Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16815, Henry Harding, Penn
Page 1

(6-1776) 

Service

Penn

Harding, Henry 
Atwater, Hannah 
Former Widow 

Number

W. 16815
Page 2

Letter to W. Sisson 6, Aug, 1840 
Dead

Paid at the Treasury under the act of 6th of April 1838 from the 4th of Sept 1840 to the 4th of March 1841. Aq 1- nolif(?) at April 29th 1842

Albany 3,312

Hannah Atwater, who was widow of Henry Harding 
Who died in the year 1794

Of Wayne Co, in the State of N. York 

Who was a Private in the company commanded 
By Captain Durkie of the eighth commanded
By ____ in the 
Time for 1 year Pa


Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
At the rate of 40 Dollars ---- cents per annum
To commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 


Certificate of pension issued the 9 day of May 
1840 and sent to Wm. Sisson 
Lyons, N.Y. 

Arrears to the 4th of March 1840 
Semi-annual allowance ending Sep

360.00
20.00
_________
_________
380.00 

{Revolutionary Claim, 
Act July 4, 1836
Section the B. (?)  
Backtrack 1837}


Recorded by D Brown Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 2 Page 103
Page 3

4339 

Married 29 Feb 1776
Husband died 1794

On roll of Capt Rob Durkie
Capt Robert Durkie

Admitted 
Private 12 months 

Wm Sisson Esq
Lyons 
New York
Page 4

State of New York 
Wayne County  } (?) On this nineteenth day of January 1839, Personally appeared before Daniel Poppino Esquire a Judge of the County Courts of the said County of Wayne, Hannah Atwater a resident of the town of Williamson in the County of Wayne and State of New York, aged Eighty Five years Eleven months and Twenty five days, who being first duly sworn according to the Law, doth on her Oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by Congress passed July 4, 1836 and the Act explanatory of said Act passed March 3 1837: That she was married to Henry Harding who was a soldier of the revolution in the Pennsylvania line on the Continental establishment; that he enlisted at Wilsbarre in the State of Pennsylvania in a Company commanded by Captain Robert Durgee belonging to the Regiment under the command of Col Durgee in the Autumn of 1776; that he left Wilksbarre on the first day of January 1777 with his Company to join the army under General Washington then in New Jersey, that he continued with the army in New Jersey until March 1777 when he returned on furlong to Kingston in Pennsylvania and continue three weeks (?) when he again returned to his Company; that he again came home in the Autumn of 1777 and continued (?) a few days when he returned to his company; that her husband continued with his Company in New Jersey and she did not see him again until after the massacre at Wyoming; that she had continued at Kingston until after the defeat of Col Zebulon Butler on the third day
Page 5

Of July 1778 when she left Kingston in company with her widowed mother (her father having been killed the engagement with Brittish and Indians while fighting under Col Butler) one brother in his fifteenth year to sisters and several neighbors who started on foot for the nearest eastern settlement then nearly forty miles distant, having no teams or horses she was compelled to carry her child then fifteen months old and provisions (?); that before they got through the forest, her husband overtook her (his Company having been ordered from New Jersey with the troops to reinforce the garrison at Wilksbarre, but did not arrive until after the surrender of the forts)  with three horses and two loaves of bread; that her husband accompanied them one day when he returned to his Company at Strouds tavern about forty miles below Wilksbarre where the troops were ordered to halt on receiving the news by express of the disaster at Wilksbarre; that on his return to his company then commanded by Capt. Syman Spalding, Captain Durgee having returned home a few days previous and was killed in the battle with the Indians while fighting under Col. Zebulon Butler; that she continued her journey with her mother and family towards Connecticut travelling but slowly, and about twenty miles East of the north river she again met her husband who had been to Connecticut on Continental business, who was then returning to his Company at Wilksbarre, she returned with her husband to his brothers in Orange County New York where her husband left her for his Company and in January 1779 her husband came after her and she returned with him
Page 6

