Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8,685, Thomas Hardin, Continental Del.
Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE                                         
Continental       
Hardin, Thomas 
NUMBER     
S.8685
Del.                                                        Carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

Left page

Date of death not on AB

Right page

Ohio   26.148.
Thomas Hardin—
of Clinton, Co. in the State of Ohio—
who was a Pr. in the Company commanded by Captain Black of the Regt commanded by 
Col. McKinsley in the Delaware line for Militia—
9 Mo Cav ——  37.50
3  " Infty——— 10.00
Total                $47.50

Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of 47 Dollars 50 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of March and Sent to 1834 Hon T. Corwin, H. R.

Arrears to the 4th March 1834  —  142.50
Seni-anl. allowance ending Sept 4 1834   23.75
Total                                                 $166.25

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832}
 
Recorded by J. T. Sprague Clerk,
Book E - Vol. 8   Page 11 -

Delaware and Continental 
Records completed   Oct.24/04.
Page 3

Thomas Harding
Declaration for a Pension

Written on left edge of paper:

*State of Delaware, After the revolutionary war I move from there to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania where I lived near twenty years.   from thence I removed to the County of Clinton Ohio where I have ever [the remainder cut off]

Copyists note:  Note is copied as written including errors.
Page 4

State of Ohio Clinton County Court of Common pleas August term in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & thirty two ss

On this ["27th" crossed out] ^Fifth day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & thirty two personally appeared before the court afsd Thomas Hardin a resident of [blank space] township in Clinton County in the State of Ohio afsd aged seventy seven ^years who being first 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 in the winter of the year 1776 he was drafted as a militia man in the State of Delaware to serve for three months, that he then resided near Wilmington in Delaware at Christiana [sic] Bridge; that he was under said draft enrolled in a Company commanded by Capt James Black which was attached to a regiment commanded [a  line is crossed out] by Col McKinley the first Lieutenant in our company was one William Henry the ensign in said company was Isaac Henry--  that he served for the full term of three months in said company in the capacity of first sergeant--  He recollects that during the time afsd the afsd regiment was marched to said pink creek in New Jersey where we had a [illegible] skirmish with some British Troops, that they then marched to Princetown where they were in the engagement at that place on the 1st of Jany soon after the taking of the Hessians at Trenton, soon afterwards he was discharged at New Brunswick in New Jersey--  about three weeks after his discharge afsd he volunteered under the same Capt Black to serve for three months & in about three weeks after, he enlisted under one Capt John Hopkins in the Cavalry by the terms of said enlistment he was to serve for three years or during the war.  He was enlisted at Wilmington in Delaware & immediately enrolled in the company of cavalry commanded as before stated by Capt Hopkins
[end of page]
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The field officers under which he served in this corps were Lieutenant Col Wm White Col Milland & the Count Pulaski  Major Washington commanded one of the Battalions in their regiment  he also remembers a Capt Hamond of the same regiment-  The regiment was marched to Philadelphia from thence to Trenton N Jersey from thence to N Brunswick from thence to Perth Amboy & from thence to Elizabeth Town point where the troops were employed in scouting & watching the motions of the enemy Until we returned into winter quarters at [illegible] town in New Jersey,-  In the spring following the regiment was marched to Philadelphia & from thence he marched with said regiment to Wilmington in Delaware, from thence to Christiana bridge in the nighborhood [sic] of which place the American troops had several skirmishes with the british troops about this time-  The regiment of Cavalry to which he belonged remained in this neighborhood, Until the battle of Brandywine where said regiment was with the other of our troops engaged-  The next engagement in which he was took place at the White horse & from that place said regiment was marched to the neighborhood of Germantown & was engaged in the battle at that place,  he recollects that one Genl Stevens was in command that day.  & that it was reported next day that he was arrested for this conduct.  He was taken prisoner at this battle with seven others of the same troop & taken to Philadelphia & there confined in jail Until the lapse of about Nine weeks after the battle when he & his fellow prisoners broke jail and escaped from custody & after this he never joined the Army during the war.  He however imparted himself at White Marsh & as he had not been exchanged             [end of page]
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he rec'd a furlough for these months from his Capt, at the confirmation of which, he again reported himself to the regiment at Trenton, where he was dismissed with orders not to report himself again till he was called for, or until there was notice for all such as he to join their respective corps.  this he never rec'd & consequently never was in the actual service after the battle of Brandywine, though he always felt & held himself bound to enter the service when called upon.  That he knows of no living witness by whom he can proove [sic] his services in the revolutionary war, nor has he any documentary proof of such services he never having received any commission on discharge   That he as never received any pension for his services and declaims that he is not now, nor was his name ever ^been upon the pension roll of the agency of any State or of the United States, though he at one time applied to the general government for a pension but his application failed
Thomas [X his mark] Hardin

