Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21287, Pearly Harris, Conn
Page 1

[handwritten on printed form]

Service
Conn

Harris, Pearly
Aby

Number
W. 21287

Contents [blank]
Page 2

[handwritten]
No 19.850

Vermont

Pearly Harris

of Caledonia in the State of Vermont
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Cutler of the regiment commanded
by Colonel Ward in the Connecticut
line, for the term of One year
from May 1776 to May 1777.

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 30th day of November 1827.

Certificate of Pension issued the 22d of December 1827 and sent to Benjn F. Deming at Danville Vermont

Arrears to 4th of March 1828   $25.29
Seim-anl. all'ce ending

$25.29

Revolutionary Claim,
Acts March, 18, 1818,
and May 1, 1820.
Page 3

[left page, handwritten]
Hon M. W. Tappan
February 2 1857 -

[right page, handwritten on printed form]
New Hampshire
Aby Harris
widow of Pearly Harris
Conn
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as https://catalog.archives.gov/images/misc/drag.pnga private

Incd' from $40
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
96 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.
end on the 5th Nov. 1849.

Certificate of Pension issued the 
20th day of Sept 1850
and sent to
A. Hastings Esq
Bath N.H.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act 
February 2, 1848, Page 74, Vol. [illegible]
Aby Cary Salome [illegible], Lydia [illegible]
M. C. Harris, Theophilus Harris, Roxanah Harris, & James Harris
Page 4

[handwritten]

Hon. John C. Calhoun
Secretary of War
Pension Office
Washington City.
Page 5

State of New Hampshire
Cheshire County ss. On this twenty ninth day of April 1819, before me, the subscriber, Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for said County, personally appears Pearly Harris, aged fifty nine years, resident in Chesterfield, in said county of Cheshire, who being by me first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval services of the United States in the Revolutionary war," that he the said Pearly Harris enlisted in Woodstock, in the State of Connecticut, in the month of May 1776, in the company commanded by Capt. Cutler, in Col. Ward's Regiment, in the  Connecticut line of continental troops, for the term of one year; that he continued to serve, as a private soldier, [unk] the said corps, until May 1777, when he was discharged from the service in Morristown, in the State of New Jersey, that he was in the battle of White Plains, & in an engagement at Frogspoint, and that is in reduced circumstances & stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services except the affidavit of Abner Harris & John Harris, which are forwarded herewith.
Pearly Harris, sworn & declared before me the day & year aforesaid, and I, Roger Vose, chief Justice, as [unk], I certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the [all blacked out] months, stated in the preceding declaration. [all blacked out] common enemy, on the continental establishment; and [line blacked out][ my satisfaction that from his reduced [line blacked out] stands in need of the assistance of his country for support [blacked out] transmit the proceedings & testimony & taken & had before me the Secretary of the Department of War, pursuant to the [unk] of the aforementioned act of Congress. Dated April 29, 1819

Roger Vose, Ch. Judge [unk]

To the Hon. J. C. Calhoun
Secretary of War
Page 6

3902
case of Pearly Harris

Roger Vose
Judge
Cheshire Cot. N. Hamp.
recd May 19, 1819

Rejected
not on the continental establishment
17 June 1819
Page 7

Cheshire
May 6, 1819
 
I, Salma Hale clerk of the General Courts in said County certify that Roger Vose is  Justice of the Court of Common Pleas in said County and the forgoing is his signature.

I further certify that there is  no particular imperfection under seal by the Court of Common  Pleas.
S. Hale
Page 8

20,481
Copy of
Pearley Harris'
Declaration
Recd Dec 17,1827.
---
Benj F. Deming Esq
Danville.
Vt.
Page 9

State of Vermont }
Caledonia SS }
At a County Court begun and holden at Danville within and for the County of Caledonia aforesaid on the second Monday of September (being the 10th day) A.D. 1827.
Present in Court
The Hon. Stephen Royce Lv
Chief Judge
Hon. William A. Palmer afst
Hon. Timothy P. Fulle Esq 2nd ges