To Wilksbarre where he again joined his Company then she thinks under the Command of Col. Zebulon Butler; that her husband continued with his Company at Wilksbarre until the summer of 1779 when his Company was ordered to join the army of Gen. Sullivan and he was marched into the Indian Country under that General and returned to Wilksbarre in the month of October 1779 with some prisoners retaken from the Indians which had been placed under his charge; General Sullivan's army returned soon after; that her husband remained with his Company at Wilksbarre till some time in the Autumn of 1781 when he hired as a substitute a Mr. Smith and received a regular discharge; that the said discharge has been lost or destroyed and that she has no documentary evidence in support of her claim. She further declares that she was married to the said Henry Harding on the 29th of February 1776 at her fathers (Constant Searle's) house in Kingston, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, by the Reverend Jacob Johnson a minister of the Presbyterian order, and that her husband the aforesaid Henry Harding died at Minisink, Orange County, State of New York in the month of September 1794 in the forty second year of his age; that she soon after removed again to the State of Pennsylvania and was married in the town of Providence in said state on the third day of December 1797 to Benjamin Atwater and removed with him to the town of Williamson (now) Wayne County in the State of New York in the year 1805, and that her said husband Benjamin Atwater died on the eleventh day of June 1825; and that she was a widow on the 4th day
Page 7

Of July 1836 and still remains a widow, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto answered. She further saith that she does not know of any record of her marriage in existence, other than a memorandum in her  possession written by her brother many years since and who is now dead. (signature: Hannah Atwater) 

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written before me, I certify that the word brothers in 3 (illegible) the bottom on the second page was written on (illegible) before execution and I do further certify that the above named defendant Hannah Atwater who has a subscriber and sworn to the above declaration cannot from bodily infirmity attend any court of (illegible) in the said county of Wayne to make her declaration and I further certify that I have been personally acquainted with the said Hannah Atwater for about thirty one years (illegible) and that during all that time she has sustained fair reputation for truth (illegible) ampersand integrity and I believe her statements entitled to full credit. 

Daniel Poppino
Judge Wayne County
Page 8

State of New York
Wayne County
on the twenty first day of January 1830 i personally came before Daniel Poppino a judge of the county courts of the County of Wayne. Benjamin Atwater who being duly sworn according to law saith Benjamin Atwater the husband of Hannah Atwater of the town of Williamson in the said county of Wayne died on the eleventh day of June in the year 1825, and that said Hannah Atwater has continued unmarried since the death of her said husband and is now a window.
Benjamin Atwater

affirmed to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me and I further certify that i have been personally acquainted with the said Benjamin Atwater for thirty years last past and that during all that time he has sustained a fair reputation forthwith and I believe him entitled to full credit. 
Daniel Poppino 
Judge Wayne County

State of New York
County of Wayne
I certify that Daniel Poppino was a judge of the county courts duly appointed and authorized to take the above affidavit at the date of the same and that his signatures to the two affidavits above written are genuine. In testimony whereof I have heresoto set my hand and official seal this second day of February 1839
Cullen Foster Clerk Wayne County
Page 9

State of New York
Albany County

Ruth Dayton wife of Nathan Dayton of the town of Rensselaerville County and State aforesaid being by my duly sworn deposes and says that she the deponent was born in the town of Preston in the State of Connecticut and resided there untill she was to the best of her recollection about Eight or ten years of age when she removed with her parents to Kingstown in the State of Pennsylvania when she remained she thinks about four years untill after the Capture of the Fort (commonly called Wyoming) in which engagement her Father was killed, when she the deponent returned with her Mother to Stonington in the State of Connecticut.  That she the deponent had a sister by the name of Hannah Searle, who was as the deponent thinks about fourteen or fifteen years older than herself.  That her said sister-Hannah was married during the residence of the said deponent at Kingstown to a man by the name of Henry Harding that she the deponent distinctly recollects being at the Wedding at her Fathers house and that she was married by a Clergyman by the name of Jacob Johnson of Wilkes Barre of the State of Pennsylvania recollects she was married in the Winter Season but does not recollect the Month or Year, but thinks it was about two years before she the deponent returned to Connecticut during which time she frequently saw her and her husband.  That she the deponent is now about
Page 10

Seventy two years of Age according to the record now in her possession.  And further this deponent saith not
Ruth Dayton (hand written)

Sworn and Subscribed
this first day of October
1838 before me
John Niles
a Judge of Albany County Courts

I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above deponent and know her to be a credable person and entitled to full belief.

