Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 39,637, Daniel Harper, Md. Sea Service Navy
Page 1

Service
Md Sea Service
Navy

Name
Harper, Daniel

Number 
S.39637
Page 2

Left Side Page

Letter to J.S. Harper Aug 1839

Notification sent June 18th 1821, to J. Findley, Esqr. Mercer, PA

Date of Death not in

Right Side Page

15026
Pennsylvania
Daniel Harper
of Mercer County in the state of Pennsylvania who was a gunman on board ship Alfred commanded by [illegible] Hopkins of the U.S. Navy for the term of fifteen months

Inscribed on the roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 8 dollars per month to commence on the 2 of June 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 6 of Sept 1819 and sent to Alexander Brown, Mercer Pennsylvania

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1819 $120.80
Sem-anl All'ce ending 4 March 1820 $48.00

5 mo. 3/30
$168.80

{Revolutionary Claim Act 18th March 1818}

21/68
Mercer
Continued
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Left Side Page

Daniel Harper
Mariner

Mercer Pa
June 6th
[illegible]

Right Side Page

The period of service & the partial service in which this applicant was employed on board the different vessels must be stated. A proper form of declaration is herewith sent. Let it be filled up & returned together with this declaration, to this department.

Some alterations as to time so as to sink the naval service can be duly made.

Let the precise date of the first declaration be ascertained & formally certified to.
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Free

The Secretary of War Department
City of Washington
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District of Pennsylvania
Mercer County

On this twenty sixth day of May 1819 before me the subscriber one of the Judges in and for said county personally appeared Daniel Harper aged sixty-five years resident in Mercer County PA who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the late act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval services of the United States in the revolutionary war." That he the said Daniel Harper in May 1775 entered at New York as Boatswain in the Schooner Liberty under commodore Smith on Lake Champlain and continued until October or November when he was discharged in the same fall he shipped as gunners mate with Commodore Hopkins at Philadelphia. They sailed next spring and took the Island of New Providence where they got 74 pieces of cannon, two magazines with many other things. In April 1776 they took a small tender of eight guns and that night were attacked by a large ship of war. We engaged her for 5 hours, but she ran from them at an hour by sun in the morning they put into New London and refitted. They then went to said providence & landed, their cannon then said Harper with about 20 others went aboard the Andrea Doria. Nicholas Biddle of Philadelphia in June or July they took two ships having 250 [illegible] aboard of each ship. soon after they took a ship with 400 lbs. sugar 10 puncheons of rum, ton of black ebony on board. They then took a ship from Norfolk with some dry goods aboard, they soon after fell in with and destroyed several of Dunmore's fleet. He returned to Philadelphia in the fall. They refitted and Josiah Robeson took command of the vessel which said Harper ship was received a Warrants as Gunner. They sailed to [illegible] from there he returned in March man to Baltimore where he shipped aboard of the Defense 26 guns Capt. Cook as Boatswain. Being in all betwixt two and three years in the continental establishment and quit the service at Baltimore
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and that he is in reduced circumstances and stand in need of assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services. 

Daniel Harper

Sworn to and declared the day and year aforesaid.

I Alexander Brown Judge etc. as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Daniel Harper did serve in the revolutionary war in the naval services as stated in the proceeding declaration against the common enemy for the term of nine months and much more at one time for the continental establishment; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony had and taken before me to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of congress. I am also satisfied that he needs the assistance of his county for support.

Having his circumstances certified by Jacob Harrington, Adam Torkes, Tergus Smith, Michael Zankisen & Wm Stevenson who are all respectable men.

Given under my hand and seal at Mercer this 26th day of May AD 1819.

A.B. Brown - SEAL

I think Mr. Harper declares formerly on the 2nd day of June 1818, but it is presumed his application in the office on file - A.B.

Mercer County

I James Miller, Prothonotary of the Court of Common of Pleas in and for Mercer County do hereby certify that Alexander Brown Esquire before whom the foregoing oath was taken & by whom the above certificate was given and whose name is thereto subscribed is and was at the time an Associate Judge in and for said county duly commissioned & sworn to all whose official acts as such full faith and credit are and ought be given as well in Courts.
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of Justice as elsewhere - Given under my hand and seal of office at Mercer the twenty-seventh day of May eighteen hundred and nineteen.