On this 12th day of September 1827 personally appeared in open court, being a court of record for said count (having a jurisdiction unlimited in print of amount both in civil and criminal cauded, and having the power of five and imprisonment) Pearly Harris resident in St. Johnsbury in said County aged sixty seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make t he following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress, of the 18th March 1818, and the 1st May 1820; that he the said Pearly Harris enlisted for the term of one year in the month of May 1776, in the state of Connecticut in the company commanded by Captain Cutler in the regiment commanded by Colonel Ward in the line of the State of Connecticut on the continental establishment that he continued to serve in the said company
Page 10

until the month of May 1777, when he was discharged from the said service, in Morristown in the State of New Jersey, that he hereby relinquished every claim whatever to a pension, except the present; that his name is not on the roll of any state except Connecticut, and that he did make application for a pension in the month of April 1819 (as appears by his declaration herewith). And in pursuance of the act of the 1st May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war" passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not, nor had any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by and subscribed.
1  hog 7.00 2 small shotes 3.00 - $10.00
1 old case of drawers $3 or. 1 old pine table .75 - $3.75
5 chains 1.37. 1 old chest .34 1 small bed [illegible] 2.70
1 tin kettle, one small dish [illegible] 1 large do. all cracked or broken $1.00  .75
1 foot wheel & 1 wooden wheel  1.50
$18.71
Pearly Harris
Page 11

I am by occupation a farmer or laborer in very poor health afflicted with the gravel complaint and able to do but very little labor-- My family are -- my wife Aby aged 64 in poor health afflicted with the asthma. My daugher Roxana aged 26 rather poor health.

That since the 18th day of March 1818, the following changes have been made in my property -- at that time I resided in Chesterfield in the State of New Hampshire and owned an undivided half of thirty three acres of Land, my son Waldoc owning the other half -- I had not at that time any stock or cattle or other property whatever except perhaps a shote and a few articles of furniture in the house -- in the year 1820 I sold said land to my nephew Erastus Harris for three hundred dollars, and went to reside with my son in law Thomas Carey. I put my property in his hands with an understanding that I would live with him one year on trial and if we could agree he was to vest the amount in real estate and make me secure for the support of myself and wife during our lives, and he was to have the amount to put into his hands, that finding the said Carey more embarassed in his circumstances than I expected and not finding myself and wife agreeably situated, and the said Carey neglecting to vest my property in real estate for my security, as he agreed, at the end of the year I
Page 12

concluded not to continue longer with him, and we made a settlement by which he bought the improvements or what is commonly called the "betterments" on 50 acres of land lying in St. Johnsbury, Vermont of an Alpheus Snow, at the sum of One hundred nd fifty dollars for me and paid me about ninety dollars the remainder he was allowed for boarding myself and wife during the year; shortly after th  purchase of Snow, to wit in May 1821 I removed to said St. Johnsbury, a distance of about one hundred and thiry miles; said land was publick land granted to the Universaity of Vermont, and subject to an annual rent of seven dollars; Said Alpheus Snow held a leade under said corporation of One hundred acres of which said 50 acres was a parrt. The ninety dollars which I received of said Carey was expended in the expenses of my removal and the purchase of provisions during the first season, as I had all my provisions to buy after I came to St. Johnsbury until the next fall. I continued to occupy said publick land for several years, but having poor health & little means, I found myself every year running behind hand and involved in debt; in the fall of the year 1825 being sick and in debt I sold my right in said publick land to my son James Harris who paid debts for me and furnished me with the means of support to the amount of One hundred and fifty dollars --
Page 13

And it was agreed that as the writing I had recd. of said Alpheus Snow had not been recorded that it should be given up to said Snow and a proper Instrument should be made directly from said Snow to said James, but said Snow living at a distance this has not as yet been done.  I continued to live on said publick land by the permission of said James until March last when I removed therefrom, and I do further most solemnly declare that after having my claim, made in the year 1819, rejected, as "not on the continental establishment," I never obtained any information to the contrary until the month of July last, when my son James was in the State of Connecticut, and there obtained such information as induced me to make this application, that since I obtained said information whic has led me to make this application no changes have been made in my property to the value of Five Dollars. I was at that time as poor as I now am.
Pearly Harris
Sworn to and declared in open Court Sept. 12th A.D. 1827
Attest Benjamin F. Deming Clerk
Page 14

I Benjamin F. Deming Clerk of the County Court for the County of Caledonia, do hereby certify, that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court, that the said Pearly Harris did serve in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, under one engagement, on the continental establishment. I also certify that the foregoing oath, & the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is eighteen dollars and seventy one cents.

