Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4631, William Harper, Va.
Page 1

SERVICE: Va.
Harper, William
NUMBER: R. 4631
CONTENTS
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William Harper
Va
Act June 7 1832
rejected
No 35208


4631
Hon W.C. Dawson
HR
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832.
State of Georgia
County of Pike
On this the nineteenth day of May in the year Eighteen hundred & forty one, personally appeared before me Hugh G. Johnson a Judge of the Inferior Court of Pike County State of Georgia William Harper of the state & county aforesaid (who is unable to appear in court from bodily infirmity) aged eighty three some time during the present year, the month and date of his birth he has no means of ascertaining, but was born in the year seventeen hundred & fifty eight 1758, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.  That he volunteered in Sussex County Virginia some time during the year 1778 under Capt. Richard Harvell of the militia of Sussex County and march from Sussex to Southampton, Prince George, Surry & Isle of Wight, and were kept constantly marching to guard and protect the country from the depredations of the Tories & British, this was a six weeks tour of duty but served seven weeks and were then discharged, and the next tour of duty that I performed was in the year 1779.  To the best of his recollections, it was under Captain Yearby, his Christian name I cannot recollect, but think it was John, who commanded a company of Cavalry from Sussex County of Virginia, the tour I served under Captain Yearby, in the cavalry was a volunteer tour of three months - march from Sussex County, under Captain Yearby, to Portsmouth
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Prince George, Southampton, Surry, Norfork (sic) Cabin Point, South Key, the "Long" Bridge and dismal swamp North Carolina, was in no engagement during this tour of duty, but took fifteen Tories near South Key, in one body, with their captain, who was by the name of Ballard, were kept constantly marching & reconnoitering, untill (sic) our three months expired and we were discharged near South Key, received my discharge, but which is long since lost.  The next tour of duty I performed was a six week Volunteer tour under Captain James Vaughn of Brunswick County, to the best my recollection;  I volunteered in Sussex & joined him in Sussex as he marched through that county;  and marched into Prince George, South Hampton & Petersburg and were kept constantly marching & reconnoitering in that section of the country, until our six weeks expired, it was a six week tour, though we served seven weeks, this last tour of duty was served in the fall of the year 1779 to the best of my recollection during this tour of duty we were in no engagement, the next service I performed was a Volunteer tour of six weeks in the early part of the year 1780 under Captain Drewry Dunheart in Sussex County, and marched to & through Prince George, Surry Southampton & that section of the country reconnoitering, guarding & patrolling, until our time expired, was in no engagement, and this was the last tour of duty I performed.
And that this applicant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity , except the present and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency, in any state
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And the reason that he has not sooner applied, is that he has been almost helpless, for several years, & could not travel to get his writing done by any person who pretended to know any thing about it, without exhausting and fatiguing himself so much that he could not bear it - And this declarant has no other evidence whereby to establish his claim except his own oath, that he knows of, from the great length of time that has intervened from the rendering of the services until the present times.
William Harper  X his mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day & year aforesaid.
Hugh G. Johnson J.J.C.

To the first interrogatory, he answers
I was born in Sussex County, Virginia as I was informed by my parents in the year 1758.  The month & day I have no means of knowing.
To the Second he answers 
I have no record of my age
To the third, he answers
I have lived in Hancock, Jasper and Pike Counties, Georgia, & previous thereto I lived in Virginia and North Carolina.
To the fourth he answers
I volunteered every time.
To the fifth he answers
I can state the names of Major Soward of the Cavalry, Col. Parker, (Major DeCloman a French officer), Col Meriweather, their Christian names I cannot recollect.
To the sixth he answers
I received one written discharge & it was for three months service in the Cavalry company, but
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I have long since lost it.
To the seventh, he answers
I can name John B. Reid and Willis Mangham.

Georgia
Pike County
We  John B. Reid and Willis Mangham residing in the state of Georgia & County of Pike hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Harper, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty three years of age and that he is reputed and believed in the settlement and neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
John B. Reid
Willis Mangham
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 19th May 1841
Hugh G. Johnson J.J.C.

Georgia 
Pike County
I Hugh G. Johnson one of the justices of the Inferior Court of Pike County, State of Georgia (the same being a Court of Record) hereby do declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and the said Hugh G. Johnson does further certify that it appears to him that John B. Reid and Willis Mangham who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in the county of Pike in this state, are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit
Hugh G. Johnson J.J.C.
Page 7

Georgia 
Pike County
I Wiley E. Mangham Clerk of the Inferior Court in and for said county of Pike & state aforesaid do hereby certify that Hugh G. Johnson is a Judge of the Inferior Court in and for the said County of Pike and state aforesaid and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine and that full faith & credit is due to his official signature as such.
Given under my hand and seal of office this 27th day of May 1841
Wiley E. Mangham C.J.C.P.C.
Page 8

February 3, 1932
BA-J/AWF

Mrs. A.M. Henrich
Lexington
Mississippi

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to William Harper of Georgia, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, R. 4631, based upon the military service in the Revolutionary War of William Harper.

