Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21808, John Harris, S.C. Va.
Page 1

(3-1776)

Service 
S.C.
Va.

Harris, John

Number S. 21808

born in Md. | Applied from Anderson Co. S.C.
Page 2

23234   South Carolina

John Harris
of Anderson D't. in the State of S. Carolina 
who was a Private in the Company commanded
 by Captain Noble of pf the Reg't commanded 
by Col. Williamson in the S. Carolina line for 16 months 10 days.

Inscribed on the Roll of S. Carolina 
at the rate of 54 Dollars 43 Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of Dec 
1833 and sent Hon J.C. Calhoun
U.S. Senate

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33                                            
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar '34 
                                 
$135.07                                                                                          
    27.21
=====                                                                                         
$162.28
=====
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.      }
Recorded by Jno. Cromwell Clerk,
Book E,  Vol. 6, Page 69


Order to pay 10 Mar. 1836
Order to pay 6 Feby 1838.
Page 3

The State of South Carolina}
Anderson District}
In the Court of Common 
Pleas Special Session, 
a Court of Record.

I John Harris, (who 
heretofore on the 5th day of March 1833, made 
a declaration in order to obtain a pension 
under the act of 1832) having, since my 
papers were returned to me, as contained the 
dates of important events by referring to 
history, and having obtained possession of 
the pay rolls made out in 1778.&.1779. by 
Capt. Alexander Noble under whom I then 
served, am [??]able to speak with more 
precision than was used in my former 
declaration, and so on oath make this 
supplemental declaration.

I was born in December 1762 on the 
Eastern Shore Maryland, my father removed 
to North Carolina when I was a small boy 
and lived there one year. He then removed 
to Abbeville District, South Carolina and 
settled on Little River where he resided 
throughout the revolutionary contest. My first 
military service was in a small Fort near 
Capt. Noble's, where the neighbors assembled for 
protection against the Indians. I cannot remember 
the year nor the number of [????] [???]that I 
was there, but I distinctly remember that I was 
there in the winter & was there at [????????] time 
when 40 or 50 men with me would go to  [????????]
a field; that I stood sentry & that I frequently with 
some negros would go from the Fort to my father's 
place six miles distant to look after the crops & 
stock. In the spring 1778 my father first [??????]
to the [??????] I had long argued and [???] [???] [????]
Page 4

him to enter the ranks of the Whigs as a volunteer.
I joined the  company of Capt Alexander Noble 
which comprised all the Whig settlers of our 
neighborhood, and went out whenever 
summoned by this captain - From a pay 
roll of that company now before me it 
appears that in a short [time] expedition 
commenced 3rd. May 1778 - in which the company 
marched down into Edgefield District. My 
name is put down as entitled to pay for  
3 days - and in another expedition 
commenced 16th. May 1778 my name is put 
down for 3 days more: and I am sure that 
I was at least for these six days in actual 
service in these two of tours duty under orders 
of my captain - our objective I believe 
to prevent the embodying of tories - I know 
of no living witness to these services within my rank. 
[ ] - In the summer of 1778 - I was again 
called out and went in Captain Noble's company, 
under Col. Andrew Williamson and 
Maj'r Andrew Pickens, in an expedition against 
the Indians, when we crossed the Savannah 
River for this purpose of aiding the settlers in the 
upper parts of Georgia, who were mostly in Forts 
and blockhouses threatened by the Indians. 
From a pay roll now before me it appears 
that my name is entered for 6 days commencing 
28th .August 1778 - and for 43 days 
commencing 14th Oct. 1778 - and it is said in 
a remark at the bottom of the roll that Capt. 
Noble returned all the men at the Blockhouse 
(Abbeville C.H.) from 29th .August to the 
4th. December 1778 - I believe that I was in 
actual service all this time, but I can be sure 
as to the 49 days for which my name is entered. 
Samuel Earle is the only living witness that 
I know of who could prove this period of my 
service and is he not now in my neighborhood.
 From another pay roll of Capt Noble's company 
now before me it appears that the company on 
horseback was employed in an expedition
Page 5

