Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,701, Harmon Commins, Va.
Page 1

SERVICE
Va.

Commins, Harmon

NUMBER
S. 21,701

Res. at End
CONTENTS
Page 2

Date of death not on AB
23,083
South Carolina
Harmon Commins
of Anderson in the State of So: Car
who was a pr. in the - commanded by Captain - of the - commanded by - in the Virginia line for 
See Va rolls G
2 years
Suspend
for proof.
Inscribed on the Roll of So Carolina
at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of Otr:
and Sent Micajah Webb.
Anderson CH. So Car
Arrears to the 4th of Septr 1833 200.
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34 80
$240
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Nath: Rice Clerk,
Book E Vol. 6 Page 64

Let 8 Apl. 35 Pen. agt
" 9 " " Pensioner
" 19 feby. 36 Pen Agt.
B F. Perry
payt resd.
Letter to P. C. Cochran
September 18, 1850
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Let 8 Apl. 35 Pen. agt
" 9 " " Pensioner
" 19 feby. 36 Pen Agt.
B F. Perry
payt resd.
Letter to P. C. Cochran
September 18, 1850

Date of death not on AB
Page 4

The State of South Carolina
Anderson District
Harmon Commins of the State and District aforesaid appeared personally before me and makes oath that he is the identical Harmon Commins who applied for a Pension from the United States in the year 1819 and whose favour the certificate dated 26th November 1819 Signed by C. Vandeventer acting Secretary of War Numbered 16,027 and hereunto annexed originally issued - That in pursuance thereof he did by his attorney receive the first payment at the Branch Bank of the United States in the City if Charleston - That he enlisted as a private for two years at Sharpsburg in the state of Maryland within three miles of where he then resided under Captain Cochrane in Year 1776 before the Declaration of Independence to be attached to the Eighth Virginia Regiment of Infantry to join which he marched to Sherd-town in Virginia thence to Fredericksburg then to Williamsburg - The Eighth Regiment having marched to Carolina this Deponent was attached the First Virginia Regiment of Infantry commanded he thinks by General Mercer and Major Flemming but cannot recollect the name of the Colonel - Marched to the North Crossed the Potomac at the mouth thence to Baltimore - to Wilmington and by water passed Philadelphia into the Delaware landed at Trenton and thence to the White Plains, in which battle he was being his first - afterwards was in the battles of Trenton having marched the
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whole night before to reach the place - of Princeton and of Germantown in which last battle he was taken prisoner sent to Philadelphia and confined in jail on scanty allowance and some time during the spring following was removed to New York and exchanged at a place called Elizabeth-Point with others for Hessians whom he had aided in capturing at the battle of Trenton - Shortly after was discharged in New Jersey at a place called Shell-hill as well as he can recollect having remained several days over my term of enlistment in consequence of his imprisonment - His Discharge and money were both stolen out of his pocket book - He is wholly ignorant of the place of residence of any of his officers and was at the time of his first application - His Major (Fleming) was killed at the Battle of Princeton and General Mercer wounded of which wound this Deponent understood he died -
This Deponent knows of no proof he can offer of his identity than the affidavit of John James who was acquainted with him in the war and was qualified as to his service when he first applied & who this Deponent understands to yet alive and resident in this District and the affidavit of Col Joseph Grisham now residing in Pickens District the Gentleman who originally prepared his papers for the War Department and superintended the drawing of his money in Charleston -
He is aged and extremely infirm, gets about with great difficulty and cannot well attend the sitting of the next Court to make this Declaration-
Sworn to and subscribed Sept. 11th 1833 
Harman Commins x his mark
Before Joseph N. Whitner
Not. Pub. & Q. W. Ex. Off
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In reply to your request of - received - for a statement of the military history of Harmon Commins a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. 21,701
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
Spring 1776
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
More than 2 years.
RANK.
Private
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Croghan
COLONEL.
Killed at Princeton - Major Flemming
STATE.
Va.
He was wounded in the leg & taken prisoner at the battle of Germantown, confined in jail at Philadelphia 6 mos., in New York about six wks. thence to Elizabeth Point, N.J. where he was exchanged for a Hessian & discharged at Shell-Hill, N. J.
Battles engaged in, White Plains, Trenton, Princeton, & Germantown
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Frederick Co., Md. Enlisted at Sharpsburg.
Date of application for pension, Mch. 25, 1819. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Pendleton Dist. S.C.
Age at date of application,
Remarks: in 1832 he resided in Anderson District, S. C.
There is no family data on file.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
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Rev Sec H
Columbus, Ga.
Feb 13, 1917
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Please send me the record of service on the Revolutionary war, of my ancestor, Harmon Cummings. (Commins)
He was a pensioner
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in Anderson Co, S.C- in 1840.
Very Respectfully
Mrs S. T. Phillips
636-21st Street-
Columbus, Ga
Page 9