John Niles
a Judge of Albany County Courts

State of New York
Albany County
I Henry B. Haswell Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that John Niles before whom the proceeding affidavit proports to have been sworn and whose name is subscribed to the certificate of credibility was on the day of the date of the same a Judge of Albany County Courts.  That I am acquainted with his hand writing and believe his signatures to be genuine

In Testimony where as I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of the said County this fifth day of October 1838.
H. B. Haswell  Clerk
Page 11

State of New York
Orange County
On the fifth day of October 1838 before the undersigned first Judge of Orange County came Avis Wood who being first duly sworn doth depose that she is of the age of fifty one years last October the 27th day that she is the daughter of Henry Harding & Hannah Atwater.  That her father died of some fever in the month of September or October in the year one thousand [eight crossed out] seven hundred & ninety four that Mr Montania a Baptist preacher since dead preached the funeral service that her father died in the town of Minisink in said county and was buried in the Dolson town burying yard in the same town
Avis Wood
The word "eight" erased and 
"seven" inserted before
signing

Sworn & subscribed the day & year first above written before me
H W Elliott first
Judge of Orange Com Pleas

I hereby certify that I am well ac-
quainted with Avis Wood above named & that she is a woman of truth & of undoubted credibility
 
H W Elliott  first 
Judge of Orange Com Pleas

State of New York
Orange County
I Albert S. Benton Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Orange Do hereby Certify that Horace W Elliott before whom the foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn and who subscribed the foregoing Certifi-cate, was at the time of taking the same a Judge
Page 12

of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Judge and verity believe that the signature to the said affidavit & certificate is genuine.  In witness Where of, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County the fifth day of October 1838

A. S. Benton
Clerk
Page 13

State of New York
Wayne County
William Jackway of Palmyra in said County being duly sworn deposeth and saith that previous to the Revolutionary war so called he was acquainted with Henry Harding.  That the said Henry Harding lived in Lackawanna Luzerne County Pennsylvania that some time previous to the commencement of the year 1777 and as this deponent believes about two years before the massacre at Wyoming in July 1778 the said Henry Harding enlisted in the continental service in a company commanded by Capt. Robert Durgee of Wilkesbarre Pennsylvania who commanded a company under Col Durgee and that the said Henry Harding marched with the company of the said Capt. Robert Durgee to new jersey.  From New Jersey the said Capt Robert Durgee's company went under the direction of General Washington to Wyoming in Pennsylvania and arrived there immedi-ately after the Indian battle in 1778.  At this place Col. Zebulon Butler took the command.  About this time Capt. Durgee was killed then the companies of the said Robert Durgee and Capt Ransom were united in one company and Capt Simon Spaulding took the command of them and the said Henry Harding and this deponent were in the company together under the said Simon Spaulding.  Said company remained at Wilkesbarre until Gen Sullivan came on to the march into the Indian country.  The said company then went under the command of General Sullivan and marched with him through the western country as far as Genisee river.  Then the said company returned
Page 14

Gen. Sullivan to Wilkesbarre Penn when Col. Zebulon Butler took the command of then said company remained at Wilkesbarre nearly or quite three years the precise time dont recollect .   at this place said company was stationed to guard the frontier as it was then called.  During all this time the said Henry Harding remained with the said company and when said company was ordered from this place the said Henry Harding procured a substitute.  In consequence of this great length of time since the foregoing events took place this deponent is unable to recollect all the particulars as to time and place but is positive that the said Henry Harding served in the continental service for at least four years

his
William X Jackway
mark

Subscribed and
Sworn to this 21st day
of January 1839
before me
Fredk Smith.  Supreme Court Commissioner
A. W. Stoddard Witness

I do hereby certify that for twenty five years past I have been, and am now acquainted with the said William Jackway and that his character for truth and veracity is good, and that from age and blindness he is unable to write his name
Fredk Smith
Supreme Court
Commissioner
Page 15

State of New York
County of Wayne   
I certify that Frederick Smith before whom the affidavit above written purportz to have been sworn onhose signature appears to the above [affidavit-crossed out] certificate was at the date of the [illegible] of said affidavit a Supreme Court Commissioner in and for said county duly appointed and qualified and that his signatures above written are genuine and that he was authorised to take said affidavits were under my hand and official seal this Second day of February A.D. 1839

Cullen Foster Clerk
Wayne County.
Page 16

(copy)

Commonwealth of Penna.
Luzerne County:
Before the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in and for said county, personally came John Dorrance of the Burrough of Willkesbarre in said County to me well know, Pastor of Presbyterian Church at Wilkesbarre in said County which was formerly connected with 
at Kingston also in said County adjoining said Wilkesbarre, said Dorrance being duly sworn says he as Pastor of said Churches has made diligent search among the records of said churches, and cannot find among said records any account or record kept by Jacob Johnson formerly Pastor of said Churches or any Pastor before this time, or any memorandum or record kept by any one of the Marriage of Henry Harding with Hannah Searles who are said to have been married by said Jacob Johnson, Also said Dorrance says he has no knowledge of any records of marriages having been kept in said Churches prior to 1806.
John Dorrance Pastor
of the Church of 
Wilkesbarre, formerly
including that of Kingston
Luzerne County:  the within affidavit as written purports was duly taken down & sworn to by & before (me) as the same purports.  Witness my name & seal January 15, A.D. 1840
Thomas Dyer Jus Peace
Page 17

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County }
On the 26th day of November A. D. 1839
Before A. C. Phillips a Justice of the Peace in and for said County came Benjamin Perry Esquire, of the age of fifty years and upwards, to me personally known who after being duly sworn says that between forty and fifty years ago, he knew the Reverend Jacob Johnson then a resident of Wilkes Barre, and that considered report said that he was a Presbyterian Clergyman of regular standing and further saith not.