Sworn to and Subscribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid
Isaiah Morris, clk.

The following interrogations were propounded by the Court to the applicant in open court & at the same time the above declaration was subscribed and sworn to.
Question by the Court.  Where and in What Year were You born?
Answer.  I do not recollect distinctly in what Year I was born, but I, from the best information in my possession believe I am seventy seven years old.  I was born in the County of Cork Ireland
Question by the same-  Where were You living when called into service:  where have You lived since the revolutionary war & where do yYou now live?
Answer, I was living in Whiteclay Creek hundred New [illegible}   [end of page]

Copyists note:  All spelling and grammatical errors are included as per the original document.
Page 7

* State of Delaware:
After the revolutionary war I move [sic] from thence near to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania where I lived near twenty Years from then I removed to the County of Clinton Ohio where I have ever since and do now live
Question by same-  How were You called into the service were You drafted, did You volunteer or were you a substitute?  And if a substitute, for whom?
Answer.  I have fully and truly stated the manner of my entering the service of my Country, in the body of my foregoing declaration-
Question by the same,- State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served:  Such Continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service-.
Amswer-  John Hopkins was a Captain, William Washington was our Major, William White was our Lieutenant Col, & ----- Miland was our Colonel & Pulaski was general.  The general circumstances of my service I have before stated
Question by same-  Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so by whom was it given, & what has become of it?
Answer-  I never did
By the Court-  State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood & who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your service as a soldier of the revolution
Answer  Asahel Tribby, Aaron Sewell, James Harris, Thomas Gaskill, John Hadly, William Hadly, William Cook, James Villars

Thomas [X his mark] Hardin

Sworn to and Subscribed in open Court the day & year aforesaid
I. Norris, clk.

We, Asahel Tribby a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church residing in the neighborhood of Thomas Hardin the above applicant for a pension in the township of Vernon County of Clinton & State of Ohio, and William Austin [remainder of sentence cut off and illegible]
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Note:  Top of page was cut off with the only words:  mark,  year aforesaid, I. Norris clk.

We, Asahel Tribby a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church residing in the neighborhood of Thomas Hardin the above applicant for a pension in the township of Vernon County of Clinton & State of Ohio, and [name crossed out] ^William Austin residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Thomas Hardin who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy five years of age if not more; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been soldier of the revolution, [line crossed out] and that we concur in that opinion & that he is a man of veracity
Asahel Tribby
Wm. Austin

Sworn to & subscribed in open court the day & year aforesaid
I. Morris, clk.

And the Said Court do declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Asahel Tribby who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in Vernon township Clinton County Ohio, and that William Austin, who also signed the same is a resident of the same place, and that they are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
I, Isaiah Morris clerk of the court of Common pleas within and for the County of Clinton Ohio, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Hardin for a pension
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 6th day of September 1832
Isaiah Morris clk

Note:  Partial image of a round seal is evident at bottom of letter, but wholly illegible.
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January 6, 1938

BA-J/EEL
Thomas Hardin-S.8685

Mrs. Harry F. Patton
#110 Burdine Avenue, Brentwood
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Thomas Hardin, who served in the Delaware troops and died in Clinton County, Ohio.

