Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38786, John Harry, R.I.
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R.I. Harry, John S38786
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[16983] Rhode Island

John Harry (a man of colour) Indian of Wash. County in the State of Rhode Island who was a private in the regiment commanded by Col. Greene, of the Rhode Island Line, for the term of three years. 

Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island, at the rate of 8 dollars per month, to commence on the 8 of November, 1819. 

Certificate of Pension issued on the 16 of May 1820 and sent to Amos Cross, judge, Westerly, Rhode Island. 

Arrears to 4th of March, 1820 $31.16
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sept. 1820 $48.n
$79.16

3 mos. 23/30 
& 4/31

[on right side of paper] 
Notification sent Pension Court 1820 to Amos Cross, Westerly Rhode Island
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John Harry
16930

Cont'd
Sept 1820
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I Joseph Hoxsie of Charlestown, in the County of Washington, in the State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations, on solemn Oath do testify and say, that I have been personally acquainted with John Harry from the Close of the Revolutionary War in the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty three until the present Day; that at the present time, and for three Years past he has been in a debilitated state of Health and unable to perform a Man's Days Work; three Years since I employed him and at sundry Times since have employed him to labor for me, is the Means of my Knowledge.  He has repeatedly showed me a Wound in his Side, and Part of his Ribs appeared to be missing.  I always understood that he received the Wound whilst in the revolutionary Army of the United States.
               Joseph Hoxsey

State of Rhode Island &c
County of Washington Sc.
At Southkingstown, in said county of Washington, on the twenty first Day of August, in the Year, one thousand eight hundred & twenty, in his proper Person came Joseph Hoxsie subscriber to the above Affidavit & made solemn Oath to the Truth of the same, before me
         Levi Totten Justum Pacis
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Washington County ss Clerks Office Court Comon Pleas
I certify that Levi Tothen Esq is a justice of the Peace for the Town of South Kingstown legally Chosen and qualified as the Law requires [deleted] & th [/deleted] that full faith and credit ought to be given to his Certificate throughout the United States & that the seal here impressed is the true seal of the Court afores.
Witns. Saml Helme Clk of sd Court

I certify that the witness named Joseph Hoxsey  is a man of undoubted truth & veracity Dated at Westerly this 26th day of August 1820
Amos Cross C. J. C. C. Pleas
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State of Rhode-Island & Providence-Plantations.
WASHINGTON, sc --Court of Common Pleas, August
Term, A. D. 1820
ON this sixteenth day of August 1820, personally apppeared in open Court, being a Court of Record within and for the County of Washington, in the State of Rhode-Island, &c.
John Harry aged [illegible, maybe sixty three?] Years residing in the Town of Charlestown
in said county who being first duly
sworn according to law, doth on his Oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: -
That he served three years in Col Greenes & Col. Jeremiah Olney's Regiment in the Revolutionary war in the Rhode Island Line

That he made a previous Declaration on the
Eighth Day of November 1819, and
that he has received a Certificate for a Pension, being No. 16938 -And in pursuance of the Act of Congress, passed May 1st, 1820, I do solemnly swear, 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 whatever, 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 securities, contracts or debts, due to me ; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the [schedule here?] approved, and by me
subscribed.
John Harry
his mark 

A SCHEDULE of Property and Income, (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) of
of John Harry one hog weight 90 [illegible] Six Old Chairs & 2 Old Tables
Six old pewter plates & three pewter basons Six Cups & Saucers one [illegible, maybe piece] Chain & three hooks Two old Tea potts 1 Iron pott & 1 Iron Kettle
Two Cedar Tubbs & 2 Old pails 2 old Sythes [uncertain] & Tacklin 1 ax and
Two old Hoes. & that he is a Common Labourer
John Henry
his mark
Sworn to and declared, on the Sixteenth day of August 1820 before said Court
Witness Sam Helme Clk of Court
Washington, sc. Clerk's Office of the Court of Common Pleas. A D. 182 0
I Samuel Hilme Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, for the County of
Washington, in the State of Rhode-Island, &c. do hereby certify, that the foregoing Oath,  and the Scedule thereto 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 amount in value of the Property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule, is Eight Dollars, and Ninety Two Cents.--
In Testimony whereof, have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this Nineteenth Day of August 1820
Sam Helme Clerk of said Court.
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Washington County State of Rhode-Island and Providence-Plantations.
(Strikethrough) Newport, 88.

