Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38789, Thomas Harper, Penn.
Page 1

Service Penn.  Harper, Thomas 
Number S. 38789
Contents [empty]
Page 2

[Form letter with handwritten information in the blanks]
[Right side of form]
East Tennessee R. 16.775

Thomas Harper, of Jefferson Ca.4 in the state of Tennessee, who was a private in the regiment commanded b Colonel Craig of the Pennsylvania line, for the term of Eight years.

Inscribed on the Roll of East -Tennessee at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 12. of June, 1818.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27 of April, 18[rest of number cut off] and setnt to hon: F. Johnes, Member of Congress for Tenn.

Arrears to 4th of March, 1820. $166.10
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4. Sept. ..48 20 mo. 19/30 & 4/31 } 1820. $214.10.
{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818}
Contin[illegible and blacked out at the bottom.

[on the left side handwritten ] Notification sent to the Hon. John Cocke. 25 July 1824 Jones of Ref.
48, 49.6 49 98.9
Page 3

Thomas Harper Declaration
3rd Penn Reg Col. T. Craig
Page 4

[handwritten note]
Thomas Harper- Priv:
Col. Craig's Pennsylvania Reg. F
1775 for the War Roll 12 June 1818
Jefferson Co.. E. Tennessee
Admitted.
Page 5

State of Tennessee
Jefferson County

On this 12th day of June 1818 before me in the subscriber 
William Line on of the Court of pleas and Quarter Sessions and Court of Quorum 
in and for the county aforesaid The said Court 
being one of record personally appears 
Thomas Harper aged upwards of eighty seven 
years and resident in said County 
and doth upon his oath being by me first 
duly sworn according to Law make the 
following declaration in order to obtain 
the provision the late act of Congress 
being on act making provision for 
certain persons engaged in the land 
and naval services of the United States 
in the revolutionary war to wit that 
the said Thomas Harper on the Month 
and day recolected [recollected] in the year 1775 
in the County of Buck in the State of Pennsylvania 
enlisted in the regular army of the United 
States by Captain John Reece and was afterward atach [attached] to Captain Samuel More Company and a regiment commanded 
by Colonel Thomas  Crage called the 3 Pennsylvania 
regiment That he enlisted 
during the war and [illegible] to the end 
he faithfully served the United States against 
the common enemy and at the expiration
Page 6

of which term of Service at 
philadelphia The County not recolected [recollected] 
in the state of Pensilvania [Pennsylvania]
he was discharged from said service
That he was in the Battles of Brandywine Mammoth Short 
hills and at the taking of Cornwallace [Cornwallis] and a number of others and that he is in reduced
circumstances having no means of support
but by the charity of his relatives and stands
in need of the assistance of his country
for support and that his discharge is
lost and that he has no other evidence
now in his power but his own oath of
his said Service Thomas x ^his mark^ Harper
Sworn and declared before me the
day and year aforesaid
William Line [illegible]

I William Line a justice as aforesaid
of the Court aforesaid do certify that I am
personally acquainted with above named
Thomas Harper and his circumstances and
I am satisfied beyond doubt the said Thomas
served in the revolutionary war as a 
soldier as stated by him before me in the
above declaration against the common 
enemy ^for the term of nine months at one time^ and I do well know the said
Page 7

Thomas Harper is dependant [dependent] on his 
friends or the public for support
and I believe he is more than ^Eighty five^
years old and is blind of one eye and
does really need the assistance of his Country
for support and I now transmit the proceedings
and testimony taken and had before
due to the Secretary of the War Department
as is required by the before recited
act of Congress
This 12 day of June 1818
William Line justice

State of Tennessee
I Joseph Hamilton clerk of the court of
Pleas and quarter sessions of Jefferson County do certify
that William Line Esquire whose name appears to
the foregoing affidavit and also to the attention of
the certificate of Thomas Harper is one of the acting
Justices of the peace for the county of Jefferson aforesaid duly
commissioned and sworn ant that full faith & credit
and due to all his official acts as such
certified at office in Dandridge this
19th Day of January AD 1820
Joseph Hamilton Clerk
by his Dept Joseph Hamilton [illegible]
Page 8