against the Tories under Col. Andrew Pickens 
from 13th. Feby 1779__ to July 15th. July 1779, and that 
my name is entered for 150 days with the 
remark that I was wounded. The whole 
of this period, and long after, I was either 
actually engaged in service or disabled 
by a wound__ I belonged to a detachment 
under Lieut't Calhoun which was 
stationed at McGowan's Blockhouse on 
the Savannah River near Cherokee Ford. 
Whilst we were there a large body of Tories 
under Col. Boyd attempted to cross the Savannah 
River into Georgia, and being prevented by our 
Fort from crossing there, they crossed above at 
Vann's Creek, another Whig's [??????] the Blockhouses 
and neighborhoods - attacked them 
on the Georgia side three days before the 
battle of Kettle creek in which Col. Pickens 
defeated [??????] In this attack, I was shot 
through the head, the ball entering at the left 
eye and coming out in front of the right 
ear, and by this wound I was prevented 
from being in Pickens' expedition and disabled 
for more than a year - My [??????] [??????] 
was returned by the Capt. for the whole time my company 
was out, but for a much longer time 
I was suffering under my wound - I know of 
no living witness to this period of my services
some who were in the battle of Kettle creek 
having no recollection of me as I was wounded 
3 days before -In the spring of 1780 the regiment to 
which I was attached was called out for relief of Charleston 
then besieged, and not being liable to draft on account 
of my wound I went in as a substitute for one 
[??????]. We headed down to [??????] [??????] Col Pickens, 
and hearing of the fall of Charleston returned through the 
Dutch Fork & I was one of the Detachment which on our 
return was stationed at the block House at Abbeville 
Court House to guard the public Arms. This time of service 
was at least one month & I believe much longer
I joined Col (then Capt McCall) in an enterprise which he 
[??????] on took to surprize the British at Augusta by raising 
a body of active Whigs secretly and joining himself 
to Col. Clark of Georgia who was chief in command. 
We embodied at least a month before the battle
Page 6

of Kings mountain (which was 6th Oct 1780) day 
1st. Sept 1780. marched to Augusta, took 60 British 
prisoners, engaged at the same time with the Indians, 
shut the British forces in their fort & would have 
taken them all had not a detachment from Ninety under 
Col. Cinger came to their relief__ Being [??????] by the 
Georgians, McCall [??????] of the Saluda River 
spent two weeks in the mountains on the border of North Carolina 
almost without food, and joined Gen'l Morgans 
army in North Car. a short time after the battle of Kings 
Mountain. With this army, [??????] [??????] until the battle of 
the Cowpen's Jany 1781. in which I was in the left wing of 
the militia under Col. McCall - after the battle I was under 
Gen'l Pickens, who marched the prisoners into the mountains of 
North Carolina. and I left the army a few days after it crossed 
the Yadkin River, I think about the 15th.Feb.1781. with the other [??????]
I was then obliged to active from So. Ca. & went into Augusta 
County Virginia - I know of no living witness to this period 
of my service - In the fall of 1781, I joined Capt. Johnson 
in Virginia & in Col. Matthews Reg't joined the 
army under Gen'l La Fayette. &. continued in service until 
after the surrender of Cornwallis at York - at least 3 months. 
My memory is frail but I can safely say that my periods 
of actual service was not less than what is above 
stated and below recapitulated, and during most 
of the [??????] times I was too much engage in 
military duty to attend to any other-

In the Fort under Capt Nobles - 1776 or 1777.
1778 Spring under Capt Noble 6 days or longer
 under Capt Noble & Col. Williamson 49 days or longer
1779. Feb. to July: Capt Noble & Col. Pickens 150 days
17.79. to Spring of 1780. Suffering under wound -
1780 employed in [??????] [??????] one month or longer.
1780 Sept 1st. till 15th.Feb.1781. Col. McCall 6 1/2 months
1781. Capt Johnson in Virginia 3 months or longer 