On this eighth - day of November 1819 before ,e the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Washington (strikethrough Newport), personally appears John Harley, a man of colour, aged twenty three years, resident in Charleston in the said district, who being by me firstly sworn, according to law,  doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late 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:" That he the said John Harry enlisted in Charleston in the State of Rhode Island in the company compounded by Captain Holden .... Christopher Grant Regiment of the Rhode Island line; that he continued to serve in the said corps, or in the service of the United States, until the expiration of three years the ...... in which he ...., when he was discharged from service in Saratoga in the state of New York, that he was in the battles of/ at the....... 
and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services except the corroborating testimony he made.....
Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid, 
Amos Cross G.J.G.G. Plas
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State of Rhode Island &c
Washington County ss}  Clerks Office Court-Com: Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace
February 2d AD. 1820__

I certify that the Hon'ble Amos Cross Esquire whose Signature is hereto affixed is Chief Justice of the Courts aforesaid Legally Chosen and Qualified as the Law requires.  That full faith and Credit ought to be given to his Certificate throughout the United States and Elsewhere.  And that the Seal here impressed is the true seal of the Courts aforesaid.
Witness Saml Helme Clk
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[left side, upside down]
Hon. Wm. Eddy H. R.

[right side, upside right]
John Harry and wife
to Peleg Cross 1813
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This Indentire of Lease Made this 27th of No.

In the Year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred
and Twelve By and between John Harry and his
Wife Mary Harry, an Indian Man and an Indian
Woman of Charlestown in Washing County State of Rhode Island &c. of the one part and Peleg Cross Jr.
of the Same town and County Yeomen of the other
Part — Witnesseth that the sd. John Harry and
Mary his Wife Doth Lease and Let into the sd.
Peleg Cross Jr. a Certain Tract or Parcel of Land
Situated in sd. Charlestown Containing by Estimation
Forty Two acres be the Same more or Less and
Is Bounded as follows viz; Beginning at Cole
brook thence Running Northerly on Casqueset Road
untill it Comes to Daniel Perrys Land thence
Northerly on Jos. Jefferys Land Westerly on Daniel-
=Wappys Land Southerly on Cole brook [crossed out: Easterly]
[crossed out: on] thence Running Easterly to the first mentioned
Bounds Being the Same Lot of Land Leased
to Peleg Cross Jr. and Jos. Kenyon Jr. for the last
four years have and to hold all the before Dem=
=ised and Leased Premises for and During the term
of four Years [crossed out: the] time to Commence the 25th
Day of March Eighteen hundred and Thirteen and Seventeen sd. Cross has Liberty to plow
Six acres pr. year and yearly During sd.
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Term and after plowing to Seed it Down with
a Sufficient Quantity of hay seed yearly and
Every year. For the above Mentioned Premises the sd.
Peleg Cross Jr. is to pay unto Joh Harry or his
Wife Mary Harry Twenty Dollars pr. year and
yearly During sd. time the sd. Cross has liberty
to Cut fensing Steel to Repair the fence During
Sd. term and the sd. Cross is not to Carry of any
hay and Dung nor muck nor any other thing else
whereby the Premises are impoverished and the
sd. Cross at the end and expiration of sd. Lease
to yield up the [Feasible?] possession unto the
Sd. John Harry or his Wife mary or their
Lawful Heirs in witness whereof both parties
have hereunto Set our hands and Seals
the Day and Date First within written —
Signed Seald and Deliverd
In Presence of —
Robert Niles
Nicholas Clarks

John his + mark Harry
Mary his + mark Harry
Peleg Cross Jr.
Augustus Harry
Gidion his + mark [Nacoke?]