James Miller - Proth.
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Daniel Harper - papers

15026

Con 
G.L.E.

fees $1.00
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District of Pennsylvania Mercer County

On this 23rd day of February 1821 personally appeared in open court being a court of record in and for said county Daniel Harper aged 68 years resident in Mercer County said district who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows to wit - as a boatswain in the Schooner Liberty, then in the ship Alfred as Gunners mate then in the Andrew Doria he served as gunner then aboard of the Defense - The rate of his original declaration is the 2nd of June 1818. The number of his certificate (15026) and I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any way or manner disposed of my property or any part of it with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed the 18th day of March 1818 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 hereunto annexed and by me subscribed:

A Schedule of Daniel Harper's Property:

One old Horse - 5 dollars, 3 Cows - 25 dollars for total of $30.00
Two heifers, 12 dollars, one sorrel $3.50 for Total of $15.50
Horse $2.00 one hog in pen $2.50 one plough $2.50 for total of $7.00
Harrow and chain $2.30, 1 shovel $0.75 and old ax $0.37 for total of $3.42
3 small steers $9.00 five sheep and five lams $12.00 for total of $21.00
3 Sugar kettles $8.00, small castings $4.00 for total of $12.00
Tongs, Hoe and Mattock $2.75, smothering Iron Shovel & Tongs $1.50 for total of $4.25
Chairs $1.26, Table $1.00 Wooden Clock $4.00 Books $4.00 for total of $10.26
1 old saddle $6.00, 2 Iron $1.00 Augers $0.37 for total of $7.37

Total $110.81

I am a farmer by occupation have a wife aged 56 years I have one son about nineteen and one about thirteen years of age, but I have not been able to do one day's work for seven years past nor am I now able to do anything like labor by reason of debility of body and an asthma. I have been afflicted with about fifteen years.
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List of Debts Due by Daniel Harper

To Benjamin Stokely - $40.00
To William Stevenson - $3.00
to Dr. Cossitt - $6.50
Total Debt $49.50

Sworn to and declared and subscribed in open court on the twenty fourth day of Feby 1821

Daniel Harper

James Miller - Prothy

The court are of opinion that the value of the above-described property is sixty-one dollars and thirty-one cents - James Miller Prothy

Mercer County Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

I John Findley of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county in the commonwealth aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the record of the said court and I do further certify that from the said record it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property in the aforesaid schedule is Sixty-one dollars and thirty-one cents.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affied the seal of said court done at Mercer on this thirtieth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty-one.

J. Findley - Prothy

SEAL
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Daniel Harper
S. 39637
BA-J/AWF
Nancy C. Morrow
109 Hill Street
Oil City, Pennsylvania
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information in regard to Daniel Harper, who was born in 1753 in England, served as Boatswain and Gunner's Mate during the Revolution, and died in Mercer County, Pennsylvania.
The data furnished you herein were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 39637, based upon the service of Daniel Harper in the War of the Revolution.
Daniel Harper was born in the month of June, 1753 place not stated, nor were the names of his parents given.
He shipped in New York City, in May 1775, as Boatswain and served on board the schooner "Liberty", under Commodore Smith on Lake Champlain until discharged sometime in November, 1775. About two weeks later at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he shipped as Gunner's Mate on board the gun ship "Alfred", under Commodore Hopkins, in the spring they captured New Providence Colony, West Indies, and in April, 1776, captured a Tender of eight guns, and had an engagement, which lasted about five hours, with a large Ship of War; In April or May, 1776, he was put on board the "Andrew Doria", under Captain Nichols Biddle, and in June or July, they took four ships, and soon afterwards destroyed several of Dunmore's Fleet, was promoted a Gunner in the fall of 1776, Captain
[End of letter page]
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[Letter continued from previous page]
Josiah Robinson, was in command of the ship then, they sailed to Saint Eustatia [Eustacia] and he was there discharged in the month of March, 1777. He shipped at Baltimore, Maryland, sometime in April or May, 1777 as Boatswain, on board the ship "Defence", commanded by Captain Cooke, and served until sometime in October, 1777, when he was discharged in Baltimore, Maryland.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 26, 1818, at which time he was living in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. His wife in 1821 was fifty-six years of age, he then stated that he had one son aged about nineteen years, and one aged about thirteen years. He did not give the names of his wife and sons.
John S. Harper of Alleghenytown, Pennsylvania in 1839, referred to Daniel Harper as his father, who was then deceased, but did not give the date of his death.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pension, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C. and furnish the following data-
Daniel Harper
Certificate #15026
Issued September 6, 1819
Rate $8.00 per month
Commenced June 2, 1818
Act of March 18, 1818
Pennsylvania Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator
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Rev and 1812
Wars Section