In testimony whereof, I have herunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this Twenty sixth day of September A.D. 1827--
Benj. F. Deming Clerk of Caldeonia County Court
Page 15

2252 Aby Hrrris

Declaration
Wid. of Pearly
N.H.
Act July 7, 1838
Married 1783
died 1828
Allow $40 per annum

Goodall S Woods
Bath N.H.
Page 16

DECLARATION

IIn order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of July, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."

State of New Hampshire
County of Grafton} SS

On this Second day of October A.D. 1838 personally appeared before the Judge of the Court of Probate of Wills in aforesaid County of Grafton in open court Aby Harris a resident of Bath in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire, aged Seventy four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows," that she is the widow of Perley Harris who was a private in the army of the revolution and served as a private Soldier thirteen months according to the information he gave her of the fact in his life true to her best recollection therof in the Continental Army in the Connecticut line. That said Perley Harris drew a pension under the act of March 18th 1818 of ninety six dollars a year  & received such pension she thinks in the year 1827. That when he was placed on the pension roll he resided at St. Johnsbury in Vermont. That for a particular specification of the periods of his service, The [?] of entering leaving & of all parts in this particular entitling her to a pension & from evidence of the services of said Perley Harris she refered to his declaration & proofs by him furnished and as she supposes now at the War Department. That she has not in her possession any  documentary evidence of his services, and that she is the widow of the said Perley Harris.

She further declares that she was was married to the said Perley Harris on the twenty fifth day of March in the year seventeen hundred and eighty three. That her husband, the aforesaid Perly Harris died on the 19th of April A.D. 1828. that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service--but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz: at the time above stated and that she has not since been married to any other person but is now his widow.

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year as above written, before me Edward Webber Judge of Probate.

Aby Harris her mark
I, Moses Dow clerk of the Court of Probate aforesaid certify, that the foregoing contains the orginal proceeds of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Aby Harris for a pension. And I further certify that  Ira Goodall is the Justice of the Peace in aforesaid county that his signature to the foregoing affidavit is genuine. 
In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal office, this second day of October A.D. 1838. 
Moses Dow

Witnesses to sigureture
Edward Webber
Isaac Patterson
Andrew S. Woods
Page 17

Certificate of Marriage
of Mrs. Harris

Chesterfield
N. H. [?] } 12

Messrs. Goodall & Woods
Bath N.H.
Page 18

[handwritten]
March the Twenty fifth Seventeen hundred and Eighty three Joined in wedlock Perley Harriss to Aby Snow

T A Wood C/E

A true copy from the town records of Chesterfield with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures and letters as follows viz: March 25th 1783 
Town Clerk
of Chesterfield
Attest   [signed] Oscar Coolidge

I Oscar Coolidge above named depose and Say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the Town of Chesterfield aforesaid County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire and the above is true extract from the records of Said Town with the exceptions above named as certified by me.

[signed] Oscar Coolidge Clerk of the Tow of Chesterfield, aforesaid

September 3. 1838

Cheshire [illegible] Sept. 3d 1838
Sworn to before me
[signed] Larkin G. Mead Just. Peace
Page 19

State of New Hampshire
Cheshire County SS

I Haenry Coolidge clerk fo the Superior Court of [?] for the County of Cheshire, certify that Larkin G. Mead is a Justice of the Peace and for said County of Cheshire duly commissioned and sworn and that his name subscribed to the within certificate is his genuine signature.

In testimoney whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Keene this third day of September A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty eight.

H. Coolidge Clerk
Page 20

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.

Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original states.

L.W. B.
W. 21287

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D.C.,
January 23, 1897.

O.W. & N. DIV.
Revolutionary

Sir:
Replying to your request for information concerning the military record of Perley (or Perly) Harris, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, I have the  honor to advise you that a Pearley Harris made an application for pension on September 12, 1827, at which time he was 67 years of age and residing at St. Johnsbury, Vermont, and his pension was allowed for one year's acutal service as a private in the Conn. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Cutler and Col. Ward. He enlisted at Woodstock, Conn.

His widow, Aby, made an application for pension on October 2nd, 1838, at which time she was residing at Bath, Grafton Co., N.H. and her claim was allowed for the service of her husband as above set forth.

Very respectfully,

Commissioner.

