Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 24388, Joshua Harding, Mass.
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SERVICE
Mass.

Harding, Joshua
[Harding,] Jemima

NUMBER
W24388

CONTENTS [blank]
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No 796
Massachusetts
Joshua Harding of Worcester in the state of Massachusetts who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Martin of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Bigelow in the Massachusetts line, for the term of three years from March 1777 to March 1780

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of eight dollars per month to commence on the 28 day of April 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 1st of June 1818 and sent to Hon. E. Bangs: Worcester: Mass:

Continued on the Roll on 23 day of August 1828 and notification sent to A: Bigelow Esq. at Worcester Massachusetts Pension commencing on the 18 of August 1828

Amount due on 4th of March 1829 $52.67

Revolutionary Claim, Acts March 18, 1818, May 1, 1820.
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Massachusetts 642
Jemima Harding widow of Joshua Harding decd [deceased] who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 Mar 18 and who died on the 19 Apl [April] 1836 of Worcester in the state of Mass [Massachusetts] who was a priv. in the Compy [Company] commanded by Captain Martin of the Regt [Regiment] commanded by Bigelow in the Massts [Massachusetts] line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Massts [Massachusetts] at the rate of 80 dollars -- cents per annum, to commence on the 20 Apl 36

Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of Oct. 38 and sent to C.G. Prentiss, Worcester, Mass.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept $197.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 40.00
$237.00

{Act July 7, 1838}
Recorded by R Burdine, Clerk, Book A Vol. 1 Page 94

Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6th April 1835 from 4 Sep 1839 to 4 March 1840 Agts notified 25 Feb 1841
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I Ichabod Robbins of Southbridge, in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and declare that Mr Joshua Harding of said Southbridge on the tenth of March AD 1777 enlisted into the continental service in the war of the revolution into the Company commanded by  Capt Adam Martin in the fifteenth Regiment of the Massachusetts Line commanded by Col. Timothy Bigelow said Harding enlisted for three years and served his time out and was a honorably discharged all which I am personally knowing to belonging to said company and Regiment myself at the same time. Ichabod Robbins

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester SS April 25th AD 1818
Then personally appeared Ichabod Robbins and made solemn oath to the truth of the above declaration by him signed before me
Frederic W Bottom, Justice
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State of Massachusetts
I, Joshua Harding, a Citizen of the United States, now resident at Southbridge in the County of Worcester in the State aforesaid, do on oath testify and declare, that in the War of the Revolution, on the 10th March 1777 I entered and was engaged in the Lands
service of the United States on the continental establishment, and served accordingly from that time for three years as a private Soldier
against the common enemy, without any interruption or absence: that I belonged to Capt. Adam Martin's Company, Col. Timothy Bigelow's Regiment, being the 15th in the Massachusetts Line and that I left the service on the 10th March 1780, and rec'd [received] an honourable discharge, but have since lost it
and that, by reason of my reduced circumstances in life and poverty, I stand in need of assistance from my country for support, being now of the age of sixty three years; And I hereby relinquish all claims to every pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the United States, if any may be or hath been so allowed. Joshua Harding

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on this 28th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 18 pursuant to a law of
the United States, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and
naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," made and passed on the 18th of March, A. D. 1818, personally appeareth before me, Edwd Bangs, Judge Co. Com. pleas Western Circuit the abovenamed John Harding and after due examination and caution to testify and declare the whole truth, he maketh oath to the declaration aforesaid, and subscribes the same in my presence; and, on examination duly made by me the said Judge, it appeareth to my satisfaction that the said declaration is true.

Given under my Hand and the Sal of said Court, the day of the date aforesaid.
Edw Bangs
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I, Samuel Newell of Southbridge in the County of Worcester, on oath declare that I served in the same Company and Regiment with Joshua Harding from March, 1777 to March 1780; and know that he served that term faithfully.
Samuel Newell

Worcester ss. Apl 28th 1818
Samuel Newell made oath to the truth of the above depon by him subscribed before me
Edwd Bangs Judge as written