Hon J. Cocke H. R.
Page 9

State of Tennessee 
Grainger County August Term 1820

Personally appeared in open Court, being a Court 
of record, and created such by the state of Tennessee for the 
County of Grainger, Thomas Harper aged ninety eight 
years and resident citizen in the County of Grainger doth 
on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary 
war eight years and some months commencing in 
the year 1776 in the company commanded by Capt. 
John Bruse and regiment commanded by Col. 
Craig Pennsylvania line third regiment and 
afterwards was commanded by several others as 
stated in a former declaration and was discharged 
at the State House in Philadelphia.  He has received 
a pension certificate number 16775 dated 27th April 
1820.
I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen 
of the United States the 18th day of March 1818 and that 
I have not since that time by gift sale or in any other 
manner disposed of my property or any part thereof 
with intent thereby to diminish it so as to bring 
myself under or 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 eighteenth 
day of March 1828.  And that I have not nor has 
any person in trust for me any property or 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
Page 10

Schedule
I have no property of any kind and have been on the parish two years and supported by Jefferson County.  I live with my daughter who is a widow.  I am by occupation a farmer and have no family and am entirely unable to labour.
Thomas X Harper {X is his mark}

I further certify that the Court is of opinion that the amount of the property of the declarer is nothing. 
John Cocke clk by his deputy 
Wm E Cocke
I William E. Cocke do certify that the foregoing is a true copy taken from the records in the case
William E. Cocke
Page 11

James L Edwards Esq
Pension Agent
Washington City
Page 12

38789
Revy INVALID.
File no. S8789
Thomas Harper
Lei Rev War
Act: 8 March 18
Index:----Vol 3, Page 210
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 13

Sir Washington Feby 24
1824
a few days ago I filed the
declaration of Thomas Harper
for a pension when in the office
I learned that no declaration had been
previously received I assure you
that shortly after the old man
appeared in the Court & made
the declaration required by the act
of May 1820 I proceeded [illegible]
ticated Copy & addressed it to
the proper dept I believe I directed
to James L Edwards pension agent
when I reached & by place I made
inquiry of Mr Edwards [illegible]
need no papers in that case same in
the office I wrote for another Copy
but did not receive one where I
returned & forwarded another Copy
[5 illegible words here] I handed
to the past [illegible] at Rutledge
[illegible] I was again informed
Page 14

by Mr Edwards
Page 15

CONTENTS
Page 16

1028
Marylano Bethula Harper
widow of William Harper
Md
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of June 1853 and sent to J.J. Coombs Present
Recorded on Roll of pensioners under act July 29, 1848, Page 116 Vol [illegible]
Page 17

(left page)
61704  Act. Mar. 3/33 Apl. 11/53
Bethula Harper, will of William Harper, priv
Capt. J. Revolutionary
Col. L Pensioner under act July 29th 1818
Private Maryland - Sirie
MD July 48 - 1028

Brighton AO.160 ac's Oct 4/55 Dodge
(written sidewise) Pd S dif JYy
G.G. Brewer Baltimore Md.

(written crosswise over the top of the document:) [illegible} Oct 6455
Duplicate of Oct 8  4/58,

(right page)
May 9/56 - Lett: to Com. c/o Geo. Land Office
Oct 2/58
Jpiu duplicate 
An[illegible]
[illegible]
G.G. Brewer Esq
Baltimore Md
Warrant Cancelled JM
Vol. [illegible] 8.
Page 18

Baltimore 18 Sept, 1858
Dear [eligible]
I made application for a law warrant for Bothula Harper, the widow of a revolutionary Soldier, in April, 1855, her application is Number 61704. About six months after her application was filed at the Department, a land warrant for 160 acres of land was forwarded on to me, but the old lady had died the day before the warrant was dated, and I afterwards returned the warrant and placed it myself in the hands of Mr. Cole, the Chief Clerk of the Pension Office. 
[illegible] the late act of Congress, I understand the warrant will be returned and is to go as affects in the hands of the Administration. 
Her son is the Administrator and has called [illegible] for the Warrant. May I respectfully ask, that the warrant heretofor [illegible] to Bethula Harper, may be sent on to me.  
Very respectfully, 
[illegible], G. G. Brewer

