Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13295, Moses Harris, New York
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3-1776

Service: New York

Name: Harris, Moses

Number:  S. 13295

Contents: Carded
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1159
New York
Moses Harris
Queensbury in the State of New York
 was a Pri J O2. Se. in the Compy commanded
Captain Heusted of the Regt commanded
by Col. Humphrey in the New York
line for 17 Mo a private and
7 A Sergeant~

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 91 Dollars 61 Cents per Ann
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27. day of Oct
1832~ and sent to  J.W. Patten

Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832 $13,741
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Mar.'35 45.80
$183.21
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Geo. C. Stiles Clerk,
Book D Vol. 5 Page 99

W. Valentine 20 Oct. 1854
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4548
Declaration of Moses Harris in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress before June 7th 1832
Before Judge Barber

is entitled to full faith and credit
Nath R Pitching M.D.
Sandy Hill, N.Y. Aug 21 -
1832
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Declaration 
 In order to obtain the benefit of 
the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
State of New York
Ss
Warren County

On this sixteenth day of August 1832 personally appeared before me Hiram Barber one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Warren, Moses Harris a resident of the town of Queensbury County of Warren & State of New York aged eighty-five years on the 19th day of November 1831 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 7, 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated, no wit that he entered in the month of October 1775 into Capt. Kinney company (he believes Col Humphrey Regm.) of Minute Men, that he was out on alarms and scouting parties through the country as far up as Livingston Manner and other places disarming the Tories and securing the pro property of the Whigs for a large proportion of the time until Sept. 1776 at which time he entered as a substitute in to a Company of State Troops under the command of Capt. Ebenezer Heusted (said to be Col Sanders Regt.) and was appointed first or orderly Sergeant therein, that he immediately marched to Poughkeepsie and embarked on board a sloop & sailed to Fort Montgomery, from there to Fort Constitution and was there stationed under the command of Lieut Coll John Bailey until discharged which was in the month of December following. That he
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immediately returned to his residence and after remaining at home nearly one week, he again enlisted into a company of State Troops under the command of Capt. William Mead, and was appointed first or orderly Sergeant therein , and was attached to Coll Humphrey  Regiment that immediately after his enlistment he marched to Fish Kill Dutchess County N.Y. from there to Croton River and then to White Plains Westchester County N.Y. at which or near said last named place he was stationed during his term of service and was occasionally sent out with scouting parties to New Rochelle Rodmons Ferry & Bronx River Lake, that at one time while out under the command Coll Henry Van Renselaer and when near Kingsbridge  they had a skirmish with a party of British Cavalry killed two men, and succeeded in bringing away about twenty cows - That his term of service for which he enlisted having expired in the letter part of  April 1777 he was discharged and returned to this residence a few days before the stones were destroyed in Danbury Vermont
         That he was employed in the secret service of the United States by Major Brinton Paige in the Month of February 1781 that he went as far north as Kingsbury Washington County N.Y. that while their he fell in company with a party of Torries, and feigning himself with them in sentiment he obtained their confidence, and was entrusted with packages to carry from one port to another, all of which was first submitted to General Schuyler - that he obtained information that the enemy was marching from Canada by the way of Ticonderoga & Canada Creek the former makes under the command of general St Ledger and the later commanded by general Powel that he made a Statement of their movement as near as he could ascertain, and with a packages on the same subject from
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Canada to the Tories went to Eastern Washington County NY be-fore he could find a man that he can entrust with them. He then employed Mr. John Fish to carry them to General Schuyler in Albany N.Y. That general Schuyler after pursuing said report and documents contained in said package, sent for him to devise some means to have a letter taken to the Governor of Canada, that he volunteered his service for that purpose - that General Schuyler then wrote a letter superscribed and directed to General Washington congratulating him with the news of the destruction of Rodney's Fleet and stating that by calling in General Starks Brigade he might have spared several more regiments for the invasion of Canada and other circumstances calculated to deceive the Enemy that he immediately returned to Kingsbury and there engaged a Tory who held a commission under the Government of Great Britain to transmit the same to Canada (as he was informed by the bearer of the communication) as a [illegible] on an intercepted letter, on the reception of which, the governor immediately countermanded his order and directed the troops to return. That he continued in said service until the month of October following - 

That the whole time for which he served was about two years and two months. As a minuit man from October 1775 until September 1776 - 11 months. As First Sergeant in the state troops from September 1776 (two terms of Enlistment) until April 1777 Seven Months - Once as a Spy and Agent from February 1781 until October following eight months.

