Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15165, Daniel Harrison, Conn.
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Conn.   Harrison, Daniel S16165.              Carded
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17.688

Connecticut

Daniel Harrison
of Cornwall in the State of Conn
who was a pri in the comp commanded by Captain ______ of the Regt commanded by Col Gay in the Conn St. Troops for 5 mo 25 days

Inscribed on the roll of Con at the rate of 22 Dollars 55 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of Sept 1833 and sent George Wheaton Cornwall CT

Arrears to the 4th of Sept $56.65
Semi anl allowance ending Mar 4 '34 11.33
_
$67.98

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7 1832.

Recorded by E D Bullark Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 19

Letter to Pen agt 13 Nov 1837
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
State of Connecticut
County of Litchfield} Js
On this 14th day of August 2832 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate for the District of Litchfield now sitting Daniel Harrison a resident of Cornwall in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut aged 81 years and 6 months 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 act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated (vis) that about the 20th day of June 1776 he enlisted as a private and served in a Company of Volunteers commanded by Edward Nagers as Capt. Hamblin first Leiut and Wm Audress [illegible] Leiut W, Hindman was Ensign, Joshua Parmerly first Sergeant Mr Avery Second Sergeant and Mr Williams was the third Sergeant that said Company was annexed to a Regiment commanded by Mr Gay first Colo W Hart Second Colo and W Holt major, that he continued in the service untill the first of January 1777 making six months and a third of a month, that he was discharged at a place called North Castle near Sing Sing on the Hudson River in the State of New York but has no recollection of receiving a written
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discharged that at the time he enlisted he resided in the town of Cornwall in said Litchfield County where he had resided ever since. That he marched from said town int he first place to the city of New York from there he marched on to Long Island at which place he was in an engagement with the enemy. From there he reversed in the night to the City of New York and northerly of the city was in another battle near Turtle Bay. From there to White Plains and was in the battle, fought at the place, afterwards at the time the enemy came to Danbury in Connecticut and destroyed the public stores he volunteered to drive the British back and was in the battle fought during the retreat of the enemy and continued in this service about two weeks, afterwards in the month of June in the year 1779 he was drafted as a Corporal from a militia company commanded by Capt Buel to go to Horseneck for six weeks, that he commenced the attack with the company but in consequence of his family being sick he employed a substitute who served during the remainder of said term. Mr. Hagerboom was the Lieut in this company. That he was born in the town of Branford in the County of New Haven and supposed his birth is recorded on Branford town records in the year 1750 February 2nd.
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He has no documentary evidence of his service, & knows of no other evidence of his service that he can procure, except the affidavits of Septha Merrill & of Oliver Burnham which are sent herewith & substantiate his statement.
He is known to George Wheaton Esq & Philo Kellogg Esq of Cornwall Connt who can testify to his character for truth & to their belief of his services.
He hereby relinquishes every claim to any pension or annuity whatever except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Daniel Harrison

Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid before
Frederick Wolcott, Judge of Probate, District of Litchfield, State of Conn.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states.
Frederick Wolcott, Judge of Probate, District of Litchfield, state of Connecticut

I Phinehas Miner Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Daniel Harrison for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 14th day of August AD 1832.
Phinehas Miner Clerk
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We, Walter Smith a clergyman, residing in the town of Cornwall in the county of Litchfield & state of Connecticut, & Elias Hart presiding in the same town of Cornwall, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Mr Daniel Harrison, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 82 years of age; that he is reputed & believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion. We also certify that said Harrison is a gentleman of good character for truth & integrity.
Walter Smith
Elias Hart

Sworn & subscribed this 27th day of May 1833.
Frederick Wolcott, Judge of Probate Litchfield District, Connt.

And 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 & served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Walter Smith, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in said town of Cornwall and that Elias Hart, who has also signed the same, is a resident in said town of Cornwall, and is a credible person, & that their statement is entitled to credit.
Frederick Wolcott, Judge of Probate Litchfield District, State of Connecticut

I Phinehas Miner, Clerk of the Court of Probate in & for the District & in the county of LItchfield do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Daniel Harrison to a pension, In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 27th day of May 1833.
Phinehas Miner, Clerk
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5615

Daniel Harrison

bue 24 private

22.66

George Wheaton
Cornwall
Con
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office,
April 6, 1833