I approve of the with in lease
Joseph Commick
Jos. Standon Jr. Treasurer
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N. W. Notwithstanding what is before written this
agreed by the Parties before signing and Sealing that
the sd John Harry has Liberty to build a house on sd.
premesis some where near where the old house was
and when sd. house is built the sd John is to have the
Improvement of one acre of Land around said
and if the sd John should want to Plant an orchard
on the side, hill in the small field he is to have that
Privilage –
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Recvd forty nine Dollars and [crossed out] in
part of the with in lease
Charlestown March 23 1813
Witness Josi Stanton Jr.

John his X mark Harry
Mary her + mark Harry

Charlestown November 21 : 1814
Recvd. [crossed out: forty Dollars] Thirty one Dollars
in full of the with in Lease for [illegible]
Witness
Josi Stanton Jr.

John his X mark Hrary
Mary her X mark Harry
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Affidavit of
Joseph Kinyon Trsr.
et al.
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I Augustus Harry of Charlestown, in the County of Washington, in the State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations, One of the Narraganset Tribe of Indians resident in said Charlestown, on solemn Oath do testify
and say, that I am now in the fiftieth year of my age, that I have personally known John Harry of Charlestown aforesaid, who is also one of said Tribe, as long as I remember
any Body. I never knew him own any Land or real Estate of any Kind. If he had owned any, I believe that it would have come to my Knowledge. Since I arrived at the age of twenty one years, I have been elected and
have served as a Member of the Council of said Tribe, twenty five years; and am now a Member of said Council. The Council of the Tribe, who are annually elected, superintend & direct the municipal Concerns of the Tribe according to the Customs & Usages of said Tribe, particularly the letting out and leasing of the Lands belonging to said Tribe, and of the Individuals who choose to let their Lands. The Narraganset Tribe, and the Individuals thereof, hold their Lands by a Tenure peculiar to themselves. Not as the white People hold Lands. An Individual of said Tribe cannot sell or convey any Land descended to him or her, nor mortgage it, nor charge it with Debts as white People do. But when a member of that Tribe dies, his or her Land descends to his or her Children or next of Kin generally without Distinction of male or Female; and if a member of
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I Augustus Harry of Charlestown, in the County of Washington, in the State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations, One of the Narraganset Tribe of Indians resident in said Charlestown, on solemn Oath do testify
and say, that I am now in the fiftieth year of my age, that I have personally known John Harry of Charlestown aforesaid, who is also one of said Tribe, as long as I remember
any Body. I never knew him own any Land or real Estate of any Kind. If he had owned any, I believe that it would have come to my Knowledge. Since I arrived at the age of twenty one years, I have been elected and
have served as a Member of the Council of said Tribe, twenty five years; and am now a Member of said Council. The Council of the Tribe, who are annually elected, superintend & direct the municipal Concerns of the Tribe according to the Customs & Usages of said Tribe, particularly the letting out and leasing of the Lands belonging to said Tribe, and of the Individuals who choose to let their Lands. The Narraganset Tribe, and the Individuals
thereof, hold their Lands by a Tenure peculiar to themselves. Not as the white People hold Lands.
An Individual of said Tribe cannot sell or convey any Land descended to him or her, nor mortgage it, nor charge it with Debts as white People do. But when a member of that Tribe dies, his or her Land descends to his or her Children or next of Kin generally without Distinction of male or Female; and if a member
of
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of the Tribe abandons their Land and goes without the State, the next Heirs or Heir enters & occupies it. Neither can a Member of said Tribe lease out or let his or her Land without the approbation and Signatures 
of a Majority of the Indian Council. Neither can a Member of the Tribe dispose of his or her Land by Will as white People do. [crossed out: But] I further testify that John Harry before named is very poor. I believe him destitute of Property, quite infirm, and unable to do hand Labor. He sometimes performs some light Work, for which he receives some Compensation, but at present is principally supported by his Children who Labor for their Support. If he was not helped by his Children, he would in some measure be chargeable
to the Tribe, who support all their own Poor.
John Harry's Wife, who is mother of his Children, holds Land that descended to her, which if she should die would by our Usages & Customs descend immediately to his Children. This Land according to our Customs,
with the approbation of the Council, she lets out for her own Support. He has no Control over it. I further testify that her Lands, except about two acres, has lately been leased out by approbation of the Council for seven years to enable her to have a small House erected on that two acres for the Residence of herself & Family, and all the Rents for said
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said seven years appropriated to that Purpose. The Council considered it necessary as John Harry his Wife and Family were destitute of a House. Both John Harry and his Wife have now Nothing but their Labor to depend on for their Support. She cannot receive any Thing from her Land till the Expiration of her Lease,
which will not happen in six years to come, or
not till about that Time. And if in the mean
Time John Harry's Wife should be sick, or become Lame or unable to work, I know of nothing that would prevent her becoming chargeable to the Tribe, at least till the Expiration of the Lease before mentioned. The House & two acre Lot I expect that John & his Wife now occupy; and believe it would not rent for more than ten Dollars
a year.