Hon. O.H. Platt,
U.S. Senate.
Page 21

[left side, handwritten]
Jny 23 93
to Hon
H Platt Mss.

1914, Nov. 30. History to 
Walter C. Smith. F. W.

1915 Nov. 9 Brief hist. to W.H. Taylor

[right side, printed completed in handwriting]
Rev. 21-287

Widow, &c.

File No. 21,287
Aby Harris 
Wid of
Pearley Harris
Priv Rev War

Act: Feb 2d /48
Index: - Vol. A, Page 316

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 22

[handwritten]
James Harris
Affidavit

A
Page 23

[Handwritten] 
I James Harris of St. Johnsbury in the County of Caledaire define and say that the manner in which I have paid my father [illegible] Harris for his interest in fifty acres of public land in St. Johnsbury which I bought in the face of the year 1825 was as nearly I can recollect as follows, Seventeen dollars in cash in September 1825. Eighteen dollars in grain. [Illegible] at the start from the winter of 1825 to Sep. 1825. and
Page 24

[left page, handwritten]

Reported
Letter to Hon. H. Hibbard
April 4: 1850,
Let to Same, Aug 30/ 57

[right page printed form completed in handwriting]

1723
New Hampshire Concord
Aby Harris
widow of Pearly Harris
who served in the Revolutionary 
war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
40 dollars ~ 
Cents per annum, to commence on the 
4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the
3d day of Sept 1848
and sent to 
S. C. Badger
Concord
N H

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, page 73 Vol. 1.
Page 25

1837
New Hampshire Concord
Aby Harris
widow of Pearly Harris
who was a private
In the Cont Line
In a d from $40
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 96 Dollars 00 cents pr annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of Septr 1850 and sent to A. Hastings [illegible] New Hampshire
[Acts of March 3, 1843, and June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 Page 16
Page 26

1837
New Hampshire Con
Aby Harris
widow of Pearly Harris
who was a private
In the Conn Line for 1 year
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40 Dollars - cents pr annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of Sept 1843 and sent to D. C. Churchill 
Syone 
Nille
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 Page 17
Page 27

3606
New Hampshire
Aby Harris widow of Pearly Harris, Decd
who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 Mar 1818 and who died on the 19th April 1828 - 
of Grafton Co in the State of N. Hampshire who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Butler of the Regt commanded by Col. Ward in the Connecticut line for 1 year
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord at the rate of 40 dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of July 1839 and sent to Goodall McCurdy - Bath, N.H.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar: 1839 $120.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. 20.00
140.00
Act July 7, 1838.
Recorded by W M Stewart, Clerk
Book A, Vol 1 Page 43.
D.m. Curdy
Page 28

36.06
Concord New Hampshire
Aby Harris widow of Pearly Harris decd who was a pensioner under the act of 1818 and who died on the 19th April 1828 of Grafton Co in the State of New Hampshire who was a private in the compy commanded by Co. Ward in the Connecticut line for
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord at the rate of 96 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of  March 1836
Ined from $40
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Sept 1850 and sent to A. Hastings Esq
Total Amount, Bach $ N. H
Act July 7 1838
Recorded by  H R Weightman, clerk
Book D Vol 1 Page 33
Page 29

Rev Sec C
Supreme Court of Vermont
Justice Chambers
Hardwick, Vermont Nov. 5, 1915
Mr. Saltgaber
Commissioner
Washington DC
Sir:
Kindly give me the data from the files in the Pension Office concerning the following pensions:
W. 21287 Conn Pearly Harris Pr Conn Cont Line En. 12/22/1827 under act of 1818
S. 18319
NH Eli Bickford Pr NH Cont Line " 9/5/1933
Under act of 1832
S. 18757 Elisha Cate Pr N.H. Cont. Line  " 1/20/1834 Under act of 1832
An early response will be greatly appreciated
Yours Truly
W. H. Taylor
Page 30

Wid. File No. 21,287. Rev. War. Pearley Harris enlisted at Woodstock, Connecticut.  In May 1776, as Private in Captain Cutler's company, Colonel Ward's regiment, Connecticut troops, served one year and was in the battles of White Plains and Frogs Point.
In 1819 he was fifty-nine years of age and a resident of chesterfield, New Hampshire.  He died April 19, 1828.
Page 31

