Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18433, Stephen Harrison, Conn. Mass. N.H. And Vt.
Page 1

(3-1776)
[column headings: SERVICE|[blank]|NUMBER|]
Conn.|Harrison, Stephen|S. 18433|
Mass.|[blank]|[blank]|
N.H. and Vt.|[blank]|[blank]|
[end of columns}
CONTENTS Carded
Page 2

13.373.
Ohio Pittsburgh.
Stephen Harrison, of Richland in the State of Ohio who was a Private in the Co. commanded by Captain Rice of the Reg't commanded by Majr Whitcomb in the ['New Hamp'r' crossed out] Mass Con't NH & Vt line for two years
Mass. Conn. N.H. and Vt.
______
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio Pittsbg. at the rate of 80. Dollars 00. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
______
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of July 1833 and sent to James Purdy. Mansfield. R. Co. Ohio.
______
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833. - 160.00
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sept 1833 40.00
$200.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Wm. M. Palmer, Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 8. Page 113,
Page 3

S Harrison Declaration &c
26 1/2 months 
17947
J. Purdy
Mansfield Agent Ohio
Page 4

/s/X his mark John Watkins
Sworn to & Subscribed before me in Open Court this 24th Oct 1832
/s/Ellzey Hedges Clk
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after investigating the matter & 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 Samuel White and John Watkins who signed the above certificate are residents of Richland County and credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
/s/D Higgins Presd'g Judge
/s/Wm Patterson }
/s/Isaac Osbun } Associate Judges
/s/Wm Riddle
I Ellzey Hedges Clerk of the court of common pleas of Richland county Ohio do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Stephen Harrison for a pension.
[court seal affixed]  In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 2nd day of November 1832
/s/Ellzey Hedges clk
Page 5

State of Ohio
Richland County ss } On this 24th day of September 1832 Personally appeared in Open court in the Court of Common Pleas of Richland County Ohio Stephen Harrison a resident of ['said' crossed out] Monroe Township in said county and state aged about 75 years who being first duly sworn according to Law deposeth and ['saith' crossed out] makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
That he was born in the Town of Leominster, Worcester County Massachusetts on the 21st day of April 1757, and he supposes his birth is recorded in the records of that Town when about nine years of age he removed with his father to Charlemont in Hampshire County where he resided when he first joined the Army 
In April 1775 he marched with the militia under Capt Asaph Rice from Charlemont to Cambridge having been ordered out by some authority but he does not know what - At Cambridge in the same month he entered into the service of what is now called the United States ['under Capt Asaph Rice' crossed out] as a volunteer or Regular he does not know which, as a ['sergeant' crossed out] private soldier at ['but he entered as such' crossed out]  for eight months in Captain Richardson's Company in Col. Asa Whitcomb's Regiment. He remained in the army at Cambridge until in September. He was in the battle of Bunkers Hill, the 19th June 1775 he set out for Quebec under Capt. Ward Lieut Col. Meigs Lieut. Col Enos and Col. ['Andes' crossed out] Arnold who had the command From Cambridge he marched to Newberry fort and from thence by water to Kennebec
Page 6

and up that River by water as far as navigable - then by Land to dead River and up that river some distance - then he was ordered back with some sick soldiers to Cambridge which place he reached some time in January 1776, and was dismissed having served faithfully nine months and two weeks. While at Cambridge he was elected sergeant and served as such until dismissed - He had the charge  of the detachment that came back with the sick - He acted as sergeant about four months - He received no written discharged [margin note: 4 1/2 months]
Again in July 1776 at Charlemont he entered into the service of the United States as a volunteer private in the Massachusetts Militia, he rendezvoused at Skeensborough (Skenesborough) in Capt Childs company and Col Ruggles Woodbridge's Regiment From there he went to Ticonderoga where he stayed with the army and service until in November 1776 and was dismissed having served a full term of four months - he received no written discharge. [margin note: 4 mo]
Again in July 1778 at Suffield in Connecticut he volunteered in the service of the United States as a private soldier in the Connecticut line under Capt. Miller and March to Stonington in Connecticut to guard the place against the British who were then lying off the p lace in their ships he had no field officers that he reccollects of there was but one other company there - here he remained till in November and was dismissed having served out his tour of four months - he received no discharge - [margin note: 4 mo]
Page 7