This is the record of the only William harper from Georgia, that is found in the files of the Revolutionary War records of this office.

William Harper was born in 1758 in Sussex County, Virginia.

He applied for pension, May 19, 1841, while residing in Pike County, Georgia, and alleged that he volunteered in Sussex County, Virginia, and served with the Virginia Troops, as follows - 
In 1778, seven weeks in Captain Richard Harvell's company;  in 1779, three months in Captain John Yearby's company;  in the fall of 1779, seven weeks in Captain James Vaughn's company;  in 1780, six weeks in Captain Drewry Dunheart's company.

His claim was not allowed as he did not prove six months actual service in an organized military corps.

A son was referred to in 1853, his name not given and there are no further data as to family.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
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[STAMP]
REJECTED

4631
Wm. Harper

The printed list of 1852 shows reasons for suspension.
"He did not serve in any regularly organized corps'


June 30 '17
Histy to Wm. F. Boogher [illegible]

1911 July 21 Hist to Mrs. C.E. Bethel, V.L.M
1929 June 7  Hist to Mrs. Chas. S. Passmore  AWF
1921 June 2  Tomestone data to Nevel. B. AW
FY
1932 Feb 3 Hist to Mrs. A.J. Henrich AWF
1935 Aug 20 Hist to Mrs. H.M. Chisholm AWF
Page 10

L P Waldo
Comr Pen
Washington City

[sideways}
Wm Harper
B
Page 11

William Harper
Ga
Act 7 1832


[strike through]
Letter to Hon W.C. Dawson
June 11 1841
Let to Hon. J.W. Jones
Jun 13 1840
Hon David S. Bailey Dec 29 1853
[end strike through]
Page 12

August 20, 1935
William Harper-R.4631
BA-J/AWF

Mrs. H.M. Chisholm
Byron
Georgia

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of William Harper of Pike County, Georgia, and the record of George Harper who died in Jones County, Georgia.

Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land made to the United States, based upon service in that war.  A search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the Revolutionary War service of George Harper.

The Revolutionary War record of William Harper which follows was obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, R. 4631, based upon his service in that war.

William Harper was born in the year 1758 in Sussex County, Virginia, names of his parents not stated.

He applied for pension May 19, 1841, while residing in Pike County, Georgia, and alleged that he volunteered in Sussex  County, Virginia, and served with the Virginia troops as follows:
in 1778, seven weeks in Captain Richard Harvell's company  to guard and protect the country from the depredations of British and Tories;  in 1779, three months in Captain John Yearby's company of cavalry, captured about fifteen Tories;  in the fall of 1779, seven weeks in
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Captain James Vaughn's company;  early in 1780, six weeks in Captain Drewry Dunheart's company.

His claim was not allowed as proof of six months actual service in an organized military corps was not established.

A son was referred to in 1853, his name not given and there are no further data as to family.

Very truly yours


A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 14

June 2, 1931

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
AWF:MLB

War Department
Office of Quartermaster General
Memorial Branch
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 4631, that William Harper was born in 1758, in Sussex County, Virginia.

He applied for pension May 19, 1841, while residing in Pike County, Georgia, and alleged that he volunteered in Sussex County, Virginia, and service with the Virginia troops, as follows: - in 1778, seven weeks in Captain Richard Harvell's company;  in 1779, three months in Captain John Yearby's company;  in the fall of 1779, seven weeks in Captain James Vaughn's company;  in 1780, six weeks in Captain Drewry Dunheart's company.

His claim was not allowed as he did not prove six months actual service in an organized corps as required by the Act of June 7, 1838, under which he applied.

The above noted William Harper is the only soldier of that name from Georgia that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.

Very truly yours

E.W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner
Page 15

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
AWF/eel

June 7, 1929

Mrs. Charles S.Passmore
717 W. Granite Street
Butte, Montana

Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 4631, it appears that William Harper was born in 178, in Sussex County, Virginia.
He applied for pension May 19, 1841, while residing in Pike County, Georgia, and alleged that he volunteered in Sussex County, Virginia, and served with the Virginia Troops as follows:
In 1778, seven weeks in Captain Richard Harvell's Company; in 1779, three months in Captain John Yearby's Company; in the fall of 1779, seven weeks in Captain James Vaughn's Company; in 1780, six weeks in Captain Drewry Dunheart's Company.
His claim was not allowed as he did not prove six months actual service in an organized corps as required by the Act of June 7, 1832, under which he applied.
Page 16

A son is referred to in 1853, his name is not given, and there are no further data as to family.
Respectfully,

EARL D. CHURCH
Commissioner.
Page 17

1778
7 weeks
Richard Harvell
Va

1779
3 mos  
John Yearby

Fall of 1779
7 weeks
James Vaughn

1780
6 weeks
Drewry Dunheart

His claim was not allowed as soldier did not prove 6 mos. actual service in any organized corps as required by the act of June 7, 1832, under which he applied.