Joshua Harding
28 Apl
Correct
DH
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Joshua Harding
Worcester County
Massachusetts
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Declaration.
In order to be restored to the pension list,
under the Act of first March 1823.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Worcester ss.
⎬
On this eighteenth day of June 1828, personally appeared in open court, before the Court of Common Pleas being a Court of
Record for the County of Worcester, Joshua Harding of Southbridge, in said County, aged seventy three years, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to
obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress, of the 18th March, 1818, and the 1st May, 1820: that he, the said Joshua Harding enlisted for the term of three years on or about the 10th day of March, in the year
1777. in the State of Massachusetts, in the company commanded by Captain Adam Martin in the regiment commanded by Colonel Timo [Timothy] Bigelow, in the line of the State of Massachusetts, on the continental establishment that he continued to serve in the said corps until the end of said three
years, when he was discharged from the service, in or near West Point in the State of New York, that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, except the present; that his name has been placed on the pension list; that the number of his pension certificate is (796) and that he never before exhibited a schedule of his property, because under the regulations of the War Department he supposed the property heretofore in his possession was of such an amount as would preclude him from receiving the benefits of the act passed in favor of Revolutionary soldiers and others-The occasion of his now applying for a pension, is owing to his having heretofore become bound for his son, who was engaged in the business of manufacturing cotton, and who has failed, become insolvent, & deserted
from this part of the Country, by which means this applicant has been called upon to pay the debts of his said son, where he had become so bound for him, to the amount of at least three thousand dollars, which leaves him destitute of any property, excepting what is contained on his schedule hereto annexed - and other debts are still due and owing from him, on account of his said suretyship, which he is unable to pay & discharge. And in pursuance of the act of the 1st May 1820. I do solemnly swear,
(or affirm, as the case may be) that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818, and that I have not, since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war", passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or
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securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed. That since the 18th of March, 1818, the following changes have been
made in my property. About 158 acres of land which I then owned has been since mortgaged, and the equity of redemption sold on an execution against me, in favor of Joshua Mason, as appears by the affidavit of the
officer, Lemuel Dunbar, a Deputy Sheriff, marked (A.) hereto annexed-
Also about 40 acres of land, conveyed in mortgage to the Worcester Bank October 19. 1827. together with the above 158 acres, as appears by deed hereto annexed, marked (B) and for the consideration therein set forth, which consideration is still undischarged by me. - The foregoing is all the real estate which I owned in March 1818, or have or had any interest in at that time or since - I had considerable personal property in March
1818: but by my connection with my son, the whole has been taken to pay the debts which I became bound to pay on his account excepting what is mentioned in in the schedule annexed marked (C.) the exact description
of said property I am now unable to give, as it has been taken from me by due process of law, and disposed of, at various times and to divers
persons, and my said son having absconded and gone to parts unknown to me, I have not been able to procure any evidence from him, as to the particular demands, for which said property was taken to discharge - neither
has it been in my power, as yet, to ascertain with certainty, who the persons were to whom said property was disposed of - my age and infirmities of body and mind have rendered me unable to give, of my own knowledge, any more definite account of the manner in which my said property has been taken from me
Joshua Harding.

Sworn to, and declared, on the 18 day of June A.D. 1828. before the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Worcester -
Attest. Abijah Bigelow, Cler.

I Joshua Harding within named, testify that my occupation has been that of a farmer, but my age and infirmities render me unable to procure with my own hands, the means of subsistence for myself and family - my family consists of myself and my wife, named Jemima, aged about 69 years, now enjoying pretty good health, but not able to maintain herself and me, without the aid of government, except by private, or other. Joshua Harding

Worcester ss. Sworn to and declared on the eighteenth day of June A.D. 1828. before the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Worcester. Attest. Abijah Bigelow, Cler.
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(C)
An Inventory of the Property of Joshua Harding taken by us the subscribers, on request of the said Harding for the purpose of obtaining a pension under a law of the United States. viz.-
1 Bed and bedding best 11.00
1 Bed and Bedding 8. 00
1  case and draws old 2.00
3 tables old 1.25
6 dining chairs 3. 00
3 common chairs 0.50
1 large do. [ditto] 0.50
1 rocking do. [ditto] 0.33
2 Spining wheels 0.50
2 old chests 0.50
about six bushels of corn in the ear 4.50
2 meal Bags 0.67
a lot of old dry casks 0.67
4 Barrels of cider 4,00
about twenty bushells of potatoes 4.00
about 8 or 10 bushells of Apples 1.50
1 old tea set 1,50 - 5 blue plates .40 1.90
6 blue plates 30 cts - 6 common do.  20 cts 0.50
2 bolls 17th cts -- 2 tea pot, sugar bowl and creamer 83 cts 1.00
2 decanters 40cts one Pitcher 17ts tin pail 20st
0.77
1 case of knives & forks 0.75
1 Iron pot 42 cts -- one dishkittle 42 cts-- tea kettle 42 cts 1.26
1 spider 33 cts - one bake Kittle 20 cts - 2 flat irons 50 cts 1.03
1 pr hand Irons 50 cts - shovel & tongues 67 cts - large do. 1.00 2.17
1 crain & hooks 1.00 - 1 shovel 50 cts - old axe 25 cts 1.75
3 old augers 50 cts - one shave 25 cts - one tub & old churn 33 cts 1.08
2 looking glasses 1.00- 4 pr Sheets 3.00
4.00
4 pr pillow cases 67 cts 4 tables cloths 2.67
3.24
8 towels 2.00 - 2 old pails 42cts - hammer & pincers 33cts 2.75
150 lb. of pork at 6 cts pr P. 9.00 - 50 lb. beef 4 cts 2.00 11.00
2 meat tubs 67cts garden sauce 1.00 1.67
1 grind stone & iron crank 1.50 one old bush scythe 20cts 1.70
3 Sheep at one dollar each 3.00
100 lb. of cheese at 4 cts pr P. 4.00
40 lb. of butter at 11 pr P. 6.67