In May 1779 at Petersburg in New Hampshire he again entered as a volunteer private in the Continental establishment as he understood it, in the Hampshire line in Capt. Stone's company of Militia and was placed among the Regulars and under Maj, James Whickcomb or Whitcomb. From Petersburg he marched to Haverhill where he passed muster, and remained there a short time when he was sent under a sergeant & Corporal to Upper Cahoon or Stratton where there was a small fort o the Hampshire line or Connecticut river - Before he went to the fort and while he remained he thinks Lieut. Holbrook commanded that Post. Here he spent the remainder of his six months term scouting through the country after the Indians and Tories. He then returned to Haverhill and was dismissed by Maj. Whickcomb or Whitcomb having served out fully his tour of six months - [margin note: 6 months]
Again in August 1780 at Rutland in Vermont he entered into the service of the United States as a private in Capt Samuel Williams company ['of Regulars' crossed out] in the Vermont line or state troops for the term of three months. [margin note: 3 months] He was stationed during this period at Rutland Vermont, (Col. Mead commanded the Fort) - and scoured the country between that place and Ticonderoga. He served out his term of three months and was dismissed but received no written discharge - 
He has no documentary evidence except it be in the war office and knows of no person by whom he can prove his services 
After the war he worked about in different
Page 8

places in New England until about the year 1800 when he settled in the town of Paris in what was then called Whitestown County now Oneida County N York. He married in Brookfield - In 1806 he removed from that place to the Scioto country Ohio near Franklinton in Franklin County and lived there four years - He then removed to Wayne co. Ohio where he lived till 1829 when he removed to Madison County and resided there until Nov. 1831 and then removed to Monroe township Richland county Ohio where he now resides - 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to any pension or annuity except the present and declares his name is not om the pension roll of any agency of any state. 
Samuel White & John Watkins. can testify to my character for veracity and belief in my services as a soldier of the revolution
/s/X his mark Stephen Harrison
Sworn to & Subscribed before me in open court 24 oct 1839 
/s/Ellzey Hedges clk
We Samuel White & John Watkins of Monroe township Richland county Ohio do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Stephen Harrison who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 75 years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion - 
/s/Samuel White
Page 9

18,150
Stephen Harrison, Wayne Co. Ohio.
Wm Lannill, Wooster, Ohio.
Rec'd 28 July 1821. 
It appears by the applicants own statement, that he did not serve on the continental establishment 9 months, under one enlistment - 
AO 32-1337
Rejected.
Page 10

Original Claim of Stephen Harrison,
State of Ohio Wayne County ss. - On this seventh day of July 1821. personally appeared in open Court, at the Court of Common Pleas of said Wayne County, the same being a Court of record for said County of Wayne, Stephen Harrison of Chester township in said County aged sixty five years and two months who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the Acts of Congress of the 18th of March 1818. and the 1st of May 1820, that he the said Harrison enlisted for the term of right months about the latter part of April 1775, in the State of Massachusetts in the Company Commanded by Captain Timothy Richardson, in the Regiment Commanded by Colonel Asa Whitcomb in the line of the State of Massachusetts, that he continued to serve in said Corps until the latter part of December 1775, making a service of eight months, when he was discharged from the said service in Cambridge in said Massachusetts which discharge was left at Charlemont in said State with other papers of this applicant about twenty five years from this date, and has not been since seen by him, Next he enlisted for six months about the month of July 1776. in the Company Commanded by Colonel Ruggles Woodbridge in the line of the State of Massachusetts that eh continued to serve in said Corps for about the term of three months - next he enlisted under Captain Miller in Connecticut to guard the sea Coast served about four months, begining about August 1778. Next enlisted for the term of three months, as he believes in July or August 1780. in the Company Commanded by Captain Ephraim Stone, in the  Regiment commanded by Major Benjamin Whitcomb in the line of the State of New-Hampshire, that he served in said Corps for
Page 11