6, 1, 5, 1, 6, 3

The names of the officers under whom I served were Capt. 
Noble, Col. [??????],  Major Col. [??????] Pickens, Major Taylor, 
Col. Clark, [??????]or Col. McCall, [all of the militia] 
of So.Ca. [????] : Capt [??????] & Col Mathews of 
the militia of Virginia: and Gen. Major Special 
La Fayette of the Continentals.
Sworn to in open Court 1 Oct.1833.

Van A Lawhon
C. C.

John Harris
Page 7

25045
John Harris
S.C.
Anderson District

Rev

J:e:j:m:

Van A. Lawhon
Anderson C H
Page 8


War Department
Pension Office
May 29, 1833

Sir:
 
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has 
been examined, and the papers herewith returned. The following is a statement of 
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
 the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, 
before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is 
necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, 
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus } ). You will, when 
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and 
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your 
claim.

A Statement shewing the service of  [handwritten] John Harris, S.C.

Militia

Period when service was rendered: 
1778
Duration of the claimant's service: 
ser'd about -- years, 3 months, -- days
Rank of the claimant: 
private
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served: 
Cp Noble, Col. Williamson
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service: 
70. born on Eastern Shore Md. entered at Abbeville Dis't. S.C. now lives in Anderson Dis't. S.C.

Period when service was rendered: 
afterwards 
Duration of the claimant's service: 
ab't  years, 2 months,  days
Rank of the claimant: 
" 
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served: 
" " 

Period when service was rendered: 
Sep 80
Duration of the claimant's service: 
years, 5 months,  days
Rank of the claimant: 
" 
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served: 
Cp McCall, Maj'r Taylor

Period when service was rendered:
Aug '81 " 
Duration of the claimant's service: 
"  years, 3 months,  days
Rank of the claimant: 
" 
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served: 
Cp Johnson, Col Mathews
Proof by which the declaration is supported: 
no living witness nor reason why
Certificate of Clergyman and Citizen


Period when service was rendered:
78
Duration of the claimant's service: 
3 days
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served: 
Cap't Noble

Period when service was rendered:
" [78]
Duration of the claimant's service: 
1 month, 13 days
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served: 
" 

Period when service was rendered:
79
Duration of the claimant's service: 
5 months, -- days
Rank of the claimant: /
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served: 
Calhoun

Period when service was rendered:
Spring 80
Duration of the claimant's service: 
1 month

Period when service was rendered:
[??????] Jan '81
Duration of the claimant's service: 
years

Period when service was rendered:
Fall 81
Duration of the claimant's service: 
years, 3 months,  days

10.22
+5


I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 9

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1823.

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, 
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers, " all 
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who 
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to 
Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are 
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged 
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.

Four general classes are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.

As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming 
the benefit of the law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first 
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County which such applicant resides.  And every court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit to the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of} 
County of                             } ss.

On this day of  personally appeared  (a) before 
A. B. a resident (b) in the county of  and State, Territory, or District 
of  aged  (c) [blank space] years, who being first duly sworn, according to the law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed 
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with  and 
served in the  (e) regiment of the  line, under the following named officers: 

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched.  This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim  (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he 
declares that his name in not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of 
the Agency in the State of 
 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
A. B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I,  of the Court of  do hereby certify  (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said Court in the matter of the application of  for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the office  (i) this day of &c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be 
found, they will produce such proof as the rule is given in note  (j) points out. 

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers. or Militia, 
except those who belong to the New Hampshire Militia and the State Troops of Virginia, will make and 
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:

(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman residing in the  and C. D. residing in (the same) 
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has 
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier 
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then  will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby 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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate in a clergyman, resident in the 
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the 
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

I,  Clerk of the Court of  do hereby certify that the following 
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of 
for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this  day of  &c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; 
but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will the procure, if 
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light 
upon the transaction.

