Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1,008, George Harris, New Jersey
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
New Jersey

Harris, George

NUMBER
S. 1,008

carded
--------------------------
CONTENTS
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Page 2

22.900
New Jersey
---------------------
George Harris
Essex Co. in the State of New Jersey
who was a Sergt. &c. in the Comp commanded
by Captain Ward of the Regt. commanded
by Colo. Seely in the New Jersey
line for 2 months a Sergeant
& 7               "        " private
------------------------
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey
at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th 
day of Dec. 1833 and deld. J. F. Randolph
Present
------------------------
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33.           $83.33
Semi-annl. allowance ending 4 Mch.   16.69
                                                               ______
                                                             $100
                                                             _______
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act of June 7, 1832. }

Recorded by Geo. C. Stiles Clerk
Bood E, Vol. 3, Page 116.
Page 3

George Harris

A {illegible}
August 2 Mo
Private 7 n

JF Randolph
Page 4

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
20 Sept 1833

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 compl[y]ing with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
------------------------
A Statement, shewing the Service of George Harris.
[table follows with 6 columns; headings as follows:]
(1) Period when the service was rendered.
(2) Duration of the claimant's service. {Sub-headings:  a.  Years.   b. Months.  c. Days.
(3) Rank of the claimant.
(4) Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
(5) Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
(6) Proof by which the declaration is supported.

[text beneath column headings as follows:]
(1) what year did service commence?
1776, 1777, ----, 1778, ----, '78 & 9
(2) a. [blank]  b. , 2, 2, 1, 2, 1, 3. c. 15   
____ 
11 15 
    15
____
11 0
  2
_____
  9 0
  2 Sergt
____
  7. Private

(3) private in; Sergeant in; private; in

(4) Capt ward & Lindsly; Ward; Lindsly; Maj Hays & Col. Seely

(5) 73

(6) Luke Miller - Rev Soldier,  John S Newman-- Clergyman,  Annamah Gifford Asael F.& Gifford } citizens, his own oath-
[end of table]

I am, respectfully
Your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

[hand-written at bottom:]. [illegible] was various tasks for Genl. Washington [rest is illegible]
Page 5

Regulations Under the Act of June 7, 1832

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construced to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under teh 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 occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries, and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamster, Boatmen, &c. Persons who servied on board of privare armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as person 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 toops in the Revolutionary Ward exisit in this Department,all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers,muscicians or privates will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the follwing 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 ot obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June,1832.
State,Territory, or Distric of Count of } ss.
On this  _____ day of ______ personally appeared (a) before __________A.B. a rsdient (b) of __________ in the county of _______ and State, Territory or District of ______ aged (c) _____ years, of who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obatin the benefit of the provision make by the act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United Stes inthe year (d) ____, with _______ and serviced in the_____(e) regiment of the _____line, under the following officers:

[Here set forth the ames and rank of the Field and Coompany Officers; the time he left the service; (and fi her served 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 as 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,namy &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 inthe State of _______.
Sworn to and subscribed thd day and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court]

And the said Court do hereby declare thei opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary war soldier, and servied as he states, ___________ of the Court of _______do hereby certify (h) that he foregoing contains teh original proceedings of said court in teh matter of the applicationof _____ for a pension. In testimony whereof,I have hereunto set my hadn and seal fo toffice (i) this __ day of ____ &c.

If an examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will producesuch 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, resideing in ________and C, D, residing in (the same) hereby cerify that we are well acquainted with ____________ who has subscribed and sworn the above declaration, that we believe him to be ______________ year os age; that he is reputed and believed, in the enighborhood where he resideds, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur inthat opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
And said Cour 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 apllicant was a Revolutionary War soldier and served as he states. And the Court futher 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 said Court, in teh 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 commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so stte 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 evidnece or not, proceeed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narraive with the events of the period of his.

