Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8893, William Harris, Va.
Page 1

3-1776
SERVICE
Va

Harris William
Lydia

NUMBER
W.8893

CONTENTS
[blank]
Page 2

1114
Kentucky
William Harris
of Bourbon in the State of Kentucky
who was a pri & Segt in the Compy commanded
by Captain Gilmore of the Rgt commanded
by Col: Christian in the Virginia
line for 12 months 14 days -
from 1776

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky
at the rate of 51 Dollars 60 Cents per Ann:
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26. day of October 1832, and sent to I. M. 
Arnold. Paris Ky.

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1822  
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4
March 1833.

77.40
25.80
[total] $103.20

{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832.     }

Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk,
Book D Vol. 9  Page 43
Page 3

5368
Kentucky
Lydia Harris
widow of William Harris 
Va
who was a Private & Sergeant 
in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
51 Dollars 60 
Cents per annum, to commence on 
the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 
23rd day of April, 1844 
and sent to Hon H. Grider
Hos of Rep

[Act of March 3, 1943.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1  Page 169

[illegible]
Paid at Treasury, under 
act 6 April, 1838, from 
4th March 1844 to 4 Sept 
1844.  Agent notified 14th 
April, 1846.

Hon Green Adams
Feby 12, 49,
Page 4

[postal cover]
[stamp]
PARIS
Ky.
Aug
28

PO
Sept 20
1832

Revolution Claims

Honb. Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Washington City

FREE
Ky
4266
Page 5

State of Kentucky  )
Bourbon County    ) .Set.
On this the 21st day of August 
in the year 1832 personally appeared in open Court 
before the Honorable of the Bourbon Circuit Court now
sitting.  William Harris a resident of said County
being about five miles from the Town of Paris, aged about 
eighty seven years the 3rd day of August next, 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 7th 1832. 
That he entered the service of the United States under 
the following named officers & served as herein stated. 
In 1776 in Augusta County Virginia he was drafted 
& served for three months. his Capt was John Gilmore,. 
his Col was [blank]Christian, he was marched to the
Cherokee nation to suppress some attempts of Guess 
a trader from Baltimore, who had raised the Kings 
Standard; Guess surrendered on French Broad River. 
He was discharged 7th Nov. 1776.  In 1778 he was 
drafted & served three months as orderly sergeant in 
the Company of Capt. William Anderson, he was stationed
at Dunlaps Fort in Greenbriar County Virginia, he 
was discharged 28 July 1778.  He was afterwards 
drafted & served a three month tour as sergeant 
in Capt James Tate's Company under the Command 
of Brigadier General Morgan, during this service he
was at the battle of the Cowpens & was also at the 
taking of one hundred and ten tories  at Rugeley's 
Mills. he was discharged 26 Jany 1781. He was afterwards a volunteer under Capt Jas. Tate and
served one month & 14 days under Col George Moffett 
with Maj. Genl Green, at the battle of Guilford Court
he was wounded & was discharged 21 March 1781. He was afterward a Volunteer in Capt. Patrick 
Buckhannon's Company & served two months, he was
at the taking of Cornwallis at York Town & was
discharged 24th October 1781. He states that he has his discharges
Page 6

from his officers for all the above mentioned Terms of service 
which he transmits with this declaration; that he was 
born in the City of London, came to America in the
year 1769; when he went into service he was living in 
Augusta County Virginia.  He has been living in Bourbon 
County upwards of twenty years, he is known to John
Prior, John McConnell, Elizamon Basye, Benj. B Todd 
Edwd. McConnell & many other respectable men who 
can testify to his character & veracity & their belief of his
service as a soldier of the revolution

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. Sworn to & subscribed the
day & year aforesd.

William Harris

We Braxton W. Chamblin & Elizamon Basye
residing in the County of Bourbon & in the same neighborhood 
when the above named William Harris lives do hereby 
certify that we are well acquainted with the said
Harris who has subscribed & sworn to the above 
declaration; that we believe him to be about eighty 
six years old; that he is reputed & believed in the 
neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier 
of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion 
sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesd.
Elized. Basye
B. W. Chamblin

And the said Court does hereby declare its opinion after the investigation of the matter & after 
putting the interrogatives prescribed by the war 
department, that the above named applicant
Page 7

was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And 
the Court further certifies that Braxton W Chamblin & 
Elizamon Basye who have signed the preceeding [preceding] 
certificate are residents of Bourbon County & are
credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit.

