Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4671, Richard Harris, Md.
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_Harris, Richard_
SERVICE _Md._
NUMBER _R. 4671_

Born in England

CONTENTS [blank]
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Application of Richard Harris for a Pension

Search for name on Roll

34,691
Richard Harris of Upper Canada
N.Y.

4671

Hon C. F. Mitchell NY
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State of New York

County of Niagara Ss; On this seventh day of September 1834. Before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas held at Sockport in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Richard Harris a resident of the Township of Grantham, District of Niagara, Upper Canada, aged seventy eight years last February, 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 7, 1832.  That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1777, in the month of August, with Capt. Joseph Burgess in the County of Baltimore as he believes about thirty miles from the city and served in the 4th Maryland Regiment commanded by Col. Josiah Carvill Hall for three years, being the term of his enlistment- previous to his enlistment he resided at the place where he enlisted - after his enlistment he was marched to Baltimore City where he was supplied with arms and clothing - after the battle of Brandywine. The Company to which the deponent belonged joined the Regiment [...] Valley Forge - The Regiment was in the battle of Germantown and wintered at Wilmington, Delaware - Gen. Smallwood commanded. The 4th Regiment was at the battle of Monmouth in the summer of 1778, though the deponent believes it was not in the action - The Regiment passed thence to Westport where they were engaged in the fortification - The Regiment left West Port late in the [...] and wintered in [...], near Middle Brook and Bond Brook - The following
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Summer was spent in the Jerseys and along the North River and the next winter at Princeton where the Regiment occupied the College building - The next spring (1780) they went to the head of Elk, and there took vessels to Yorktown in Virginia. Gen Gates commanded the army passed on through Virginia, N. Carolina to near Campden [Camden], South Carolina - where he was discharged, his time having expired[.] Capt Burgess died at Fishkill N.Y. Lieut. Belt was promoted and took command of the Company - Lieut. Shoemaker served under him - Capt Belt did not go to the South. The Lieutenant commanded - The Regt. was under command of Col. Hall all the time this deponent was with it - the discharge of Col. Hall was in writing but has been lost for many years. In the same Company were Hugh Gills, Isaac Isaacs and Joseph Carroll a mulatto.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declares his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state.

Sworn to and subscribed this 7th day of Sept. 1834, before me in open Court 

Joel McCollum Judge of Niagara County Court

Richard Harris

The said deponent under oath answered to the following questions propounded by the Court as follows. Where and in what year were you born?

I was born at Horley near Banbury Oxfordshire England.
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in the year 1759.

Q. Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it?

I have no record of my age.

Q. Where were you during when called into service and where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live?

I lived in Maryland, County of Baltimore when I enlisted after my discharge I went to Worcester Massachussetts - thence to Boston, there went aboard of the Revolution Privateer of 20 nine pounders- Capt. Webb took three prizes and ordered them to L'Orient France and returned to the U. States in 1783. - lived in Worcester after that - then went to Pennsylvania, thence to New Jersey - and about 5 years since came to Canada where I now live.

Q.n 4. I volunteered into service. Q.n 5. The names of officers I have stated above. Q.n b. I received a written discharge which is lost.

Q.n 7. Richard Woodruff and William Woodruff I am known to in my neighborhood and who can testify to my character for veracity and the belief of my services as a soldier in the Revolution. 

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and [...] as he states.

I, A.H. Moss, Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Richard Harris for a pension. 

In testimony whereof I have herewith ^set^ my hand and seal of office this Seventh day of September 1837.

A.H. Moss Clerk
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Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
AVY/eel

[initials]

May 7,1929

Mis Anna L. Giles
153 Leland Avenue
Plainfield, New Jersey

Madam: I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R.4671, it appears that Richard Harris was born in February, 1759, at Horley, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England.

He applied for pension, September 7,1837, while residing at Grantham Township, District of Niagara, Upper Canada, and alleged that while living in Baltimore County, Maryland, he enlisted in August, 1777, and served three years as a private in Captains Joseph Burgess' and Belt's Company, Colonel Josias Carvil Hall's 4th Maryland Regiment; and that after being discharged from the army, he went to Boston and shipped on the privateer "Revolution", Captain Webb; they captured three prizes, carried them to L'Orient, France, and returned to the United States in 1783.

The claim was not allowed as he fail to furnish satisfactory proof of the alleged service.
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He stated that after 1783 he lived in Worcester, Massachusetts, then moved to Pennsylvania, then to New Jersey and about 1832 went to Canada.

There are no further data as to family.