NL1
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C. -
Dear Sir -
Will you kindly send me a certificate of service from the Bureau of Pensions of Perley Harris, private, Connecticut Continental line
Page 32

He was place on [illegible] pension rolls in 1827 and died April 19, 1828 at St Johns Bay, Vermont.
His wife, Abigail Harris received a pension at Bath N. H. June 1, 1840.  
Thanking you in advance for this information, I am very truly yours- Nathan C. [illegible]
21 Agassy St Cambridge Mass.
Page 33

He was placed on of the
pension rolls in 1827
and died April 19, 1828,
at St Johnsbury, Vermont.
His wife, Abigail Harris
received a pension at
Bath N.H. June 1, 1840
Thanking you in advance
for this information, am ┃
Very truly yours
Nathan C. Smith
21 Agassig Cambridge, Mass.
Page 34

[2 documents on this scanned page. The first has writing in multiple directions by different writers]

C  C -
Anderson
Aby Harris
Pearly's Wife ad
2d Feb 1848
Answer as soon
as possible
Geo C W
10[illegible] 1857 [or 1851]

Hon. M.W. Tappan

[perpendicular to the above]
M. W. Tappan [illegible]

Hon Geo. C Whiting
Comm. of Pensions
Washington

[bottom left]
A. F. Snow

[2nd document on this same page follows]
Pearly Harris N. H. Ports/ act 1818 when [illegible]
died 1828
Not on our or the Comp't's Roll
SKH
Page 35

Ho. Refr. Jan. 10. 1857
Hon. Geo. C. Whiting
My Dear Sir - 
Will you be kind enough to inform me when Pearly Harris of St. Johnsbury Vt first applied for a Pension and when did he actually receive one? Did he receive a pension on his first application , and if not, can you inform me why he did not? And name his heirs recieved Aug of Veunisn nice his [illegible] if so what? My [illegible]
Page 36

cating this information is grind for.  You will oblige.
Very respectfully, Your Obdt Servt
M. W. Tappan
Page 37

[left page, handwritten]

Aby Harrid, decd
Admd at $91 per
annum deducting
former payts at $40 per
annum. Acts
'38
43 & 44
48. Ending
5 Nov 1849, payable 
to James Harris, admini-
strator on the Estate of 
the dec'd for the benefit
of Aby Cary
Salomy Snow
Lydia Pearce
W. C. Harris
Theophilus Harris
Roxanah Harris &
James Harris
(Concord Roll)
A. Hastings
Bath, 
N.H. 

[right page]
Ira Goodall Esq of Bath
N.H. has written me

Close

respecting the claim of
Aby Harris, about which
I received your letter as
within & forwarded it
to her agent

Mr Goodall has made
[some] additional
[supportions?] as you will 
see. Please examine 
them and inform 
whether they had gone
to any different 
conclusions
& oblige
Yrs truly
H. Hibbard

H R. May
24. 1850
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com of Pensions
Page 38

Pension Office-
April 4,1850.
Sir,
In answer to the Enclosed letter, I have the honor to inform you that Pearly Harris deceased was a pensioner under the Act of 18 March 1818, which allowed
$96 per annum to those soldiers who had served nine months or more. He served one year, which period under the Act of 7 June 1832, would have Entitled
him to $40. per Annum and no more, although he drew $96 per Annum under the act of 18 March 1818-
The Act under which Aby Harris was pensioned allowed the widows of Revolutionary men, the same amount that their husbands received, or would have been entitled to under the act of 7 June 1832.
The heirs of Mrs Harris are not therefore entitled to any higher rate of allowance than what she
received. The Joint Resolution of July 1st 1848, does not contemplate the increase of pension in such a case as this-
                                                 I have the honor to be,
                                                 Very Respectfully
Mr. Harry Hibbard                       Your Pub: Sevt. 
House of Representatives               J L Edwards
                                                    Commiss; of Pensions.
Page 39

In reply to your request of ____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Pearly and Perley Harris a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (and his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.  W. F. 21,287
=======
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | STATE.
 |  |  |  CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. |

May, 1776, | 1 yr. | Pri. | Cutler. | Ward | Conn.