Question. Are you any Relation to John Harry?
Ans. not to my Knowledge.

August Harry



State of Rhode Island &c.

County of Washington Sc.

On the twenty ninth Day of March
in the year, one thousand, eight hundred and twenty
one, Augustus Harry, one of the Narraganset Tribe,
Signer of the preceding Deposition, came before
me the subscriber, one of the Justices of the Peace for said
County and being duly cautioned & sworn made solomn
Oath to the Truth of the preceding Deposition, which was taken
at the Request of John Harry and in the Presence of the Witness
was by me reduced to writing Witness

Levi Totten Just. Peace
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I Joseph Primus of Charlestown in the County of
Washington, in the State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations, one of the Narraganset
Tribe of Indians resident in said Charlestown,
and also one of the Council of said Tribe,
On solemn Oath do testify and say that I have
carefully examined the preceding Deposition
signed by Augustus Harry, who has been many
Years Resident of said Council, and do hereby
attest to the Truthe of said Deposition so far as
it relates to the Tenure of the Lands of said Tribe
and the Individual members thereof, and also so far
as it relates to the Descent, Usages & Customs of
said Tribe, and also as it relates to John Harry's
present Situation; but I have known him about
twenty years only, otherwise I confirm Augustus
Harry's Deposition in every Particular. And
would further add, that the wife of the said John
Harry [crossed out: was untill] before her marriage or Cohab-
itation with him was & still is one of said Tribe.

Joseph Primus



State of Rhode Island &c.
County of Washington Sc.}

On the twenty ninth Day
of March in the Year one thousand eight hundred &
twenty one, Joseph Primus, one of the Narraganset Tribe,
signer of the above Certificate, after a careful Examination
of the preceding Deposition, and being duly cautioned and
sworn, made solemn Oath to the Truth of said Certificate
which was drawn up at Request of said Primus–
Taken at Request of John Harry

Witness Levie Totten Just. Peace
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I Joseph Kinyon Junior of Charleston in the County
of Washington in the state of Rhode Island &c.
Yeoman, of Lawful Age do testify and say,
That heretofore, by & with the approbation of
the council of the Indian Tribe, I hired
the Land of John Harry's Wife, who is one
of said Tribe, for a number of years and had
a Lease executed and approbated according
to Indian Custom, and was to build a House
on another Lot of
her Land in Payment of the Rent, which
I have done & the Rent paid up & discharged
on the Lease, which Lease will expire, seven
Years from the twenty fifth Day of March
Instant, according to my best Recollection.
The Rent of her Land I think was thirty
seven Dollars & fifty Cents a Year.
And according to my best Recollection
the Rent was all appropriated to the
Building that House. This was advised or
directed to be done by said Council, as
John Harry & his wife had no House to shelter
them, till that was built.

Joseph Kinyon Jr.
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State of Rhode Island &c.
County of Washington Sc.

On the twenty ninth Day
of March, in the year, one thousand, eight
hundred and twenty one, Joseph Kinyon Jur.
Signed of the preceding Deposition, being duly
caut9ioned & sworn, made solemn Oath to the
Truth of the same, & which was by me reduced
to writing in his Presence. Taken at the
Request of John Harry.