$93.16
Southbridge December 1. 1827.
Oliver Hooker
Oliver Mason
Appraisers
Joshua Harding
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Worcester ss. Decr 1st 1827 Then personally appeared the within named Oliver Hooker & Oliver Mason and made oath that they had made a true and just apprisal of the estate of Joshua
Harding according to the within inventory.
Eben. D. Ammidown Just. Pacis
A copy. Attest. Abijah Bigelow, Clerk
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss
I, Abijah Bigelow, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said Commonwealth, for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court, that the said Joshua Harding did serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy for the term of nine months, under one engagement, on the continental establishment. I also certify that the foregoing oath and declaration and schedule annexed are truly copied from the records of said Court, and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the whole amount of the property of the said Joshua Harding is ninety three dollars &
sixteen cents.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this thirtieth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight.
Abijah Bigelow, Clerk of said Court.
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810
Jemima Harding
Joshua
Mass.
act 7 July 38
Married in 1783
Died in 1836
admd
2 years pri
80 $
deduct died 19 Apl
1836-
Pen: com. 20 Apl '36
C.G. Prentiss
Worcester
Mass.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester ss.
I. Charles G. Prentiss, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester do certify that Ira Barton is the Judge of said Court duly
Commissioned and qualified and that his signatures to the paper hereto annexed as his own genuine signatures. 
I further certify, that George Davis and Frederic W. Bottom are Justices of the Peace within and
for said County, duly Commissioned and qualified, and that their signatures to the papers hereto annexed are their own genuine signatures. 
In testimony whereof I do here unto set my hand and affix the Seal of Said Court this twenty fourth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.
Chas. L. Prentiss, Register
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester ss. August 1838
On this twenty fourth day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight personally appeared at Worcester before me Ira Barton the subscriber and Judge of Probate of Wills &c within and for said County of Worcester Widow Jemima Harding a Resident of Southbridge in said County of Worcester aged as she saith seventy eight years: who being first duly sworn by me, 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 now the widow of Joshua
Harding, late of Southbridge: who died April
the 19th 1836: And who was a Private in the
Army of the Revolution and who drew a Pension up to the time of his death; under the
Act of Congress passed March 18th 1818. His
original certificate was surrendered to the payor of Pensions at Boston Massachusetts: When her Husband's back pay was paid her in 1836 as the Widow of her said Husband Joshua Harding. That said Pension Certificate is now supposed
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to be on file in the War office at Washington
together with the depositions of sundry soldiers upon whose evidence the pension certificate was granted to her said Husband deceased. She further declares that the soldiers who served
with him in the Army of the Revolution
and who testified as to his terms of service
performed, are now all dead: Except Mr
Denison Wheelock whose deposition makes a part of her said application for a Pension.  Reference to the depositions of soldiers now dead and supposed to be on file in the War Department will prove the several terms of service performed in the Army of the Revolution by her said Husband and also the officers under
whom his service was performed. She further
declared that she was married to her said Husband by the Name of Joshua Harding 
on the sixth day of February, in the year
of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred
and eighty three, by the Revd Joshua Paine
as the Record of said Marriage; sheweth. She further declares, that her Husband is now dead and that he died at the time
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above stated; and that she was not married to
him prior to his having the service in the Army but her Marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and Ninety four, and at the time above stated, and that she is now his widow and that she has not been married; since his decease; and that she has not any documentary evidence to prove the service of her said Husband Joshua Harding deceased. 
Jemina Harding

sworn to and recorded the day and year above
written before me 
Jn [John] Burton Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Worcester 

The word "eight" was stricken out, and the
[?]" interlined before the taking of the declaration
Jn Barton, Judge C.
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February the sixth One Thousand seven hundred and Eighty three Married Joshua Harding Junr & Jemima Fish Sturbridge
pr Joshua Paine Clerk

I Jacob Corey Town Clerk of Sturbridge in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the record except the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows 
1783
Feby 6th
Attest Jacob Corey Town Clerk of Sturbridge

I Jacob Corey above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town,  County, and State aforesaid and that the
above is a true extract from the records of said Town with the exception above named as certified by me. 
Jacob Corey Clerk of the Town of Sturbridge
Sturbridge Aug. 20. 1838

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of
Worcester Aug. 20. 1838 Then the above
named Jacob Corey personally appeared &
made oath to the truth of the above affidavit
by him subscribed - I certify that the said
Corey sustains an unblemished character
of truth
Before me Geo Davis Jus Peace
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I Dennison Whitlock of Southbridge in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, being Eighty five years of age, do depose that I was acquainted with Mr Joshua Harding who is now dead. He enlisted into the Army of the Revolution in the spring of 1777 under Captain Adam Martin of Sturbridge Worcester County and served in the Army at Roxbury in Massachusetts Eight months and ten days the full term of his Enlistment. Ebenezer Larned was his coloneI. I served with him during the same term in the same Regiment and Company. Afterwards in the Spring of 1777 I think He enlisted into the Army for the time
of three years and served out the Term of
his Enlistment. He enlisted in this service
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under said Adam Martin, Samuel Newell and Oliver Plimpton who are now dead served
with him three years each. His name was then Joshua Harding Jr. He drew a pension up to the time of his death, in 1836. He was bread and born in the same town and neighborhood
of myself. He married Jemima Fiske. I attended his wedding. He was married by Joshua Paine
Minister in Sturbridge in Worcester County in 1783. Jemima Harding his widow is now living
and has not been married since the death of her Husband. I know of no soldier now living who was in the Army except myself. The evidence of soldiers, who testified for him when he obtained his pension are supposed to be on file in the War Department at Washington. Denison Wheelock