Battles engaged in  ---
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Vol. in Sussex Co. Va.
Date of application for pension, May 19, 1841
Residence at date of application, Pike Co. Ga.
Age at date of application, b. 1758 in Sussex Co. Va.

Remarks:  A son is referred to in 1853 - name not given & there are no fur. data as to fam.
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Byron, Ga.
July 20th 1930

[STAMP]
Rec'd 
Junl 24 1930
Mail Sub-Div
Vets Adm
Reader 25

Administration of Pension
Washington D.C.

Will you please give me both civil & military record of William Harper, Revolutionary soldier, who died in Pike Co. Ga.  He was 88 years old in census 1840.  Please give me place of birth, if possible, and names of children.  Thank you.

Mrs. J.M. Chisholm

Please give me record also
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of George Harper who died in Jones Co. Ga. at an earlier date.  Thank you.
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Lexington Mississippi
Jan 12, 1932

[STAMP]
Received
Jan 14 1932
Recept Station
Pension Files Administration

Pension Bureau
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir-
I would like to know if you can furnish me with information pertaining to William Harper, a Revolutionary soldier if he was pensions.  There are several William Harpers listed but the one I want lived in Lincoln County Georgia and was granted land in Washington County Georgia for service.

He was married to Anphilida Hudson in 1790.

If you have this one listed or if he applied for pension.  If so, his application should give definite information about where
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and when he was born.  This is what I want, the place and date of his birth and battles he fought in - also does his application for pension give name of his parents.  It was supposed that he was a son of Bannister Harper and Margaret Navine Harper.

I would be glad to pay some one to look this up for me and make a copy.

Hope to hear from you soon
and oblige
Mrs. A.J. Henrich Jr.
Lexington Mississippi
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Tombstone data for
William Harper of Georgia
all slips returned
AWF June 2-31
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WAR DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL
WASHINGTON

May 26, 1931

[STAMP]
Revolutionary & 1813 War Section
May 29 1931
Bureau of Pensions

[STAMP]
US Pension Office
B
May  27 1931

In order that headstones property inscribed may be furnished, it is requested that the '"Service" of the decedents named on the enclosed applications be verified and returned as soon as practicable to this office..

The regulations provide that the name of the State from which the decedents came be inscribed on the headstones.  It is requested that this information be give and that any corrections be made in red ink on the form

[BOX CHECKED]
The Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

In order that headstones properly inscribed may be furnished for the graves of the decedents named on the enclosed applications, it is requested that you furnish this office the correct spelling of the names and complete designation of the organizations.

29/86/
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[Header]
JOHN C. CUTLER, VICE-PREST.
GEO. J. CANNON, VICE-PREST. & MGR.
HERBER J. GRANT, PRESIDENT.
A. L. MACDONALD, SECRETARY.
BERTRAM F. WILLIS, ASST.-SECY.
EDGAR S. HILLS, TREASURER.
DIRECTORS:
HERBER J. GRANT,
JOHN C. CUTLER,
ELIAS A. SMITH,
JOHN F. BENNETT,
E. O. HOWARD,
LEON SWEET,
CHAS. W. NIBLEY,
GEORGE J. CANNON,

UTAH
HOME FIRE INSURANCE
COMPANY

DIRECTORS:
REED SMOOT,
EDGAR S. HILLS,
THOS. N. TAYLOR,
ELIAS S. WOODRUFF,
EDWARD L. BURTON,
HENRY H. ROLAPP,
MARRINER S. ECCLES,
LOUIS S. CATES,
RICHARD W. MADSEN.

PASSMORE & CO. 
717 WEST GRANITE STREET
BUTTE, MONTANA

[Typed]
Jan I2 I929
Pension Bureau
Washington D. C.
Dear Sirs;
What do your records show of the family of John Sadler (Saddler)) of Georgetown Maine he was a pensioner living in Georgetown in I840. a soldier of the Rev War. also of William Harper a pensioner of the Rev. War living in Pike Co Georgia in I840 then 88 yrs, old I am seaking this data for a D.A.R. paper. Thanking you in advance I am
Yours TRULY
[Handwritten]
Mrs Chas E. Passmore
717 W Granite St
Butte Mont
Page 25

3-871
__________
RECORD DIVISION
Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
__________
Briefed by AW July 21, 1911
Clam No. ___________
Certificate No. ______________
Claimant ________________
Soldier Wm Harper
Service of Pike Co. Ga. in 1840
Additional Service RW.
No_____ claim, State records _______, 191
No claim, combination records ________, 191
REMARKS:
No Rev. adm. or rej as above except R 4631,
I have searched everything.
No such person on the 1840 printed list of pens.
Chief Division.
Page 26

[Stamp 1]
ATLANTA, G.A.
JUL 14
10-AM
1911

[Printed]
THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS ONLY

[Handwritten]
Pension Commissioner
Washington
D.C.