Sir: The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are 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 show 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, showing the Service of Daniel Harrison, Cont
[column titles]
Period when the service was rendered
Duration of the claimant's service
Rank of the claimant
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served
Names and Rank of the General and Field Officers
Battles in which the applicant was engaged
Country through which he marched
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period
Evidence by which the declaration is supported
June 1776 
6 months 10 days, 
Private, 
Cap Rogers, 
Col Gay, 
Battles of L. Island, Turtle Bay, White Plains, marched through Cornwall, N. York
Abode when served Cornwall
81 years old
Evidence - 2 witnesses

1779
[crossed out "1 month 14 days corpl"]
Employ a Substitute
Cap Buel
None
None

I am, respectfully,
your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

-no Clergyman certificate
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2
Regulations Under the Act of June 7, 1832
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 the 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 person 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 of cases 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 regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians 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 where 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 of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. 
State, Territory, or District of... 
County of...
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank]
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3
{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 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 proposed 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 he 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 persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
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 genera, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration 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 any 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 service, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
____________
(a) The declarant 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 period or 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 a 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 pension 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 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."
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 pensions 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 two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their services. This form of a 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 place 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.
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[typed]  From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 16165, it appears that Daniel Harrison was born February 2, 1750 at Branford, New Haven County.
While residing at Cornwall, Litchfield County, Connecticut, he enlisted June 20, 1776 and served in January 1777 as a private in Captain Edward Rogers' Company, Colonel Gay's Connecticut Regiment, and was in the battles of Long Island, one near Turtle Bay, and White Plains; afterwards served two weeks, and was in the battle when Danbury
3-
was burned. [in pencil no officers stated]
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 14, 1832, at which time he was living at Cornwall, Connecticut
 [pencil initials on top wvs]
[pencil written  on the side soubstree Dala]
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Rev. War Section

October 3, 1912.

G. B. Beach, D. D. S.
516 B. A. & K. Building
Syracuse, N. Y.

Sir:
In reply to your letter dated the 23rd and received the 28th ultimo, relative to the claim of Daniel Harrison, Sur. File No. 15,165, Rev. War, you are advised that in his application for pension, sworn to and signed before the Judge of Probate on August 144, 1832, he stated "That he was born in the town of Branford, in the county of New Haven, and supposed his birth is recorded on Branford town Records in the year 1750, February 2d."
The date of soldier's death is unknown, and this Bureau has no means of ascertaining the same, but the last payment of his pension was made to his attorney, V. Clark, in March, 1836, at which time the pensioner resided at Cornwell, Connecticut.

Very Respectfully,
J. L. Davenport
Commissioner.
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I Oliver Burnham of Cornwall of Lawfull age depose and say that I am well acquainted with Mr. Daniel Harrison of Cornwall and was acquainted with him during the Revolutionary War and know that the said Daniel Harrison was in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War that he served in a Company commanded by Capt Edward Rogers of said town of Cornwall and from an examination of said Capt Rogers Pay Roll which I have examined it appears that said Harrison received in May for his services the sum of twelve pounds, thirteen shillings, and four pence being the pay for six months and one third of a month services, that I see the said Harrison when he was in the city of New York and on Long Island during his service.
Oliver Burnham

Litchfield County ss. Cornwall  August 10th 1832
Personally appeared Oliver Burnham Esq to me known as a creditable witness and made oath to the truth of the facts by him subscribed before me. 
George Wheaton Justice of the Peace
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I Jeptha Merrils of Cornwall Litchfield county, state of Connecticut aged 75 years being duly sworn, depose and say that I was acquainted with Daniel Harrison [crossed out "before"] of said town of Cornwall, before the Revolutionary War & have been well acquainted iwth him ever since that time. In May or June (I am not certain of which) 1776 I enlisted into Capt Stephen Goodwin's company Col Gay's Regt Connecticut State troops. I well remember that the abovenamed Harrison was at the same time engaged in the service of the United States in Capt Roger's Compy in the same Regt. Col Gay died in New York after we crossed once to Long Island, & Lieut Col Hart then took the command. We were engaged in several battles with the enemy viz at Flatbush Long Island, at New York near Turtle Bay, & at White Plains. Mr. Harrison was present & engaged in those battles. He was engaged at that time in the service of the United States six months or longer. I testify the above facts from my personal knowledge.
Jeptha Merrils

