Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 1601, Vachel Harding, Md.
Page 1

Service:
Md.

Hoarding, Vachel
Mary

Number:
W1601
Page 2

Kentucky 26.836.

Vaches Hoarding of [illegible] in the state of [illegible] who was a [illeg.] in the [illeg] command by Capitan [illeg.] of the [illeg] command


Transcribed on the Roll of Kentucky, at the rate of 30 Dollars for annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of June and 

Appears to the 4th of 


Semi-annual allowance ending: 14.00
105.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Page 3

662
Kentucky 
Mary Harding 
Widow of Vachel Harding
who served in the Revolutionary war as a private.
Maryland Mil.
Insribed on the Roll at the rate of 30 Dollars 
00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of Sept. 1850 and sent to 
Wm. R. Vance
Louisville 
Kentucky
Recorded on the Roll of Pensioners under act ["February" crossed out] July 2, 1848, Page 174 Vol. 1 Book A
Reported
Page 4

31.160
Vachel Harding
Kentucky
for 1778 pr
9 m $30.
Henry Northup Esq
Present
Page 5

On this 5th day of April 1834  
Personally appeared before the Justices of the Court of Jefferson County, now sitting, Vachel Hardin [Harding] a resident citizen of the County aforesaid,-  in the Seventy second year of his age, who being duly sworn, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision,- of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832- That he was born in the year 1762;- that he resided in the County of Montgomery & State of Maryland in March 1778 when he enlisted or entered the Army of the United States as a volunteer of Select militia men for the period of nine months under Capt. Jno H Nicholls- with whom he served as Sergeant the full term of his enlistment & by him was honorably discharged- but he has lost both commission & discharge;- that the Company was stationed at Georgetown under the Command of Col. John Mordock & Majr William Bailey & that he was never in any engagement-
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present, & he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll or agency in any State-
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Vachel Harding
Page 6

We William Merriwether & Amos
Goodwin pensioners & citizens of this 
County hereby certify that we are
well acquainted with Vachael Hardin
who has sworn to & subscribed the foregoing
declaration in our presence & we believe
him to be the very person he represents
himself to be & that he is the 72d
year of his age - that he is reputed
& believed in the neighborhood he
resides in to have been a soldier
of the Revolution & we concur in
that opinion - Sworn & subscribed
the day & year before written
W. Merriwether
Amos Goodwin

And the court do hereby
declare their opinion after the investigation
of the matter, & after putting
the interrogatories prescribed by the
war department that the before
named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier & served as he States: - and
the court further certifies that it
appears to them that William Merriwether
and Amos Goodwin are residents
of this County, who have signed their names
to the above declaration, are credible persons
and that their statement is entitled to credit

I Worden Pope clerk of the County Court of
Jefferson County in the state of Kentucky do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the said court, in the matter of the application
Page 7

of Vachel Harding for a pension - 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set
my hand and seal of office, this
8th day of April Eighteen hundred
and thirty four & in the 42d year of
the Commonwealth
Worden Pope
Page 8

State of Kentucky
Jefferson County } S.S.

On this 9th day of July 1852
personally appeared before the county court
for the county and state aforesaid Mary
Harding a resident of the City of Louisville
in the County of Jefferson aged sixty Eight
years who being first duly sworn according
to law, doth, on her oath, make the
following declaration, in order to obtain
the benefit of the provision made by
the acts of Congress passed July 4th
1838, entitled "an Act granting, half
pay and pensions to certain widows" -
also the acts passed 3rd March 1843 -
17th June, 1844, and the 2nd February
1848 - that she is the widow of Vachel
Harding who was a private in the Revolutionary
War and who was also a pensioner
on the Roll of the Kentucky agency
under the act of 7th June, 1832, at the 
rate of Thirty dollars per annum and
received pay at that rate until 4th
March, 1837 - she cannot state the
precise character of his services, but would
refer to the proof, on file in the department
at Washington, - She further declares
that she was married to the said Vachel
Harding on the [blank] day of March 1798,
that her husband the aforesaid Vachel
Harding died on the 11th day of May
1837, that she was not married to him
prior to his leaving the service, but the
marriage took place previous to the first
day of January, 1800, viz at the time
Page 9

above stated. Mary x ^her mark^ Harding
Sworn to and subscribed, in open court
on the day and year above written before
the county court of Jefferson County Kentucky.
In testimony whereof I the Clerk
of the County Court of Jefferson
County aforesaid have hereto set my
hand & affixed my official seal
this the date above 
Curran Pope
Page 10

Rev. d 18 [page torn across the top]
War section.

