Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4626, Alexander Harper, New York
Page 1

(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
New York

Harper, Alexander
Elizabeth

NUMBER
R. 4626

CONTENTS
Page 2

No. 7.752 July 23d. 1851 
Eliz. Harper [?] wid of Alexander .
 Ohio
[At] July 4 183[?]

[?] Widow
died in 1833

Frends & Sylvester
Present

[Three words scratched out]
Page 3

State of Ohio
Lake County
On the [unclear] day of May Eighteen Hundred and fifty one personally appeared before me W W Branch one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in said County of Lake Margaret Wheeler a resident of Madison in the County of Lake and State of Ohio who was born the 12th day of June A.D. 1772. Who being first duly sworn according to law & oath on him makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress past July 4th 1836. My Fathers name was Alexander Harper and resided in Harpersfield Delaware County and State of New York. Soon after the Commencement of the Revolutionary War he was a Captain of a company of Rangers raised in that section of County for the protection of the frontier settlements against the attacks of the Indians & Tories during the war of the Revolution. According to the best of my recollection the inhabitants of Harpersfield were driven away from their homes in the month of July 1778 and left to avoid being massacred by the Torys & Indians and after we had gone Capt. McDonald with a party of Tories followed us about ten miles from the Fort. Night compelled us to Encamp near a small stream Called West Kill. Our party had sent an Express to the Middle Fort at Schoharie informing the Officer in Command there that we was on our way to the Fort and were pursued by a party of Tories. A party of men was sent out to our assistance & after they had passed us about half a mile they [struck out] met Capt. McDonald & his party of about 50 Tories & had a skirmish with them our friends were expelled to retreat before Capt. McDonald till They were reinforced when they drove McDonald & his party and
Page 4

We reached the Fort safely, My Fathers family remained at the Fort till the spring of 1782. My Father Alexander Harper was taken prisoner at Harpers field on the 7th day of April 1780 by a party of Tories & Indians under Capt. Brandt [sic] the following persons were taken prisoners with my Father to wit-- Wm Land & his son William who was a boy of 12 or 12 years of age a man of the name of Brown and his three Sons John Hendry Ezra Thorp F Patchen & Isaac Patchen & the following persons were killed by the enemy to wit Wm Stevens Thomas Hendry & James Hendry. My Father was held captive to Canada where he remained till the 27th of November 1782 he was kept in irons about one year of that time as I have often heard him say, my Mother Elizabeth Harper Wife of Alexander Harper and her family were in the Fort at Schoharie the [illegible] part of the time that my father was an and in Canada as a prisoner. She baked for the soldiers while in the garrison. Capt Alexander Harper Returned to his family on the 27 day November 1782 and he and Elizabeth Harper & his family moved from Delaware County New York to the State of Ohio in 1798.  Capt Harper died the tenth day September 1798 and Elizabeth Harper his widow remained in the same place untill [sic] the year 1833 when she died on the Eleventh day of June 1833 in him Eighty fourth year of her age I was in the Fort at Schoharie with Elizabeth Harper when my Father was a prisoner in Canada during that time the Fort was attacked by Col Butler of Johnson & Capt. Joseph Brant and the soldiers in the Fort were commanded by by Maj  Wooley and I recollect [sic] that during the Battle Elizabeth Harper & Some Other womin[ sic] were engaged making cartridges for the soldiers in the Fort. I think Joseph Bartholomew was
Page 5

a Lieutenant in my Fathers Company but I am not positive
I am positive that my Father had a Capt Commission I
recolect of seeing his commission frequently before and
after his death, but it has been lost or distroyed same
years ago I would further state that Elizabeth Harper was
the wife of Alexander Harper and that they lived together
as husband and wife untill his death and that Elizabet[edge of page]
Harper Remained his widow so long as she lived and
there are three of their children now living and
their names are Margaret Wheeler Elizabeth Tappin
and Robert Harper they being the only surviving
Children of ^our [that, scratched out] family. I have^no knowlege of my Fathers
receiving payment of the government for his services while
in the services but have understood that he did not
and the said Margaret Wheeler hereby relinquishes every
claim to a pension or annuity^except this on account 
of or for [the] Margaret Wheeler for obtaining  Elizabeth Harpers pension  Margaret Wheel
[There's ink bleeding through the paper from the other side]
The State of Ohio
Lake County
Be it Rembered that on the third day
of May in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred
and fifty one Personally appeared^before me, the above named Margaret
Wheeler whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Declaration
and made oath that the matters & things set forth in
her Declaration are true according to the best of her
remembrance information and belief. And I further
Certify that the said Margret Wheeler Bodily infirmity
or such that she is unable to appear in open Court
and make her said Decleration In Witness whereof I
have hereunto set my hand at Madison in said County & State
the day & year last above Written -
William W Branch
apallate Judge
Page 6

The State of Ohio,
Lake County, SS.