Battles engaged in, White Plains, Frogs Point
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enl. at Woodstock Conn.
Date of application for pension, Apr. 29, 1819 {He was al. pension on an ap. ex. Sep. 12, 1827.
Residence at date of application, Chesterfield, Cheshire Co. N.H.
Age at date of first application, 59 yrs. He died Apr. 19, 1828.
Remarks: He mar. at Chesterfield, N.H. Mch. 25, 1783, Aby Snow. She was al. pension on her apl. ex. Oct. 2, 1838, while 74 yrs. old, and a resident of Bath, Grafton Co., N.H. She died Nov. 5, 1849 at St. Johnsbury, Caledonia Co. Vt., leaving seven children: Aby Carey, Waldo C., Salomy Snow, Theophilus, Lydia Pearce, Roxana (aged 48 yrs) and James. A son, Absalom, was 43 yrs. old in 1838.

Very respectfully,

Commissioner.
31796b5m1C-07
Page 40

House of R. March 25. 1850
Dear, Sir
I have received the enclosed letter from Mr. Alvan Hastings of Bath N.YC. one of my assistants desiring me to make inquiry at the Pension Office  concerning the case which is mentioned within.
If it as according to your practice to answer such inquiries, please examine this matter and inform me what is your [illegible] in regard to it.
Also please leave the [illegible] wanted by Mr. Hastings to be sent to me.
I oblige
Your obt servant 
Harry Hilebent
Hon. J.L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Page 41

[handwritten]
]
I Absalom Harris depose [& say that I am a
Son of Pearly Harris & Aby Harris who lived in
St Johnsbury previous to his death He was a revolutionary Pensioner on the Vermont agency & she as his widow drew the [illegible - ?remains?]  to his death from
March 4 1828 to his death which was
the 19th day of April AD 1828 She has
lived with me much of the time since his
death & has remained his widow ever since
I am forty three years old & lived with
my Father & mother until I was of age  Since 
my Fathers death he has lived with my
brothers [illegible] all the time
[signed] Absalom Harris
-
Grafton ss Sept 22d 1838 Sworn to & Subscribed on said duly ^by said deponent^ before me & I certify that he is a credible witness
[signed] Ira Goodall Justice of the Peace

I Seth Chamberlain aged fifty seven years depose say that I have known Aby Harris widow of Perley Harris who was a revolutionary Pensioner of the United States for over thirty years past  He died ten years ago last
April She has remained his widow ever since.
[signed] Seth Chamberlain

Grafton ss Sept 22d AD 1838 Sworn to & subscribed by said Deponent before me on said day and I do certify that he is creditable
witness
[signed] Ira Goodall Justice of the Peace
Page 42

State of New Hampshire
Grafton Ss  I Nathan B Felton, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County, hereby certify that Ira Goodall whose name is subscribed to two certificates within
written was on the 22d day of September last past an acting Justice of the Peace for said County, & that his
name so subscribed is, his in such case aforesaid, his genuine signature

In testimony of which I have hereunto set
my hand & affixed the seal of said Court the
second day of October AD. 1838
N. B. Felton Clerk
State of New Hampshire
Grafton County
I Nathan B. Felton Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas of the County and State afore-
said, do hereby certify that Ira Goodall is an acting Justice
of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned
and qualified; that his commision was dated the 11th day
of June AD 1836, and will expire on the 11th day of June
AD. 1841; and that his signatures within written are genuine
Given under my hand and the seal of said
County this 17th day of July 1839
N. B. Felton Clerk
---
Page 43

so in Aby Harris
2120

$40 per annum

D. C. Churchill
Lyme 
N.H.
Page 44

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of
Congress of the 3d March 1843 granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the Act of July 7, 1828
State of New Hampshire
County of Grafton
On this thirteenth day of June 1843 person-
ally appeared before me, the subscriber a
Justice of the Peace in [said (scratched out)] and for said County of Grafton and State aforesaid
Aby Harris, a resident of Bath in the County
of Grafton and State aforesaid, aged 79 years
who [ who (scratched out)] being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 30 day of March, 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who
served during the Revolutionary War
that she is the widow of Pearley Harris
who was a Private during the Revolution
That she was a pensioner under the act of
7th July, 1838, which she received at the rate
of forty dollars per annum
She further declares that she is still a widow ┃
Aby Harris
her mark X
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written
I further certify that the above declarant is personally known to me
D. C Churchill Justice of the Peace
Page 45