June 16, 1924.

E.J. O'Sullivan,
4327 Reno St.,
West Philadelphia, Pa.

Sir;

I have to advise you that from the papers in the
Revolutionary war pension claim, W. 1601, it appears
that Vachel Harding was born in 1762.

While residing in Montgomery County, Maryland, he
enlisted in March 1778 and served nine months as a Sergeant
in Captain John H. Nichols Company, Colonel John
Mordook' Maryland Regiment.

He was allowed pension on his application executed 
April 8, 1834, while a resident of Jefferson County, Kentucky,
and he died there May 11, 1837.

Soldier married March 18, 1798 in Frederick County,
Maryland, Mary Parker, she was allowed pension on her application
executed July 9, 1850, while living in Louisville,
Kentucky, aged sixty eight years.

Childre [Children]are referred to but no names are stated.
Respectfully,

Commissioner.
Page 11

O.W. and N. Division
Department of the interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Washington, D. C., Jany, 1894

Sir,
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of
Vachel Harding, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you will
please find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension
on file in this Bureau.

[column headers: | DATES OF ENLISTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. [sub-headers here: | CAPTAIN | COLONEL. |] | STATE.|]
| March 1778 | 9 mos | Pri | John H Nichols | John Mordock | Md |

Battles engaged in, not Stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Montgomery County Md
Date of application for pension, Augt 1834
Residence at date of application, Jefferson County Ky
Age at date of application Born 1762 & died May 11. 1837
Remarks: Married in Frederick Co Md March 18 1798 to Mary Parker & alive in 1850
at Louisville Ky aged 68 years

Very respectfully
Commissioner.

Edward J McDermott Esq
57 Louisville Trust Building
Louisville Ky

7941 b-3m
Page 12

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
W.F. 1601 WASHINGTON , D. C., _____ , 19 __

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

[column headers: | DATES OF ENLISTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. [sub-headers here: | CAPTAIN | COLONEL. |] | STATE.|]
| March 1778 | 9 mos | Sgt | Jno H Nichols | John Mordock | Md |

Battles engaged in, [blank]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Montgomery Co. Md.
Date of application for pension, Apr. 8 1834. His cl was al
Residence at date of application, Jefferson Co. Ky.
Age at date of application, born in 1762 died May 11. 1837 in Jefferson Co. Ky.
Remarks: He married in Frederick Co. Md Mch. 18 1798 Mary
Parker. She was allowed pension on an application executed
July 9, 1858 while a resident of Louisville, Jefferson Co.
Ky. aged 68 years Children were referred to but not names
are stated.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

6-2836
Page 13

Rev sec

Naval Experimental Station,
New London, Conn.

10 April 1919.

Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions, O.W.&N Division
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen,
For the purpose of making application for membership
for the Sons of the American Revolution, I would like a
certificate of these facts concerning Vachel Harding

Enlisted 1778
Served as a private for nine months from Maryland
Served under Captain John Nichols and Col. John Murdock
Enlisted in Montgomery Co., Md.
Applied for pension August 1834
Born 1763, died May 11, 1837.

This information will be appreciated very much
WR O'Sullivan
Lieut. USN

[round black stamp, lower right, inscribed as follows]
[illegible]ION OFFICE S. APR 12 1919
Page 14

EDWARD J. McDERMOTT,
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
57 LOUISVILLE TRUST BUILDING.