I, Charles D. Adams, Clerk of the Court of Common Please, within and for the county of Lake, and State of Ohio, do by these presents certify and make known that William W Branch Esquire, before whom the annexed and foregoing affidavit and declaration of Margaret Wheeler was taken, and who has thereunto, in his own proper hand writing, subscribed his name, was at the time of taking the same, and now is [associate] Judge within and for said county, duly commissioned and sworn, agreeably to the Laws of the State of Ohio, and to all whose official acts as such, full faith and credit is, and ought to be given throughout the United States and elsewhere.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court at Painesville, in said County, this 14th day of May in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty one.

[signed] C.D. Adams, Clerk.
Page 7

The State of Ohio,
Ashtabula County P
Court of Common Pleas
July Term Towit July 14, 1851
This day came Charles Wheeler and proved
to the satisfaction of the Court that Alexander Harper
married to Elizabeth Harper on the thirtieth day of July
A.D. Seventeen hundred and Seventy one, that said Alexander
Harper died Sept tenth A.D. Seventeen hundred and
ninety eight, and that the said Elizabeth Harper his
Willon died June Eleventh A.D. Eighteen hundred
and thirty three leaving Margaret Wheeler, Elizabeth
Tappan and Robert Harper the only surviving children
of said marriage
The State of Ohio
Ashtabula County
I Abner Kellogg Clerk of
the Court of Common Pleas
within and for said County
do certify that the foregoing
is truly taken and copied from
the Record of the proceedings of
said Court,
R. Kellogg Clerk of said Court
this 14th day of July A.D. 1851
B. Kellogg Clerk
Witness
Page 8

Mrs. R. W. Van Valin
Newberg
Oregon
Dear Madam:
April 2, 1936
Alexander Harper -- R. 4626
Joseph Harper - Dis Rev. War
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file
in Revolutionary War pension claim, R.4626, based upon the military
service in that war of Alexander Harper,
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of
Alexander Harper are not shown.
Alexander Harper married July 30, 1771, Elizabeth. The date
and place of her birth, the names of her parents and the place
where her marriage to Alexander Harper took place are not shown.
While residing in Harpersfield, New York, Alexander Harper
entered the service, date not given, and served as captain of a
company of rangers, engaged in protecting the inhabitants from
the Indians and Tories. In July, 1778, the people of Harpers
field were compelled to flee from their homes and take refuge in
the fort at Schoharie and the family of Captain Alexander Harper
were among the number who made their way to the fort. In April,
1780, Captain Alexander Harper was captured at Harpersfield, New York
, by a party of Indians and Tories under the command of Captain
Brandt, was carried to Canada where he was held in captivity until
the year 1782, when he was released and reached his home on November
27, of that year. At least one year of the time he spent in
prison, he was in irons. While Captain Harper was in Canada in
confinement, his wife, Elizabeth, and their children lived in the
fort at Schoharie, and were there when an attack was made on the
fort by a party of Indians and Tories under Colonel Butler and
Captain Joseph Brandt, at which time Elizabeth Harper and the
other women at the fort made cartridges for the soldiers. It was
stated, also, that Elizabeth baked the bread for the fort. It is
not shown that Alexander Harper ever served as a colonel.
this rol
in Heitman
Page 9

Sometime in 1798, Alexander Harper moved his family from Harpersfield, New York, to the state of Ohio, in which state he died September 10, of that year. His widow, Elizabeth, died June 11, 1833, in the eighty-fourth year of her age.

The names of the following children are shown:
Margaret Harper......... born June 1, 1772, married [blank] Wheeler.
Elizabeth Harper......... date of birth not given, married [blank] Tappin.
Robert Harper......... " " " " "

The places of residence of Elizabeth Tappin and Robert Harper are not stated.