State of New Hampshire
Grafton County Set
I Nathan B Felton Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas of the County and State aforesaid, do
hereby certify that David C Churchill is an acting Justice of the
Peace in and for said County of Grafton duly commissioned
and qualified; that his commission was dated on the twenty first
day of May AD. 1839, and will expire on the 21st day of
May AD 1844, and that his signature above (within) written
is genuine-
Given under my hand and the seal of
said County this 16th day of June AD 1843
N B Felton Clerk
Page 46

Declaration of
Aby Harris

Admitted

S C. Badger
Concord
N. H.
Page 47

Declaration
in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of 2nd February, 1848, entitled an act [making] further provision for surviving widows and Soldier of the Revolution.
State of New Hampshire}
County of Grafton SS}
on this 21st day of July 1848 personally appeared before the subscriber, a justice of the peace in and for said County, Aby Harris, resident of Bath in the County of Grafton aged 84 years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress, passed on the 2 February 1848 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war, that she is the widow of Pearly Harris who was a private in the army of the Revolution, that she was a pensioner and received a pension under the act of 17th June 1844 at the rate of forty Dollars and --- per annum. She further declares that she is still a widow.

Witness Danl Patterson
Daniel T. Harris
her X mark Aby Harris

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before Mr. Danl Patterson Justice of the peace

I further certify that the above declarant is personally known to me.
Danl Patterson Justice of the peace
Page 48

State of New Hampshire

Merrimack County, SS.

I Nathaniel B Baker, Clerk of the Court of Common please of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Daniel Patterson is a justice of the peace in and for said County of Grafton duly commissioned and qualified, that his commission was dated on the 19th day of June 1848 and will expire on the 19th day of June 1858 and that his signature above written is genuine, according to my belief & opinion.
Given under my hand and the Seal of Said County this 23 day of August A D 1848.
N B Baker Clerk
Page 49

Lewis Hartwell
affidavit

D

Lewis Hartwell
Deposition
Page 50

I Lewis Hartwell of St Johnsbury in the County
of Caledonia and State of Vermont, of lawful age
depose and say that I took James Harris's Farm
to till and carryon for one year beginning March
10th 1827 being the same farm which sd James Harris
had of his Father Beasley Harris, and that sd Pearley
Harris moved off and left sd farm at the same time
that I came on to the same, and has not to my
knowledge had the least title claim or controll
of sd Farm since that time, neither in letting
me the farm
Lewis Hartwell
Sworn and subscribed this 21st day of September AD 1827
Before me Theophilus Grout Jus peace
I certify that Lewis
Hartwell is a credible witness
Theophilus Grout Jus peace
Page 51

[handwritten]
John Harris's 
Affidavit.

John Harris
Affidavit
Page 52

I John Harris of Chesterfield in the State of Newhampshire and County of Cheshire, aged sixty three years & upwards on oath say, that I was knowing that Pearly Harris was of said
Chesterfield in the year 1776 enlisted into the continental service in the war of the Revolution, into Capt Cutler's Company
in Col. Ward's Regiment, in the Connecticut Line. Said Pearly Harris enlisted for one year, & I know that he served as a Private in said Company during the full term of his entitlement. I was present when he enlisted & was in the Service myself a part of the same time. I further say that I am in no wise interested, in what I have above stated-
John Harris
State of Newhampshire
Cheshire Ss April 20, 1819. The above John Harris came before me and made solemn oath that said affidavit by him
subscribed contains the whole truth a nothing but the truth.
I further certify that I am personally acquainted with said
Deponent & consider him a credible witness & that his reputation
for truth is good & I beleive him in nowise interested in
what he has above testified

Phin Handerson Just. Peace
Cheshire Ss
May 6. 1819
I Salma Hale clerk of the Judicial
Courts in said county certify that
Phinehas Handerson is a Justice of the
Peace in & for said county, and that the
foregoing is his signature
In testimony whereof I hereunto
affix the seal of our Superior
Court of Judicature
S. Hale Clerk
Page 53

[handwritten]
Abner Harris
Affidavit
Page 54

[handwritten]
Abner Harris's
affidavit
Page 55

I Abner Harris of [lawful] age do [testify] and say I was knowing that Perley Harris [enlisted] into the continental service for one year in the revolutionary war & served his time out in the Connecticut Line as a [private] soldier in the year seventeen  hundred & seventy six
Abner Harris