I James M. Arnold Clerk of the 
Bourbon Circuit Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of 
the said Court in the matter of the application of William Harris for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have 
hereto sent my hand & the 
seal of my office this 22nd 
day of August 1832.
M: Arnold clk.
Page 8

State of Kentucky Barren County Set
I James Merrell one of 
the
Commonwealth acting Justices of the peace in and for
the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that the
foregoing Declaration of Lydia Harris was taken subscribed
and sworn to before me at her own house at the time stated
in sd [said] Declaration, that the said Lydia Harris is the
widow of the said William Harris, who was a Revolutionary
Pensioner of the United States, and that the said Lydia
Harris never married since the death of her said husband
(William Harris), that I have been well acquainted with the
said Lydia Harris and William Harris ever since the
year 1821, and that the said Lydia Harris from
age and bodily infirmities is unable to attend court
to make the aforesaid Declaration. Given under my
hand this 19th day of November 1839
James Murrell JPBC
State of Kentucky Barren County Set
On this the 25th day of
November 1839. John Renfro Sr. aged 79 years on the 12th
day of November 1839 and Esther Renfro aged 75 years
Resident Citizens of Barren County personally appeared
before me and made oath to the following statements, That
they have been acquainted with Lydia Harris whose Declar=
=ation is contained on the other side of this sheet for upwards of
Sixty years. That they were present and witnessed the
marriage of the said Lydia Harris to William Harris which
took place in Henry County Virginia, the precise day of the month
they cannot state but know it to have been in the Spring of the year
1782, the marriage ceremony was pronounced by Parson Nathan
Hall a Baptist minister, that they have been intimately acquaint=
=ted with the said William Harris & Lydia for some years previous
to their marriage and up to the said William Harris's death
which took place on the 22nd day of April 1838 in Barren
County Ky and that the said Lydia Harris widow of the
Page 9

State of Kentucky Barren Court Set,
On this the nineteenth day of November
1839 personally appeared before me James Murrell 
one of the Commonwealths Justices of the Peace in and
for the County and state aforesaid Lydia Harris
a resident of said County and State aged seventy seven
years on the 30th day of August 1839 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 act of
Congress passed July 7th 1838, entitled ""an act granting
"half pay and pensions to certain Widows"" That she is
the widow of William Harris who was a Soldier in the
Army of the Revolution, she further Declares
that
she was married to the said William Harris on
the 23rd day of March in the year 1782 in
Henry
County State of Virginia and that her husband the
aforesaid William Harris died on the 22nd day
of April 1838 in the County of Barren and State
aforesaid,
that her said husband was a Revolution=
=ary Pensioner at the time of his death, that she
was not married to her said husband prior to his leaving
the service but the marriage took place previous
to the 1st day of January 1794.  Towit, on the 23rd day of March in
the year 1782 as above stated.
Lydia her x mark Harris
Subscribed and sworn to
before me this 19th day of
November 1839
James Murrell J.P.B.C.
The words "1st day of January" interlined before
signed or sworn to
James Murrell J.P.B.C.
Page 10

said William Harris is still living and
resides in
Barren County and has never married since her
said husbands death. They repeat, that the said
William Harris was lawfully married to the said
Lydia Harris in the spring of the year 1782, that
they were both present and witness[ed] the marriage
John Renfro Sr.
Esther her x mark Renfro
Subscribed and Sworn to
before me this 25th Novr 1839
James Murrell J.P.B.C.

State of Kentucky Barren County Set
I do hereby certify that the
above & foregoing affadavit [affidavit] of John Renfros and Esther
Renfro was taken subscribed and sworn to before me on the
day and date therein stated, and that the said John Renfro Sr.
and Esther Renfro are respectable citizens of Barren County
and entitled to full credit when on oath that I have been
acquainted with the sd [said] John Renfro & Esther Renfro for more 
than thirty years last past, that they have always
sustained an excellent character-- for honor & strict
varacity [veracity]
Given under my hand this 25th November
James Merrell J.P.B.C.