On May 3, 1851, Margaret Wheeler, then a resident of Lake County, Ohio, applied, in behalf of herself, and the brother and sister named above, for the pension that might have been due on account of the services of her father, Alexander Harper, in the Revolutionary War.

The claim was not allowed as there was no provision of law under which the children of soldiers of the Revolutionary War were entitled to pension.

In 1851, one Charles Wheeler made affidavit in Ashtabula County, Ohio; no relationship to Margaret Wheeler was shown. 

*** * **
Joseph Harper
Rev. War-Dis. - MMHF.

The name of Joseph Harper is born on a list of Invalid pensioners whose names had been inscribed on the roll of the New York Agency and whose residence and other information called for by the resolution of the Senate, could not be ascertained in consequence of the destruction of the papers of the War Office in 1800, by fire.

The list referred to shows that Joseph Harper was a private in the Revolutionary Army received a pension of $96 per annum and died May 17, 1805. The record does not show from what state he served or in what state he died. 

-3-
Page 10

This office has no further information in regard to that soldier because of the destruction of papers in his application for pension, as stated above.
******

Very truly yours,

A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 11

April 2, 1936
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/EEL

Mrs. R.W. Van Valin
Newberg
Oregon

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of four brothers, of Harpersfield, New York, namely, Colonel John Harper (1734-1811), who married, first, Mirriam Thompson and second, the widow of his cousin, Joseph Harper;  Major Joseph Harper, who was wounded in the Mohawk Valley, married Catherine Douglass and drew a pension; Colonel Alexander Harper, who married Elizabeth Bartholomew; and William Harper, who married Margaret Williams; you request, also, the records of John Ferguson, who was wounded at the battle of Bunker Hill and drew a pension and Stephen Mean, who served in the Westchester County, New York Troops.

There are no claims for pension or bounty land on file based upon the military service in the Revolutionary War of a John or William Harper, as described by you, or of a Stephen Mean or Means. No record could be identified as that of a John Ferguson in whom you are interested. Such claims are the source of the data furnished by this office.

The records of Alexander Harper and Joseph Harper are furnished you herewith.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Page 12

reply to your request of
statement of the military history of Alexander Harker
soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
formation as contained in his application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
R
4626
received
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
1778
2180
Battles en
Residence
R
Date of ap
Residence
Age at date
Remarks:
Ware
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
RANK.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
COLONEL.
STATE.
Captain of Rangers
New York,
Love Harper
Captered by Brandt
carried to Canada where
he was kept in iron one year and confined over two years,
reaching home Nov. 27, 1782.
During his captinty
his family remained in Fort Schoharie where his
wife baked for the soldier & made cartritys
gaged in,
of soldier at enlistment, Harpersfield, Delaware Co NY. and
to this in 1798.
plication for pension, by daughter, May 3, 1851.
at date of application, Madison, Lake to Ohio
of application, Join June 12, 1772
Alexander Harper was mar. to Elizabeth Harper, July 30, 1777,
he died Sept, shed June 11 1833 in
leaving 3 child in 1851. Marr Whether Elizabeth Tappin, &
-
Claim was rejected on the ground that the indow
died prior to the passage of the act of July 4, 1836 under which the children
Very respectfully,
applied.
6 -- 2856
Commissioner,
Page 13

[stamp bottom-center]

Received
Mar 16 1936
Mail Sub-Div.
Vets. Adm
Reader # 15
Page 14

[stamp] Daughters of the American Revolution

Oregon

[stamp] 
Received Mar 16 1936
Mail Sub. Div.
Vets. Adm.
Reader # 15

Newberg, Oregon
March 10, 1936

Bureau of Pensions,
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen: -

Will you kindly give me such records as you may have in your Department regarding four brothers by the name of Harper of Harpersfield, New York, all of whom had service in the Revolutionary War. This information is desired by a woman who wishes to establish Revolutionary Record thru one of these brothers, and from data in her possession is unable to determine which one is her ancestor - on account of intermarriages, later - and the similarity of names.

1. Colonel John Harper (1734-1811), served in Tryon County Militia, in New York, in 5th Regiment - also served in the Levies. Wife's (1st) name was Mirriam Thompson and 2nd wife was widow of a cousin, Joseph Harper.

2. Major Joseph Harper, also served in 5th Regiment, Tryon County Militia in New York, and was wounded in the Mohawk Valley and drew a pension. Married Catherine Douglass, daughter of James Douglass. Names of children unknown.