Witness Levi Sotten Just. Peace
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I Thomas Hoxsie of Charlestown in the County
of Washington in the State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations one of the Justices of the
Court of Common Pleas for said County
hereby certify that I have Personally known
Joseph Kinyon Junr. one of the preceeding
Witnesses many years that he is a respected
Citizen of said Charlestown and a Man
of strict Veracity I also certify that I have
known Augustus Harry one of the Narreganset Tribe of Indians Ever since he was
a Lad he has been a member of the Indian
Council many years & often President thereof
which office he now holds, he has always as
far as ever came to my knowledge sustained
a good Character for honesty and Truth, and I
have always understood that the Usages &
Customs of said Tribe were such as he has
stated, I further certify that Joseph Primas
also sustains a good Character for Truth
and Honesty. I and the yeomanry of my
Vicinity esteem those Two Indians the
most Respectable of the Tribe —

Thomas Hoxsie
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Joe Stanton
Dec. 28. 1822.
[Recd.] Jany. 27th. 1823.

Westerly [Lane] 18 Free
[Hon]
Samuel Eddy Member of Congress City Washington
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Charlestown (R I) Dec 20 1822

D. sir

Agreable to your request in a Conversation with you at Providence I have the Honor to repeate a Statement of the situation of John Harry a Pensioner under the Act of Congress Granting Pension to the surviving office[r]s and Soldiers of the Revolution. His real Estate & his wife which is and a state for life to said Harry be the law of our State is worth several thousand Dollars and as no civil Process can by Law be issued against and - Indian therefour there lands remain Free to them. I understand that John Harry Name has been replaced on the Pension List in Consequence of his having received the Benefit of the Insolvent [illegible] of this State. It is well known the Indians have long been under the Gardianship of the General Assembly of this State and Harry being in Prison with no personal Property and without the power [illegible] selling Land it was thought but an Act of Justice to liberate him. With this Fact I am well acquainted being at that Time a Member of the General Assembly myself. I am well satisfied the Amount of which Harry at this Time Rents his Land is more than one Hundred Dollars Annually as this however might be difficult to asert owing to a Competition among Tenants - I have enclosed all number of Leases by him to several Individuals while I was Treasurer to the Indians in this Town to elucidate this Subject these after our examination at will be proper to return to me. Those it is true do not express the Amount above mention of his Property also owing to Improvement in the value of Land in this Neighbourhood - If it should be thought proper by you to write me on this Subject
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further evidence I will indevor to [Acquire] other leases but I think the Leases I have in [close] will be evidence sufficient to satisfy you of his Value and he is not an fit Subject for the above Act, the Offices of Treasuer or Superintendent of Indian Affairs having been - Discontinued for a Number of Years I could not Obtaine any leases of a later Date.
Sir please to show this letter to Mr. Calhoun Secretary of War Department
I am sir with Respect
Your Humble Servt
Joseph Stanton
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Copy Decree [?]
John Harry
75 [?]
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At the supreme Judicial Court begun and Holden at Southkingstown within and for the County of Washington, in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations on the fourth Monday of April, being the twenty sixth Day of said Month, in the Year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and thirteen - - 1813.

Present.
The Honble Daniel Lyman Esqn. Chief Justice
The Honble Jeffery Hazard Esqn.
The Honble William Anthony Esqn. 
The Honble Benjamin Johnson Esqn.
The Honble Joshua Bucknell Esquire
[curvy brackett for last four names] Assistant Justices.
James Helme [Jur.] [?]

Be it remembered that upon the Petition of John Harry of Charlestown in the county of Washington, an insolvent Debtor, who had the
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the Benefit of the insolvent Act extended to him by the Honble General Assembly, February Session [?]1813, praying for Commissioners or Assignees to be appointed, agreeably to the Provisions of said Act, Whereupon the Court appoint Peleg Cross, Levi Totten and Jame Helme Junior, Commissioners, or Assignees, on said Insolvent Estate, and they were duly engaged accordingly, and the Petitioner engaged to his Inventory, and made an Assignment of his Estate.