State of Kentucky Barren County Set
I Thomas J. Helen clerk of the County Court in
and for the County aforesaid do certify that James
Murrell whose name is attached to the above
and foregoing certificates is a Justice of the
Peace in and for said County duly commissioned
and qualified and that the signatures
purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the Seal of office this
25th day of November 1839
T J Helm
clerk of the Court of Barren County
Page 11

[printed form, handwritten responses]

Payments to be made
at Lexington
by the Ps. of [illegible] Bank
Agent for paying Pension-
ers, in the Agency of
Kentucky

Wm Harris

Recorded in the Pension Of=
fice, in Book E. Vol. 7
Page 13 by Danl. Boyd
Clerk,
Page 12

[printed form, handwritten responses]
WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United 
States
of the 7th June, 1832, William Harris
of the State of Kentucky
who was a private in the Army of the
Revolution
is entitled to receive Thirty Six dollars and
Sixty Six cents per annum, during his natural life, com=
mencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi=
annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in
every year.
Given at the War Office of the United 
States, this 28th day of
November one thousand eight
hundred and thirty=three
Lew Cass
Secretary of War
Examined and )
Countersigned.)
J L Edward
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 13

7262
Wm. Harris
from 1776
private & Sergt.
$51.60/100
Page 14

[printed form, handwritten responses]
7262 BRIEF in the case of Wm. Harris
County of Bourbon in the State of Kentucky
(Act 7 June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
open Court

2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
[blank]

3.  How old is he?
87

4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[column headings: Period. Duration of Service. Years, Months, Days.  Rank.  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.]

In 1776. 3 Months. As a private. Gen. Capt. Jno. Gilmore. Col. Christian.

In 1778 was drafted for & servd.  3 months.  As a Sergeant. Capt. Wm. Anderson.

Was afterwards draftd. & serv'd. 3 months. Sergeant. Capt. Tate--Gen. Morgan.

He afterwards volunteered servd. 1 month 14 days. Capt. Tate Col Moffett.

He vol. again & servd.  2 months.

5.  In what battles was he engaged?  Cowpens, Gilford, Yorktown

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Augusta County Va.

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence,
by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 
by the best of all evidence his
discharges for every period mentioned.  And by traditionary evidence
the discharges are enclosed.

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
Correct.

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case
above mentioned.

T Waugh Examining Clerk.
Page 15

[printed form, handwritten responses]
[left side]
Kentucky 5110

Lydia Harris
widow of William Harris 
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 22 April 1838 
of Barren Co in the State of Kentucky 
who was a pri & Sgt in the Compy [company] commanded 
by Captain Gilmore of the regt. commanded 
by Col. Christian in the Virginia 
line for 12 m. 14 ds.

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky 
at the rate of 51 Dollars 60 Cents per annum, to commence on the 22 day of Apl. 1838.

Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of Feby 1840, & sent to Hon. J. R. Underwood, J. R. Un-
derwood, H.R.

Arrears to the 4th of Septr. 1839 $ 70.52
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Mar '40  $25.80
[total] $96.32

{Act July 7, }
{1838.         }

Recorded by: D. McCurdy, Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 2. Page. 211.

[right side]
R
Page 16

Lydia Harris

Hon. J R Underwood
HR
Page 17

State of Kentucky Barren County Set
On this the 21st day of January
1840 Lydia Harris (widow of William Harris) a resident
of Barren County personally appeared before me and
made oath to the following Statements, That she
is the widow of William Harris decd [deceased] late of
Barren County, that her said Husband kept no
family record and that there is no [page damage] record
evidence by which she can prove her marriage
or the birth of her children, and that the
only evidence she has to prove her marriage
is the evidence of John Renfro, and Esther Renfro
Citizens of Barren County who were present and
witnessd. [witnessed] her marriage, as set forth in their
affidavits accompanying in [illegible] declaration &
application for a Pension. 
Lydia her x mark Harris
Sworn & Subscribed                    )
before me the day & year above )
written                                          )
Thomas Feland J.P.B.C.                 )

State of Kentucky Barren County Set
I Thomas J Helm Clerk of the Court of Barren County
Certify that Thomas Feland is a Magistrate as above and
that the foregoing Signature purporting to be his is genuine
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of
office and subscribed my name this 8th day of Feby
1840
Thomas J. Helm
Clerk of the Court of Barren County
by William Garnett Deputy
Clerk to Said Court
Page 18