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester ss. August 22d 1838
Then Denison Wheelock personally came before me the Subscriber and made solemn oath that the above deposition by him signed in my presence contains the truth and I further certify that the above named deponent is a man of truth and worthy of belief.
Before me Frederic W. Bottom Jus Peace
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In reply to your request of  , received 
for a statement of the military history of Joshua Harding a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (and his widow's) applications for pension on file in this Bureau. 24,388

[Column titles:] 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. / LENGTH OF SERVICE. / OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. COLONEL. / STATE.

[Data written in column line one:]
Spring 1775 8 mo. 10 d. / Pri. / [Captain] Adam Martin / [Colonel] Ebenezer Learned / Mass.

[Data written in column line two:]
Mch 10, 1777 / 3 yrs. / " [Pri.] / [Captain] Adam Martin / [Colonel] Timothy Bigelow / " [Mass.] 

Battles engaged in, [blank]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [blank]
Date of application for pension, Apr. 4. 1818. His cl was al
Residence at date of application, Southbridge, Worcester Co. Mass.
Age at date of application, 63 yrs He died Apr. 18, 1836
John Harding Jr. at Sturbridge, Worcester Co Mass.
He died Apr 1836 at Sturbridge, Worcester Co., Mass. 
Remarks: as Joshua Harding, Jr. He mar. Feb. 16, 1783, Jemima Fisk. She was allowed pension in an ap. executed Aug. 24, 1838 while 78 yrs old and a resident of Southbridge, Mass.
Children: Francis; Elbridge G.; Leonard
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M. H. Medbury Jan. 29, 1908 Hist. to Mrs.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 24388
Jemima Harding
wid of
Joshua Harding
Pri Mass Line
Act: July 7th 38
Index: -Vol. A, Page 318
Arrangement of 1870.]
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796
Massachusetts Roll
Joshua Harding
Massachusetts 
Line 1777 3yrs Private
in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 28th of April 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 1st of June 1818
and sent to Hon. Edward Bangs,
Worcester, Mass

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818
4 months 7/30 $33.86 ┃
{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}

Southbridge Worcester C
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W. 243885

[Circular stamp:]
RECORD DIVISION JAN 23 1908

W.24,388
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FORM 19

LOCAL OFFICE.
THE SCOTHERN NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE COMPANY
LICENSEES
of the American Bell Telephone Co., for the
State of Connecticut.
MORRIS F. TYLER, PRES 
JAMES ENGLISH, VCE PRES 
HENRY H. SYKES, GEN'L SUPT.
VICTOR M. TYLER, SEC'Y.
ANDREW H. EMBLER, TREAS.
EDWIN N. CLARKE, ASS'T TREAS.
Putnam, Conn. Jan. 20, 1908
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Will you kindly give me the pension record
of Jemima Harding of Woodstock, Conn., who was the widow of Joshua Harding, (of Woodstock, Conn.) I don't think he was from Woodstock, but that his widow lived there at the time the pension was granted, and was
80 years old in 1800 when pension was granted, found on page 663 in Connecticut men in the Revulotion [Revolution], and oblige,
Very truly, M H Medbury

Ex. Regent, Elizabeth Porter Putnam Chapter, D.A.R.
Address, 
Mrs. M. H. Medbury,
Putnam, Conn.

[Circular Stamp:]
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
JAN 22 1908
Page 26

Joshua Harding Mass. Act 1818 when last pd?
G.W.C.
6 Oct '38
Died 19th April 1836 paid to that period
Page 27

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
February 5, 1841.
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," Jemima Harding
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Eighty Dollars -- Cents
per annum, under the law of the 7th July 1838, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th
of Sept. 1839 to the 4th March 1840.

Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of
Pensions,
Present.
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To the Hon Secretary of War on
Washington
Sir, I take the liberty to forward the case of Joshua Harding, an applicant for a pension-
He has been striving hard to obtain such evidence of his poverty, and the manner by which the came into that situation as would be satisfactory to you but his old age, and infirmities of mind and body, render it difficult for him to procure testimony to so great and full an extent, as he might have done at a
former period, provided he had not been left in the lurch by his son, who has brought him into his present unfortunate situation. The opinion of the Hon. Mr Davis, our member of Congress whose certificate accompanies the documents herewith forwarded, induces us to believe that you will be satisfied with the evidence, as now furnished.
I know not of any other which can be procured, excepting as to said Harding's poverty, and as to that every one of his townsmen would testify. Judge Paine's deposition, with those of the Sheriff and
Creditors now forwarded, would seem to shew
conclusively that Harding is a poor man, and the return of Upham on the Bank Execution, with his deposition, would likewise seem to prove that his personal property has been very thoroughly
Page 29

gleaned and lawfully disposed of- If any
objections arise against an allowance of this claim, the Hon Secretary, all please suggest them to the subscriber, than an attempt may be made to procure additional evidence. It will be perceived that Harding's evidence of service is here furnished, by the affidavits of Samuel Newell and Ichabod Robbins, both on one sheet, perhaps this testimony is superfluous,
as said Robbins had his pension granted under the first law of 1818- but it is forwarded as it is
furnished, and cannot detract from his claim.