R. JOHN CUMMINGS
LAWYER
728 CONTINENTAL BANK BUILDING
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH

June 5, 1934

Veterans Administration
Arlington Building
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:

I am desirous of obtaining any and all information you 
can give me concerning Harman Cummins (Cummings) who was 
a Revolutionary War soldier. This soldier enlisted at Sharpsburg, 
Frederick (now Washington) County, Maryland in the spring 
of 1776. My information is that he was a member of the 8th 
Virginia Line under Col. P. Muhlenberg. He was discharged 
from duty in the state of New Jersey.

It is my understanding that this soldier applied for a pension 
March 25, 1819, and probably the number is S21701, while a 
resident of South Carolina, and he made a supplemental statement 
September 11, 1833.

I would appreciate the information if it is obtainable 
giving the date and place of his birth; date and place of his 
death and burial; the kind of pension, if any, which he received, 
if a land grant, the description of the land; the names of his 
wife, parents and children; and any other information which you 
may supply to me.

I would also appreciate being informed of the cost of having 
a photostatic copy made and sent to me of that portion of your 
files involving this party which may be given out to the public.

Thanking you very kindly for any information that you may 
furnish to me, I am,

Yours truly,
R. John Cummings

RJC:SE 

RECEIVED JUN 8 1934
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Revolution 21.701 1917 Mch. 3. Hist to Mrs.
INVALID. S. T. Phillipa. C
File No 21,701 1934 - Aug 1- Hist to R. John
Harmon Commins Cummings, EEL
Priv Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 77
Arrangement of 1870.
Page 11

August 1, 1934
xxxxx
BA-J/MMHF/eel
Mr. R. John Cummings
728 Continental Bank Building
Salt Lake City, Utah
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Harmon Cummins (Cummings), S.21701, a Revolutionary War pensioner.
A very careful examination of the papers in the pension claim noted, has been made and the data found therein are furnished you herewith. There is no application for land on file, based upon his military service.
In regard to securing photostatic copies of the papers in this pension claim-these papers are very frail, and the preparation of photostatic copies is necessarily injurious to the very old documents. It may be stated that these official reports have been accepted by various patriots, genealogical and historical societies as authentic, so it is hoped that the attached report will meet the requirements.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.
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August 1, 1934
xxxxx
BA-J/EEL
Mr. R. John Cummings BA-J/EEL
728 Continental Bank Building Harmon Cummins-S.21701
Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dear Sir:
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.21701, based upon the military service in that war of Harmon Commins.
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of Harmon Commins are not shown in the papers in the pension claim. He was reared in Frederick (that part which was later Washington) County, Maryland.
In the spring of 1776, while residing in Frederick County, Maryland, within three miles of Sharpsburg, that county, Harmon Commins enlisted for two years as a private in Captain Croghan's Company Croghan, Capt. in 8" Va 8" Virginia Regiment; marched to Williamsburg, Virginia, where he was transferred to the 1" Virginia Regiment, served under Major Fleming and General Mercer Fleming is given in [illegible] as a Capt.; was in the battles of White Plains, Trenton, Princeton, where Major Fleming was killed and General Mercer received a mortal wound from the effects of which he died in a few days; and at the battle of Germantown where soldier received a wound in the leg and was taken prisoner; he was carried to Philadelphia where he was confined in the jail for about six months; then carried to New York, where he was held for another six months; then taken to Elizabethtown Point, New Jersey, where he was exchanged for a Hessian. After his exchange, he returned to his company and regiment but the time for which he had enlisted having expired, he was discharged.
After his discharge from the army, he moved to the state of Virginia: the date of his removal and the name of the county to which he moved are not shown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed March 25, 1819. Said application was made in Pendleton District, South Carolina. His signature was by mark as Harmon Commins and his name was borne on the pension rolls under that spelling.
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In 1832, Harmon Commins was residing in Anderson District, South Carolina, where, he stated, he had been residing for many years.
In 1819, the soldier referred to his family, but gave no names.
The date and place of his death and the place of his burial are not shown.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Harmon Commins (S.21701), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Harmon Commins, Certificate No. 23083, issued November 5, 1833, rate $80 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832 (the act under which his pension was continued) South Carolina Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.
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Feb 9. GREENVILLE S.C CH JAN 29
GREENVILLE, CH S.C JAN 31