The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.8685, based upon the military service of Thomas Hardin in that war.

Thomas Hardin was born in County Cork, Ireland.  The date of his birth, names of his parents and date of arrival in America are not shown.

While residing in White Clay Creek Hundred, Newcastle County, Delaware, Thomas Hardin enlisted in 1776, served as 1st sergeant in Captain James Black's Company, Colonel McKinley's Delaware Regiment, was in several skirmishes and in the battle of Princeton, in January, 1777; length of this service, three months; he volunteered in February, 1777, in Captain James Black's Delaware Company and after serving about three weeks, volunteered, February 20, 1777, for three years or for the war, and served in Captain Hopkins' Company, Colonel Moylan's Regiment of Cavalry, was in several skirmishes, in the battle of Brandywine, in an engagement at *White Horse Tavern and in the battle of Germantown in which latter engagement he was taken prisoner and held in the jail in Philadelphia for nine weeks when he made his escape and rejoined his company and regiment, was given a furlough by his captain and did not render further service.

After the Revolution, soldier moved to the neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and lived nearly twenty years, then moved to Clinton County, Ohio.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September  [end of page]

* See [illegible] for this engagement

Other notes in right margin:
Identified these Delaware officers.
He said John Hopkins' Co. Col. Millards's Regt of Cav.  Major Wm Washinton.  It turned out to be Capt. David Hopkins, Col Moylan's 4th Dragoons so did not use Christian name of Capt.
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5, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Clinton County, Ohio, and aged seventy-seven years.

There are no data as to soldier's family.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Thomas Hardin(S.8685), you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and site the following data:

Thomas Hardin
Certificate No. 26148
Issued March 19, 1834
Rate, $47.50 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Ohio Agency.

Kindly make your requests over your personal signature.

Very truly yours

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

J L Edwards Esqr
Pension Office
W City DC
Page 12

Washington City.  15th March 1834

Dear Sir

I send you again the papers of Hardin  you will see that he can produce no such evidence as you require.  He will (if you can do no better) be compelled to accept a pension for one year.  according to your letter of the 26th July 1833- which I herewith inclose [sic]-

Yrs Respectfully
Tho. Corwin

J L Edwards.
Page 13

War Department
Pension Office 26th July 1833

Sir

The evidence in Support of the claim of Thomas Hardin has been again examined  Unless he shall produce at least one witness who shall testify to the facts as alleged in his declaration the claim can only be admitted for one year, nine months thereof as a private of Cavalry

I have the honour to be 
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
J L Edwarss

Hon Thomas Corwin
Lebanon Ohio
Page 14

4.516

Thos Hardin 
of Ohio

Adm 9 mo Cav.
3 Mo dup-

47.50 x 3 = 142.50     25+12.00 = 37

Hon. T. Corwin
Ho of Rep

Note:  There is a small amount of handwriting which is faded and partially illegible.
Page 15

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Thos Hardin which require further proof or explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?     does

II.  Did declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?   did

III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?   not distinctly

V.  *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout [sic] of pension he is entitled?   No.  Should state how long in actual service including captivity

NOTE:  Continued on next page

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?   has

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?   Has

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?   Have

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?   Has

X.  Is the Clerk's seal affixed?  And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?   It is
Page 16

2

XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?   Has

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

XIII.  If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?   has

XIV.  †If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?  Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?

XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI.  ††Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?   no

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And, if not, which of them is not so answered?   Are

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

*QUERE V.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:  "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:  For _______ year _______ months and _______ days, I served as a ___________.  For _______ months and _______ days, I served as a __________; and for such service I claim a pension."
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3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase "about three or four months" is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

†QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which be [sic] belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer under his seal of office.

††QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Handwritten addition:
If he Served as Sergeant he must prove such Service
Page 18

Rev. War Section.

March 25, 1913.

Mrs. W. S. B. Hays,
"Hardin Place"
Munhall, Pa.

Madam:

In response to your updated letter received the 17" instant, you are herewith furnished the military history of Thomas Hardin, Sur. File No. 8,685, Rev. War. and advised that it is not the practice of this Bureau to furnish more than one such statement to the same person.

Any one desiring the record of a soldier's service, should apply over his (or her) own signature.

Very respectfully,
J L Davenport.
Commissioner.
Page 19

In reply to your request of __________________, received _____________________ for a statement of the military history of Thomas Hardin, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ("or his widow's" crossed out) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S. File 8685

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT..  LENGTH OF SERVICE.  RANK.  OFFICERS' UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  STATE.
winter 1776.  3 mos.  1" Sergt.  CAPTAIN.  James Black.  COLONEL.  McKinley.  Del.

Feby 20, 1777.  *  Private.  CAPTAIN.  John Hopkins.  COLONEL.  Moylan's.  Dragoons.
*He was captured at ^ battle of Germantown held prisoner at Phila. 9wks. where he broke jail & reported to his company was furloughed 3 mos. & then dischgd.

Battles engaged in, Princeton, Brandywine, White Horse, Germantown
Residence of soldier at enlistment, White Clay Creek Hundred, New Castle Co, Del.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 5, 1832.
Residence at date of application, Clinton Co., Ohio.
Age at date of application, 77 yrs. old born in County of Cork, Ireland.
Remarks:  His claim was allowed.  No family data on file.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

6-2856
Page 20

Pittsburgh, Pa.
Dec, 30, 1937

Veterans Administration.

Would like all available data on one Thomas Hardin (Rev Soldier) who died in Clinton Co Ohio  Pvt in Delaware Mil, Wish this information to complete Family Line as he was my gr,gr,gr grandfather.

Resp't Yours
Viola Stewart Patton

Mrs Harry. F. Patton.
110 Burdine Ave.
Brentwood
Pittsburgh Pa.

The above letter was typed.  Under the name is a hanwritten notation "no signature?"

A round stamp is present at the bottom of letter encircled by numbers 1 - 12
RECEIVED 
JAN 3 193?
MAIL SUB-DIV
[Last two lines are illegible]
Page 21

Letterhead with initials EP and an elongated H under them.

36 Sprague Avenue
Bellevue, Pennsylvania

August 27, 1923

The Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:
Will you please send me a certificate of the military history of Thomas Hardin?

Thomas Hardin was born

[end of document]

Note:  a round stamp is present part of which is missing:
PENSION
AUG
U   29
1923
OFFICE
Page 22

in 1756 and died in 1847 in Clinton, Ohio.

He was placed on the pension roll of Ohio in 1831 for services during the Revolutionary war as a private in the Delaware Militia, enlisting in 1775.

Very truly yours,
Abram P. Hays
(descendant)

A round stamp is present on the bottom of letter:
PENSION
AUG
U   29   S.
1923
OFFICE
Page 23

Two stamps are on this page

Round stamp:
PENSION
A
MAR
U.   17   S. 
1913
OFFICE.

Oblong stamp:
RECORD
MAR 18 1913
DIVISION
Page 24

To Pension Department

Thomas Hardin was placed on the pension roll of Ohio 1831 for service of private in the Dellaware[sic] militia  Will the Pension Department kindly mail me three copies of same, Kindly register them (address))
Mrs. W. Seward B. Hays
"Hardin Place" 
Munhall, Penna

March 17 - 13.
Twelve cents in Postage herewith returned to writer as above-
E. C. S.
Mail Sec. P. B. 

Round stamp only partly legible:
DIVISION Mar 18 1913
Page 25

Left page:

1913 Oct. 25  Mrs. W. S. B. Hays ¢
1923 Oct. 11. Hist to A. B. Hays

Right page:

Rev War
8685
INVALID.