I am, very respectfully &c.
William Jennison
Worcester, Masstts [Massachusetts]
August 18, 1828.

Please to notice the deed, with the Register's certificate under it-- Dunbar's deposition, the Execution, and return thereon, and the Depositions of Judge Paine & J. Upham
which shew more particularly the disposition of the real and personal estate of said Harding. 

Nos 3.8.9.10.
Page 30

1) I Samuel Newell of Southbridge in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts being of lawful age do testify
and say that Joshua Harding of Southbridge aforesaid enlisted into the continental service sometime in the month of March 1777 in Capt Adam Martin's Company in the fifteenth Massachusetts Regiment of Infantry commanded by Col. Timothy Bigelow. Said
enlistment was for the term of three years at the expiration of which he was regularly discharged having served the term of his enlistment. Samuel Newell

I Ichabod Robbins hereby certify that the facts stated in the affidavit above & signed by Samuel Newell are true of which I do hereby testify. Ichabod Robin

Worcester ss. On the fourth day of December in the year for Lord 1827 personally appeared Samuel Newell & Ichabod Robbins and made oath to the truth of the depositions by them subscribed above & I hereby certify that I know the said Samuel & Ichabod to be men of truth and entitled to full credit. Eber. D. Ammidown,  Justice of the Peace
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To the Hon Court of Common Pleas now in session at Worcester within and for the County
of Worcester, Within is the deposition of Samuel
Newell & Ichabod Robbins to be used in an
application of Joshua Harding for a Pension
Eber D. Ammidown, Just Peace
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2) (A)
Worcester June 17th 1828
I hereby certify that on the thirty first day of October last past, I sold at Public Vendue an Execution, Joshua Mason vs Joshua Harding all the right in equity the said Joshua Harding had in certain real Estate on which he then lived and occupied, situated in Southbridge in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and containing about One hundred and fifty acres of land with buildings thereon standing for the sum of Eight hundred forty two Dollars, and sixty three cents, I therefore executed, and delivered, a good and sufficient deed of the same to David Wight of Sturbridge in said County. The above mentioned execution together with my fees amounted for five hundred eighty three dollars, and twenty cents and the remaining sum of five hundred fifty nine dollars and forty three cents, I applied on another Execution in my hands. David Wight Administrator on the Estate of Nathan N. Harding late of Southbridge deceased against the said Joshua Harding which execution together with my fees amounted to the sum of five hundred fifty nine dollars and forty three cents as above mentioned
Lemuel Dunbar Dep Sheriff
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Worcester, ss. June 17, 1828. Then the within named Lemuel Dunbar, personally appeared, and made oath to the truth of the within certificate, by him Subscribed and I certify that the said Dunbar is a deputy Sheriff of said County, a man of truth, and entitled to full credit as a witness,
in my opinion, being well acquainted with him.
William Jennison, Justice of the peace.
Page 34

3) (B.)
Know all men by these presents that I Joshua Harding of Southbridge in the County
of Worcester Commonwealth of Massachusetts, yeoman, in consideration of seven hundred dollars, to me paid by the President Directors & Company of the Worcester Bank a corporation established by law at Worcester aforesaid, the receipt
whereof I do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, sell & convey unto the
said President Directors & Company, their successors & assigns, a certain tract or parcel of land situate in said Southbridge, being my home farm on which I now live, containing one hundred & fifty eight acres be the same or less & bounded as described in a deed I made to Elbridge G. Harding of said Southbridge of one half of said tract bearing date March fourteen 
eighteen hundred & sixteen which half has been since reconveyed by said Elbridge to me, reference being had to my said Deed to said Elbridge for the boundaries of the premises intended to be conveyed by these presents,
Also one other tract of land situated in said Southbridge, containing about forty acres & is the same land which I conveyed in Mortgage to Joshua Mason by deed dated September 29, 1813, recorded Book 190 Page 272, to which deed I now refer for the boundaries of said last mentioned tract-- To have & to hold the aforegranted premises to the said President  &c their successors & assigns, to their own use & behoof forever. I do covenant with the said President, Directors & Company, their successors and assigns, that I am lawfully seized in fee of the aforegranted premise
that they are free of all incumbrances; except two mortgages which they are to pay, that I have good right to sell & convey the same to the said President, Directors & Co.  their successors & assigns forever against the lawful claims & demands of all persons. Provided nevertheless that if the said Joshua Harding, his heirs, executors, or administrators, pay to the said President, Directors & Comy their successors or assigns, the contents of a promisory note made by him & Elbridge G. Harding for $664.30 dated the 19th day of February last, then this [deed?] as also the certain note aforesaid, bearing date as aforesaid, shall both be void, otherwise shall remain in full force.-- In witness whereof,
said Joshua Harding & Jemima my wife, in token of her relinquishment of her right of dower in said granted premises, have hereunto set our hand and seal this nineteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred & twenty seven.
Joshua Harding (seal)
Jemima Harding (seal)
Signed sealed & delivered in presence of us  
Lemuel Dunbar, Saml M. Burnside
Worcester ss. Oct. 19, 1827 
Then the above named Joshua Harding acknowledged the above instrument
Page 35

to be his free act & deed, before me Saml [Samuel] M. Burnside Just. of Peace
Recd Oct. 20. 1827. Entr [entered] & Examd [examined] By Art. Ward Regr [Register]