That at the time of his enlistment and during the Revolutionary War his residence was in the town of Amenia, County of Dutchess and State of New York - that soon after the close of the war, he moved in to the town of Queensbury County of Washington (Now Warren) State of New York, where he now resides.

That he has no documentary evidence, that he formerly had a letter from General Schuyler acknowledging his service as a
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spy and thanking his for the same, and also a letter from the Hon. John Taylor formerly Lieutenant Governor of the State of New York on the same subject - that they were transmitted to Congress with a petition for a pension in the year 1826 or 7, which petition has access to the knowledge of this deployment him action on none of the papers returned, that he knows of no person whose testimony he can [illegible] who can testify to his service.
He hereby relinquishes every 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 or territory interrogatories by the Judge.
1 When and in what year were you born.
Answer I was born in the Town of Goshen, County of Litchfield, State of Connecticut on the 8th day of November (old Stile) 1746
2 Have you any record of your age, if so, when is it
Answer There was a record of my age in my Father's bible, which is supposed to be now in the possession of my sister in Indiana.
3 Where were you living when called into the service, where have lived since the Revolutionary War + where do you now live.
Answer At the time that I enlisted I lived in the Town Armenia County of Dutchess State of New York - As soon after the close of the war I moved into the town of Queensbury County of Washington (now Warren) and State of New York where I now reside.
4 How were you called into the Service
Answer I entered the service as a Volunteer the first term of the service, the 2nd I entered as a substitute of a man by the name of Sinebunow.

5 State the names of some of the Regulation officers who were with the troops when you served such Continental (illegible) Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your services.
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Answer I can recollect Capt Kinney, Huested + Mead Major Briston (illegible)
Col Humphrey, Bailey + Van Minflaus + General Schuyler
6 Did you (illegible) receive a discharge from the service
Answer Yes sir, A verbal one only, no written one was ever given out
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 service as a soldier of the Revolution
Answer Elder William Grant, Palmer Jenkins
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me
Hiram Barber a Judge of Warren County
Moses Harris
Mr William Grant, a Clergyman residing in the Town of Bolton County of Warren NY and Palmer Jenkins residing in the Town of Queensbury County of Warren NY hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Moses Harris who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration and that we believe him to be eighty five 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 day and year aforesaid
Hiram Barber a Judge of Warren County Courts
Wm Grant
Palmer Jenkins
And the said Judge does hereby certify and declare that it
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is his 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 the States - and I further certify that from my acquaintance and knowledge of the bodily infirmities of the above named applicant I believe him to be unable to attend upon the Court of Common Pleas of this County.
And I further Certify that William Grant who has signed this prescribing Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Bolton, in the County of Warren and that Palmer Jenkins who has also signed the same is a resident of the Town of Queensbury and is a creditable person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Hiram Barber a Judge of Warren County Courts
State of New York
Warren County