Free
J. L. Edwards Esquire
War Department
Washington City
D.C.
Page 15

Greenville S.C.
January 29th - 1836
Dr Sir
Harmon Cummins of Anderson District applied to me the other day to assist in getting him restored to his Pension which he drew for three years & was lost [illegible] strucken from the Roll - Not knowing the cause of Mr. Cummins being stricken from the pension Roll & he not being able to inform me, I am under the [illegible] of making application for such information to you. As to his Revolutionary services there can be no doubt, as I am informed by gentlemen of the highest respectability 
If you will be good enough to inform me the particulars of his being struck off the Pension Roll it may enable him to meet any insufficiency of evidence that may have been the cause
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General Whitner who drew Cummins Declaration for him did receive some letter relative to the discontinuance of his Pension but has mislaid the same & can give the old man no satisfaction as to its contents
your compliance with the above request will be an act of justice & of charity to an old Soldier of the Revolution & a favour to myself
Respectfully
B. F. Perry
J L Edwards Esq
Page 17

Harmon Cumming
Private 8th. Regt. Va Line
Proof of Service &
Reduced Circumstances
Page 18

The State of South Carolina
Pendleton District Before me personally came John James of the District & State aforesaid Planter, and made Oath, That many years before the Revolutionary War he this deponent got acquainted with Harmon Commins, that he the said Harmon Commins & this deponent were raised together in Frederick County (Originally) (or at that time) now that part called Washington County, in the State of Maryland, That he was intimately acquainted with the said Harmon Commins and does know that he was in the Regular Service of the United States of America in the Virginia Line of Infantry. And this deponent is of Opinion he saw the said Harmon Commins' Discharge after he was dismissed - This deponent is and for the last Forty five Years, has constantly been intimately acquainted with the said Harmon Commins and does well know that he is a man of good reputation & moral character & that full & implicit confidence ought to be given to his oath 
That he is a very poor man & stands in need of the assistance of his country for support.
John James
Sworn to & Subscribed this 12th day of March Anno Domini 1819 Before me at my Office at Pendleton C. H. S. C.
Joseph Grisham
Not. Pub & r. off
I. W. Q.
Page 19

The State of South Carolina
Pendleton District Before me personally came John Bryce Esquire a respectable Citizen of this District and made oath that Harmon Cummins a Revolutionary Soldier of said District lives his neighbour, that he is a very honest, respectable but poor man - 
That he the said Harmon Cummins is in reduced Circumstances and that he needs the assistance of his Country for support.
Sworn to 27th October 1819 John Bryce
Before Joseph Grisham
Not Pub.
Page 20