House of Rep:
Jany 8th 1849
Sir
I send you herewith the application
of John R. Harris, son and Administrator
of the Estate of Lydia Harris Decd.
(late of Kentucky) for arrears of pension
under the decision of the Attorney Genl. of
2nd Sept 1842, and joint resolution
of 23d January 1845 to which
I ask your early attention
Yours Respectfully
Green Adams

J. L. Edwards Esq                 )
Commissioner of Pensions )
Page 19

William Harris Ken. Act 7 June 1832
$36.66 per ann to what time paid?
Pen Office
Dec 23. 1839
died 1838 
died 1838 pd to 4 March 1838
OH
Page 20

[printed form, handwritten responses]
Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 8893
Lydia Harris
Wid. of 
William Harris
Sergeant Rev. War
Act: Mch. 3 [illegible] 43Index:--Vol A, Page 306

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 21

Lydia Harris
of Wm.
Kentucky
Suspended
let 23d Dec 39
Hon J.R. Underwood

Act of July 1838
Page 22

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the decision of the Attorney General of 2d September, 1842,
and of the Resolution of Congress, of the 23d January, 1845.
Whereas, the decisions of the Department, in force when Mrs Lydia Harris, ob=
tained her pension, and the Act of the 30th of April, 1844, prohibited her from drawing a pen=
sion for the same period during which her husband was a pensioner, I now make the
following statement, under oath, to obtain the benefits of the decision and resolution
above mentioned; I am the Administrator of the Estate of Lydia Harris, deceased who
was the widow of William Harris, who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution; She
drew a pension at the rate of Fifty-one dollars and sixty cents per annum, from the
twenty-second day of April, 1838, and I now ask for myself and the other children of Lydia
Harris, deceased, that a certificate may issue for the amount due from the 4th day
of March, 1836, to the 22d day of April, 1838.  She made her declaration before the 30th
of April, 1844, and it was filed in the Pension Office before the 23d of January, 1845.
John R Harris
Administrator of the Estate of Lydia Harris, dec

Sworn to and subscribed before me, on this 21st day of August  in the year
one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, at Glasgow, Boren County, Kentucky
Jas Burnett
Justice of the Peace
I certify that the declarant is personally known to me, and that he is the Administrator
of the Estate of Lydia Harris, deceased, who was the same individual represented to be in
the foregoing affidavit
Jas. Burnett
Justice of the Peace
State of Kentucky Barren County Set
On this 21st day of August 1848 personally appeared before
the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly
authorised [authorized] by law to administer Oaths Henry Pedigo Known by me to be
a man of Credibility who after haveing [having] been duly sworn according to
law doth depose and say, that he was well acquainted with Lydia Harris
widow of William Harris, both deceased, that he was a near neighbour [neighbor] of Lydia
Harris, that he waited upon her during her last illness and he assisted at her
burial and that She departed this life on the 11th day of May 1845 that
at the time of her death she resided in Barren County Ky and was a pensioner
of the United States
Henry Pedigo
Sworn to and Subscribed before me
the day and year above written
B. B. Crump J.P.B.C.
Page 23

State of Kentucky )
Barren County       ) Set
I Thomas J Helm Clerk of the Barren County
Court hold [held] in at Glasgow State Kentucky, do certify that
Satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to Said Court
that Lydia Harris Widow of William Harris deceased
was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of Fifty
One Dollars and Sixty cents per annum, was a resident of
the County of Barren in the State of Kentucky and died in
the County of Barren & State of Kentucky on the 11th
day of May One Thousand eight hundred and forty
five, and that John R Harris is the administrator of
the Estate of his deceased Mother Lydia Harris, that
he was duly appointed, qualified and give Bond as Such
And I further certify that James Bennett & BB. Crump before
whom the above declaration and proof was made, and
acting Justice of the Peace in and for Barren County Kentucky
and that the Signatures thereto purporting to be theirs are genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto 
Set my hand and affixed my
Seal of Office at Glasgow Barren
County Kentucky this 21 day of August ┃
1848
Tho: J: Helm CBCO
Page 24

[printed form, handwritten responses]
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.
December 20th 1845.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act
directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners,
and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United 
States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending
the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pen=
sion agents, The Adm: of Lydia Harris, decd.
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Kentucky
Agency, at the rate of Fifty one Dollars 
and Sixty Cents per annum, under the law of the 17th June
1844, has been paid at this Department, from the
4th of March 1844 to the 4th Sept. 1844
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K Parris
Comptroller