File No. 8685
Thomas Hardin
Priv Rev War

Act:  June 7th 183}  Part of page cut off
Index:—Vol. 1st, Page 161}  ditto

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 26

Additional statement & explanation of Thomas Hardin an applicant for a pension under the act of the 7th June 1832 for the relief of the surviving officers & soldiers of the revolution.  The said Thomas Hardin further says that he cannot recollect at what particular date in the winter of the year 1776 he was drafted into the service as stated by his former statement but it must have been about three months before the battle of Princetown in New Jersey.  That he thinks he must have volunteered under Capt Black as stated in his former statement about the month of July - 1777-   & three weeks afterwards he enlisted as stated in his former application for three years or during the war in the cavalry as stated in his former application, that he served from about six weeks after the Battle of Princetown until the battle at Germantown where he was captured as stated in his former statement & from this last period to the close of the war he was not otherwise engaged in the service than to report himself from time to time as set forth in his former statement.-  He further states that from his extreme old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot identify time except by reference to certain battles & remarkable events & further saith not
Thomas [X his mark] Hardin

The State of Ohio Warren County ss
Personally came before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace for Warren County Ohio Thomas Hardin who being sworn saith that the facts stand in the forgoing [sic] deposition are true
Given under my hand and seal this 2nd day of 
April A 1833.
W. Sellers, J. P.    [seal is handwritten]
Page 27

The State of Ohio}
Warren County}  SS.

I Jonathan K Wilds clerk of the court of Common pleas for the County of Warren & State of Ohio, hereby ^certify that William Sellers Esquire who appears to have taken and signed the within acknowledgement was at the time of taking & signing thereof ever since hath been, & still is an acting Justice of the peace of the County aforesaid & that all his acts as such due faith & credit is & ought to be given as well in courts of Justice as thereout.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court at Lebanon this 2nd day of April AD 1833.
J. K. Wilds clerk C. W. C. O.
Page 28

Amended statement of Thomas Hardin an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

This applicant in addition to his former application states that in December 1776 he was drafted as a Militia Man in Delaware & served regularly for three months as stated in his former application & was discharged   that he served there three months in Capt Blacks Company-  That on or about the 20th of February AD 1777- he enlisted in Wilmington in Delaware for three years or during the war that he was enlisted in the Cavalry service under Capt John Hopkins in whose company he served as a private till after the battle of Germantown which was on the 4th of October 1777-  That he was captured at the battle of Germantown by th British & taken to Philadelphia & confined in jail nine weeks & a few days over.  & made his escape making his service as afsd. about eleven months & a half-  That he claims a pension for this service & also for the time that elapsed between nine weeks after the battle of Germantown to the close of the war as he was always ready to serve & frequently reported himself as stated in his former papers  He saith that by reason of old age & consequent loss of memory he cannot recollect dates but only particular historical facts by which he fixes the dates of his enlistment & service
Thomas [X his mark] Hardin

Sworn & subscribed before me this 15th June 1833
W Sellers J P

Also at the same time & place Thomas Corwin who being sworn saith that Thomas Hardin who says                [end of page]
Page 29

to & subscribed this aforegoing statement is the same person who made his original application before the court of common pleas for Clinton County Ohio on the 5th of Sept 1832 & where papers have been sent back to me for amendment.
Thomas Corwin

Sworn & Subscribed before me this 15th June 1833
W. Sellers J. P

The State of Ohio}
Warren County}  ss
I Jonathan K. Wilds clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within & for the county aforesaid do hereby certify that William Sellers Esq. who signed the aforegoing affidavits was at the time of the state thereof & now is an acting Justice of the peace within & for the county aforesaid duly commissioned & sworn into office & that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine.

In Testimony whereof I have herein to set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court aforesaid at Lebanon this 15th June A. D. 1833

J. K. Wilds  clk