17
Recd

[Vertical]
3607 - 9 1974
R 5-59 1871
541 was Oh

[Stamp 2]
PENSION
L
JUL
U. 17 S.
OFFICE.
Page 27

Dear Sir: Will you please send me the record of service in the Revolutionary War of the pensioner "Wm Harper", of Pike Co, Ga in 1840, & greatly oblige 
Yours Very Truly -
Mrs C. E. Bethel
Thomaston
Ga

July
13 - 1911
Page 28

[Stamp 1]
PENSION
I
JUN
U. 5 S.
1897
OFFICE.

[Stamp 2]
OLD WAR & NAVY
JUN 8 1897
FILES.
Page 29

H
Washington DC June 3d 1897
Hon H Clay Evans,
Comr of Pensions

My Dear Sir
In the [illegible] for Taking the Census of Pensioners for 1840 Revolution Army. Act of Congress - In Pike County Georgia The name of William Harper appears aged 88. Then residing with Wm Harper in said Pike County. Will you have the Kindness to have a search made for his Compleat record - date of Enlistment, Corp & Regment State & County he Enlisted in - date of his Arearrions removals & whare & the Name of his Wif and Children If given date of death & In Short every thing your records Show about him.
I can assure you the Information is wanted only for Family Genealogy for my Chart whoos Husband is a Government official Thanking you In advance for your Prompt attention with my best wooshes. for your success 
In you new field of Lobun I had the honor to remain ricusfully
Yours
Wm F. Boogher
Genologist
Room C. 1339 F. H.
Page 30

Hon: David J. Bailey
Dec 29/31
Page 31

492
Pension Office
Dec 29 1853

Sir
I herewith return the letter of Mr Harper and have the honor to inform you that his father William Harper alleged service in Virginia against the British & Tories, but did not seem to have served in any regularly organized corps. There are no Rolls of this service in existence and he failed to prove service by any kind of testimony.

Hon David J Bailey
H of R
Page 32

1853
House of Reps. Decr 23d

Honl Mr Waldo
Comr pen
Sir I enclose you the letter of Mr Harper which you will please enquire into and [illegible] hear from you - with respect D J Bailey
Page 33

Jan. 13/48
Page 34

115
Gen off
Jany 13 48

Sir
In answer to your enquiry I have the honor to inform you that Wm Harper presented a claim in 1841 which was rejected as you will see by reference to the enclosed copy of my letter to Hon W. C. Dawson of 11 June of that year

Hon. J. W. Jones
H.R.
Page 35

James L. Edwards Esqr
Comr. of Pensions
Washington
City

[Vertical]
June 9. 1841
Svnah.
Ga.

Hon W. C. Dawson
HR

[upside down]
Harper
Page 36

Washington City
H of R
8. June 1841.

Sir
I Enclose you the application of Wm Harper for a Pension let me hear the results.
Most Respectfully
Wm. C. Dawson
Page 37

Hon. W. C. Dawson
June 16 1841
O.C
Page 38

154
Pension Office
June 11 1841

Sir
I have examined the claim of Mr William Harper, and have placed his papers upon our files, Mr Harper alleges that he preformed four tours of service from 1778 to 1780, in Sussex County Virginia, in what was called the patroll service, amounting to 7 mos and 13 days. It would seem from his statement that he was engaged in a voluntary pursuit, of the Tories as the disaffected person, and a guarding agent, then [illegible]; and not in a regularly embodied and legally organized military corps. Such service is not provided for by the present laws. The claim is therefore rejected
I have the honor
OC
Hon W. C. Davison
H Rep

June 7 1832
35208
Page 39

William Harper 83

1778 1. 19 Richd Harwell. Sussex Militia
Marches & guarding the County from the Depredation of the Tories
79 3 Mos. Yearly. Cavalry} Marched & Reconnouting & patrolling
79 1. 12 Vaughan} 
8 1.12 Drewry
~
7. 13
Page 40

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAN-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
NAME: Harpham, Robert GRADE: Private
LINE: Maryland

WARRANT NUMBER: 11339
ACERAGE: 100
ISSUED: March 31, 1797 to James De Baufre, assignee

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in the National Archives.