The above two paragraphs are underlined and the following had written note is included:

By whom and in what manner was claiment court appointed sergeant did he act in such without formal appointment?
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3

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?
ter 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 and loss than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: --For [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank].  For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank], 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 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 fix 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 battenged. 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.
-->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] The traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

[hand-written at bottom of page:] Where evidence in detail is not produced, the fullest detail possible is required in the declaration
Page 7

State of New Jersey
County of Monmouth SS. On this 30th day of July personally appeared before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of Monmouth County, George Harris a resident
Howell in the County of Monmouth & State of New Jersey aged seventy three 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 provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States
in the year of 1776 with Capt Ward & served
in Col Seelys regiment of Militia under the
following officers served in the following
grades Viz.  he was born at New York in
1760, shortly after removed to Morris County
New Jersey, where he made his home till 1781 when he removed to Howell Monmouth County, where he has resided ever since.   He entered the militia service at ['Newark' crossed out] Elizabethtown  under Capt Ward as aforesaid, served under him at that place for two months during that year in two tours of one month each- he then returned & was again called out in 1777 & served in that year under Capt Ward aforesaid, at New Ark as a guard for two months, in tours of one month each- be also served in this year he thinks one half a month under Capt Lindsley, about Morristown, this was where the Pennsylvania troops revolted, & he with others was sent to quell them-- he also served as a guard at Minisink New York, for one
month, under Capt Lindsley in the latter part of the same year- he also served as a sergeant (all the other service being as a private) for two months at New Ark in 1778 under Capt Ward, & one month as a private under Capt Lindsley at Monmouth in the same year, the preceding was all in the mon
Page 8

lye service, in the latter part of 1778 he entered
the three months service at Newark, under
Major Hays Col Seely, the Captains named not recollected & served for three months which terminated in January 1779 - this last service was as a guard at Newark- he was in the Battles of Springfield & of Monmouth- he has no record of his age or documentary evidence relating to his service or discharge, & having resided so long, so far from the place of his services he
has been unable to procure any living witness of his services except Luke Miller whose affidavit is herewith sent- the same having been exhibited to the Court - he hereby relinquishes every claim 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.

Sworn & Subscribed the day & 
year aforesaid in open Court - George Harris
John Patterson

We John Sophie Newman a Clergyman residing in the township of Howell and Annaniah Gifford Esq & Asael F Gifford residing in the same
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with George Harris, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration. that we believe him to be 73 years of age; that he is reputed & believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, & that we concur in that opinion - also that said Harris
reputation is fair & above reproach-
Sworn Subscribed the day & year 
aforesaid in open court-
John Patterson

John Sophie Newman
Annaniah Gifford
Asael F Gifford D
Page 9

Mrs. George A. Edwards
406 Broadway
Long Branch, New Jersey

Dear Madam:
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 1008, based upon the military service of the only George Harris that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.

This soldier was born in 1760 in New York and shortly afterward moved to Morris County, New Jersey, and lived there until 1781 when he moved to Howell, Monmouth County, New Jersey.

While living in Morristown, Morris County, New Jersy, he served with the New Jersy troops as follows: in 1776, two tours of one month each under Captain Lindsley as private: in 1778
Page 10

November 13, 1936

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

BA-J/MCS

Mrs. George A. Edwards
405 Broadway
Long Branch
New Jersey

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request for the records of Revolutionary War soldiers, George Harris and Abram Lane, and for a copy of the signature of Abram Lane.

You are furnished herewith, the Revolutionary War records of George Harris and Abram Lane as shown by papers on file in their claims for pension, also tracing of the two personal signatures found in the pension claim of Abram Lane.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 11

New Jersey
Monmouth I George Harris being duly sworn on this oath saith, that by _____ of old age + the consequent loss of memory he cannot recollect precisely his services in the time of the Revolution but he is confident that he served as he states in his original declaration, although from the causes there stated he can ___ no other evidence, sometime in 1776 he entered the militia service at Elizabethtown in this State, as a private under Capt Ward, that he served under him as a private at that place during the year 1776, for two tours of duty one month each he has no recollection of any engagemnet with the enemy or any other particular incounters that ____ during their tours of service except at the fort, that in with other took a Lodon trader (as in was called being a trader with the British) with a quantity of salt = afterward in 1777 he was again called out served under Capt Ward at Newark as a private for two tours of our month each - whilst at Newark he recollects taking up a negro who was hiding with the British but hes no _____ of any battel or skirmish - During this year he was also called out and served a half month under Capt Lindsly at Morristown in quelling the insurrection of the Pennsylvania troops - in 1778 he was appointed by Capt Ward to act as sergeant but he never received any written appointment or commisission, and during that year he observed under Capt Ward as sergeant for two tours of one month each at Newark this was in the _____ of the year - afterward in the same
Page 12