March 21, 1924

A.E. Ball
Fredonia PA R.D.

Sir

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary war pension claim, S.39637 it appears that Daniel harper was born in June 1753

In May 1775 he shipped as a Boatswain and served on board the schooner "Liberty" under Commodore Smith on Lake Champlain until discharged in November 1775.

About two weeks later at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he shipped as Gunner's Mate on board the gun ship "Alfred" under Commodore Hopkins in the spring they captured New Providence Colony, West Indies, In April 1776 they took a tender of eight guns and were engaged five hours with a large ship of war which ran away: in April or May 1776 he was put on board the "Andrew Doria" under Captain Nicholas Biddle, in June or July they took four ships and soon afterwards destroyed several of Dunmore's fleet; in the fall he
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was promoted a Gunner and Captain Josiah Robinson took command of the vessel; they sailed to Saint Eustacia where he was discharged in March 1777.

He shipped again at Baltimore, Maryland in April of May 1777 as Boatswain on board the ship "Defense" commanded by Captain Cooke and served until October 1777, he was discharged at Baltimore, Maryland.

He was allowed pension on his application executed May 26, 1819, while a resident of Mercer County, Pennsylvania.

In 1821, soldier referred to his wife, aged fifty-six years, one son about nineteen years and one about thirteen years, no names stated.

In July 1839, John S. Harper of Allegheny town, Pennsylvania stated that he was a son of Daniel Harper deceased but did not give the date of his death.

The war of 1812 records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to pension having been claimed on account of the services of James Simmons, who had a widow, Hannah. You are requested to furnish this bureau any information you may have in your possession relative to the alleged pension of said Hannah Simmons.

Respectfully,
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July 31, 1933.
J. A. Harper,
The Trumble,
Evart, Mich.
Sir;
I have to advise you that from the Revolutionary War
pension claim, S. 39637, it appears that Daniel
Harper was born in June 1753 and in May 1775, he ship
ped as a boatswain and served on board the schooner
"Liberty" under Commodore Smith on Lake Champlain until
discharged Nov. 1775.
About two weeks later at Philadelphia, Pa. in Dec.
1775, he shipped as Gunner's mate on board the gun ship
Alfred" under Commodore Hopkins, in the Spring the captured
New Providence Colony, West Indies. In April 1776
they took a tender of eight guns, and were engaged five
hours with a large Ship of War which ran away; in April
or May 1776 he was put on board the Andrew Doria under
Captain Nicholas Biddle, in June or July they took four
ships and soon afterwards destroyed several of Dunmore's
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fleet; in the Fall he was promoted a Gunner, and Captain
Josiah Robinson took command of the vessel, they sailed
to Saint Eustatia where he was discharged in March 1777.
He shipped again at Baltimore, Md. in Apr. or May,
1777 as Boatswain on board the ship "Defence" commanded
by Captain Cooke and served until Oct. 1777 and was discharged
at Baltimore, Md.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
May 26, 1819, while a resident of Mercer Co., Pa.
In 1821 soldier referred to his wife, aged 56 years
one son about 19 and one about 13 years, no names stated.
In July 1839, John S. Harper of Alleghenytown, Pa.,
stated that he was a son of Daniel Harper deceased, but
did not give the date of his death.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner
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Record Division

September 21, 1909

Mr. A.E. Harper
The Rookery
Chicago, Ills.