The Honble
G.G. Whiting
[illegible] of Pensions, Washington [illegible]
Page 19

12841
Bethula Harper Md Act of July [illegible]8
Page 20

State of Maryland on this 10th day of  January, 1846. personally Dorchester County, to [illegible]. appears Bethula  Harper, aged 82 years before me the subscriber of a Justice of the Peace for the County and state aforesaid, and makes oath on the holy evangelly of almighty God, that she was married to William Harper on or about the year 1793, and that at the time of her marriage her maiden name was Bethula Wallace, and that she has not intermarried since the death of William Harper. That said William Harper was a soldier of the Revolution and died in the year 1814 that she has not nor any one for her received any moneys or compensation whatsoever either from the Government of the United States or State of Maryland as a pensioner or otherwise, to the best of her knowledge and belief.
Bethula Xmark Harper
sworn before James Cooper JP

Deposition of Capt. Solomon Kirwan aged about 72 years he deposeth and sayeth that he was acquainted with William Harper and Bethula Wallace and that he believe the bands were published and that they were actually married and lived together as man and wife up to the time of William Harper's death, and that said William Harper was a soldier of the  Revolution. 
Solomon Kirwan
sworn before James Cooper JP
Page 21

Deposition of Kissiah Wallace aged about 70 years Deposeth and sayeth that she was acquainted with William Harper and Bethula Wallace and says that the bands was published and that they were actually married and lived together as man and wife up to the time of William Harper's death, and that William Haper was a soldier of the Revolution and that I have lived with them since their marriage and have often heard him relate about the Revolutionary man and that I also cooked the weding dinner.
Kesiah herXmark Wallace
Sworn before James Cooper JP
Page 22

Testimony of Thomas Wallace, aged about 63 years He deposeth and sayeth that he was acquainted with William Harper and Bethula Wallace and that he believes they werre married and that he has never heard anything to the contrary, that they lived together as man and wife up to the death of William Harper. and that Bethula Haper his widow has not intermarried since his death and that he has always heard that William Harper was a soldier of the Revolution, and that he said William Harper died in the year 184[eligible]
[eligible signature]
Thomas Wallace sworn before James Cooper JP
Maryland. [eligible]. I hereby certify that [illegible] Cooper [Gentleman] before whom the aforegoing [illegible] taken and who [illegible] name is [illegible] at the time of taking and [illegible] the home. and is one of the [illegible] of the [illegible] in and for the bounty and State aforesaid, duly Comm[illegible] and [sworn] In testimony whreof I have [eligible] have and affixed the [illegible]  of my office this 12th day of January  1847
Page 23

Mr. T. P. McCollister
Hereford
Texas
Dear Sir:
June 1, 1939.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-Jady
William Harper
W. 3679
The data contained herein were obtained
from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War
claims for pension and bounty land based
upon the military service of William Harper
in that war.
William Harper was born in Maryland place,
date, and the names of his parents are not
shown.
While a resident of Lake District, or
chester County, Maryland, William Harper enlisted
and served more than three years and to the
close of the war as private in the Second Mary
land Regiment, name of officers not given.
He received a pension from the State of
Maryland.
He died February 17, 1814, in Maryland place,
and his age are not stated.
Soldier married about two or three years
after the close of the Revolutionary War, or about
1793, in Dorchester County, Maryland, Miss Bethula
Wallace.
Soldier's widow, Bethula Harper, was allowed
pension on her application executed February 14,
1853, at which time she was a resident of Dorchester
County, Maryland, and aged eighty-six years.
Soldier's widow, Bethula Harper, applied for
bounty land April 2, 1855, at which time she was
living in Dorchester County, Maryland. On account
of the Revolutionary War services of William Harper,
Page 24

one hundred sixty acres of bounty land was allowed,
on warrant No. 7303, under the Act of March 3, 1855.
Soldier's widow, Bethula Harper, died October
5, 1855, place not stated.
Her son, was living in 1858, his residence,
name and age are not stated.
Soldier and Bethula had one or more children
before 1801, no names stated.
In 1855 one Aaron P. Wallace was residing in
Dorchester County, Maryland, his age and relation
ship to the family not shown.
In 1846 one Kesiah Wallace, aged about seventy
years was of Dorchester County, Maryland, and Thomas
Wallace, then aged sixty-three years was of said
county, their relationship to the family not stated.
There are no further family data.
For information in regard to the location of
the land you should address The Commissioner of the
General Land Office, Washington, D. C., and furnish
that official the number of the warrant, acreage, and
the date of the act.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 25