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will 
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful 
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
Page 10

3

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon  his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal 
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex
expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and 
there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his 
case.

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of 
service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
 troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary 
war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? 
And if a substitute, for whom?
5. 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 services.
6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, 
and what has become of it?
{To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what 
has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify 
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.

The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are 
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these person is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certifications.

The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.

Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declarations before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.

Whenever and official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.

No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before 
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the 
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, 
taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period 
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the 
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a] The declaration must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity, in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c]The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[*{* ] [d]The declarant must mention the periods of the war when he served. [*}* ]
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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 amount of pensions he is entitled. 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 following grades: --For ------year ----- months, and ----- days, I served as a -----, For ----- months and days; and for such service I claim a pension." [*}* ]

 [*}* ] It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served for two years in the militia &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.  [*}* ]
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends 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.

Proof of Service
[*{*] [j] 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 claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he 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.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. [*}* ]
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[*{*] [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration. [*}*]
Page 11

May 3, 1937

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

John Harris, S. 21808
BA-J/MCS [???]

Francis Wideman
Greer
South Carolina

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request for information in regard to 
John Harris,, a Revolutionary War soldier who lived in Abbeville 
District, South Carolina.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the 
pension claim, S.21808, based upon Revolutionary War service of
John Harris.

He was born in December, 1762, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. 
When a small boy he moved with his father (names of parents not given) 
to North Carolina and one year later he moved to Abbeville District,
South Carolina, and settled on Little River where he lived throughout 
the Revolutionary War.

He served as private with the South Carolina troops as follows:
from May 3, 1778, three days, and from May 16, 1778, three days, under 
Captain Alexander Noble; from August 28, 1778, forty-nine days under 
Captain Alexander Noble and Colonel Andrew Williamson; from February 13, 
1779, until July 15, 1779, under Captain Alexander Noble and Colonel 
Andrew Pickens and received a wound in the head in an engagement on the 
Savannah River; in the spring of 1780 he served one month under Colonel 
Pickens. From September 1, 1780, until February 15, 1781, he served as 
private under Captains McCall and Alexander Luckie of South Carolina and 
Colonel Clarke of Georgia and Colonel McCall (who was promoted from 
captain) and was in the battle of Cowpens. From August, 1781, he served 
three months in Captain Johnston's company in Colonel Sampson Mathews' 
Virginia regiment.
Page 12

John Harris was allowed pension on his application executed 
March 5, 1833, at which he was living in Pendleton, Anderson 
District, South Carolina, having moved there soon after the close 
of the Revolution.

There are no data relative to the family of John Harris.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 13

In reply to your request , received 
for a statement of the military history of  [John Harris] 
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his ([or his widow's]) application for pension 
on file in this Bureau.
[S.21,808]


Dates of enlistment or appointment: May 3, 1778
Length of service: 6 days
Rank: 
Officers under whom service was rendered:
Captain: Alexander Noble
Colonel: 
State: S.C.

Dates of enlistment or appointment: Aug. 28, 1778
Length of service: 49 days
Rank:
Officers under whom service was rendered:
Captain: "  " 
Colonel: Andrew Williamson
State: 

Dates of enlistment or appointment: Feb. 13, 1779
Length of service: 150 " 
Rank:
Officers under whom service was rendered:
Captain: "  " 
Colonel: Andrew Pickens
State: 

Dates of enlistment or appointment: Spring 1780
Length of service: 1 mo.
Rank: 
Officers under whom service was rendered:
Captain: 
Colonel: Pickens
State:

Dates of enlistment or appointment: Sept. 1, 1780
Length of service: 6 1/2 mo
Rank: 
Officers under whom service was rendered:
Captain: [*}* ] McCall, Alexander Luckie
Colonel: Clarke (of Ga.), McCall
State:

Dates of enlistment or appointment: Aug. 1781
Length of service: 3 mos
Rank: 
Officers under whom service was rendered:
Captain: Johnston
Colonel: Sampson Mathews
State: Va.