Respectfully,

E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
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Hon. C. F. Mitchell

HR
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In 1797 an act was passed by the Legislature of Maryland in favor of Richard Harris for the [depreciation?] of pay, as a soldier of the 4th Regmt. of that State. The papers on which that act was founded; were certificate of Col. J. C. Hall, Capt. Belt and Sergt. John Simon, which in all probability contains sufficient credence to establish his claim to a Pension, but his name will undoubtedly be found on the rolls.
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Land Office, Annapolis, 15th March, 1838,

Thereby Certify, that it appears by the Master rolls of the Revolution remaining in this office, that Richard Harris, enlisted as a private, for the term of three years, in Captain Burgess's Company, in the 4th Maryland Regiment, on the 13th day of August, 1777, and in the 13th day of August 1780, was discharged.

George G Brewer
Reg. Land Off. W.S.M.
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LAND OFFICE,

Annapolis, _31st January_, 183_8_;

I Certify, that it appears by the Muster Rolls remaining in the Office, that _Richard Harris,_ enlisted as a _private; in Capt. Burgess Company,_ in the _4th_ Maryland Regiment, on the _13th_ day of _August, 1777,_ and was discharged _on the 13th_ day of _August 1780_

George G. Brewer
Register Land office, W. S. Md.
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J. L. Edwards [...]
Com.s of Pensions
Washington

[illegible stamp]
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Lewiston N.Y. 26th Dec. 1838.

J.L. Edwards Reqs.

Sir, Pardon me for  inquiring what your decision has been, if made, on the supplementary testimony in the case of Richd Harris, an applicant for a Revolutionary pension.

Freeman with great Respect your neo Ob.S.f

Bates Corke
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N.Y. Oct 27

[Mass:?]:paper

Rich.d Harris
Act 1832

Hon J L Edwards [illegible]
Com.r of Pensions
Washington D.C.
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Lewiston 10th. Oct 1838.

J.L. Edward Esq.

Sir, At about the time I wrote you last in relation to the claim of Richard Harris I also wrote G.G. Brewer Esq. giving the same names I gave you as mentioned by Harris to me from recollection without hesitancy previous notice or aid of any memoranda in writing, and now beg leave to enclose the reply of Mr. Brewer, by which I am perfectly satisfied on the question of identity and hope it will prove satisfactory to yourself. It certainly is more satisfactory proof than common reputation. May I pray your early decision on his claim - if affidavits of respectable persons as to his fair character be necessary I can procure them in Canada, taken before a Canadian magistrate with some considerable trouble and expense. I trust however you will now deem [?] his claim established.

I have the Honor to be with great respect your mo. ob

Bates Cooke

N.B. Allow me to refer to my letter of 25 Sept. last for the names &c. alluded to by Mr. Brewer.

B.C.
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Lewiston N.Y. 8 Nov. 1838.

J.L. Edwards Esq.

Sir, I herewith send you an affidavit touching the character of Rich'd Harris an applicant for a pension. These papers have heretofore been forwarded as you will perceive by reference to your files.

The claims of Anna Field and Susannah Hyde forwarded some weeks since I have not heard from. Allow me to solicit your early attention to them.

I am very Respectfully
your mo. ob ser

Bates Cooke
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Bates Cook

25. Jan. 1839

OL
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War Department
Pension Office
Jan 25. 1839

Sir

[crossed out: The] In reply to the inquiry in your letter of the 26th ulto respecting the claim of Richard Harris I have to state that to sustain [?] his application it is necessary that he should be identified by a credible witness as the soldier he describes himself to be in the Maryland Line.

Bates Cook Esq,
Lewiston
New York
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Geo. G. Brewer,
Jan.y 24, 1838.
O.C.
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War Dep
Pen: Off
Jany 24, 38

Sir

I have the honor to enclose you the declaration of Richard Harris and[circled] to request that you will furnish the evidence afforded by your records of his alleged service in the Maryland Line.

Geo. G. Brewer Esq'r
Annapolis
Maryland
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Hon. C F Mitchell
Nov 20 - 38

O.C.
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War Dep
Pen: Off
March 30 38

Sir

I have the honor to state that it will be necessary for Richard Harris to procure some parol testimony to his service in the Maryland ^Line^ in order to avail himself of the evidence of the rolls as certified by Mr. Brewer & enclosed in yours of 26 inst.

Hon C. F. Mitchell
Ho Rep.
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Harris
[illegible] at

Mar 26

[...]
[...] Evans

[...] Evans will please hand the letter to Dr. when he has attend his part of it

C. F. Mitchell M. C.

Hon'ble J. L. Edwards Com Pensions
Washington
D.C.

Hon. C.F. Mitchell
H.R.
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House of Reps: March 26
1838

Sir

Enclosed you have herewith - firstly - a certificate from the proper office in Maryland, that Richard Harris' name appears upon the rolls of that state as having served in the revolutionary army 3 years & consequently entitled I believe to a pension.  In what way shall I establish the fact that the Rich'd Harris in my district is the identical individual here alluded to, to the satisfaction of your department?