12841 June 6 184
be
Behula Harper, July 1,1838
Page 26

Cambridge May 9th 1846
Jas. L. Edwards [ineligible]
[ineligible]
The enclosed papers, it is
[TRANSCRIPT?] [ince] present a case entitling
the applicant to a pension in the
form [FARM?] & to some extent but [HIS?] whether
in the usual form of an annuity
during life, or for the [space] of
ten years, under the provisions of
the resolutions of 1838 [umcertains]

As at present advised I [ineligible]
to the persuasion that the [ineligible]
artilled under the resolutions or
act from mentioned, giving five years pay to widows who [were]
married previous to the year 1794,
and whose husband had died [ineligible] 

The provision I refer to is on the
28th page of a compilation of the
pension laws submitted to the present
[ineligible] [&\of ]the Secretary of war & fore-[hand], I , I [Culian]. [initials] self-[ineligible] 
your attention to this subject
will confer upon the applicant
who is in [ineligible] circumstances, [a] [smart] [farmer]. If these above I be any which, in the case, as for-[ineligible] the [ineligible] papers, I shall [ineligible] greatly obliged. (signature or initials)
Page 27

informing me of it. & in that case
will endeavor to supply such [illegible]
Yours
Saml D Lecompte

Any communication you should
make you will please address
Saml. D. Lecompte
Cambridge
Dorchester County
Md.
Page 28

[certificate for 160 acres of land; decorative
border all sides]

160 ACRES. Bounty Land 160 ACRES.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Department [middle of this portion of the page is blank] of the Interior
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS

It is hereby Certified that under the Act of March 3rd, 1855
[page torn on left side here] titled, "An Act in addition to certain Acts granting Bounty Land to certain
[page torn] fficers and Soldiers who have been engaged in the Military Service of the
United States," 
Bethula Harper widow of William Harper
Private
Revolutionary War
is entitled to locate ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY ACRES, at any La[page torn here]
Office of the United States, in one body, and in conformity to the legal sy[page torn here]
divisions of the public lands, upon any of the public land
"subject to sale at either the minimum or lower gradual[page torn here]
pieces. Given under my hand and the Seal of the
Department this 6th day of October 1855
No 7303 [illegible] Coter Acting Com[page torn here]

[written diagonally across the above text: Cancelled
Died before 
issue no 
minor suns
drive.
Cancelled]

Note. You can locate this Certificate at any of the United States land offices, or it will be located for you by the General Land Office on the return of it with your request
to that office endorsed thereon specifying the State and Land District in which you wish the location made. If you locate it, fill up and sign the following application.
To the Register of the Land Office
at _____
_____ 18
Locate this Certificate in the _____ quarter of section _____
in Township _____ of Range _____
Attest _____ Register. _____
Page 29

[envelope]

FREE  [round black stamp; upper right: BALTIMORE MD APR 10]

The Honbl
L.P. Waldo,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington City,
D.C.

Mail

[vertically on left side of page: 61704]
Page 30

[Form header printed:] 
Department of the Interior,
Pension Office, Official Business

[Circular ink stamp:]
WASHINGTON D.C
OCT 9 1855
FREE

[Handwritten:] 
G. G. Brewer
Baltimore Md
Jenkins
Widow dead
No minor children

7303 / 6c
N Harper 
MR
Page 31

12,861

Bethula Harper
M
Letter S. D. Lecompte 6. Aug. 1866
to [illegible] April 6th, '67
Page 32

Land Office Annapolis
17th Feby 1846
I hereby certify, that it appears by the Master rolls of the Revolution remaining in this office, That William Harper, enlisted as a private, in the 2nd Maryland Regiment, and received pay and bounty land up to the close of the Revolution, for his Revolutionary services.