The foregoing is a true Copy of Record, as recorded in the Registry of Deeds Book 257 - Page 407 -- Attest Arts [Artemas] Ward, Regr.

I, Artemas Ward, Register of Deeds for the County of Worcester, certify that the deed within referred to, from Joshua Harding to
Josiah Mason, is recorded as within mentioned- said deed appears to be for the consideration of $163.24 and is dated September 29. 1813;- and there is also a record in my office, that the said Harding gave 
the said Mason quiet and peacable possession of the estate conveyed in said mortgage, on the 8th of October, 1813, and said deed of mortgage remains undischarged, in any other way or manner. Attest Arts Ward, Regr 
Worcester, August 15, 1828

Harding to Worcester Bank,
Copy
Fees 40
Page 36

4) I David Wight of Sturbridge in the County of
Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being forty one years of age do testify and declare that in the fore part of November 1826 I was appointed by the Judge of Probate administrator on the Estate of Nathan N. Harding Late of Southbridge deced, and soon after my appointment a note belonging to said N. N. Harding Estate came in to my hands signed by Joshua Harding and his sons, Elbridge G. Harding, Francis, & Leonard standing as security for said Nathan N.
Harding's signing a note with them to the Leicester Bank for the sum of Five hundred
Dollars Dated some time in August 1826
and that I commenced an action at June term
1827 in capacity of administrator as aforesaid
and attached the real Estate of the said Joshua
Harding, and that in September following I got
Judgment against said Joshua Harding and
that on the 30th day of October following the
said real Estate was sold at public auction and that I as administrator as aforesaid bid off said real Estate to secure the above demand with Interest and cost which at that time amounted to the sum of five hundred fifty nine Dollars and forty three cents, and the said real estate still remain in my possession -
I do further state that I believe the said
Joshua Harding is poor and wholly destitute
of property
Sturbridge June 13th 1828
David Wight
Worcester ss. June 13. 1828. then personally
appeared David Wight before me and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him
subscribed-
Oliver Hooker Jus. Peace
(Turn over)
Page 37

I hereby certify that I know the said David Wight
the signer of the aforesaid Affidavit to be a man
of truth and entitled to full credit
Oliver Hooker
Page 38

5) I, Joshua Mason of Sturbridge in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being sixty four years of age do testify and declare that I have had a demand against Joshua Harding the applicant for a Pension for a great number of years for money lent and that I commenced an action at December Term 1826 or March term 1827 and attached the real Estate of the said Joshua
Harding and that in September following I got
Judgment against said Joshua Harding and
in October following the right in Equity was
sold at public auction and bed off by David
Wight and I received of the said David Wight the sum of two hundred seventy two Dollars and Eighteen cents-
I do further state that I believe the said Joshua
Harding is poor and wholly destitute of property
John Mason

Worcester ss June 13 - 1828 - Then Personally
appeared before me Joshua Mason and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed. Oliver Hooker Jus. Peace

I hereby certify that I know the said Joshua Mason the signer of the above affidavit to be a man of truth and entitled to full credit 
Oliver Hooker
Page 39

6) I, Samuel Fiske of Southbridge in the County
of Worcester in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, gentleman, being fifty four years of age do testify and declare that Francis
Harding son of Mr Joshua Harding the applicant for a pension on the first day of November AD 1826. applied to me to sign a Note for him at the Leicester Bank. I signed with him a note to said Bank for the sum of five hundred Dollars and said Joshua Harding gave me a note for the like sum and of the same date to secure and indemnify me for signing the note to the Leicester Bank with said Francis Harding. Said Note in part was paid to the Leicester Bank the sum of two hundred and six dollars and forty six cents for which sum so paid by me to said Bank on the twenty fourth day of May 1827. I took said Joshua Harding's note secured by a Mortgage on his farm. Since which time the Equity of redeeming said Joshua's farm, has been sold at Auction according to law to satisfy sundry Executions against said Joshua which said Mortgage Deed I now hold undischarged
and the money secured thereby it now
due me with the Lawfull Interest due thereon
do further state that I believe said Joshua
Harding is a poor Man and wholly destitute
of property. Southbridge June 13, 1818
Samuel Fiske
Page 40

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester ss. June 13, 1828
Then personally came before me the subscriber
Samuel Fiske the signer of the aforesaid Affidavit
and made solemn oath, that the same was true
Frederic W. Bottom Jus Peace