State of Rhode Island [?]
County of Washington [Sc], [curly bracket]
March 28th. 1821.
Thereby certify that the above & preceding contains a true Copy of the Record in the Office of the Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for the County of Washington in the State aforesaid

Witness John Segar
[?]
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Know all Men by those presents that I John Harry of Charlestown in the County of Washington [Labourer] haveing Petitioned the General Assembly for the Benefit of an Act passed on June 1756. for the relief of Insolvent Debtors and the Several Acts in Aid thereof which Petition at February Session of said Assembly AD. 1813 was granted and haveing lodged a Copy of said grant in the Clerks Office of the Supreme Judicial Court for the County of Washington with an Inventory of all my Estate thereto Annexed and haveing Notified my Creditors to appear before said Court at their April Term AD. 1813 holden at South Kingstown for the County Aforesaid to Nominate Commissioners or Assignees to take an Assignment of my Estate for the Benefit of my Creditors to be distributed to and among them arguably to the provisions of said Act of June 1756 and the Court haveing Nominated and Appointed Peleg Cross Levi Totten and James Helme [Jun.] Esquires - - Assignees or Commissioners to receive examin and adjust the claims of my Creditors also to receive my Estate and make distribution of the Same to and among my said Creditors agreably to the provisions of said Act of June 1756. Now know ye that I the said John Harry for and in Consideration of the Aforesaid Grant And for the purposes of haveing my Estate
dis
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Distributed to and among my said Creditors Agreably to the Provisions of said Act do hereby Assign [?] over & transfer to the said Peleg Cross Levi Totten and James Helme [?].

Assignees or Commissioners in [?] all my Estate both real & personal of whatever Kind or Name which I now have or ought to have for the purposes Aforesaid. In Testimony whereof I the said John Harry have hereto [?] my hand & Affixed my seal at South Kingstown in the County of Washington this Tenty Eighth day of April in the Year 1813
[his]
John X Harry
Mark
[in a squiggly circle "seal"]

Washington [Js.]
April Term AD. 1813. Signed Sealed & del.d in Open Court 
[Wilm.c] D. Lyman C. J. I. J [Court]

Washington [Js] } Clerks Office Supreme Judicial Court
Mar. 1821
I certify that the preceeding page with what is Above Contains a true Copy of John Harrys Assignment as Appears on file in said Office.
[crossed out "Wilm.c"] John Segar  [CMC]
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State of Rhode Island [HC.]
County of Washington [Sc] -

I Daniel Champlin of Exeter in the County of Washington in the State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Esquire one of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court for the State aforesaid in the Absence of the Chief Justice do hereby Certify that the Name "John Segar" to the preceeding Certificates Subscribed is the proper Hand writing of John Segar Esquire who at the time of Subscribing the same was Clerk of said Court for the County Aforesaid duly Elected & qualified according to Law. Wherefore unto his said attestation full faith & Credit are to be rendered. In Testimony whereof I have caused the Seal of said Court to be hereunto Affixed & have set my hand at South Kingstown the Thirty first day of March in the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred & Twenty One.

Daniel Champlin
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Lease from
John Harry & wife
to Joseph Kenyon [Jr]
to exspire [10/24]

[?]
Joseph Stanton [?]