George G. Brewer
Req L Off. MD
Page 33

7303 
[illegible] 
160 acres
Page 34

[vertically on left side: 7303-160

Wm Harper [Illegible]]

[Circular ink stamp]
BALTIMORE
SEP 28
MD

The Honble [Honorable]
Geo. [George] C. Whiting
Commisor of Pensions,
Washington City,
D.C.

Mail
Page 35

Look at Reg
July 21 '46
Maryland

Returned Harper

[Circular ink stamp:]
CAMBRIDGE
JUL 15
Md.

5

James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 36

Md
Cambridge July 13th 1846 [66?]

James L. Edwards Esq.
My Dear Sir
Some time since I left
with you, the petition of Bethula Harper
of this Dorchester County, for a pension
on account of the service of her husband
in the Revolutionary War. I can easily
see that your engagements are such as to
make it almost certain that some of
such applications will escape your
memory; & think it [illegible] that this
is the case with the one mentioned.
You informed me at the time I left
the papers that you could, in a short
time write to me & inform me, whether
any difficulties existed in obtaining
the pension, & whether there were any
[illegible] of the requisite proofs [illegible]
I have taken the liberty of asking
your attention to it in the hope that
you will find it convenient to inform
me of the result of your attention
to the subject
Your Obt. Svt. [Obedient Servant]
Sam R. Lecompt
Page 37

Maryland
Cambridge, Mar. 26th 1847-
J. L. Edwards Esqr
My D. Sir,
I received some considerable
time since a letter from you stating several
difficulties in the way of allowing a pension
in the case of Bethula Harper, whose application I had previously left in your office.
Her main objection I believe seems to be the
want of proof as to the time of her marriage.
I think you will find by sequence to her statement, & some corroborating proof
attending it, that there is some testimony
in this point, & although it may not be
conclusive, it appears to me, that it may
still, with great propriety, in consideration of
the difficulty attending the proof of such
facts of so old a date, be admitted as
satisfactory.  In our State there is no official mode of proving marriages & being left to either the recollection of the parties
or living testimony.  You will see that it
becomes exceedingly difficult to make out 
such facts conclusively. The fact of marriage
is one, indeed, which parties themselves are apt to remember, but in this
case the applicant is utterly illiterate,
not being able to write, or read writing, &
there being therefore no record of the exact
date, I hope it may be consistent with
Page 38

your sense of duty to make an allowance
in this case.
If, however, the State of the case is such
as to shut her out from a pension, I will
obliged, if you will state it [illegible] explicitly
what more is necessary to prove, & although
it is perhaps [illegible] to from more, I
will try if further proof can be obtained.
Yours be
Samuel Lecompte

Edwardson Brawth died in 1832
had served in the revolutionary war four
years before its close, & to its close, [illegible]
Capt. Transe, was married to his
widow Sarah Brawth 20th Feb, 1815.
She has remained a widow since his
death & his children by him now living -
On this statement of facts is she entitled to a pension, or to any thing that may have him due to him at his at his death.  A reply to
this question will much oblige
Yours be
S.D. Lecompte
Page 39

Bethala Harper
wid of Wm
Md. Act 1848 - sus

Paid $148.30
Aug 80 & Nov 83

Evidence of
Service.

J. J. Coombs

[vertically on the page: William Harper
Revy Soldier
Certificate]
Page 40

Land Office of Maryland
Annapolis January 21st 1853

I certify that it appears by a pay roll
remaining in this office, that William Harper
a private, received from John Hamilton, agent
of the Maryland Line, $25 arrears of pay
from the 1st of August 1780 to the 1st January
1782. also $80 pay from the 1st January 1782
to the 1st January 1783. also $43.30 from 1st
January 1783, to the 15th November 1783. Total
received $148.30.~
In witness whereof I hereto
subscribe my name & affix
the seal of the Land Office
of Maryland, the day &
year first herein before
written
[illegible]
Comm of the [illegible]
Page 41