3. Colonel Alexander Harper, also saw service in New York, but no information is at hand. Married Elizabeth Bartholomew.

4. The fourth brother, William Harper married Margaret Williams of Albany. Vol. 2 "Frontiersmen of New York" states that was a man of prominence in the war, but no record was given.

Very truly yours,
(Mrs. R.W. Van Valin)
[signed] Minne D Van Valin
Regent, Champoeg Chapter, D.A.R.
Page 15

[stamp] Daughters of the American Revolution

Oregon

[stamp] 
Received Mar 16 1936
Mail Sub. Div.
Vets. Adm.
Reader # 15

Newberg, Oregon
March 10, 1936

Bureau of Pensions,
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen: -

Will you kindly give me such records as you may have in the Pension Department regarding the following named men who saw service in the Revolutionary War. This information is desired by women who wish to use it on application papers for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution.

1. John Ferguson, who was wounded at Battle of Bunker Hill. Descendants state that he was a pensioner. His wife's name was Catherine Thomas and there was one daughter that we have knowledge of - Sallie (Sarah) Cambell Ferguson. Dates of birth, death, and marriage and any service record will be greatly appreciated.

2. Stephen Means, who served in the 4th Regiment in Westchester County, New York Regiment. This record given in "New York in the Revolution" by Roberts. It is believed there was a son, Stephen Vanrenslaer Mead. Place of residents during Revolution was Dutchess or Westchester County, N.Y. Dates of birth, death, marriage, name of wife and names of children will be greatly appreciated.

Yours truly
(Mrs. R.W. Van Valin)
[signed] Minne D Van Valin
Regent, Champoeg Chapter, D.A.R.
Page 16

Elizth Harper deed
Wid. of Alex.
Ohio

Act 4th July 1836

Rejected - widow 
died in 1833

[crossed out]
French v. Sylvester Oct. 25/51
Hon. B.T. Wade July 29, 1852

4626
Page 17

Declaration has been filed under [illegible] July 11, 1836 as requested. Widow died in 1833 and the pertinence of that act to her case is not perceived. The claim is rejected.

[signed] French & Sylvester
Oct. 25, 1851.
Page 18

[Top left stamp]
Pension
D
Sep 15 1919
U.S.
Office

Shreveport, Louisiana
September 12, 1919

Commission of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir - 

Will you please give me the desired information, so that I may become a member of the Shreveport Chapt of the Daughters of the Revolution? (D.A.R.)

Capt. Alexander Harper, the ninth child of John and Abigail, was born in Middletown, Conn. Feb. 22, 1744.

He died at Harpersfield, Ohio, Sept. 10, 1798. His father, John Harper was the fifth child of James Harper and Sarah Lewis. He was born at Linnivady Parish of Newton County of Derry Ireland. And died...
Page 19

April 20, 1785 at Harpersfield, N.Y.

Capt. Alexander Harper's grandparents James Harper and Janet Lewis came to America in 1720 and landed at Casco Bay on the coast of New England. After the Indians became troublesome they moved to Boston.

Capt. Alexander Harper's family consists of the following in order: Margaret, John, James, William, Elizabeth, Mary, Alexandra, and Robert.

The fourth child, William, born Jan. 19, 1779. Died Jan. 2, 1827 was married to Sarah Robertson.

To this union came in order: Charles, Melvina, Henry, Robert, Sallie, & Polly. This fourth child Robert is my great-grand-father.
Page 20

[stamp top-right corner]
Pension
D
Sep
15
1919
U.S.
Office.

I have written lengthy from the Records of the Harper Family but I wished you to see the direct lineage.

In order that I may become a member of the D.A.R. I will have to have a record of his service in the Revolutionary War. If it will not inconvenience you any, please give it your prompt attention and I assure you it will be appreciated. Thanking you in advance I remain,
Very truly yours,
[signed] (Miss) Lena Mae Harper
Box 156
Page 21

[stamp]

Pension
O
U.S.
Mar
9
1914
Office.
Page 22

W.L. Hand,
Attorney at Law

Kearney, Neb., Mch 6, 1914 (1913)

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir: An ancestor of mine, Alexander Harper, was a captain in the Revolutionary War and served in the New York militia. I am informed by the adjutant general that his records w show that Harper was commissioned March 3, 1780, but that is all the record shows; and he suggests that perhaps the records in your office will show more.