The State of South Carolina
Pendleton District Before me personally came Peter Keys Esquire and Major Lewis good and respectable Citizens of the District aforesaid And made Oath That for the last Fifteen years they have been acquainted with Harmon Commins and that they have full faith in his word and do verily believe that what he does or will Swear is & will be true & that he is a poor man & need the assistance of his Country for support
Sworn to & Subscribed P Keys
this 25 day of
March 1819 Major Lewis
Before me
Joseph Grisham
Notary Public &
Virtue Officer
I.W.Q.
Page 21

See letter to J. F. Thompson, Oct. 13, 1824
to Mr. Micajah Webb
17. May 1830. (pension certif. returned).
Let Micajah Webb. Anderson Court H S. C.
March 21 1833

16,027 R
South Carolina
Harmon Commins
of Pendleton Co in the state of South Carolina
who was a Private in the 8 regiment commanded by Colonel - of the Virginia line, for the term of Two Years
Inscribed on the Roll of South Carolina
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 25 of March 1819
Certificate of Pension issued the 26th of Novr. 1819
and sent to Joseph Grisham Esq. 
Pendleton South Carolina
Arrears to 4th of Sep. 1819 42.86
Semi-anl. all'ce ending Mar 1820. 48.00
5 Mo 7/31 4/30 $90.86
Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.
Sent to Jos. Grisham
Page 22

Pension Agency
Charleston S.C. 13 Sept 1850
Sir
I herewith forward the Vouchers of Harmon Commins a Pensioner under Act 7 June 1832, for Authority to pay the same
I am Sir Respectfully
Your Ob servt
Jno C Cochran
Pension Agent
J L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 23

Harmon Cummins
25th March 1819.
Payable semi-annually. The first payment on this Certificate will be made on the 4th of March, next, in South-Carolina, at the Branch Bank of the United States,
Charleston.
Rock Mill P O
Recorded
No. 16027
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War Department.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th March, 1818, Harmon Commins, of Pendleton County, South-Carolina late a private in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the South-Carolina Agency, at the rat of Eight dollars per month, to commence on the twenty fifth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and nineteen.
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this twenty sixth day of November, one thousand eight hundred and nineteen.
C Vandeventer
Acting Secretary of War.
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Harmon Cummins
See old papers
Admit as a Private
2 yrs $80
Micajah Webb
Anderson Ct. H
Page 26

Pickens C. H. 7th. October 1833. I certify that I have been long acquainted with Harmon Cummins of Anderson District, he is the same person, who was placed on the Pension Roll as stated within & the part of the foregoing affidavit which refers to me is true and I believe him to be a man of unimpeachable character-
Sworn to 7th October 1833. Joseph Grisham
Before me
Charles J. Verner JP
I certify that Charles J. Verner whose signature before is an acting Magistrate for Pickens District & that the foregoing signature is genuine and that full faith is due his official acts as such
Given under my hand & seal of office this seventh day of October, one thousand Eight hundred and thirty three
William L. Keith
Clerk of Court
I am perfectly satisfied of the identity of H. Cummins from long acquaintance good character & the entire respectability of Col. Grisham Joseph N. Whitner
Not. Public
South Carolina I certify that Joseph N. Whitner
Anderson District before whom the Deposition of Harmon Cummins was made is and was at the time an acting Notary Public and that full faith is due his official acts as such and that his signature thereto is genuine - Given under my hand and seal of office this Sixteenth day of October one thousand & Eight hundred & thirty three
Van A Lawthon
C.C.
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State of South Carolina Personally appeared 
Anderson District before me the Subscribing Justice
Harmon Commins and made oath in due form of Law saith on his oath that he was placed on the Pension List-Roll 25 March 1819 agreeable to an act of Congress passed the 18th March 1818 and that he drew a Pension one time and was then Stricken off the account of Property That he served in the Revolutionary War in the 1st Virginia Regiment and that he now lives in Anderson District and has lived there for a great while and stands in great need of assistance in his old and declined days Sworn to and subscribed before me this thirteenth September 1832
E. S. Norris J.P. Harmon Commins x his mark
I, John T Lewis Clerk of the court of Anderson District Certify that E. S. Norris 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 Thirteenth day Sept. 1832.
John T. Lewis
Clerk of the Court
Page 28