John his X mark Harry

Mary her X mark Harry
Page 33

This Indenture of Lease made this first day of June [?]16 and to commence the Twenty fifth day of March [?]20 and to Expire the Twenty fight day of March [?]24 By and Between John Harry and Mary his Wife of the one part and Joseph Kenyon [Jr] of the other part all of Charlestown in the County of Washinton and State of Rhodisland the said John Harry and Mary his Wife doth Lett and lease units the said Joseph Kenyon [Jr] a Certain Tract of Land Lying in Charlestown Containing by Estimation forty acres be the same more or less and is Bounded as [follows] Southerly on an of the [?] of John Seketor [Deceased Westerly] on [?] [pond] and Northerly on Land of Nabby Sachem Deceased and Easterly on the Meeting house Road and Also another Tract of Land formerly belonging to Nabby Sachem late of Charlestown Deceasd containing by Estimation fifteen acres be the Same more or less and is Bounded as follows Southerly on Caleb Seketor [land] and Westerly on [Cancompage pond] Northerly on the [heirs] of Sarah Niles and Easterly on the Meeting house Road To have and to hold the Before Granted and [Demise] premises with all the priviledge and [affordances] thereunto belonging for Them of four years and the Said Joseph Kinyon [Jr] doth Covenant and agree to pay for the Two Letts yearly and every year [?] said Term thirty Seven Dollars and fifty cents the said Joseph Kenyon [Jr] is to lay down all the old ground (North] a Sufficient Quantity of hay seed yearly and Every year and the Said Joseph Kenyon [Jr] is not to carry of no hay nor much [more] [?] of Said premises during Said Term nor to make [no] Waste of the Wood during Said Term and at the Expiration of Said Term to yield up the Peaceable [?] unto the said
Page 34

John Harry and Mary his Wife on their Lawfull heirs in Witness Whereof Both parties have set their hands and Seales this first day of June [AD 1718] [?] agree for said Kenyon to
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(illegible) John C. Calhoun 
Secretary of War
City of Washington
Page 36

Westerly Feby 7 1820

Sir I transmit to the Secry of war
the Declaration of John Harry, with the
Certificate of Col Dexter relative to his services
also a certificate from [three?] Respectable [crossed out: Gen]
Gentleman as respects his Indigence.

I am Sir your Obt Servt

Amos Cross
Page 37

John C. Calhoun
Secretary of War,
Washington City
Page 38

Charlestown (R. I.) Jan. 29, 1821

J. C. Calhoun, Sec'ry of War - I understand John Harry, of this Town, one of the Narragansett Tribe of Indians, is a Pensioner under the Act of Congress granting Pensions to the, indigent, surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Revolutionary Army. The said Harry's Wife, to whom he has been legally married, owns real Estate in this Town, unincumbered & under Improvement, worth more than two thousand Dollars. This [Fact] is well known here, and for Confirmation would refer you to Edward Willcox Lieu't Governor of this State or Col. Peleg Cross, late Sheriff of the County of Washington, both of this Town. I am also inclined to believe there Circumstances were known to Amos Cross, chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas, for this County, at the Time the necessary Documents were authenticated to substantiate Harry's Claim. The only Reason advanced in Support of the Justice of his blaim is; that by Indian Custom he has no Control over his Wife's Estate, and that on her Demise it would descend to their common Children. -
My Motives in making this Communication are, to make you acquainted with Harry's Situation, and prevent Imposition upon the Government. -
Respectfully your Friend, Solomon Perry
Page 39

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations } In General Assembly February Session 1813
Upon the petition of John Harry of Charlestown an Indian man praying for the reasons therein stated that the benefit of an act passed in June AD 1756 [illegible] "an act for the relief of insolvent debtors" may be extended to him -
Voted and Resolved that the prayer of said petition to and the Same is hereby granted. -
A true copy from the Records of my office
Witness
Henry Bowen [Jeevy]

[illegible] 75 [illegible] ?
Page 40

By his Honour Edward Willcox Secretenant Governor of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations acting as Governor

Be it known that the name "Henry Bowen" to the foregoing certificate subscribed is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen Esquire who at the time of subscribing the same was Secretary of said State duly elected, and qualified according to law: wherefore unto his attestation full faith and credit are to be rendered.

Given under my hand and the seal of said State at Providence this twentieth day of March in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty one and of Independence the forty fifth - 
Edward Willcox

By His Honour [&] Command
Henry Bowen
Secry
Page 41

5744
John Harry, (a man of clour)
Washington Co. R. Isld.
8th. November, 1819.
=
Colo. Greene's Regt.
R. I. line, 3 years.
-
Not found on the rolls.
-
Service proved by the Certificate of the major of the regiment to which the applicant was attached.
=
Admitted.
-
Amos Cross, judge, Westerly, R. Island, Recd. 14. Feby. 1820.
Page 42