Sir:

In reply to your letter dated the 13th and received the 14th instant, you are advised that from the papers in claim S. File No 39,637 it appears that Daniel Harper was born in June 1753 and resided in Mercer County, Pennsylvania in 1819.

He stated that in Mary 1775 he shipped as a Boatswain and served on board the schooner "Liberty" under Commodore Smith and served until November 1775.

About two weeks later, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in December 1775 he shipped as Gunner's Mate on board the gun ship "Alfred" under Commodore Hopkins, in the spring they captured New Providence Colony (West Indies). In April 1776 they took a small tender of eight guns and were engaged five hours with a large ship of war which ran away; in April or May 1776 he was put on board the "Andrew Doria" under Captain Nicholas Biddle, in June or July they took 4 ships each having 250 highlanders on board, a ship loaded with sugar, rum and ebony another loaded with dry good and soon afterwards destroyed several of Dunmore's fleet; in the fall he was promoted a Gunner and
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Sur File No 39637 - 2

Captain Josiah Robinson took command of the vessel; they sailed to Saint Eustacia where he was discharged in March 1777 having served fifteen months under Commodore Hopkins.

He shipped again at Baltimore, Maryland in April or May 1777 as Boatswain on board the ship "Defense" commanded by Captain Cooke and served until October 1777, and he was discharged at Baltimore, Maryland.

He was allowed pension from May 26, 1819, but the date of the last payment thereof is not recorded in this Bureau.

In July 1839 John S Harper of Allegheny Town Pennsylvania stated that he was a son of Daniel Harper deceased but did not give the date of his death,

Very respectfully

Commissioner.
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1 Cent Stamp

Oil City PA Date Stamp - Nov 5 at 6 PM

Received Stamp Nov. 8, 1937

Commissioner of Pensions
Department O
Washington, D.C.
Page 20

Dear Sir

Please send me at your earliest convenience a copy of the pension record of Daniel Harper who served as a Boatswain and Gunner's Mate during the Revolutionary war. He was born in England in 1753 and died in Coolspring Township, Mercer County (I beleive) in 1831.

Thankfully yours,

Nancy C. Morrow

109 Hill St.
Oil City, PA
Nov 5, 1937
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L.J.W.

STAMP Division Records
Sept 18
Page 22

LETTERHEAD

Manufacturers Coal & Coke Co
The Rookery, Chicago, Ill

Office of President

Chicago, September 13, 1909

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.

To the Commissioner:

The writer, a descendant of Daniel Harper, gunner on the ship Alfred during the Revolutionary War is anxious to secure his war record and the date at which his name was taken from the pension rolls, he having been pensioned, according to the scant record in my possession, in 1820.

If you will kindly furnish the above information, it will be greatly appreciated.

Respectfully yours,

A E Harper

President

US Pension Office Stamp - Sep 14, 1909
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The Trumble
E.A. Harper, Proprietor
Evart, Michigan

6-20-1923

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir

Daniel Harper was my great grandfather and I am trying to get his Rev War record but I do not know where he enlisted from what town or state, family reports say that he came to America during the Rev War & went into service after which he went to State of Kentucky and Married a Betsy Miller, after which he sent to Redstone PA from there he settled in Mercer County PA and records show that he deeded some property there in 1835 do not know where he received his mail but hope this will be enough to identify him from the other Daniel
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The Trumble
E A Harper, Proprietor
Evart, MIchigan

Harper that served in Rev War as there was a number of them.

I am sending you reports * rec'd from war department they advised me to apply to your office and these slips may help you understand the situation.

Am very anxious for my great grandfather war records and my only hope to identify him from the other Daniel Harpers is through you and am ready to pay for if any.

Thanking you in advance for above favors.

Am your truly

J.A. Harper
Evart Mich

US PENSION OFICE STAMP - Jun 23, 1923
Page 25

Fredonia PA Feb 18-1924

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington

Dear Sirs

Will you please give me the war record of Daniel Harper who was in the Revolutionary War and drew a pension executed May 26, 1819, he resided in Mercer Co. PA. I also wish to place a marker at his grave but do not know where to apply for a military stone of the government.