year during the months of June + July he served one month as a private under Capt Lindly, principally in Monmouth + its vicinity during which period he was in the battle of Monmouth - he recollects distinctly of being on guard the night before + of assisting on the day of battle in driving off a company of British by ____ horse, who were attempting to ____ in a barn - In the latter part of 1778 as he before stated in his declaration he entered the militia service again under major ____ ____ Seely, the Captains name he does not recollect, served under them one tour of three months which terminated in January 1779 - this service was performed at Newark - he recollects of being in the battles at Springfield + Monmouth - this is as full a statement of his service as he is able to recollect, + he has sent to proof as full + particular as he can ____. 
Sworn + Subscribed this 
28th of October 1833 before me
William ____ Justice
of the ______
Page 13

State of New Jersey 
Morris County SS  } Personally appeared before
me William Brittin one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Morris and
State aforesaid - Luke Miller and made oath in due form of Law- saith that he was well acquainted with George Harris in the time of the Revolutionary war being a near neighbour to him, and further saith that he was well knowing the said George Harris being out in the service of his Country at the Minisink for one month and then was released and returned home to Morristown in the County of Morris and State of New Jersey - also an other time of the said Harris being out on a tour of duty in the service of his Country in the Revolutionary war at the Monmouth Bottle and being out for one month more and was under the Command of John
Lindsley and in Col Seelys Regiment- and further the deponent sayeth not
Luke Miller

Sworn and Subscribed before
me this first day of July 1833-
William Britton J. Peace

This is to Certify that Luke Miller to whom
Signed the above deposition is a creditable witness and full credit ought to be given to his affidavit.
William Brittin
Page 14

State of New Jersey
Morris County ss. } I David Day Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for
the County of Morris aforesaid do hereby Certify that William Britten Esquire before whom the witness's affidavit was taken was a Justice of the Peace of said County duly commissioned and sworn and authorized to take the same and further the signature William Britten thereto annexed is [covered up] signature--

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the Seal
of the said Court at Morris Town
the second day of July A.D. Eighteen
hundred and thirty three
David Day Clk
[seal affixed at left]
Page 15

George Harris
Aug 1 1833
26, 806

Sergeant
Service as private & sergeant, in
Col. Seely's Regiment
1776- 2 mo
1777- 2 mo
---  1/2 mo
--- 1 mo
1778  2 Sergeant
---   1 private
1778  & 9 3 mo 
         _____
         11 1/2 months--

James F. Randolph
New Brunswick
Page 16

And the said Court hereby declare their
opinion after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the interrogatories presented
by the War Department, that the above applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and
served as he states- and the Court further certifies that John Sophie Newman who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the township of Howell, & that Annaniah Gifford and Asael Gifford who have also signed the same are residents in the same township & are all credible persons & that each & all their statements are entitled to credit--
John Patterson

I Daniel H. Ellis Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Monmouth County do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the applica tion of George Harris for a pension.

he testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand
affixed the seal of my office this thirtieth day
of July Eighteen hundred thirty three-
D.H. Ellis Clk
Page 17

[left side]
1936. Nov. 13. hist. & tracing
of signature to Mrs Geo.
A. Edwards, See corres.
in Rev. clm. Abram Lane 1045
MCS

[right side]
Rev War      INVALID.
--------------
File No. __ 1098 ___
__ George Harris ____
__ Priv. N. J. Line ___
----------------
Act: __ June 7, 1832. ___
---
Index:--Vol. __A __, Page __ 156 __

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Index: -- Vol.
Page 18

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME __Harris George ____
GRADE __ Private ___
Line __ Pennsylvania ___

WARRANT NUMBER __ 9636 ___
ACREAGE ___ 100 ___
ISSUED __ April 9, 1791 ____
to  --- not shown-
----------
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 6, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.