He was shot thru' the head in engagement on Savannah River.


Battles engaged in, Cowpens
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Little River, Abbeville Dist,. S. C. with his father, name not stated.
Date of application for pension, Mch.5, 1833. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Pendleton, Anderson Dist., S.C.
Age at date of application, born in Dec. 1762 on the Eastern Shore of Md.

Remarks: No family data.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner 
[com.]

6-2856
Page 14

[Ret for address] 
[Miss F. Wideman]

GREER, S.C. 
APR 7
12-M
1937

GREER, S.C.
APR 8 
5:30 PM
1937

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS

RECEIVED
APR 9 1937
[????]

Pension Department
Washington,
D.C.
Page 15


Can you send me a quotation 
showing that John Harris 
of Abbeville District, S.C. 
served in Revolution. 
He [????] a small boat on Savannah River in U.S. 
service during Rev. He may have 
enlisted from Georgia. or Edgefield Dis. S.C.
Frances Wideman, Greer, S.C.
Page 16

Thomas Wray
W. H. Wray


WRAY BROTHERS
General Merchandise and Lumber

Specialties
Fine Corn Meal
Second Growth Pine Lumber
Millers and Ginners
Long Distance Phone No. 12
Madison, Georgia

Wrayswood, Ga.

PENSION
U.   JAN. 18, 1915   S.
OFFICE

Jan. 15, 1915.
Commissioner of of Pensions
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir: --
Will you please inform me if you have any record of land having 
been granted to Captain William Saunders [neg] of the 4th Regiment of North Carolina 
line, for services during the Revolutionary War; 1777-1783. 
Or a record of any other pension having been granted him?

Also was any pension given James Harris  [neg] of the 2nd North Carolina Infantry?
I also have his Revolutionary War Record.

Also was any Pension granted John Harris who Probably enlisted from 
Abbeville District, South Carolina? Also of the Revolutionary War.

Thank you very much for the above information, I am, 
Yours Truly 
Mrs. Thomas Wray

Address,
Mrs. Thomas Wray,
Wrayswood, 
Greene County, Georgia.
Page 17


Rev. Section [???]

PENSION
U.   APR 22 1913   S.
OFFICE
Page 18

B.F. Mauldin, President
J.A. Brock, Vice Prest.

P.E. Clinkscale, Cashier
A.M. Sharpe, Asst Cashier

The Bank of Anderson
Anderson, S. C.

Capital $150,000.00
Surplus & Undivided Profits $180,000.00

April 21st 1913

To the Hon Commission
Dept of Interior
Washington, D.C..

On behalf of the Descendants 
of John Harris, a Revolutionary Soldier 
who is said to have [????] a Pension, we 
would be pleased, to get some facts in regard 
to it, which [???????] is set forth in his 
application for a Pension  He resided near Pendleton, SC.

1 Place and date of birth,
2 When and where he Volunteered, and where 
he served or fought a battle-
3 How long he served-
4 Date of Pension.

Our information is that he fought under Genl 
Andrew Pickens, whose Daughter he married.

Any information in regard to his history 
would greatly obliged us--
[?????]
Joseph N Brown
Anderson SC
Page 19

3--595.

O. W. and N. Division
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions

June 26, 1906.
Searched by Gill

Original No. 
Certificate No. 
Claimant, 
Soldier, John Harris
Service, Pnsd. from S. C.
Rev. War

Remarks: no claim as above 
except [No. 5491 & Wid 21247] [*& no 21,808*] 
no rej. claim from S. C.
Page 20


Commissioner
of Pensions
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:  Can you
send me an abstract
of the application
for pension of the
Revolutionary Pensioners
"John Harris of Anderson
Co, S. C.". who was living
in 1833 and is said to
have fought under "Col
Williamson", and also
of my daughter ancestor
"Jonathan Williamson"
of Onslow Co, N. C.
Page 21

in 1818."