Respectfully

A.E. Ball
R.D. Fredonia, PA
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Left Side Page

1909 Sept 21- His to Mr. A.E. Harper
1923, July 31 - Hist to J A Harper
1924 Marc 21 - Hist to A E Ball
1937 Nov 22 - Hist to Nancy C Morrow

Right Side Page

INVALID

Navy
File No 38637
Daniel Harper
Gunner
U.S.S. "Alfred"
Revolutionary

Act March 18, 1818

Index: Vol Blank Page Blank

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 27

Daniel Harper
Gunner
76 to 77
Ship Alfred - Hopkins

Admitted

2nd June 1818

War
Page 28

Amended Declaration

District of Pennsylvania

On this 21st day of july AD 1819 before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Courts in and for Mercer County in the said district, personally appeared Daniel Harper aged sixty-five years in June last, resident in the said county in said district who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war" that he the said Daniel Harper shipped or (entered) aboard the schooner Liberty at the city of New York for Lake Champlain in May 1775 under commodore Smith as a boatswain and continued in that capacity until November in the same year when he was discharged on Lake Champlain and in about two weeks afterwards at Philadelphia in Pa the said Daniel shipped aboard the Alfred ( a 30 gun ship) as gunners mate (this was in the month of December same year) under commodore Hopkins; and in the ship with him and continued to serve in that capacity for about ten months when he said Daniel Harper was promoted to and received a warrant as gunner. But in the month of April or May said Harper with several others were turned over to Captain Biddle aboard the Andrew Doriah a ship in the same fleet to get her out for a summer cruise and aboard of this vessel it was he was promoted to gunner and continued to serve in that capacity until March 1777 when he left the Andrew Doriah at Sait A Stacia making a service in continuance of about fifteen months under Com. Hopkins - he states that during the whole service he was in the capacity of Boatswain, Gunners Mate and Gunner and not as a private. In April or May 1777, he shipped aboard the Defense as Boatswain and continued in her in that capacity.
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until about October in the same year when she was condemned (*) and he was again dismissed from the services of the United States in the yar 1777.

These are the particular periods and services engaged in on board the several vessels.

The principal actions the vessels were engaged in during the time are stated in his former declarations.

Daniel Harper

Sworn and subscribed before me this day above written.

* Note the Defense he thinks was a provincial ship.

A Brown

I do hereby certify that the precise time of Daniel Harpers first application is the 2nd day of June 1818. As I have now the paper before me. I that it had been sent on but the prothonotary's clerk Lawyer Cunningham had to detain it until we had further information on the subject.

Given under my hand and seal of office this 21st day of July AD 1819

A. Brown - SEAL
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Mr D Harper says that in the year 1784. he
was endeavouring to obtain his share of the
prize money, and in looking over some of the
Ships Books he saw his own name wrote
all in Capital Letters. this was in the City of
Philadelphia, but says he dont know the
use of writing it in Capitals
A.B.
Page 31

Mr. J.L. Edwards Esqr
Washington City

Aug 2

STAMP - Allegheny
Jul 28
Page 32

Allegheny town 26 July 1839 To the Secretary of war I had previous to this, spoken to Mr. S. Sutton to write to the war Department respecting any fathers Daniel Harpers clames as a soldier of the revolution My father stated in his lifetime that he belonged to the navel department during the war I think he said for during the war and also that he drew a pension of 96 dollars in the year 1819 for some years in Mercer County Pa he stated also that he helped to take some considrel prises also that he said that he helped to take one of the larges prises on the navy that was said to be taking in the revolutionary war and for which prises said Daniel Harper never received any part or pay all he left the country soon after the war and never received his land or his prise money I think he said he served in part when at Boston and many other places he had some papers but I dont know if they can be found they was in the hands of jug Brown whom I have not seen for many years my father came to West Penna Something like fifty years ago -  pleas to [see?] all the information you can on the subject Direct to Mr S Sutton hoom I wish to attend to the clame, if any should be allowed & I wish all the information about his land and prise money
John S. Harper there is other heirs  living wishes to know
Mr J. L. Edwards