St
LOUISVILLE, KY. Jany 3/94

Hon Wm Cochren
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

[round black stamp inscribed as follows: U. S. PENSION OFFICE. A JAN 5 1894]

Sir,
My great grandfather Vachel Harding
was a private in the Revolutionary Army. He
drew a pension of $30.00 a year at the time of his
death in March [illegible] 1837. The last payment to
him was March 4th 1837. I want to know what
company & regiment he was in & if it is possible,
I should like to learn some things of the commands
under which he served
Respectfully
Edward J McDermott

[upside down black square stamp inscribed as follows: OLD WAR [illegible] JAN 8, 1894 FILES]
Page 15

[writing is backwards on the top of this page; illegible]

[round black stamp inscribed as follows: U. S. PENSION OFFICE D MAY 18 1914]
Page 16

Sturgis Ky
May 14 - 1914
Pension and Department
Washington D. C.
Dear sir: -
I have been informed if I would write to this department, I can get the desired information
of Vachel Harding - a Pensioned Revolutionary soldier- Father Greenberry Harding who married Miss Ann Lewis of Va and parents of the 
Dr. J. H. Harding.  I am anxious to make out papers to join the daughters of the revolution. Johns Hopkins chapter at Henderson ^Ky-  so
you will oblige me as how to proceed and if any charges for infor
Page 17

mation- Hoping to hear form you
at your earliest convenience &
thanking you in advance
Am Respectfully
Mrs F. H. Chapman
Sturgis Ky.
c/o Club House
Hotel

stamped:  
PENSION U. S. OFFICE
D
MAY 18 1914
Page 18

May 12 1924
Dept of Interior
Bureau of Pensions
O.W.& N. Div.

[round black stamp inscribed as follows: U. S. PENSION OFFICE C MAY 13 1924]

Gentlemen:
I am making application
for membership to the "Sons of the
Revolution and I require a pension
certificate of the following ancestors.
Vachel Harding. Enlisted
March 1778. Served as a private
from Maryland under Capt John
H. Nichols and John Mordock
Page 19

Enlisted in Montgomery Co Md.
Born 1763 died May 11. 1837
If there is a fee attached to 
this service kindly let me know.
Thanking you for this kindness
I remain
Sincerely yours
Edw. J. O'Sullivan
4237 Reno St
West Philadelphia
Pa
Page 20

[two panel page; left panel below]

Wil Hist. to Edward J.
57 Louisville Trust Building
Louisville Ky. C
1914 May 20 Hist to Mrs F. H.
Chapman. V.L.M.
1919 Apr. 18 Hist. to Lieut. W.R.
O'Sullivan
1924 June 16 Hist. to E.J. Sullivan am

[right panel below]

Feb. 3/94
McDermott
Rev. WIDOW, &c.
File No. 1601
Mary Harding
Widow
Vachel Harding
Pro. Rev. War
Act: July, 29. 1848.
Index:-Vol. A, Page 301
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 21

No 1
Clerks certificate
as to the marriage
Page 22

I hereby certify that it appears from the records of
my Office that a license was issued on the fourteenth
day of March 1798 to join in Holy Matrimony Vachel
Harding and Mary Parker. In testimony whereof I hereunto
set my hand and affix the seal of
Frederick County Court this twelfth day of
July AD 1850 Test WR Tyler Clerk of
Fredk County Court
Fredk City Maryland

The fact of the marriage having taken place is not to be 
obtained from this office - "No Charge"
Page 23

No 4
Proof as to Identity
Page 24

State of Kentucky
Jefferson County} SS

Be it known that on the 24th day of
July, 1850, before me a justice of the peace for the
county and state aforesaid, personally appeared
James S Speed (who is Marshal of the state of
Kentucky) and made oath that he was well
acquainted with Vachel Harding, (who was
a Revolutionary Pensioner) and his wife Mary
Harding. That he has known them since, about
the year 1820. and that Vachel Harding died
some ten or fifteen years since, and his widow
Mary Harding is still living in the City of Louisville
and has not intermarried since said Vachel's
death. He states that he knows nothing
about their marriage, but from the age of
their children he would suppose that they
were married previous to the year 1800 - He
knows that they lived as husband and wife
from the time he first knew them until said
Vachel's death -
James S Speed
Sworn to and subscribed 
the day and date above
before me
JW Earick J.P.[illegible]

Jefferson County State of Kentucky } S.S.