It appears by the Regimental Book, that John Harry, on the twenty seventh day of December 1780, inlisted into the service of the United States a Private Soldier, to serve therein for the term of three years; - That he did serve, from the time of this said inlistment, in the Regiment then commanded by Colonel Christopher Greene, and afterwards by Lieutenant Colonal Commandant Jeremiah Olney, in the Rhode Island Line, on the Continental Establishment, until the twenty fifth day of December 1783, when he was honourably discharged at Saratoga in the State of New York. -

[W.] Dexter Major of said Regt. at the conclusion of the war. -

Providence December 21st. 1819. -
Page 43

We hereby Certify that [we] [illegible] [swear] John Harry a man of [Collour] who is an Inhabitant of the Town of Charlestown & who from notoriety was a soldier in the Revolutionary War whom we have known for many years, and believe him to be a poor man and that we have no hesitation in giving it as our [illegible] opinion  that said John Harry comes within the provision of the law and of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain person engaged in the Land & naval service of the united states in the Revolutionary War"

Joseph Hoxsey
Robt. Hazard of [illegible]

State of Rhode Island [illegible]
Washington County [Is.]
At Charlestown on the 26th. Day of January 1820 Personally appeared Joseph Hoxsey & Robert Hazard (subscribers to the free-[illegible] certificate and after being duly cautioned made solemn oath to the truth of the same before Samuel Stanton [Jan] [illegible]
Page 44

State of Rhode Island [illegible]
Washington County [Is.] {

I Certify that I am personally acquainted with the within named Joseph Hoxsey & Robert Hazard (of [illegible]) who are both Gentlemen of high respectability and are very Justly respected for their truth & [Veracity].

I further Certify that Samuel Stanton before whom the above named Gentlemen were sworn is a Justice of the Peace for the Town of Charlestown legally appointed sworn & admitted
[Given] under my hand at westerly this 28 Day of January 1820

Amos Cross C.J.C.C. Pleas
Page 45

Suspended 15th Feby 1821,
suspension removed 15th of May 1822. -
-
A letter from Joseph Scranton to Hon. W. Eddy, containing information against the Pensioner, similar to that on account of which the pension was first [suspd.] was left by Mr. Eddy, at Pension office, in January 1823 -

The information in the letter to Mr. Eddy, being similar to that for which this pension was first suspended the papers are, by direction, restored to the files without a second suspension -

19 June 1823
Page 46

38786
INVALID.
(illegible)
File No. 38786
John Harry 
(illegible)
Act: 18 March 18
Index:-Vol. 3, Page210
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 47

[horizontal text]
John Harry

Evidence of his
indigence.

Recd. 13 Apl 1821


[vertical text, partially written over main]
Westerly April 9th
fr[??]

John C. Calhoun
Secty of War
Washington
Page 48

Westerly April 9th 1821

Sir,

Enclosed I transmit of the
the request [hole destroying text] Documents to prove
his Ind[igence] [hole destroying text] [illegible] satisfying
the Secty of war that he ought to be continued
on the Pension Roll agreeable to the provision
of the late acts of Congress

I have always
considered it as in Indispensible duty since it
has devolved on me to assist in my official
capacity this unfortunate class of people, to
give countenance to none but such as in my
opinion come within the meaning of the Law

The care of this John Harry will fully demon
=strate that a due caution was exercised
not being particularly acquainted with his
circumstances, otherwise than from his appearance
which manifested Indigence,

I refused to do
any thing for him until two very respectable
Gentlemen residing in his Neighborhood —
were sworn respecting his Indigence,

[crossed out, illegible]

Reference to his application under the
Law of March 10th 1818

I am now
[crossed out, illegible] ha[???] derived additional satisfaction
[destroyed text] the enclosed two Documents that Harrys
[destroyed text] [family?] represented [destroyed text] and am
Page 49

with that department whose right alone is to give
an ultimate decission upon such Questions

Should the evidence exhibited by Harry
prove satisfactory [destroyed text] a great accomodation
to him [destroyed text] [illegible] I do b[e]
allowed to draw up to draw up to the 4th of march [last?]

I am sir your most obs
servt

Amos Cross