Second - An affidavit made by Judge Ingersoll for the purpose of getting a pension certificate to replace one that is lost belonging to the late B. Clough Dec'd  The application is thus made to enable the widow of Clough to draw the amount of the pension due her husband at his death.  Will you please forward to me the certificate solicited.

Third - The application of Daniel [illegible] for a pension with the proper certificate etc -- as suggested in your favor returning this paper to me some time since for the [illegible] thereof-- It is now thus duly supplied.

Very Respectfully
Yr Obt. Svt.
Chs. F. Mitchell

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com. Pensions
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[illegible] Feb 2 N.Y. Case
[postmark] ANNAPOLIS JAN 31
[stamp] FREE
J. L. Edwards, Esq'r
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
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Land Office, Annapolis, 31st July, 1838;

Sir,

Yours of the 24th Inst, was received, Enclosed, I
send you a certificate from the Muster roll of the revolution
of the services of Richard Harris, who appears to have enlisted 
in Captain Burgess's Company of the 4th Regt., as stated in his
declaration, the declaration is also herewith returned.

Very respectfully yrs,
G. G. Brewer

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
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[Stamp]

Annapolis
OCT
11
MD

25

Bates Corke Esq.
Lewis Town,
New York

Mail
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Land Office, Annapolis, 10th Oct. 1838,

Dear Sir,

Your letter of the 25th ultimo, in which you state that Richard Harris, who alleges that he served in the 4th Maryland Regiment in 1777 & 1780, and in whose behalf I furnished a certificate from the rolls some months ago, and who by way of identifying himself as the individual that served in the revolution, has given from recollection, the names of Sarg't Clark, Henry Heitland, John Lemon, Martin Allcok, and a number of others, which you mention, as having belonged and served in the same Regiment with him, was received -- I have examined very carefully the muster rolls of the fourth Regiment of the Maryland line, and find all the names you mention [struck out: upon] in your letter, as having served in that Regiment with Richard Harris. I deem it unnecessary to give any Certificate of their names appearing upon the rolls, as I presume my statement in this letter is sufficient.

Very respectfully,
Yr. Obt. Svt.
G. G. Brewer

Mr. Bates Cook
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State of New York
County of Niagara Ss:  Be it known that
on this day November 5th 1838, before me the subscriber, a
Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally app-
eared Richard Woodruff of St. Daniels and Joseph
Woodruff of Stamford Province of Upper Canada who 
being first duly sworn do on their oath declare and
each for himself allows that they have been acquainted
with Richard Harris who is now applying for a pension
to this Government for the past six or eight years that
his general character is good and for truth and veracity
stressed very high and is in our opinion unimpeachable and
further say not.

Sworn to and Subscribed this
this 5th day of November 1838 before   Richard Woodruff
me.  I hereby certify that the                   Joseph Woodruff
above named deponents are
gentlemen of respectability and
credible witnesses.

Jona Bell
J. P.

I certify that Jonathan Bell above named is an acting Jus-
tice of the Peace in and for the county of Niagara New York
and that his signature above written is genuine.

Dated at [illegible] 8. Nov. 1838

Ch. F. Mitchell 
[illegible]
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[Illegible stamp]

Nov 19
NY
Addl proof
Richd. Harris

[illegible]

30
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
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Suspended
Let. to Hon. C. F. Mitchell
Jany. 23, 1838

[Following is struck out:
G. G. Brewer Esq.
Jany 24
[illegible] March '38
to Bates Cork 25 Jany 1839]
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                                                                                              153 Leland Ave.
                                                                                               Plainfield, N.J.
                                                                                               Oct. 18, 1928

Commissioner of Pensions
          Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
         Will you kindly inform me
whether or not there is a record
of a Revolutionary War Pension having
been granted to Margaret Giles Harris
widow of Richard Harris of 4th
Maryland Regiment.  Richard Harris
enlisted in 1777 for three years and
died 1780. (He was a private in Capt. Joseph Burgess Co.
                   under Col. J. Carvell Hall.)
        I am asking this information
because as a descendent of Richard 
Harris (or Harrias) I wish to become a
member of the D.A.R.  I shall be
helped greatly if you can send the 
above information soon.
            Yours very truly
                 Anna L. Giles
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1929-May 7- (illeg)
(illeg)   Anna L
Giles (illeg)

4671
P.O. ______________________
__Richard Harris___________
Service: __Md.____________

Enlisted: ____REJECTED_____, 18  .
Discharged: _______________. 18  .


Application filed: ___________, 18  .
    The printed list of 
    1852, shows reasons
Alleges: ____________________
___for suspension____________
Re-enlisted: __"It is necessary__
_that he should be identi-__
fied by a credible witness
as the soldier who describes
himself to be in the Mary-
land Line."