said Harrison enlisted for the term of eight months about the latter part of April 1775. in the State of Massachusetts in the Company Commanded by Captain Timothy Richardson, in the Regiment Commanded by Colonel Asa Whitcomb in the line of the State of Massachusetts, that he continued to serve in said Corps until the latter part of December 1775, making a service of eight months, when he was discharged from the said service in Cambridge in said Massachusetts which discharge was left at Charlemont in said State with other papers of this applicant about twenty five years from this date, and has not been since seen by him, Next he enlisted for six months about the month of July 1776. in the Company Commanded by Colonel Ruggles Woodbridge in the line of the State of Massachusetts that eh continued to serve in said Corps for about the term of three months - next he enlisted under Captain Miller in Connecticut to guard the sea Coast served about four months, begining about August 1778. Next enlisted for the term of three months, as he believes in July or August 1780. in the Company Commanded by Captain Ephraim Stone, in the Regiment commanded by Major Benjamin Whitcomb in the line of the State of New-Hampshire, that he served in said Corps for about the term of four months when he was discharged, that he was in the battle of Bunker's-Hill that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services - And in pursuance of the act of the 1" of May 1820. I do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, one thousand, eight hundred and eighteen, And that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of ay property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress
Page 12

entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed on the 18th day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed - 
Schedule
One Cow $12.00
One Cow 10.00
two Sheep 4.50
Eighteen bush's potatoes 5.62 1/2
Wheat in the bushel 3.55
Barrel, meat & meat 3.91 1/2
Salt & Cask 1.12 1/2
Farming tools, bed & bedding grain on the ground, dresser ware & table & chairs & tobacco} 20.56
Hogs 7.00
One third of seven acres of corn in the ground 8.00
One acre & one fourth of corn 6.00
Flax 1.00
Potatoes 2.50
$87.77 1/2
Signed Stephen Harrison
This applicant is a labourer, following no trade; has a wife of the name of Mary aged forty five years old no children living with him and none from whom he derives any support, his wife is in health, himself is deprepid & infirm and unable to furnish himself a comfortable support 
(Signed) Stephen Harrison
Sworn to & subscribed in Open Court this 6th day of July AD. 1821. before me } /s/Wm Larwill Clk
Whereupon on hearing the evidence adduced it is the opinion of the Court that the property of the said Stephen Harrison is of the value of Eighty seven dollars & seventy seven cents, and no more
Page 13

The State of Ohio
Wayne County } ss I William Larwill Clerk of the Court of Common pleas of said County of Wayne do hereby Certify the aforegoing to be correctly copied from the records of said Court of July Term A.D. 1821 - 
[county seal affixed] In testimony whereof I hereto sign my name and affix the seal of said County at Wooster this fourteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one - 
/s/Wm Larwill C. P. W.C'y.
Page 14

No. 17.947. 13.373
Stephen Harrison
Some service in New Hampshire Militia, book or roll
No roll
Adm 2 years $80.
Jas. Purdy Ohio - Mansfield Richland County Ohio 
22d Feb. 1833
Page 15

BRIEF in the case of Stephen Harrison of Richland County in the State of Ohio.
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? A Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? [blank]
3. How old is he? 75 years.
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[column headings: Period.|Duration of Service.(Years, Months, Days.)|Rank. As a|Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen.|]
In 1775|([blank], 9, 14.)|private|Capt. Asaph Rice, Capt. Richardson|
1776|([blank], 4, [blank])| do |Capt. Childs.|
1778|([blank], 4, [blank])| do |Capt. Miller|
1779|([blank], 6, [blank])| do |Capt. Arnold, Maj. Jas. Whitcomb|
1780|([blank], 3, [blank])| do |Capt. Sam'l Williams|
[end of columns]
5. In what battles was he engaged? Bunker Hill.
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Hampshire County, Massachusetts, 3d tour in Connecticut - 4th Term New Hampshire.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? no.
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
/s/B. F. Pleasants Examining Clerk.
Page 16

P 18433
INVALID.
File No. 18,433
Stephen Harrison Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 166
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 17

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of  Stephen Harrison which require further proof or explanation. 
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes 
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? [blank] 
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes 
V. *Has he mentioned 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? yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes 
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the other under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes 
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes 
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes 
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes
Page 18

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no clergyman, but two citizens
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [blank] 
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes 
XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? [blank]
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? [blank]
Has the proper office certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? [blank]
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? [blank] 
XVI. ↕Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes 
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES. 
*QUERE V. 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______For ____ months and _____days, I served as a ____; and for such service I claim a pension.”
Page 19

3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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 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 shewn 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. 

+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.

↕QUERE XVI. 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 pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
⇨ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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 papers.