I hereby certify that I am acquainted with Samuel
Fiske the signer of the aforesaid Affidavit and
know him to be a man of truth and veracity and
his testimony to be entitled to credit-
Frederic W. Bottom
Page 41

7) I, Nathaniel M. Smith of Southbridge in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being thirty years of age do testify and Declare sometime in the month of March 1827, my Brother Ebenezer G. Smith left Notes in my hand, against Joshua Hurding
and Elbridge G. Harding, to the amount of one
hundred and twenty Dollars - the said amount of 120 was for labour and a yoke of oxen some time in the month of June 1827 I receivd of Joshua Harding the sum of Eighty Dollars in Pine Board, Slitwork, &c - and in October following, I received of said Joshua
Handing the remainder of the above demand in a Horse. I do further state, that I believe the said Joshua Harding is poor and destitute of property. Nathaniel M. Smith

Worcester ss June 4-- 1828 - Then Personally appeared before me Nathaniel M. Smith and made oath to truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed as above-
Oliver Hooker, Jus. Peace

I hereby certify that I know the said Nath M. Smith the signer of the above affidavit to be a man of truth and entitled to full credit-
Oliver Hooker
Page 42

8)
Worcester, ss. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To the Sheriff of our County of Worcester, or his Deputy,
GREETING, WHEREAS the president, Directors and Company Worcester Bank, by the consideration of our Justices of our Court of Common Pleas, holden at Worcester, for and within our County of Worcester aforesaid, on the first Monday of December last, recovered judgment against Joshua Harding and Elbridge G. Harding, both of Southbridge in said
County, Yeoman, for the sum of six hundred and ninety eight dollars and forty cents, damage, and seven dollars and forty cents,
costs of suit, as to us appears of record, whereof execution remains to be done:
WE command you, therefore, that of the goods, chattels, or lands of the said Joshua and Elbridge G. within your precinct, you cause to be paid and satisfied unto the said President, Directors and Company, at the value thereof in money, the aforesaid sums, being $705.80. in the whole, with twenty five cents
more for this - - Writ, and thereof also to satisfy yourself for your own fees. And for want of goods, chattels, or lands of the said Joshua and Elbridge G. to be by them shewn unto you, or found within your precinct, to the acceptance of the said President, Directors and Company, to satisfy the sums aforesaid, we command you to take the bodies of the said Joshua and Elbridge G. and them commit unto our gaol in Worcester, in our County of
Worcester aforesaid, and detain in your
custody within our said gaol, until they pay the full sums above mentioned, with your fees, or that they be discharged by the said President, Directors and Company, the creditors, or otherwise by order of law. Hereof fail not, and make return of this Writ, with your doings therein, into our said Court of Common Pleas, to be holden at Worcester, within our County
of Worcester aforesaid, on the first Monday of March next. Witness, ARTEMAS WARD, Esq. at Worcester, the fifth --- day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight.
Abijah Bigelow, Cler
A copy attest Abijah Bigelow, Cler

[Written in left margin:]
L.S
$648.40
      7.40
  705.80
     --.25
Page 43

Worcester, Js. January 14th, 1828.  By virtue of this Execution, I have
taken the following property, and advertised this day to be sold on 
the18th, at one o'clock in the afternoon, at the dwellinghouse of 
Nathaniel M. Smith in Southbridge, and was struck off to the 
following person, they being the highest bidders therefor, vis.

1 waggon & barrels to Nathan Brown Jr  _ _ _ at $ 3.00
1 lot poor english hay, to William Healy Jr _ _ _ at 10.00
1 lot hay on scaffold,  " Do  _ _ _ _ _ _ 8.50
lot hay in shed   Nathaniel M. Smith  _ _ _ 8.50
1 old plough _ " Joseph blank _ 0.25
1 Da _ " Do __ _ _  _ _ 0.13
1 winnowing mill _ " Oliver Mason . _ _ _ 2.10
1 old chaise & barrels _ _ " William, Healy Jr _ _ 5.50
5 bushels rye at 81 c _ _ " Do _ _ _ _ _ _ 4.05
30 do oats  35  " Lemuel Dunbar _ _ 10.50
28 1/2 do corn  72 _ " William Healy Jr _ _ 20.52
45 lbs cotton yarn 7 _ _ "  Lemuel Dunbar_ _ 3.15
1 poor old bed & bedding _ " Oliver Mason. _ _ _ 2.95
1 Do some better _ " Do _ _ _ _ _  8.00
1 wooden clock. _ _ _ " Joseph blank. _ _ _ 3.12
                                                               --------
                                                                $ 90.27
amounting to ninety dollars & twenty seven cents
and after deducting my fees and cost of selling the property
which amounts to five dollars and sixty cents, leaves
this execution satisfied for eighty four dollars and sixty
seven cents and no more.
$84.64     Daniel Upham, D. y Sheriff
Rec @ the above sum of eighty four dollars and sixty seven cents
of David Upham D. Shiff.
                                                    W. Paine J. Proli
A copy - attest-    Elijah Bigelow, Sr.
Page 44