Harmon Commins,
Private.
Colo P. Muhlenburg's regt. (8th.)
Virginia line, 2 years.
in 1776. to 78
25. March, 1819.
The Certificate of the Judge, as to reduced circumstances of Applicant, is wanting-
Admitted
The residence of the Applicant should be stated in the declaration
Charles J: Colcock,
Judge,
Pendleton, So. Carola.
The deposition of 2 credible & disinterested witnesses duly authenticated, (on the Cert: of an Officer of the regt:) to prove service of Applicant, is required.
Page 29

The State of South Carolina
Pendleton District By the Honorable Charles J. Colcock Esquire one of the Associate Judges of the State aforesaid, and presiding Magistrate in the Court of General Sessions and Common Pleas for the District aforesaid
To all to whom these presents shall come be seen or made known Greeting:
Know Ye that Harmon Commins did this day appear before me and made Oath on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, That in the spring of the Year 1776 (as well as he can recollect) at Sharpsburg in Frederick County in the State of Maryland, He the said Harmon Commins did Enlist into the service of the United States for two Years the name of the Officer  under whom he Enlisted he does not recollect but he was of Capt. Craghan's Company of the Eighth Regiment of the Virginia Line-
This deponent further saith he was in the Battle of the White Plains - The Battle at Trenton N.J. - at the battle of Princeton N. J. under the Command of Major Flemming Commanded by General Mercer Also in the Battle of Germantown where he was wounded in the leg and taken prisoner - He was taken to Philadelphia & there confined in Jail
about
Page 30

about six Months then he was taken to New York where he remained about six weeks and was taken to Elizabeth Point N.J. and was exchanged for a Hessian
After which he joined his regiment but his time having expired he was discharged in The State of New Jersey, but this deponent does not recollect the name of the place.
This deponent further on oath saith he received his discharge and returned home and moved into the State of Virginia, He kept his discharge about four years and had it Stolen from him, together with his pocket Book in which he kept it & his money - And this deponent also further on his oath saith He is a very poor man and stands in need of the Assistance of his Country for support - And that hath never received any pension from the United States - And did not intend to have applied for a Pension from his Country only but for his age and infirmity - which renders him unable to Labour as in [illegible] for support
for
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himself and his family.
Harmon Commins v his mark
In Testimony that the foregoing was this Twenty fifth day of March in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nineteen Sworn to and Subscribed before me I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Court to be affixed
C. J. Colcock
one of the Judges of the said state
The State of South Carolina I John T. Lewis
Pendleton District Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions in and for the District aforesaid Do Hereby Certify and make unto all whom it may concern that Charles Jones Colcock Esquire whose Certificate appears above is one of the associate Judges of the State aforesaid and Presiding Judge at Pendleton Courthouse March Term 1819. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Court at office in Pendleton Courthouse the twenty fifth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and nineteen.
John T. Lewis C.C.PD.
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To the Honorable John C. Calhoun
Secretary of War of the United States of America
Herewith is transmitted the Testimony and proceedings had therein of Harmon Commins an applicant for a Pension for his Services in the Revolutionary War
He has produced Satisfactory Testimony to me that he did serve as a private Soldier in the said War. And that from his reduced circumstances I am Satisfied he needs the Assistance of his Country for Support. Which has been proved to my satisfaction.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the seal of the Court for Pendleton District in the State of South Carolina this Twenty eighth day of October Anno Domini 1819.
And 44 Year of American Independence
John S Richardson
One of the Associate Judges and now Presiding Magistrate in the Western Circuit of the State of South Carolina