Thanking you for
the courtesy I am

Yours truly
Mrs. Thos Peters
272 Forrest Ave
Atlanta 
Ga
Page 22

[*OWM*]

P.H. Mell, Ph. D.
President

Clemson Agricultural College
(State Agricultural and Mechanical College)
President's Office

Clemson College, S.C.

O. W.&  M. Div
July 11, 1906

July 9, 1906

Commissioners of pensions:
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir;

Please be so kind as to give me the Revolutionary 
services of the following persons.

John Harris of Anderson District, S.C. He is mentioned in the 
list of Revolutionary pensioners of 1840.

Capt. John Garvin of Pickens District, S.C.

John Rusk of Pickens District, S.C.

Attention to this request will greatly oblige
Very respectfully
Mrs. P. H. Mell
Regent Andrew Pickens Chapter D.A.R.
Page 23

[*Revolution*]
[*21808*]

Invalid.

File No. 21,808
John Harris
Priv Rev War

Act: June 7" 32"

Index: - Vol. 2, Page 167

[Arrangement of 1870.]

[*1906 July 16, History to
Mrs. P. H. Mell
1912 Dec. 21. To Mrs.
Thos. Peters [?]
1913 Apl. 29 History to
Joseph N. Brown [?]
1915 Jan. 21. Hist. to Mrs.
Thomas Wray. [?]
1937 May 3 hist to Frances
Widerman M. C. S.*]
Page 24

Planter & Mechanics Bank [*9*]
Charleston 2 Nov 183[?]

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Sir
I forward herewith for authority 
[???] you for payment voucher of John Harris and
Daniel Corn upon each of which there is one years
pay due

I am very Respectfully
You Ob [??]

F Lanneau
Pension Agt.
Page 25


Supplemental
Declaration of
John Harris - to
obtain pension of 1832
Page 26

South Carolina }
Anderson District }

We Joseph Van Shanklin, 
attorney at law, James McKinney Sheriff, Van 
Lawhon clerk of the Court, Matthew Burt 
Doctor of Medicine do somenly swear that 
we are well acquainted with John Harris 
Esquire: that he has long been ordinary of 
this District: that he is an ilder of the Presbyterian 
Church in good standing; that he 
has always been reputed a revolutionary 
soldier, who rendered valuable services to his 
country & suffered much: that the marks 
of his wound as described above are plainly 
to be seen: & that we believe the [??] most
[?????] [????] is due to his statements.

Sworn to in open Court }
1 Oct. 1833 }
Van A. Lawhon  }
C. C. }

Jos. V. Shanklin
Matthew Burt
James McKinney
Van A. Lawhon

I Sanford Vandiver, clergyman of the Baptist 
Church certify that I know well John Harris 
& the four citizens above named: that they are 
all of the [????] respectability, & that I certainly 
concur in the forgoing statement.

Sanford Vandiver
Page 27

and it appears to the Court as will prove the personal 
knowledge of the presiding Judge or from the information 
of these that John Harris is a citizen of the [????] 
respectability [illegible] to the fullest credit, who is without 
doubt in suspicion reputed to have been a Revolutionary 
soldier: and that Sanford Vandiver is a clergyman & 
the four [????] citizens within named are of great respectability: 
and the Court is of opinion that the said 
John Harris did serve as a soldier during the Revolutionary 
war, according this subbt[????????] rel[????]
foregoing.

J S Richardson
Presg Judge

The State of South Carolina }
Anderson District }

I Van A. Lawhorn
Clerk of the Court 
of Sessions Common Pleas for Anderson District 
do hereby certify that the foregoing sheets 
contain the original proceedings in the 
application of Jno. Harris for a pension.