Litchfield County
ss Litchfield August 14th 1832
When personally appears Jeptha Merrils to me known as a credible witness & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him in my presence subscribed.
Before me
Origen S Seymour
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I Frederick Wolcott, Clerk of the County Court within + for the County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut certify that George Wheaton + Origen S. Seymour Esquire were at the date of the within certificates which purported to be signed by them [illegible] & that they now are now Justices of the peace within for said County & that the within signatures which purport to be theirs respectively are genuine, & their proper hand writing. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the Seal of said Court on this 14th day of August AD 1832.
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk
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[left side]
Juar. 1. 1907 Aud. for Int. Dept. for date of death, last payment of pension and to whom paid. VLM
1912 Sept. 21 Hist. to G.B. Beach  from card catalogue
1912 Oct. 3 G.B. Beach advised date of death unknown [illegible]
" " last payment of pension
___________________________________________
1928 Sept 6 Tombstone Date to Chas. R. Hale. See letter in Rev. Abel Avery W. 23476 [initials] EW
[right side]
15165 INVLAID
File No. 15.165
Daniel Harrison
Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:-Vol. 1, Page 164
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 17

Pension Agency
Hartford Nov 8 1857 [?]

Sir
In compliance with your directions under date of the 4th instant I transmit a Statement shewing [sic] the balance of funds on hand and the amount due each class of pensioners
I also herewith transmit the claims of Ebenezer Lawson-Johns Fullerton-John Fuller + Heirs of Daniel Harrison died for special directions 
authorizing the payment
I am very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
Sam L Pitkin
Agent

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

[written on side of first paragraph] taken out
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Held on Desk
3-397.
(Old No. 3-399.)
O.W. and N. Div Division.
V.L.K., Ex'r.
S. File  No. 15/165 
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D.C. March 1, 1907

Daniel Harrison
Revolutionary War
Sir: For the use in the above-entitled claim for pension, you are requested to furnish this Bureau with a report of the case of Daniel Harrison pensioned under the Act June 7, 1832 by certificate No. 17688, Connecticut Agency, showing date of death, date of last payment of pension, and to whom paid. (Certificate issued Sept. 13, 1833)
Very Respectfully,
V. Warren
Commissioner
[written lightly in pencil] [illegible] Mch 36 for 1-36
[illegible] E [illegible] 482
THE AUDITOR FOR THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT
Treasury Department
[stamp] OFFICE OF AUDITOR FOR INTERTIOR DEPT. MAR 2 1907
Pension Division
[stamp] PENSION OFFICE U.S. MAR 4 1907
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[Treasury Department Seal] OFFICE OF AUDITOR FOR INTERIOR DEPARTMENT

TRESASURY DEPARTMENT
Washington, March 2nd 1907

The Commissioner of Pensions,
Sir: In reply to your letter of 1st inst. in the case of Daniel Harrison, Rev. War, Act 1832. Certificate #17.688 Hartford, Conn, Agency, you are informed that, according to the latest account rendered by the U.S. Pension Agent, the records of this office show last payment to have been made at $22.66 per 12 months to 4 March 1836 in March 1836. Payment was made to V. Clark, Atty for the pension, who has resided in Cornwall, Litchfield, C. Conn. for seventy years and previously in Branford, New Haven Co. The date of death is unknown.
Letter herewith returned
W. Respectfully,
Robert S. Person
Auditor
[stamp] PENSION OFFUCE U>S> H MAR 4 1907
[signature] J. H. Hel
Deputy Auditor
6
Form 3377 Feb. 16-07 [illegible]
Page 20

G. B. BEACH, D.D.S.
518 B.A.K. BLDG.
Syracuse, N.Y.

Sept. 13, 1912

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:-
will you please give me the records of Daniel Harrison of Cornwall Litchfield Co. Conn. and also of John Beach. Goshen Conn. during the revolution. Thanking you
Yours Truly
G.B. Beach

GBB/W

G. B. BEACH, D.D.S.
518 B.A.K. BLDG
SYRACUSE, N.Y.

Set, 23, 1912
commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Sear Sir:-
I received your letter of Sept. 21 and the date of birth of Daniel Harrison does not correspond to the date I have from another source . Which gives it Feb. 12, 1761. Can you therefore give me the date of his death that I may prove my case?
Yours Truly
G.B. Beach
[postal stamp] PENSION OFFICE U.S. SEP 28 1912