Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13,261, Abiel Harding, Mass.
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SERVICE  Mass.

Harding, Abiel

NUMBER S13.261

Carded
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New York 14770

Abiel Harding

of Barre in the State of N.Y. who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Mitechill of the Regt commanded by Col Schuyler in the Mass. line for 

Serg 2 6 mo ______ $ 30
Sergt Major 3 mo ___$ 15
Priv___________9 mo $  30
                                  ____
                                $75

Inscribed on the Roll of N.Y. at the rate of 75 Dollars      Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of June 1833 and sent to H. S. Goff, Albion N.Y.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 -   150
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept " ___ 37.50
                                                           $187.50

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by T. F. Franciosi Clerk,
Book E. Vol 4. Page 61

[illegible] to E R Reynolds Dec 1, 1851

Date of death not [illegible] A B
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State of New York
Orleans County  }  Ss

On this Eighteenth day of September in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court before the undersigned Judges of the Court of Orleans Common Pleas of the County of Orleans.  Now sitting at the Court House in the Town of Barre in + for the County of Orleans Abiel Harding a resident of the Town of Barre in the County of Orleans and State of New York aged Seventy Two yearso 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     That he was born on the first day of August in the year 1760 in the Town of Woodstock, County of Windham  State of Connecticutt.  That he has a Record of his age in his family Bible which he transcribed from a Record in his fathers Family Bible written by his father.  That he lived in the Town of Deerfield, Hampshire County in the State of Massachusetts during the Revolutionary War except when in the service.  That he removed from the Town of Deerfield to the Town of Sullivan in Madison County, State of New York in the year 1810 or 1811.  From there he removed to the Town of Phelps  Ontario County, State of New York where he lived about Two years and in the year 1822 or 1823 Removed from there to the Town of Barre in the County of Orleans, State of New York where he has resided ever since.  That the first time he entered the service as a soldier of the Revolution was in the month of May in teh year 1777.  That he went as a volunteer under the command of Captain Abner Mitchell.  Marched to Fort Edwards and served Colonel Schuyler staid there until the retreat of the American Army under General St Clair from the north to Fort Edwards, where the two divisions formed a junction. in a few days after the army began to Retreat.  There there was a good deal of confusion among the new troops and a good many left and went home.  That Capt Mitchell told his company that they had all better go home and wait for further orders.  Thinks this some time in July.  That he staid a few days after this under the command of Captain Johnson until they had retreated down to half Moon Point.  Then he set out for home and went as far as Bennington in Vermont where he arrived on the second day after he left the army at half Moon Point.  That at Bennington he found General Starks with some troops from the Grants and a company of volunteers from Berkshire, Massachusetts under the command of Capt. Brown with some of whose company he was acquainted.  That he joined himself to said company and
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was in the Battle under General Starks called the Bennington Battle   That he staid at Bennington a few days after the Battle.  When he joined Captain Joseph Stebbins' Company in Colonel Hugh McClellan's Regiment of Militia from Hampshire County Massachusetts states.  That they marched from Bennington to Battenkill Creek where he joined the army under General Gates and were under the more immediate command of General Benedict Arnold.  That he was in the Battles of the 19th of September + Seventh of October.  Thinks they were called the battles of Bemus Heights + Stillwater.  That he remained with the army until after the surrender of General Borgoine's army when he was discharged by his captain the said Joseph Stebbins.  Thinks he was discharged the last of October 1777.  That no written discharge was given.  That in the month of August in the year 17[illegible] there was a call for a company of volunteers from Colonel McClellan's Regiment   That he then entered the service as a volunteer for three months under Captain Rice in Colonel Israel Chapin's Regiment.  That he went to Albany where he remained in service under the said officers until the three months the said time of enlistment has expired when he was discharged.  Thinks he was discharged in the month of November 177[illegible].  But Received no written discharge.  That in the month of June in the year 1780 he enlisted as a volunteer in the state troops or militia for six months    That he marched directly to West Point under the command of Lieutenant Dickenson.   That he staid at West Point only one or two days when he was sent to Fishkill under the command of the said Wells Dickenson his lieutenant on what was called a fatigue party.  That he acted as orderly sergeant and had a sergeant warrant signed by the said Wells Dickenson.  That he was stationed on Fishkill Mountain with twelve men under his command to guard a Beacon.  That he remained on the mountain about two weeks when he + the twelve men under his command joined their company under the said Lieutenant Wells Dickenson who had remained at Fishkill village.  That they then went to Rhinebeck where the company were employed in cutting wood to send down the River for the use of the army.  That they remained at Rhinebeck until his term of enlistment had expired when he was discharged by the said Lieutenant Wells Dickenson.  But Received no written discharge.  That owing to the short time he staid with his Regiment at West Point he has forgot the names of the Higher officers
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with whom he Remained only a day or two.  and saw no higher than the said Wells Dickenson after he left West Point on the Fatigue party as aforesaid.  Thinks he was discharged the Last of November or first of December 1780.  That in the month of August in the year 1781 he entered again as orderly sergeant under Captain Oliver Shaddock for three months.  That they marched to a Block House about six miles below Saratoga Meadows where they joined Colonel McKenster who had the command there.  That there he was appointed Sergeant Major and Received a Sergeant Major's warrant signed by Colonel McKenster.  That this service consisted in guarding the lines and watching the cow Boys as they called the Tories.  That while there they took four men Prisoners.  Three of whom were cannadians + one a Tory by the name of Thomas Loveless who had a Lieutenant commission from the British.  That the said Thomas Loveless was there executed as a spy.  That he Remained at that place until the expiration of the said Term of enlistment when he was discharged.  Received no written discharge.  was discharged the Last of October or first of November in the year 1781.  And the said Abiel Harding further declares that he has no documentary evidence of any of his aforesaid services.  That the sergeant's warrants which he Received as aforesaid are lost.  That he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to any of his said services except Elisha Shelden who was with him during three months of his said service as above stated.  That he is acquainted with Isaac Whitnall a clergyman and Charles Lee who Reside in his neighborhood and can testify to his character for truth + their belief of his service as a soldier of the Revolution.  That the whole time he was in actual service as a Soldier of the Revolution was Eighteen months.  He hereby Relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present + declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any state