Bethula Harper
wid of Wm

Md Act 1848
no record of marriage

J.J. Coombs
Page 42

State of Maryland Dorchester County Sct.
I hereby Certify that none of the Marriage Records
in my office were destroyed by the recent fire which consumed
the Court House of Dorchester County and I further
Certify That There is no evidence on Record in my office
I having That license was ever granted William Harper
and Bethula Wallace to be Married.
In Testimony whereof I hereunto Subscribe
my name and affix the Seal of the Circuit
Court for Dorchester County This 9th day of
February 1853.
Francis J. Henry Clk
Page 43

June 1, 1939
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Mr. T. P. McCollister Hereford Texas
BA-J/ady William Harper W.3679 James McCallister S.34992

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter relative to soldiers of the Revolutionary War. 

Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based upon military service of soldiers in that war. 

A careful search of the records fails to show such a claim on file on account of the services of Jacob Good as described by you, all spellings of the names searched. 

The records of William Harper and James McCallister are furnished you herewith. 

Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 44

[two column page; left column follows=

1939 June 1 - Hist to T.P. McCollister
Letter in James McCallister
S34992.A.D.Y.

[right column follows]

Revy WIDOW, &c.

File No. 3679
Bethala Harper
Widow
William Harper
Pvt. REv: War
Act: July 29, 1848
Index:- Vol. A, Page 302
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 45

Washington, Feby. 26th 1853
Sir:
Enclosed please find the declaration
of Bethula Harper, widow of
William, of Md. claiming the benefits
of the act of 29th July 1848, with
evidence of her husband's service
and additional evidence as to 
the date of marriage.
Mrs. Harper filed a claim under
the act of 7th July 1838, but was 
unable to prove her marriage
prior to the 1st of January 1794.
She now consents to take a pension
under the act of 29th July 1848, and
though still unable to show the precise 
day of her marriage, I presume
the evidence now presented,
in connexion with that already
on file, will be entirely satisfactory
to show that the marriage 
took place prior to 1800.
Very respectfully
Your obt [obedient] servt [servant\
J. J. Coombs

J.E. Heatter Esq
Commis of Pensions
Page 46

No. 61704
Act of March 3, 1855
Received April 11, 1855
William Harper
Rev. War
Warrant No. 7303-160-55
G.G. Brewer
Baltimore Md.
Page 47

Bethula Harper
widow of William
Maryland
Act July 29, 1848
Admitted - for 2 yrs service as private in 2d Maryland Rgt at $80 per annum from March 4, 1848.
Agent 
J. J. Coombs
Present
Page 48

Brief in the case of Bethula Harper widow of Wm
Dorchester County and Stat of Maryland
act July 29 1848
Claim, ("original," or "for increase" [crossed out])
Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Of Service - Record, as certified by the Coun of MD Land Office - 1st Aug '80 to 1 Jany 1782 - whole year '82 - D '83 to 15 Nov - whole amt arrears paid - $148.80 - Service over 3 years in 2d Regt. rcd Land from Mo
Marriage - Certif of no record of marriage - Testimony of witness who cooked the wedding dinner, and several others as to long cohabitations, the Date fixed by old persons by comparison of ages &c - before 1800
Death Dead of Wm in 1814 - by affidavit
Identity Identity - By persons who knew them & reputation and declaration of widow under act of '38 agreeing with
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
subsequent certif of Comr of M. L. Office - also by application tax
widowhood - by affts of 2 witnesses.

x The Maryland legislature for a pension for his services and report in her favor - her husband having been a state pensioner and land man.
These papers were filed by the widow, in this case
Name and residence of Agent
J. J. Coombs
Present
S. G. Dodge
Examining Clerk
Page 49