Personally appeared before me Hiram Barber one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Warren Moses Harris who has made this foregoing declaration who being first duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that soon after the close of the revolutionary war he moved into the county of Washington NY and that in consequence of his intercourse
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The person who is attended to and named in said certificate and also that the accompanying paper purporting to be a copy of the letter from John Taylor referred to in my declaration was taken at this time or soon after its [illegible]. And that he [illegible] believes it to be a true copy of the original and further this [illegible] sayeth nott.
Moses Harris
Subscribed + sworn before me
this 16th day of August 1832
Hiram Barber a judge
of Warren County Courts
State of New York
Warren County
I Thomas Archibald Clerk of the Said County do Certify that Hiram Barber Esq before whom the preceding affidavits purports to have sworn was at the date of the same was one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said judge and verily believe his subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature
Witness my hand and Seal of office this 18th day of August AD 1832
Thomas Archibald Clerk
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Years since, heard the said Moses Harris relate the story of his services and sufferings in our revolutionary struggle and the importance of [illegible] service to our common country - I have also heard his account corroborated by his [illegible] and company of that day but their [illegible] have [illegible] to the [illegible], and I do not now know of one in this region [illegible] living, that suffered with him, in adventurous and daring deeds - his story, service and hair breadth escapes, have always been known among the old Whigs of this region, and have ever been considered highly meritorious, and properly appreciated, and it is with [illegible] to day which I verily believe that his [illegible] is entitled to full faith and credit
Nath R  Pitcher M. D.
Sandy Hill, N.Y. Aug 21
1832
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State of New York
County of Warren [SS]
On the ninth day of September AD one thousand eight hundred and fifty four personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace duly authorized to administer oaths within and for the County and State aforesaid Henry Harris aged seventy six years a resident of the Town of Queensbury County and state aforesaid who being duly sworn according to Law Says that is a son of Moses Harris deceased late of the Town of queensbury county and State aforesaid a pensioner of the United States under the act of the Seventh of June one thousand eight hundred + thirty two at the rate of $91.61 per annum defen(d)ant says that his said father Moses Harris died on the thirteenth (scribble) day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty six at the Town of Queensbury Country + State aforesaid that at the time of his death he left no widow but left surviving him the following named children (?) Charles Harris Henry Harris Moses Harris Sarah Harris now Sarah Lane Mary Harris now Mary Brayton that the said Mary Brayton is now dead, that they are his only surviving children + that each one of them are over twenty one years of age defan(d)ant says that he makes this declaration in behalf of the children of the said Moses Harris in order to procure the increase pay or difference between the amount he did receive + was unfilled to receive from the fourth day of March 1931 to the 13" day of November 1836 the day of his death, defendant says that his family was formerly from the South part of Dutches County + State aforesaid + defendant says that he often heard his father say that he served under one Captain Wright in a regiment commanded by Col Ian Courtland in the Navy (?) as se(a)rgeant for Several years during his service in the revolutionary war and has heard his said father often speak(e) of his service while in the revolutionary war that he was engaged in many skirmishes with the enemy + that he afield(?) ini the capture of Burguoyne defendant says that he has heard his said father say that he serrved nearly the whole period of the revolutionary war -
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[upper left corner]
Subscribed and Sworn to
before me this ninth day
of September 1854
William Robinson
Justice of the peace

[signature at top right margin space:] Henry Harris

I hereby certify that I have been personally acquainted with Henry Harris who made the within affidavit for thirty years I know [ink smudge] him to be a person of Good Moral character & a man of truth & veracity & that he is a credible witneS and that his affidavit above is entitled to full faith & credit

William Robinson 
Justice of the peace

State of New York
Warren County 
{ss

on the Eighth day of September AD one thousand Eight hundred & fifty four personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace duly authorized to administer oaths within & for the county and State of ours and Sanders Harris aged fifty Five years a resident of the Town of Queensbury county & State of ours and who being duly Sworn according to law Says that that he was well acquainted with Moses Harris who was a [Junsioner?] of the United States & died at the Town of Queensbury County & State aforesaid on the thirteenth day of November one thousand eight hundred & thirty six [defornant?] says that he resided near the Said Moses Harris at the time of his death and is well acquainted with all his children that are now living & was acquainted with Mary Brayton now dead the following named children of the Said Moses Harris are now Living [illegible] Henry Harris Charles Harris Moses Harris Sarah Harris now Sarah Lane & that each one of them is over twenty one years of age

[illegibly signed at lower right] S-[?] F- [?]

Subscribed and sworn to
before me this eight day 
of September 1854
William Robinson Justice of the peace
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New York
Harris, Moses

S 13295
Carded
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4548
Moses Harris
admitted
7 mo orderly Sergt
p 17 mo private

3.33
   17
_______
23.31
83.3   2 2
_______
$56.61
   75
______
35
56.61
______
$91.61
_____
4580
7.41
______
9161
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BRIEF in the case of Moses Harris of Queensbury in the State of New York 
(Act 7 June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or Judge? a Judge com. pleas county

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

3. How old is he? Eighty five years.

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
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August 27, 1931

Mrs. Ralph Ricketts
116 S. Market Street
Johnstown, New York.