Abiel Harding

Sworn to + subscribed the day + year aforesaid in open court

AB Mills Clerk

Oliver Benton

We Residing in the Town of Barre County of Orleans and Charles Lee Esquire Residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abiel Harding who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration.  That we
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believe him to be seventy two years of age.  That is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we fully concur in that opinion

Sworn to + subscribed the day + year aforesaid in open court  

Charles Lee
O. Benton

AB Mills Clerk

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department.  That the above named Abiel Harding the applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states.  And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Oliver Benton who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident in the Town of Barre County of Orleans State of New York and that Charles Lee who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to

Alexis Ward
Saml Tappan
William James   } Judges of Orleans County Court of Common Pleas

I Abraham B Mills Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in + for the County of Orleans do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of this said court in the matter of the application of Abiel Harding for a pension

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand + seal of Office this 18th day of September in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty two and I hereby also further certify that the alterations and interlineations in the foregoing proceedings were made when the same were before the said court.  And to mark such alterations and interlineations I have set the initials of my name opposite thereto in the margin  

A. B. Mills
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State of New York
Orleans County   }  ss.

Personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace in + for the County of Orleans Elisha Shelden a Resident of the Town of Barre in the County of Orleans + State of New York who is to me personally known to be a person of good moral character and a credible person and whose statement is entitled to full faith + credit and I hereby certify to the same.  And who being first duly sworn according to Law, did on his oath depose and say that he is seventy years of age.  That during the time of the Revolutionary War he resided in the county of Hampshire in the State of Massachusetts.  That he was well acquainted with Abiel Harding who now resides in the said Town of Barre during the time of the Revolutionary war.  And that he believes the said Abiel Harding to be seventy two years of age.  And that during the Revolutionary War the said Abiel Harding lived in the Town of Deerfield County of Hampshire State of Massachusetts.  That in the year 1779 this deponent thinks in the month of August this deponent enlisted as a volunteer in the Massachusetts State Troops under Capt Rice in Colonel Israel Chapin's Regiment for three months.  That the said Abiel Harding was also a soldier at the same time in the same company + Regiment with this deponent.  And this deponent further says that he and the said Abiel Harding marched with the said company + Regiment to Albany + Remained there in the service under the said officers until the expiration of three months the time for which they had enlisted.  And further that he is well acquainted with the said Abiel Harding who has made the declaration hereunto attached and that the said Abiel Harding is a man of strict truth and veracity and knows that he is the same person who served with him as aforesaid as a soldier of the Revolution.  + further saith not

Sworn + subscribed this 14th day of February in the year 1833 before me  [illegible] Justice of the peace of Barre Orleans Co N.Y.

I hereby also certify that I am well acquainted with Elisha Shelden the said witness to the above affidavit and that he is a person of truth + veracity + that his statement is entitled to full credit   done this day + year aforesaid  [illegible] Justice P.

State of New York
Orleans County    }  ss.

Personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace in + for the county of Orleans Andrew Rawson of the Town of Barre County aforesaid.  to me personally known to be a person of Truth + Veracity and whose statement is entitled to full faith and credit.  And I hereby [unknown] to the same.  And who being first duly sworn did on his oath depose and say that he is a clergyman residing in the neighborhood of Abiel Harding who has subscribed and sworn to the declaration hereunto annexed.
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and that he is well acquainted with the said Abiel Harding and that he believes him to be seventy two years of age and that the said Abiel Harding is universally reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution.  And that this deponent fully concurs in that opinion.  And further that the said Abiel Harding is a person of strict truth + veracity and that the declaration made by him is entitled to full credit

Andrew Rawson

Sworn + subscribed this 23rd day of March in the year 1833 before me   A. Hyde Cole

I the Justice of the Peace before whom the above affidavit was made by the said Andrew Rawson do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said witness and that he is a clergyman and a man of truth + veracity.  And his statement is entitled to full credit done the day + year aforesaid    A. Hyde Cole

State of New York
Orleans County }  ss.

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in + for the County of Orleans aforesaid Abiel Harding of the Town of Barre in the County aforesaid who is personally known to me to be a credible person and whose statement is entitled to credit and who is universally reputed + Believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a solider of the Revolution and to which facts I hereby also certify.  And who being first duly sworn doth on his oath depose and say that by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively to the precise length of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.  But according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades: For nine months I served as a private soldier.  For six months I served as orderly sergeant.  And for three months I served as serjeant major.  And for such service I claim a pension.

Abiel Harding

Subscribed + sworn to this 6th day of February in the year 1833 before me   A. Hyde Cole

State of New York
Orleans County   ss.

I Abraham B. Mills Clerk of the said County do certify that A. Hyde Cole Esquire before whom the three preceeding Affidavits was taken + who subscribed the three preceeding Certificates was at the several dates thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County.  And that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice  and verily believe that his name subscribed to the said Affidavits + Certificates in the proper hand writing and signature of the said Justice.

Witness my hand and seal of office this 22nd day of March 1843.   A. B. Mills Clerk
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January 17, 1931

Rev.& 1812 Wars Section
AWF: MLB

Mrs. Avery V. Andrews
Knowlesville, New York

Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 13261, that Abiel Harding was born August 1, 1760 in Woodstock, Connecticut.

While residing in Deerfield, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, he enlisted and served as follows:

From May, 1777, as private in Captains Abner Mitchell and Johnson's company, a part of the time under Colonel Schuyler, he was in the battle of Bennington under Captain Brown and in the battles of Bemus Heights and Stillwater in Captain Joseph Stebbin's company, Colonel Hugh McClallen Massachusetts regiment and served until in October, 1777; from August, 1779, three months in Captain Rice's company, Colonel Israel Chapin's Massachusetts regiment; from in June, 1780, six months as orderly sergeant under Lieutenant Wells Dickenson with the Massachusetts troops; from August, 1781, three months as sergeant major in Captain Oliver Shattuck's company, Colonel McKenster's Massachusetts regiment.

After the Revolution he lived in Sullivan, Madison County, New York, Phelps, Ontario County, New York and Barre, Orleans
County, New York.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 18, 1832, at which time he was living in Barre, New York.

There are no data as to his family.

Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
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[illegible]

Free

Secretary of War
Pension Office Department
Washington City
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Secretary of War

Enclosed are the pension papers of Abiel Harding amended according to directions heretofore Received

Please communicate with me on all subjects relating to his claim as I am his agent for that purpose.

I am 
Respectfully
Your Obedient

H. S. Goff

Albion March 23rd 1833.
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Abiel Harding

New York

19021


served
3 mo. Sergt Major
6 mo. Sergt
9 mo. pri
Page 13

Pension D
FFB
FEB
24
1903
Office

U.S.

Feb 27 1903
FILES
Page 14

Albion Feb 21th, 1903
State of N.Y.

Hon. Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir

I wish to prove my heirship to Son of the Revolutions.  My Grand Father served in that war and drew a pension up to his death which occurred Oct 18th 1851    he was then 91 years + some over   his birth was Aug 1th 1760    his Enlistments were Sep 23 1777   July 19 1780  July 12 1781   I have been enformed were at those times enlisted in Mass.  Please inform me the step necessary for me to take + what proof would be needed + oblige a veteran of the Civil War

Sincerely yours Chester M. Harding

P.S. His name was Abiel Harding
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Albion, Orleans Co  New York
Oct 27, 1851

To the Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir

Your attention is requested to the accompanying application at your earliest convenience.  Please inform me of the result + if favorable, direct how the money shall be paid to Mr Harding

Respectfully yours

E R Reynolds
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send s 1326
he had it in 1903 but it was an old record
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Albion May 18 1912

Honorable Secretary of the Interior

Dear Secretary

Please send me the record of Abiel Harding A Revolutionary Soldier.  He is my Grand Father.  Would dearly love to possess his record    Also Please send me the record of Horace Harding an 1812 Soldier  The last is my father and oblige

Truly yours
Chester M. Harding
Albion  NY

Route 7
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Mch 10 - 1903    Hist
Chester M. Harding
Albion N.Y.