Given under my hand & seal
of office in Open Court 
this 1st. October 1833 & in the 
fifty eight year of Americ[??]
Independence

Van A. Lawhorn
C. C.
Page 28

Washington [*8*]
7th Dec 1833

Sir,

I enclose the card of John
Harris, and will be much
obliged to you for anything
discusin of his card.  There 
can be no doubt of his service.
I have known him from
[a ?????] [??] infancy and the facts of his
service & wound in the cause
are known to all in that origin
of county.  He is an
excellent man; [????] &
espectable, an elder of long
standing in the Preybeterian
church, and a son in law of
the gallent genl Pickens,
whose efforts in behalf
of his country in the revolution
are to well known.

I see among the papers a
letter from Mr Patrick Noble
a son of Maj Alexander Noble
of the Revolution, which state
Page 29

[????], that may be inportant in the
[??]tablishing Mr. Harris' claim.
Mr. Noble is well known to me.
His statement may be implicats
ehind on.  No man in the
state stands higher for liberty.
He is [????] speaker of our House
of Representatives.

With great espect
I am [???]
J. C. Calhoun
Page 30

admd
16 mo 10 pri

John Harris Esqr
Anderson
S. C.
Col. Wardlaw

Hon J. C. Calhoun
Page 31

Abbeville 26 Sep 1833

Dear Sir,

I made application to Major Hamilton,
in your behalf, to furnish such information as he
possessed, to aid you in incurring a pension for
your military services in the Revolutionary 
War.  From the effects of extreme old age, his
memory is so much impaired, that he does
not now recollect persons with whom he
was once acquainted.  I furnished him with
some written questions touching your service,
and also called on him.  You will see from
the questions which I sent you, what answer 
he has made to them.  He knows nothing 
that will avail you anything.

Understanding that you had been
attached to my father's company a portion
of the time that you rendered Military
services, I examined such of his papers
as I had, & learned, from them, somethings
which may possibly refresh your own recollection 
as to dates & tour of duty.  I refer
to certain Muster Rolls & Pay Bills which
Page 32

do not appear to be in his own hand writing, nor
certified by him, but I have no doubt are
correct lists of the men on duty, and the length
of their respective true services.
The first in which I find your name (spelled
Herres) is dated 3rd May 1778 headed "2nd expedition 
dorm Savannah River, & over Cuffeetown 
- Capt Alex Nobles list of men in 
this expedition on horse back & they found
their own provisions."  In this list is the same 
John Harris & opposite wrote "served 3 days."
3rd expedition down over Turkey Creek towards 
Piney Woods house - all on horse back &
found themselves - dated 16 May1778. & 
opposite your name wrote served "3 days."
"28 August 1778.  Pay Bill of Captain
Alexander Nobles' Company of Militia on
horseback in the service of the state under 
Col. Andrew Pickers"  Opposite to your 
name is put down "6 days @ 20% = 6"
"14 Octo 1778.  Pay Bill of capt Alexr . Nobles
Company of Militia on foot in the service 
of the State of So. Ca. on duty in New P[???]
chose Georgia under Col. Andrew Williamson
opposite your name is put down "43 days"
Page 33

"3d August 1779. Pay Bill of Cap Alexr
Noble's Company of Militia on home back in
the service of the States of So Ca & Georgia
from the 13th February to 15th July following
under Col. Andrew Pickens."  Opposite from
name is written "John Harris, wounded, 150
days:" ---: There are all the times I see your
name mentioned - They show an aggregate
service of 205 days, being 7 months & 25 days

I have been this minute in giving you all the
information in my power to enable you to obtain
a pension which I know you richly
deserve, & if the documents
to which I have referenced
will be of any advantage to you, the [????]
of them is entirely at your service.