I Curran Pope Clerk of the county and
state aforesaid do hereby certify that J.W. Earick is
and was at the time of signing the above an acting
Justice of the peace of said county duly qulaified
and sworn and that his signature above is
genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed
the seal of said county this 24th
day of July 1850. Curran Pope Clk
By Chs M Thruston DC
Page 25

State of Kentucky
Jefferson County } SS
Be it known that before me a justice of the peace
for said county personally appeared Thomas. A. Hurley
and made oath that he was well acquainted with Vacher
Harding.  A Revolutionary Pensioner on the Roll of the
Kentucky Agency, at the rate of $30 - per annum. That
said Vachel Harding died on the 11th May 1837 leaving
a widow named Mary Harding. Said widow has not intermarried,
but yet remains the widow of said Vachel and she
now resides in Louisville Jefferson County Kentucky. This
Affiant further states that he knows nothing about the marriage
of the parties excepting he has frequently heard his mother
Sarah. Hurley state that she was present when they were
married in the year 1798 and he knows they lived together
as husband and wife for many years previous to said Vachel's 
death. Thos. A. Hurley
Sworn to and subscribed this 
20th day of July 1850 by Thomas. A.
Hurley who is known to me to be
a man of strict veracity and in 
whose statements I have full faith.
Jas F Gamble J.P.
Date interlined before signing
J. F. Gamble J.P.

State of Kentucky. Jefferson County
I Curran Pope clerk of the county and state aforesaid
do certify that James. F. Gamble is and was at the time of signing
the foregoing an acting Justice of the peace in and for said
county, duly commissioned and sworn and that his signatures
above written are genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said county this 22 day of July 1850
Curran Pope Clerk
Page 26

State of Kentucky
Jefferson County } SS
The affidavit of Sarah Hurley made
before the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for
said county this 20 day of July 1850. This affiant states
that she is now 64 years old and was well acquainted with
Vachel Harding. a Revolutionary Pensioner who died in the
county and state aforesaid on the 11th May 1837. That she
also knows and has been well acquainted with his widow Mary
Harding, whose maiden name was Mary Parker for more
than fifty years last past. That she was present when they
were married in Frederick County Maryland. They were
married by a Presbyterian Clergyman whose name she does not now
recollect on the 18th March 1798. They lived together as husband
and wife from that time until the day of said Vachel Harding's
death and the said Mary Harding now lives in the City of
Louisville Jefferson County Kentucky, and has not
intermarried but remains the widow of said Vachel Harding.
Sarah Hurley
Sworn and subscribed the day
and date above by Sarah Hurley
Who is known to me to e a lady of
Respectability and worthy of Credit
Jas F Gamble J. P.

State of Kentucky
Jefferson County
I Curran Pope clerk of the county and state
aforesaid, do certify that James. F. Gamble is and was at
the time of signing the foregoing an acting Justice of the peace
in and for said county duly commissioned and sworn, and
that his signature above written, is genuine.
Given under my hand and
the seal of said county this
22d day of July 1830
Curran Pope Clerk
Page 27

Louisville Ky July 23d 1850
J L Edwards Esqr
Dear Sir
I enclose you [page torn here]
papers in the case o Mary Harding's application for pension,
which I trust may receive your immediate attention as she
is in great need of the money. I am not versed in matters of
this kind, but I presume the case is clearly made out. If there is
any error in the preparation of her papers, you will please inform
me, as there is no doubt whatever that she is entitled to
$30 - per annum from 4th of March 1837 to 4th of March 
1841 and from 4th March 1843 to this time. If the Pension
is allowed you can send the certificates to my case or to the
case of the Pension Agent at this place - If sent to Mrs
Harding she might not get them, as it very seldom she receives
a letter by mail -
Respectfully
Your Obdt Servant
Abner F. Vance
Page 28

No 737
Mary Harding
Widow of
Vachel
Kentucky
Act 29 July 1848
Acd.
$30 per ann-
from 4 Mch '48