1912 June 8 Hist to Chester M. Harding  [illegible]
1916 Sept 18 Hist to Mrs. F.B. Willard
1921 Apr 13 Hist to Mrs. J. R. Carpenter
1922 Feby 15 Hist to C. F. Harding
1931 Jan. 19 Hist to Mrs. A. V. Andrews Esq.

Rev War
13.261
Invalid.

File No. 13.261
Abiel Harding
Sergt Rev. War

Act: June 5th 1832

Index: Vol. 1, Page 434

[Arrangement of 1870.}
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RECORD DIVISION.  3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C., ______, 190___

In reply to your request of ________, received_______ for a statement of the military history of Abiel Harding a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
May 1777
Aug 1777
Aug 1779
June 1780
Aug 1781
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
July 1777
Oct 1777
3 mos.
6 mos.
3 mos.
RANK.
Pvt.
Orderly Sgt
Sgt Maj.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
Captain Abner Mitchell
Captain Johnson
Captain Brown
Captain Joseph Stebbins
Captain Rice
Lt. Wells Dickinson
Captain Oliver Shattuck
Colonel Schuyler
Colonel Hugh McClallen
Colonel Israel Chapin
Colonel McKenster
STATE.
Mass.


Battles engaged in, Bennington, Bemus Heights + Stillwater
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Deerfield Hampshire Co. Mass.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 18, 1832 [illegible]
Residence at date of application, Barre, Orleans Co, N.Y.
Age at date of application, b. August 1 1760 at Woodstock, Conn.
Remarks: No date as to family.

after Rev. lived in Sullivan - Madison Co NY
Phelps - Ontario Co NY

Very respectfully,


Commissioner.
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C.T. Harding
357 Washington Avenue
Fayetteville, Arkansas

Jany 16th, 22.

U.S. Commisioner, Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir,

I am very Anxious to obtain the record of the Services in the Revolutionary War of Samuel, Harding or Abiel, Harding   Both of these Parties lived at Woodstock, Conn and Later at Deerfield, Mass

Also the same record of Seabury, Brewster of Norwich Conn, The Brewster Book says this party was one of the Minute men at the start of the revolution,
I am very anxious for this information, the D.A.Rs will not take the record I have,

Thanking You in advance for your trouble, I am 
Very truly,
C.T. Harding

U.S. Pension Office
Jan 23 1922
Page 21

R.M. Bissell, President
Whitney Palache, Vice-President
S. E. Locke, Secretary
Thos. H. Scotland, Ass't Secretary
Chas E. Chase, Chairman Board of Directors
James Wyper, Vice-President
Fred'k Samson, Secretary
D. J. Glazier, Recording Secretary and Treasurer

Hartford Fire Insurance Company
Hartford, Conn.

Agency at Putnam, Conn.

March 8th 1921.

Bureau of Pensions:
Washington, D.C.
Commissioner:
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly send me copy of Pension papers of David Harding Pensioner of 1818.  Revolutionary War.  He was born at Eastham, Mass 1732.  died in Gorham, Maine 1828.
Yours very Truly
Mrs. J. Richard Carpenter

Address Mrs. J. Richard Carpenter.
Putnam, Conn.
P.S. Will you kindly send me the Pension papers of Jeremiah Harding Pensioner of 1832
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who as born in New London 1760.  1st wife Lydia Chapman.

Also Abiel Harding b. in Conn. died in Barre N.Y. in 1849.  wife Olive Smith.

It will be a great favor if I can receive these copies + help me very much.

Thanking you in advance

Mrs Carpenter.
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U. S. Pension Office Sep 6 1916
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Office of F. B. Willard, M.D.
334 Potomac Avenue

Buffalo, N.Y. Sept 4 1916

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:

Is there any record of Abiel Harding (enlisted of Deerfield Mass) obtaining a pension?  He was a Revolutionary Soldier, and is buried at Knowlsville, N.Y.  I am desirous of joining the D.A.R. and hope to get all necessary information.

I will greatly appreciate any items you may be able to send me.

(Mrs. F B) Julia D. Willard
334 Potomac Ave
Buffalo NY
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Rev. + 1812 War Section M M H F MLB
Pension Dept.
Washington D.C.

Jan 10,1931

Will you please send Rev. War record of Abiel Harding.  died Oct 1851 age 93 yrs at Barre.  Orleans Co. NY.  Olive his wife died 1844 age 74.  Also of
Joseph Root.  Died Aug 22 1846 age 84 yrs 8 m. 15 da.
Fanny, wife of Joseph Root, died Mar 21, 1849.  age 74 yr. 7 mo. 16 da
died in Barre, Orleans Co., NY
He came from Connecticut acc'd to family History
Both are listed as pensioners in 1840.

Thanking you in advance
Gertrude R. Andrews (Mrs Avery V.)

Knowlesville.  N.Y. 

US Pension Office Jan 13 1931