I am with regard

Yours truly

Patrick Noble
Page 34

The State of South Carolina}
Anderson District}

On this 5th day of March 1833 personallty
appeared before the Honorable Josiah J EVans the
presiding Judge in the Court of Common Pleas
and General Sessions, being a Court of Record
John Harris Esq. resided in Anderson District
in the state aforesaid aged seventy years,
who being duly sworn according to law, doth
on his oath make the following declaration,
in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions
made by the Act of Congress passed June 7th
1832 - That on or about the   1778
this deponent joined Capt. Alexander Noble's
Company of Militia in Col. Williamson's Regiment
and marched into the state of Georgia
to aid the citizens of that state against
the the indians on which service the Regiment
were absent as he believes about three
months - That after their return from
Georgia the same Regiment was ordered to
Charleston for the relief of that place
beseiged by the enemy, that before they
reached that place they received intelligence
that Charleston had surrendured to British,
and the Regiment returned to Abbeville
District - that he was then stationed as
one of a guard under Lieut. Jos. Colhoun
at M. Goeven's Block [Block] House for the
Page 35

protection of the frontiers for about two months
That he was one of a detachment who pursued a
Col. Boyd with his Regiment of Tories into the
State of Georgia with whom they were engaged
for more than two hours - That as they engag[??]
the deponent was severly wounded in the head - 
That in September 1780 this deponent joined
Capt M.Call and marched to Augusta
when M.Call was promoted to the rank
of Colonel, Samuel Taylor appointed Major
and Alexander Luckie Capt of the Company
in which thy deponent served - that
the British Army in Augusta being reinforced
they were compelled to give the sign -
that M.Call with the regiment marched
into North Carolina and joined the
army under General Morgan, was in
the battle at the Cow Pens when Tarleton
was defeated - That he quit the Army
on February following - That he served
about five months in the periods above
stated under M.Call-

That on or about August 1781 this
deponant joined Capt [????????] Company
of Militia in the State of Virginia, on Col.
Sampson Mathews Regiment and joined the
Army under Genl Layafayette, that he
was detached with a party to a[????]
some of the wounds of the American
Army, and was not persent at the capture
Page 36

of Cornwallis - That he was about three months
in the service at thy [????] - That he afterwards
[????] to Augusta County in the State 
of Virginia -

I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to
a pension on annuity except the present, and
declare that my name is not on the Pension
Roll of the agency of any state-

In answer to the first interogatory,
I was born on the Eastern Shore of Maryland
on or about Dec 1762 -

In answer to the second - There was a
record of my birth which, I believe, was burnt
in a house accidently destroyed by fire-

In answer to the third - I lived with my
father in Abbeville District when I first
turned out in defense of my country - 
That I continued to live in Abbeville for several
years after the close of the war of the
Revolution when I moved to Pendleton and
I have lived ever since. -  

In answer to the 4th and 5th interrgatories 
in my general Declaration -

In answer to the 6th I do not recollect
having received a discharge after any
period of my service as above stated -

John Harris


In open Court
5th March 1833
Van A. Lawhorn
Page 37

We Sanford Vandiver a clergyman residing in Anderson
District and Robert Anderson residing in Pickens
District, hereby certify that we are well acquainted
with John Harris who has subscribed and sworn to
the precedeing  Declaration, that we believe him to be
seventy years of age; that he is respected and believed,
in the neighborhood where he resides, to have 
been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur
in that opinion

Sanford Vandiver
R Anderson
In open Court
5th March 1833
Van A Lawhorn

And the said Court do hereby declare their
opinion, after the investigation of the matter and off
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 Sanford Vandiver who has
required the precedeing certificate, is a Clergyman
resident in Anderson District and Robert
Anderson who has also signed the same is
resident in Pickens District and is a credible
person, and that their statement is entitled 
to credit -
Josiah J Evans
Residing Judge
5 March 1833

I Vann A Lawhorn Clerk of the Court of Anason
District, do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings in the matter of
the application of John Harris for a Pension

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of office this 5th day of March
1833-  Van A Lawhorn
CC