BA-J/AWF

Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.13295, that Moses Harris was born November 8, 1746 (old Style), in Goshen, Litchfield County, Connecticut.
While residing in Amenia, Dutchess County, New York, he served with the New York Troops, as follows- from October 1775 to September 1776 as minute man in Captain Kinney's company, Colonel Humphrey's regiment; from September 1776 to December 1776 as orderly sergeant in Captain Ebenezer Huested's company, Colonel Snider's regiment; from a little later in 1776 to April 1777 as orderly sergeant in Captain William Mead's company, Colonel Humphrey's regiment, and was under Colonel Henry Van Rensselaer in a skirmish at KingsbBridge; and from February 1781, eight months as spy and secret agent under Major Brinton Paine.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 16, 1832, at which time he was living in Queensbury, Warren County, New York.
He died November 13, 1836 in Queensbury, New York, leaving no widow, but the following children survived him- Charles; Henry, aged seventy-six years in 1854; Moses; Sarah, who married ---- Lane; Mary, who married ---- Brayton.
This is the history of the only Moses Harris, who
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served with the New York Troops, that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this office.
Said records do not show a claim for pension on file on account of the services of a Joseph Harris, who served with the New York Troops; the record of Joseph Harris which was furnished you, July 7, 1931, is that of the only soldier by that name who appears to have lived in Dutchess County, New York.
In order to identify the record of the father of Joseph and Moses Harris, whose record you seek, his full name is essential, with as much as possible of the following data- approximate dates of his birth and death, and places of residence at enlistment and after service.
Very truly yours
A.D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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Albany, N.Y. Sept 26th 1856
Sir
Enclosed is the Declaration of Henry Harris one of the children of Moses Harris deceased for an increase of pension.  From what I have heard the children of Moses Harris say in violation to the services of their father in the Revolutionary War I suppose the three years service as Sergeant credited to his name in Col Van Courtland regiment of N. York or some by the father of the pursuant applicants, was evidently entitled to $120 per annum.  I have defered having an Administrator appointed until I am informed as to the result of the investigation by the Department.  Not being officially informed that an administrator is [illegible]requires in all cases or that such is now the rule of the office.  I shall be pleased therefore to review official information on this point in connection with the [illegible] in this case.  
I am yours [illegible]
Wm Valentine

L.P. Waldo Esq.
Court of Pensions
Washington
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5923,
Lucinda Fisher
Widow of John
Dekalb Co Tenn

3 [?] Feby 1853
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Reohan........13.295
                              Invalid
file #: 13.295
Moses Harris
Sergt Pat Wa
Act: June 7th 1832
Index-----vol. 1, page 432

1911 today 10 hist to Mrs. Florence Harries 
1922 Aug 30 Hist to H.A. Bluttley initialed AW
1922  act 20 history to pela m/pelham schooley initialed AUF/AWF

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

1923 June 21. hist to Mrs. W.H. Porter 
initialed AWS

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

1927 July 1 - hit to George Selleck
initialed AUS /AWS 
1931 - Aug 27- hist to Mrs Ralph Ricketts initialed AWS/AUS
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[illegible numbers] Market St.
Johnstown N.Y. 
Aug 11 1937

Re: War Section
Bureau of Pensions

Dear Sir:
Will you please look up the pension of Joseph Harris from about 1748 or 50 died Feb 19 1834 at Lisbon [illegible] N.Y. his wife Elizabeth b. 1753-1808 they had a daughter Sussana.  Joseph fought in Dutchess Co. [illegible] they lived in [illegible] all so Rensselaer N.Y. Yours truly Miss Ralph Ricketts
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Commissioning Persons

Dear Sir,

Will you please send us a certified record of Moses Harris of Queensbury, N.Y. who served as a spy and became a divisioner for his services during the war of the Revolution.

Mrs. Florence Harris
43 Beacon St.

Everett Moss
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Letter Sheet for Travelers with Cincinnati Office.
THE AMERICAN AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL CO.
(Incorporated)
Cincinnati, Ohio
Leave blank line after each paragraph, note subject on margin and date (numbering in order) each sheet of single letter.
Sales Department
28 Oakey Avenue 
Lawrenceburg Indiana
Sept 18, 1922
The commissioner of Pensions - 
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir - 
I am seeking membership to the D.A.R. and I would appreciate the following information and any other that you may be able to give me to assist in establishing a clear record from the line of Capt. Moses Harris.  His war record, his birth an death dates, his marriage date and information regarding his widow whose maiden name was "West".  Capt. Moses Harris was a resident of the state of New York.
Respectfully,
(Miss) Lela M. Schooley

