
wife Margaret Harris, that she first became acquainted with
the said Jonathan and Margaret Harris in the
State of North Carolina, that she was acquainted with
them from a very small girl and that she knew them
at the time of the Marriage of the said Mary, which must
have been near the year Eighteen hundred, and that from the age of the said Mary at the time this affiant become acquainted with them this affiant has no doubt whatever but what the said Jonathan Harris and Margaret Harris was married long before the year Eighteen hundred that the said Jonathan died in the County of White, as well as she recalled about the date stated in the within declaration but she will not state positive as to the date but thinks so from other circumstances, she further states that said Margaret Harris did not marry
but continued the widow of the above named Jonathan until she died which happened as she thinks about the year Eighteen hundred and forty three leaving Mary Chisom as their only living child, and she is the within applicant. She states she has no interest whatever in the within claim the said Jonathan & Margaret lived together in good repute as husband & wife up to the time of their death,
Sworn to and [subscribed] before me date above and certify that I am personally acquainted with said Nancy Fisher and by her statements and entitled to full faith.
Elijah W. Denton, Justice of the Peace
Page 56

State of Tennessee
White County { On this 14th day of February 1855 Jesse Franks aged fifty
four years, a resident of the County & State aforesaid personally appeared before me and made oath in due form of Law that
he has been acquainted with Mary Chisom and with her Father and Mother Jonathan & Margaret Harris Deceased for upwards of Forty years and that the said Mary Chisom
their only child living that said Jonathan Harris died about the time stated in the within Declaration and that his Widow Margaret Harris lived several years after his death
and he thinks died about the time stated, she did not again marry but continued the widow of said Jonathan she further states that from the age of their daughter the said Mary Chisom that said Jonathan Harris and his said wife
Margaret were married before the year Eighteen hundred and that they and together as Husband and wife in good repute up to their death, and that he has no interest whatever in this claim
Jesse Franks [signature]
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 14 day of February 1855 and I certify that I am personally acquainted with said Jesse Franks
and that his statements are entitled to full faith and credit I further certify that I this day examined the family Record in the possession of Mary Chisom the within applicant
and that the dates of the death of Jonathan Harris and Margaret Harris correspond with the dates in her Declaration,
Elijah W Denton [signature]
Justice of the peace
Page 57

State of Tennessee
White County ⎬ On this 14th day of February
Eighteen hundred and fifty five Mary Chisom aged Seventy Three years a resident of said County with whom I am personally acquainted and whose statements are entitled to full faith and credit personally appeared before the Undersigned an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County and made oath in due form of Law that she is the Daughter of Jonathan Harris, a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, that her Father the said Jonathan Harris was Pensioned under the act of Congress passed 7th June 1832 and drew Twenty dollars per annum and that he died in the County of White and State aforesaid on the Twenty eighth (28th) day of June in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty four leaving a widow whose name was Margaret, and who did not again marry but [continued] the widow of the above mentioned Jonathan Harris until she said, that the said Margaret Harris never drew a Pension and died on the Twenty fourth day of August in the year Eighteen hundred and forty three leaving this affiant the only child, she being the only child the said Jonathan and Margaret Harris had. She further states that she does not know at what date her said Parents were married, but she knows they were married before the year Eighteen hundred some where in the State of Pennsylvania, an she is informed and believes, that she cannot get a Record of their marriage not knowing exactly where to apply for them, but she knows they were married prior to the year Eighteen hundred and moved from Pennsylvania to the State of North Carolina and thence to the State of South Carolina.
Page 58

and [removed] from there to the State of Tennessee where he died as stated within
on the 28 day of June 1834, she states that she has applied for this pension
heretofore and does not know why her claim has not been allowed.
She makes this Declaration for the purpose of obtaining the
benefits of the acts and Resolutions of Congress passed
7th Jun 1832, 4th July 1836, 19 June 1840 and all other acts or resolutions
and for the purpose of drawing the amount due to her as the only child of the said Jonathan and 
Margaret Harris Deceased and which was due the said Margaret Harris as widow of the said Jonathan at his death.
She appoints George G Dibrell as attorney to [present] said claim and requests
that the same be made payable at the [Surhwith] [Tennefrer] Agency
attest Wm Chisom
Mary her and Mark Chisom
Overton Chisom
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 14th day of February 1855 and I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with the above named Mary Chisom for many years, and her statements are entitled to full faith and credit, and believe her
to be the person she represents herself to be
and I have no interest in this claim.
Elijah W Denton
Justice of the peace
White County