Wm R Vance
Louisville
Ky -
Page 29

Louisville Ky Sep 7th 1850

J L Edwards Esqr
Dr Sir
Mrs Mary Harding has requested 
me to write to you in regard to her application
for a pension. The papers were prepared by a 
young man, and she is fearful they have not
been correctly prepared.
Mrs Harding is the widow of Vachel
Harding who died some years since, and
who was a revolutionary soldier and a pensioner
at the rate of $30 - per annum - I have
known Mrs. Harding for many years, she says
she was married in the year 1799, and I 
have no doubt but her statement is correct -
Several of her children are older than I
am; and I am now forty four years of age.
Mrs Harding is poor and I hope you will
attend to her case as early as practicable.
If there is any thing wanting as to
the proofs it would be conferring a favor
upon the old lady to inform me of it.
According to her statement (a part of which
I know to be correct & the remainder I believe to be,)
she is clearly entitled to $30 - per annum from
4 March '36 to '41 - '41 to '45 and from '48
during life -
Yours Respectfully
Wm R. Vance
Page 30

I Giles Easton of Montgomery Count in the
State of Maryland in the Twenty second
year of my age, do hereby certify that I
was well acquainted with Vachel Harding
then a resident of Montgomery County in the state of Maryland
but now as I understand & believe a
resident of the state of Kentucky. that he
the said Vachel Harding entered the service
of the United States as a Volunteer in the
select Militia of the State of Maryland
in the company commanded by John H
Nichols for the term of nine months, that
I served with him in the same Company for
the same term of nine months in the year
1778 to the best of my recollection and
as I verily believe and that the expiration
of the said term of nine months, he the said
Vachel Harding was with me honorably
discharged & that I some time last summer
received from the secretary of War a
Pension cirtificate [certificate] allowing me thrity
Dollars a year during life commencing
from the 4th March 1831 - In testimony
whereof I have this eighteenth of November
one thousand eight hundred and
thirty three set my hand
Giles X ^his mark^ Easton
Witness
H. Y. Harding
Sworn to and acknowledged before
H.Y Harding
Page 31

I Henry Harding a Justice of the peace of
the State of Maryland in and for Montgomery
County do certify that the annexed affidavit
was subscribed & sworn to before me and
I further certify that Giles Easton is a credible
person and that his statement
is entitled to credit
HG Harding

Maryland Montgomery County Sct
I do hereby certify that Henry Hearding
gentleman before whom the aforegoing affidavits
& acknowledgments appear to have been
made & whose name is subscribed thereto
was at the date thereof a justice of the
peace in and for said county duly
commissioned and sworn -
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto subscribed my name 
and affixed the public seal
of said County Court
this 20th day of Nov
1833. Brice Lelley Clk
of Montgy Coty Court

[upside down at the bottom of the page follows]
Hardins papers

Henry Northup Esqr
Present.
Page 32

I James Day of Montgomery County in the
State of Maryland upwards of Seventy one
years of age do hereby certify that I was well
acquainted for many years with Vache
Harding then a resident of Montgomery
County in the State of Maryland, but now as
I understand and believe a Resident of
the State of Kentucky - that he the said
Vachel Harding entered the Service of
the United States as a volunteer in the
Select Militia of the State of Maryland
in the Company Commanded by John, H.
Nichols for the Term of nine months, that
I served with him in the same company
for the same Term of nine months in 
the year 1778 to the best of my recollection
and as I verily believe, and that as the
expiration of the said Term of nine
months, he the said Vachel Harding
who with me honorably discharged
and that I have this day received from
the Secretary of War a Pension Certificate,
allowing me thirty Dollars a year
during life commencing form the 4th day
of March 1831
In testimony whereof I
have this sixteenth day of November
one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
affixed my hand -
James Day
Sworn to and acknowledged before
H.Y. Harding
I Henry Harding a Justice of the peace
of the State of Maryland in & for Montgomery
Page 33

County do certify that the annexed 
affidavit was subscribed & sworn to before
me, and I further certify that James Day
is a minister of the Gospel & that his
statement is entitled to credit
H.Y. Harding