Benjamin Perry

Sworn and subscribed before me
A. C. Phillips  Jus. Peace

Luzerne County
on the 26th day of November A. D. 1839.  Before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for said county Erastus Hill, of the said county, of the age of Forty five years and upwards to use the said Justice Personally known; as a person of truth and respectability, who after being duly sworn says that he has made diligent searches to find some public record of the fact that a certain Jacob Johnson, a resident of Wilkesbarre in said county say forty years since; was a regular clergy, but has been unable to find any, although common report given that character, further saith not.

Erastus Hill

 Sworn & subscribed before [illegible].  A. C. Phillips J. P.
Page 18

Luzerne County

I Jasper Fassett Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County do certify that the within named Alva C Phillips is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Luzerne, and was at the time of signing the written affidavits and full credence may be had in all his acts as such officer of Justice, The testimony whereof I do this 16th day of November 1839 place my hand and affix the seal of Court
November 26, A. D. 1839

Jasper Fassett Prot
By Charles Denison

Luzerne County
On the 15th day of [illegible]. A. D. 1840, before the subscriber is Justice of the Peace for said County came Alvah C. Phillips of Wyoming in said County to me personally known, of the age of forty years and upwards soho after being duly sworn says that he has personally known Martha Myers who has [illegible] and subscribed the within affidavit, for the last twenty years and more, and that she is a person of truth and veracity.

Alvah C. Phillips

Sworn & subscribed before me

Moses Vaughn
Page 19

Commonwealth Pennsylvania
Luzerne County
I Isaac Bauman  Registrar from the Pudiste of Wills and [illegible] Letters of Administration, And Residence of lands.  In and for said County,
[illegible] certify that diligent leaveth has been made in both of this offices and no Record can be found of the marriage of Henry Harding to Hannah Soules.  And I [illegible] certify that it appears from the old records that there was very few, if any records went kept of [Marriage- crossed out] Marriages at that time.

In testimony where of I have [illegible] use to let my Hand.  And Lists of the Said officer at Wilkesbarre this thirteenth day of January A. D. 1840.
Isaac Bawman Reg. & Recn
Page 20

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Luzerne County'

I Justice Fassett Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas 
fir and for said County do hereby certify that there is no record of marriages kept in this office to my knowledge.  In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court the 13th day of January A. D. 1840
Jasper Fassett Proty
By S. Vaughin [Vaughn]
Page 21

Rev. WIDOW, &c.

File No. 16,815

Hannah Atwater
Widow of
Henry Harding
Pri Rev Wa.

Act:  July 4th 36
Index:--Vol.  A, Page 21

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 22

N. York
Hannah Atwater
let. to; Sesson 1 July 1839

Act July 1836
Page 23

J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions

Washington City  D. C.
Page 24

J. L. Edwards Esq
Dear Sir,

In your letter of July 1, 1839 on the subject of the application of Wid. Hannah Atwater, who was first the widow of Henry Harding for a pension, you say, "The proof in relation to the date of the claimants marriage is not satis-factory.  If no record hereof can be found, that fact should be established by the testimony of credible witness, who can of his own knowledge specify the date."
No other objection to her claim, was stated & I presume none exist.

In addition to the proof sent with her Declaration
of her marriage with Henry Harding.  I now send to you several affidavits & which I think will prove to you satisfaction, this marriage & that there is no record of it.

The affdt. of John Dorrance, the Pastor of the Churches over which the Rev. Jacob Johnson (who married therein) was formerly Pastor, is difficult to read, & to adjust you, I have copied it 
 so far as I can read it, & have attached the copy to the original.  It lacks the Clerk's Certificate of the official character of the Justice, but as it is of a negative character, I said it, presuming it will answer, as there is clear proof of the marriage.  It requires much time and expense to procure depositions from a broad, & it is difficult to get the business done right.  Much delay has already taken place & the widow is in want.  But if the Clerks Certificate must be obtained please to return the affidavit & I will try to procure it, I however trust you will not require it.  Please [illegible] the Pension Certificate to me soon as possible.  I am respectfully yours.