No 1229
Declaration of Mrs. Bethula Harper
Widow of William

No Act 7th July 1838
-
Addl evidence
J. J. Coombs
Page 50

State of Maryland,
Dorchester County St
On this fourteenth day of February 1853,
before me David W. Tyler, one of the Justices of the ^ peace in and for said county
personally appeared Bethula Harper, of said Count, aged Eighty six years, who being duly Sworn according to Law, upon her
oath declares, that She is the widow of William Harper, decd, 
who was a Revolutionary Soldier of the Maryland Continental
line, and who died on or about the 17th day of February 1814
That in the year 1846, she made application for a pension
under the act of Congress of 7th July 1838, but her claim was
suspended, as she is advised, for want of satisfactory evidence that
she was married prior to the first day of January, 1794. She
further states, that having no record of her Marriage, She was
unable to state in her former declaration, the exact time it took
place, nor can she now state the exact time, she however knows 
that she was married long before the first day of January 1800
and herewith exhibits testimony, which she hopes will be entirely satisfactory to prove that she was married to the said William Harper prior to the last mentioned date, if not prior to the 1st of January, 1794. And she hereby prays that in case the Commissioner of Pensions, shall still deem the evidence insufficient to entitle her to the benefits of the act of 7th July 1838, that he will allow her a pension under the act of 29th July 1848. She further states, that she still remains the widow of said William Harper, decd, never having married since his death.
Sworn to and subscribed by the said Deponent,
before me this day and year aforesaid
D. W. Tyler
Bethula Harper
marla
Page 51

State of Maryland Dorchester County Sct.
I hereby Certify that D.W. Tyler Esquire before whom
the annexed affidavit was made and whos [whose] name is hereto
Subscribed was at the time of taking & Subscribing the same
one of the State of Maryland Justices of the Peace in and
for Dorchester Court duly commissioned & sworn.
In Testimony whereof I hereto subscribe
my name & affix the Seal of the Circuit
Court in Dorchester County this 18th day
of February 1853
Francis J. Henry Clk
Page 52

The State of Maryland Dorchester County 
Be it Rembered and it is hereby certified that on this 14th day of 
February in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and fifty 
three that I David W Tyler one of the Justices of the peace 
in and for Dorchester County and State aforesaid, did visit Bethula Harper widow of William Harper ^Dead at her place of
Residence and that She is to aged and infirm and
sick at this time to go or be taken before any Judge Justice
or any other person authorized to take Depositions and
I do further certify that she is very ill and not likely to live
certified by me the [illegible] this day and year aforesaid
D. W. Tyler
Justice of the peace
in and for Dor County
Page 53

State of Maryland Dorchester County Sct.
I hereby Certify that D. W. Tyler Esquire who
[illegible] this certificate was at the time of so doing one of the State
of Maryland Justices of the Peace in and for Dorchester County
Duly Commissioned & Sworn.
In Testimony whereof I hereto subscribe
my name & affix the Seal of the Circuit
Court for Dorchester County on this 
18th day of February 1853.
Francis J. Henry Clk
Page 54

Eccleston
Petition of Bethula Harper of Dorchester County
Widow of Wm Harper praying to be compensated for revolutionary services done by her husband 
Pensions and Revolutionary claims
Reported favorably
Page 55

To the Honbl. the General assembly of the State of Maryland
The undersigned being now well stricken in
years, and in very indigent circumstances is advised in her [eactram?] City by those more knowing than herself to ask such relief as she
is told and believes she is entitled to, at the hand of the Legislature of the State of which her late Husband William Harper was a [unclear word] and citizen to the time of his death; and she is prompted to this
by the fact that her Husband was a soldier of the Revolutionary
was by which this country's Independence was achieved and by
the fact, that, aid by the Government was generously afforded
him ["by" scratched out] in his liftime [lifetime] and that a generous government has kindly
offered relief to the poor and generally helpless widows of those who in time of peril breasted the storm of oppression forced upon this now happy country by the mother country, in the hope and belief that you will not suffer one 'Entitled' as your petitioner
trusts she will be able clearly to shew by the annexed Depositions:
to suffer longer in penury and wont as she has been living for
many years through Ignorance of the Law and willingness
of the proper authorities to render aid to the widows of revolutionary soldiers your attention and favorable action will be
gratefully remembered
And your petitioner as in duty bound will ever
prayer 
Bethula Harper
12th January

It appears from the books of the Treasury that Wm Harper was placed on the pension Roll by resolution of Nov 1812 and
drew his pension on 1 Jany 1814.
D Claude
[unknown word]
Treasury Depot 27th Jany 1846