[Received by Pension Office Sep 20 1922
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Hotel Marion
Dining Room in Connertion [maybe Connection]
Marion, Indiana May, 2, 1923
The Pension Bureau,
                                     Washington.D.C.
Will you please send me Rev. War record of Moses Harris Jr. of Washington Co. N.Y. He served about four years and received land grants in Washington Co. dated April 22, 1788, signed by Gov. Geo. Clinton. We have the original grants. When was he born? Any family information. 
Very truly yours,
         Mrs. W. H. Porter. 
Hotel Marion,          Marion, Indiana.
Pension 
May 
4 
1923
Office
US
"The Soft Water Hotel"
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Exeter, N.H., April 6, 1927.
U.S. Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions.
Commisioner of Pensions.
Dear Sir:-
Please give me whatever data there is on file about MOSES HARRIS, JR., born in Dutchess Co., N.Y. Nov. 19, 1748, and died Nov. 13, 1838 at Harrisena, Washington Co., N.Y. His wife's name was GRACE, and they were my ancestors. He rendered important service as a double spy, and was employed and greatly trusted by Gen. Schuyler, by whom he was rewarded. He had apension.
Also please give data, if there is any, about his father, MOSES HARRIS, born May 20, 1717 in Middletown, Conn., died in Kentucky, whither he went after the Revolution. He was interested in opening the Amenia lead mines in 1775 and 1776, and was [illegible letters crossed out] held in captivity in Canada in the years 1780-1782. Wife's name unknown.
Yours respectfully,
George H. Selleck.
[U.S. Pension Office stamp Apr 8, 1927]
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Service
New York
Harris, Moses
Number s. 13295
(illegible)
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Rev. and 1812
Wars Section.
[illegible handwriting in upper right corner]
July 1, 1927
George H. Selleck
Exeter
N.H.
Sir:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 13295, it appears that Moses Harris was born November 8, 1746 (old style) at Goshen, Litchfield County, Connecticut.
While residing at Amenia, Dutchess County, New York, he served with the New York Troops, as follows-
From October 1775 to Septemer 1776 as minute-man in Captain Kinney's Company, Colonel Humphrey's Regiment; from September 1776 to December 1776 as orderly-sergeant in Captain Ebenezer Huested's Company, Colonel Snider's Regiment; from a little later in 1776 to April 1777 as orderly-sergeant in Captain William Mead's Company, Colonel Humphrey's Regiment, and was under Colonel Henry VanRensselaer in a skirmish at Kingsbridge; and from
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[illegible letters] LISTMENT O[illegible] APPOINTMENT

February 1781, eight months as Spy and Secret Agent under Major Brinton Paine.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 16, 1832, while a resident of Queensbury, Warren County, New York.
He died November 13, 1836 at said Queensbury, leaving no widow, but the following children survived him- Charles; Henry, aged seventy-six in 1854; Moses; Sarah, married Lane; and Mary, married (carat ....) Brayton.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
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New York Harris, Moses S13295
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Copy of a Letter from the [?] John
Taylor
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Service
New York
Harris, Moses
Number
S. 13295
(illegible)
Page 33

The above names are here underwritten Do hereby Certify ? That William Moses Harris ? hath thoroughly distinguished himself to be an Active, Good, Sincere and  Resolute Whig and Real friend Supporting by advancing Personally with Arms hath both public and private in the Defense of the Glorious Cause of America  during the late War Between Great Britain and America and which to the ? of his ? for officers in general with Fidelity.  A bearable?, Sober Neighbour during his Continuation in our Neighborhood and otherwise adhering to the Strictest Rules of Integrity with Respect to his Word, honesty and punctuality in the frequent Private Dealings with us severally or Respectively when not beyond the impossibilities of His Career.  Therefore we are induced to Make this Favorable Testimony of his Character from Consideration of his Merits alone.
Given under our Hands at Amenia Town in Dutchess County and State of New York this 15th day of January ?
Subscriber Names in two columns

1st column
John MacDonald
Inspector, ??Clerk of Miner? Under the State of New York inform to ???? of lead ore, StepehnJ Flint

2nd column
Binton Paine Leut ??
Jamews Tallmadge Major
Amos Mead
Jacob Groo?
Platt Smith
James Barnet
? Smith, Jr
John Miller
Ezra Thompson Jr