Wm. Sisson
Yours N. Y. February 15. 1840
Page 25

June 24 1840 (sideways)
NY
H. Atwater

S. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

(Circular stamp partially illegible - looks like it says Jun.  NY)

(several other illegible handwritten words written upside down)
Page 26

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Comm. of Pensions

Dear Sir,
A pension certificate for $40 per annum, date (illegible) 9th 1840, under cut of July 4, 1836, to Hannah Atwater, as widow of Henry Harding, has been sent to me.  She is dissatisfied with the amount and claims that she is entitled to a full pension, and the proof / the affidavit of Mr. Jack....(ineligible) seems to her, to be conclusive in favor of a full pension _ will you please review the case and see if the proof does not justly entitle her to a full pension, and if you still think it does not, then, please, to let me know for what for services and when performed, the certificate of $40, has been granted, so that she may, if she can, look at further proof of the other services of Harding, with a view to having her pension increased.  Please to let me hear from you (illegible) this subject as soon as convenient & oblige

Your Ob(?) Servt.
Wm. Sifson
Lyons N.Y. June 19 1840

P.S. Is there money appropriated for paying pensions (illegible) since 4th March last ?   And can the money be drawn before 4th Sept. next?
Can Mrs. Atwater drew her money before the 4th of September next, her certificate being dated 9th
May 1840


W.S.
Page 27

Commonwealth of Penna. [Pennsylvania]
Luzerne County:
Before the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in [aforesaid] county, personally came John Dorrance of the Burough of Willkesbarre [Wilkes-barre] in said County [illegible] well know. Pastor Presbyterian Church at Wilkesbarre in said  County which was formerly connected with [illegible] church at Kingston also in said County adjoining [illegible} Wilkesbarre [illegible] Dorrance being duly sworn say, he [illegible] Pastor of said Churches. has made [illegible] search among the records of said churches, [illegible] cannot find according [illegible] [illegible crossed out word] [illegible] records any [illegible] or record kept by [illegible Jacob] Johnson formerly Pastor of [illegible] Churches, or of any Pastor before this time or any memorandum or record kept by any one of the Marriage of Henry Harding with Hannah Searles who are said to have been married by said Jacob Johnson, Also said] Dorrance say he has no knowledge of any records of marriages having been kept in said Churches prior to 1806.

Sworn and subscribed Jan. 14, AD 1840 before me Thomas Dyer [illegible]
John Dorrance Pastor
of the Church of
Wilkesbarre, formerly
[illegible] that of Kingston
Page 28

Luzerne County: [illegible] within affidavit written purports was duly (further) [illegible] sworn to by & before [illegible] purports. [illegible line]  January 15, A.D. 1840
Thomas Dyer Jus [illegible] 

Affidavit, J Dorrance Minister)
Page 29

Top writing is going left to right with a round stamp in center of it.  

Feb 24 1840

Round stamp  LYON N Y  Feb 17

addl proof

Hannah Atwater

In middle of page writing is vertical  it reads   
J.L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Above Esquire is a stamp that read FREE
Page 30

Treasury Department
Second Comptroller's Office
April 11th, 1842

Sir:
Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The Executors of Hannah Atwater, (inserted - "dec....late") a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany NY Agency, at the rate of Forty Dollars and --- Cents per annum, under the law of the 4th July 1836, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept, 1840, to the 4th March 1841.

Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 31

(Envelope)

J.L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Page 32

J. L. Edwards, Esq
Dear Sir,
Inclosed I send you the Declaration & papers of Hannah Atwater a widow (formerly wife & widow of Henry Harding) who claims a Pension under the acts of July 4. 1836 & March 3. 1837 which I hope you will find sufficient to entitle her to a favorable decision.  You will please to communicate to me the result soon as may be convenient.  I Oblige your Obt. Servt.
Wm Sisson
Lyons, Wayne Co. N. Y. Feby 4. 1839

P.S. The friend of Mrs. Atwater who placed the declaration in my hand to send to you, stated that in the declaration, the Christian name of Capt Spaulding is written by mistake "Lyman" instead of "Simon" & was read read to her Simon & sworn to her supposing it was Simon & the mistake was not discovered until read by me.  In Jackway's affidavit, it is written Simon, which was said to be the true name.  If the error should be deemed an objection to or injuriously affect her claim, it can be corrected & shall be, if you will have the goodness to inform me that it is necessary.

W. S.