9) I, Nathaniel Paine of Worcester, in the County of Worcester, Esquire, testify and say that, as Attorney for the Worcester Bank in this town, I had placed in my hands for collection a note of hand dated the 19th February, 1827, for the sum of six hundred sixty four dollars and thirty cents, payable in six months, with interest, signed by John Harding, and Elbridge G. Harding. That on the 17th September 1827, I commenced a suit for the recovery of said note, against both the promissors; and at December term 1827, obtained Judgment in said suit for $698.40 damages, and $7.65 costs- on which Judgment an execution issued January 5. 1828, which was returned by the proper officer, satisfied in part only to wit for $84.67 as appears by a copy of said Execution with the return thereon hereto annexed.
I further testify that the property sold on said Execution was all the personal estate of said Joshua or Elbridge
which could be found toward satisfying said Judgment
and the same remains unpaid to this time, by reason of
the poverty and total inability of the debtors to pay and
discharge the same. The note above mentioned was given to said Bank for cash loaned to said Joshua and Elbridge, and the judgment thereon is wholly due and unpaid excepting the above sum of $84.67, collected on said execution. I further testify that the deed of said Joshua and wife to said Worcester Rank, as hereto annexed (B) was given as collateral security for the above mentioned note, conveying the only property which could be found, belonging to said Joshua, but from the previous incumbrances on the same estate, it is doubtful whether the Bank will ever be able to realize any thing from or under said deed in satisfaction of their said demand, so remaining unpaid.
I further testify that, from my knowlege of said Joshua
Harding, I believe him to be poor, and entitled to the aid of the Government of the United States under the laws concerning Revolutionary Soldiers, &c.
Nathl Paine
Page 45

Worcester, ss. August 15. 1828. Then the within named Nathaniel Paine personally appeared, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition, by him subscribed. And I further certify that the said Paine is the Attorney and Solicitor, and one of the Directors of the Bank
within mentioned, and a person of truth disinterested in this case, and fully entitled to credit as a witness.
William Jennison, Justice of the peace.

Worcester August 15th 1828
Having been requested to state what I know respecting the persons who have made affidavit relative to the condition of Joshua Harding, I have the pleasure to say that the Hon Judge Paine has been for many years a
neighbor of mine that he is a person of great respectability and discharged for 30 years the responsible trust of Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester which contains a population of 80 or 90.000 Inhabitants. He is and has been for nearly a like period of time a director & the solicitor of the Worcester Bank, an institution distinguished for the prudence with which its concerns are managed. I also know Josha Mason and Col. Wight both of whom are men of good character and standing among their fellow citizens. They live also
near said Harding and would not certify to his poverty unless they were fully convinced of the fact. Harding has been connected with an unthrifty son in business who has ruined him & left him destitute in his old age. 
I have the honor to be your Obt Servt 
J Davis
To the Secy of war
Page 46

10) I, Daniel Upham, a Deputy Sheriff of the County of Worcester, do testify and say that on the 14th of January, 1828, having in my hands an execution, for collection, in favor of the Worcester Bank, against Joshua and Elbridge G. Harding, I went to Southbridge in order
to collect the same, the defendants being called of that place, but the said Elbridge G. not being to be found, nor any of his property, I called on said Joshna, to demand payment of said execution, but he was wholly unable to satisfy the same, in money, and on diligent search and enquiry, I was unable to find any property wherewith to satisfy the same,
excepting by levy on, and sale of, a few articles of personal estate, belonging to said Joshua, which I took, and advertized, and sold, according to law, all amounting to ninety dollars and o cents, as returned on said execution, said execution amounted to $706.05, beside my fees, and not being able to find any other property of said Joshna or Elbridge G. which I could take, toward
satisfying said execution, I returned the same 
in part satisfied only, to wit for $84.67, and
my fees, and from my knowledge of the
situation and circumstances of said Joshua Harding I am satisfied that he is destitute of property, and entitled to relief from the United States Government, as a pensioner, or soldier of the Revolution. Daniel Upham

Worcester, ss. August 16. 1828. Then the above named Daniel Upham personally appeared, and oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition, by him subscribed, and I further
certify that the said Upham is a person well known to me that he has for many years held the office of Deputy Sheriff, is a disinterested witness, and entitled to full credit man of truth and veracity.
William Jennison, Justice of the Peace.
Page 47

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County ss.
I, Abijah Bigelow, Esquire, Clerk of the Judicial Courts within and for the said County of Worcester, Do Certify that William Jennison, 
Oliver Hooker, Ebenezer D. Ammidown, and Frederic W. Bottom Esquires, are Justices of the Peace for said County. duly commissioned and qualified to act as such Justices; that full faith and credit are to be given to their doings as such Justices, and that their signatures to the certificate attached to the Depositions hereto annexed, appear to be in their own proper
hand writing. I also certify that Arternas Ward, Esquire, is Register of Deeds for said County,
duly qualified and authorized to make out and
to certify copies of deeds and other conveyances which are recorded in his office; that full faith and credit are to be given to his acts as such Register, and that his name, as appears to the copy of a deed hereto annexed, is in his own proper hand writing. In testimony whereof. I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of the Court of Common pleas for said County, this eighteenth day of August Anno Domin 1828.

Abijah Bigelow, Cler.