I also inquired of the adjutant general concerning the record of the service of another ancestor of mine, Asa Cowles, who perhaps served in a Massachusetts troup, or other Continental company; but he tells me that his records do not show anything of Cowles' service and he suggests that perhaps the records in your office do.

Please do me the favor to look this up and advise me of what you find. In case the record is found I wish such copies of it as will show the service of both men in the war of the Revolution.

Yours very truly,
[signed] W.L. Land
Page 23

[Stamp]
Pension 
D
U.S. 
Mar 27 1913
Office.
Page 24

To the Dept. of the Interior and Pension Bureau

I am writing you for any information you may be able to give about the war record of Capt. Alexander Harper of the Revolutionary War.

Thanking you in advance
[signed] Mrs. C.J. Stockdale,
Iowa Falls, Iowa

R.D. #6.

3-24-13.
Page 25

[Written sideways on left page]
Apl. 3 1913
That to Mrs. C.J. Stockdale & 1914 Mch. 16 Hist. to W.L. Hand & 1919 Oct. 1. to Miss Lena Mae Harper
1936 - Apr. 2-7 - died a Mrs. R.W. Van Valin

[Rejected stamp in top-right corner]

4626
P.O (blank)
Elizabeth Harper
Service: Alex N.Y.

Enlisted: (blank), 18
Discharged: (blank), 18

Application filed: (blank), 18

Alleges: (blank)
Re-enlisted: (blank)

Attorney: (blank)
P.O. (blank)
(blank) Recognised. (blank) Contract.
Page 26

Copy

Pension Office
Oct. 25, 1851

Mess. French & Sylvester
Present
Gentlemen:
The declaration in the case of Elizabeth Harper, dec'd has been filed under the Act of 4 July, 1836 as you request. She died in 1833 and the pertinence of that act to her case is not perceived. The claim is rejected.

Very etc.
John Wilson

(Triplett)
Page 27

[Address]
Hon. B.T. Wade
Senate U.S.
July 29/52
Page 28

332

Pension Office
July 29 1852

Sir
I hereby return the letter of Chas. Wheeler and have the honor to inform you that no pension is due to the heir of Alex Harper under any pension law. He died in 1798 before any law was [illegible] for his benefit - and she died in 1833 before any law was [illegible] for her benefit.

[signed]
B.T. Wade
U.S. Senate
Page 29

Washington April 27, 1852
I am obliged to trouble you
with the enclosed letter in relation to
obtaining a pension for the heirs of
 Alexander Harper, I suppose there
is no doubt of his service, but whether
his name appears on the war Office
I do not know. It is also and
the
proof has been obtained & filed in the
proper Office are inform me how
the matter hand, and what kind of proof
required if what you have is definite

Hon. James E. Heath
Page 30

Elizabeth Harper
Ohio
Page 31

State of Ohio
County of Luke}SS:

Be it known, that on this Twenty Eighth day of January, A.D. eighteen hundred and fifty two, before the undersigned, a Notary Republic (Justice of the Peace crossed out) in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Margaret Wheeler, a resident of Madison Township in said County, and made oath according to law, that she is the daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth Harper, said Alexander being a Captain in the Revolutionary War, and that she is an kin and claimant of a pension due to said Alexander or Elizabeth in their life time on to (illegible), that she is directly interested as aforesaid, as a claimant, and makes this affidavit for the purpose of obtaining such amount of Pension as may be due under any of the Laws, Regulations, or decisions that have been or may hereafter be adopted. The said Affiant further declares that she hereby constitutes and appoints S.A. Peugh Esq, of Washington, D.C. to be Attorney and Agent to prosecute said claim, with power of substitution, to examine all papers and documents in relation to it, and to do all things necessary and lawful in the premises; except drawing the money, which will be hereafter provided for. 

[signed] Margaret Wheeler

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, before me, 
[signed] J.H. Howe
Notary Public

I, J.H. Howe, a Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Margaret Wheeler, above named, is a respectable resident of this County, and is, as I believe, directly interested in said claim as therein forth, and acknowledges the above Power of Attorney to be her act and deed.

[signed] J.H. Howe
A Notary Public
writing for said County

[Notary Stamp]
Testimony that the above-named... was a Justice of the [illegible] in and for said County, at the date of the same, I hereby subscribe my name and affix the County Seal.

County Clerk.