To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
[blank] Present.
Page 25

5591

L. Harris

$51.60 per a

Hon. H. Grider
H. R.
Page 26

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the
3rd of March 1843, granting pensions for one year to certain
Widows who have recd. pensions under the act of July 7th 1838

State of Kentucky )
Barren County       )SS. 
On this the 1 day of March 1844
personally appeared before me James Murrell a Justice of the
Peace in and for sd. County & State, Lydia Harris, a
resident of said County and State aged Eighty one years
who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on
her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain
the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress
passd. [passed] on the 3rd March 1843 granting pensions to widows
of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.  That
She is the Widow of William Harris who was a Soldier of
the Revolution, and a pensioner of the United States, That she
received a pension of Fifty one Dollars and 60 cents under the
act of the 7th July 1838.  She further declares that she
is still a widow
Lydia her x mark Harris
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day )
and year above written before me     )
James Morrell JPBC                             )
and in presence of
John Pedigo

State of Kentucky  )
Barren County s.s.  )
I James Merrell a Justice of
the Peace in & for the County & State aforesaid certify that I am
and have been personally acquainted with Lydia Harris (who signed
the foregoing Declaration) for twenty five years and know her to be
the widow of William Harris decd. late of Barren County and
that She is the identical Lydia Harris who drew a pension
of Fifty one Dollars and 60 cents under the act of Congress of the 7th
July 1838. Given under my hand this 14th day of March
1844
James Murrell J.P.B.C.
Page 27

State of Kentucky Barren County Set:
I Thomas J. Helm Clerk of the Court of Barren County Certify that James Murrell is a magistrate as stated 
in the forgoing Declaration and Certificate and that the 
Signature attached thereto purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereto 
affixed my Seal of Office and subscribed 
my hand this 14th day of March 1844.
Thomas J. Helm, Clerk of the 
Court of Barren County
By
William Garnett, D.C.
Page 28

1839.9.4
8.4.22
1.4.12

1 y  51.60
4 = 1/3  17.20
12 ds 1/10 1.72
[total] $70.52

6499
Lydia Morris
of Wm.
Kentucky

admitted
Pr & Sergt 12 mo 14 days
$51.60 [illegible]

Cap Gilmore [illegible]
Christian Va

died 22 April 1838

Act 7 July 1838

Hon. J.R. Underwood
H.R.
Page 29

This is to Certify that William Harris 
orderly Sergeant in my Company of Militia
from Augusta County Virginia stationed at 
Alexander Dunlap Fort at Clover Lick to guard
the frontiers hath faithfully served his Tower [tour] of 
duty of Three Months for which he was draughted [drafted]
 and he's hereby discharged from the same and hath 
free liberty to pass unmolested to the County from 
whence he came on his good behaviour [behavior] given under 
my hand this 25 day of July 1770.
William Anderson, Capt.
Page 30

Yashen River North Carolina
This is to Certify that William Harris a Sergeant in
my Company of Militia from Augusta County Virginia
hath faithfully served his term of duty for three months
for which he was Drafted with [illegible] under Brigadier
General Morgan and is hereby discharged from the same
and hath free liberty to pass unmolested to the said
County and State on his good behaviour [behavior] given under my
hand this 26 day of January 1781
James Tate Captn.

York Town Virginia
This is to certify that Willaim Harris a Volunteer in my Company 
of Militia from Augusta County hath faithfully served 
a Tour of two Months under General Washington and is hereby dis-
charged from the same and hath free liberty to return to the County
aforesaid unmolested given under my hand this 2d day of October
1781
Patrick Buckham Captn.

Dan River North Carolina
This is to certify that William Harris a Volunteer in Captain Tate
Company of Militia from Augusta County Virginia his Captain being [illegible]
and Ensign killed and Lieutenant taken and he himself Wounded is hereby dis
charged from his Service of one Month fourteen days under ["General" is crossed out] Major
General Green and has served [illegible] for the same and hath free
Liberty to return unmolested to the aforesaid County on his good beha
vior given under my hand this 2d day of March 1781
Ge. Moffett Colol.