State of Vermont}
Windham County SS}
April 24th, 1819
the above Abner Harris Esq came before me and made solemn oath that said depotion by him subscribed contains the whole truth and nothing but the trust and I the said Justice certify that I am personally acquainted with said Abner Esq and consider him a credible witness and his reputation for truth is good and I believe in no [illegible] interested what he has above testified
Israel Johnson Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont
Windham County Court Clerk's Office
Brattleborough, April 30th 1819.
I hereby certify that Israel Johnson, Esquire, is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Windham aforesaid, duly commissioned as such under the authority of this State, and authorized by Law to take depositions, and that I believe the signature of the preceding certificate to be the proper handwriting of the said Justice.
In testimony whereof I have hereto subscribed my hand and affixed the Seal of this Court.
James Elliot
Page 56

[handwritten]

I Benjamin F Deming Clerk of the County Court for
the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont do hereby
certify that Leonard Harrington Esquire before whom was
taken the affidavit of James Harris (marked A) the affidavit of James Snow (marked C) the affidavit of Waldo C. Harris (marked E) and the affidavit of Abner Miles
(marked F) was at the several dates thereof and still is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Caledonia, and that his name thereto is genuine - And I further certify
that Theophilus Grout Esquire before whom was taken the
affidavit of Moses Kittredge (marked B ) and the affidavit of Lewis Hartwell (marked D) was at the dates thereof and still is a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Caledonia and that his name thereto is genuine. And
I do also certify that Merit Newhall Esquire before whom was taken the affidavit of Leonard Harrington & Theophilus
Grant (marked G) was at the date thereof and still is a Justice of the Peace for said Caledonia County and that
his name thereto I beleive to be genuine, the said several
being herewith transmitted. In testimony
where[of]I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said Court at Danville
in said County this 30th day of November A.D. 1827 -
[signed] Benja F. Deming Clerk
Page 57

[handwritten]
James Snow
Affidavit
Page 58

[handwritten]

I James Snow of St Johnsbury in the County of Caledonia and
State of Vermont of lawful age depose and say that I occupy and
improve 50 acres of College land in St Johnsbury leased by the corporation of the University of Vermont to my son Alpheus Snow
and that Pearly Harris has until last March lived on the 50 acres adjoining which is also included in said lease   that said Pearly Harris
carried on and improved said fifty acres on which he lived until the fall of 1825 since which time his son James has carried on
and improved the same, until last Spring when James let said land to one Lewis Hartwell, that said James has for the two
last years paid the rents of said land to me and I have paid over the same together with my rent to the agent of said Corporation
I further depose that I am knowing that said James has furnished
a considerable amount in provisions to wit, grain  beef &c to his father Pearly Harris during the year 1826 the amount I cannot precisely say but I should judge about thirty dollars at
least that sum. I also know that said James has furnished his father with the use of one Cow for two years past, and another cow
for one year past and nine or ten sheep for two years, said Cows and Sheep having been kept at the expense of said James
[signed] James Snow

Sworn and subscribed this 15th day of September A.D. 1827
Before me - [signed] Leonard Harrington Justice Peace

I certify that said James Snow is a credible witness
[signed] Leonard Harrington Justice Peace
Page 59

[handwritten]

Abner Miles
Affidavit
Page 60

[handwritten]

State of Vermont Caledonia SS
I Abner Miles Physician of Lawful age testify and
say that I have been acquainted with Mr
Pearly Harris of St Johnsbury and his wife
for a number of years and have been their
Family Physician ever since they have been
in this country and that the said Harris
is in my opinion in indigent circumstances &
in poor health and that his Wifes health
is allso poor and in my opinion probably
will be while she lives. Given under my hand at
St Johnsbury this 9th day of Sept 1827
[signed] Abner Miles

State of Vermont 
Caledonia SS
St Johnsbury 9th Sept 1827
then Abner Miles Personally appeared and after being carefully examined and duly cautioned made solemn oath that the forgoing deposition by him subscribed contains
the whole truth and nothing but the truth
Before me
[signed] Leonard Harrington Just of Peace
Page 61

[handwritten]
Waldo C Harris 
Affidavit
Page 62

[handwritten]

W C Harris
Deposition
Page 63

[handwritten]

I Waldo C Harris of Lawful age testify and
say that in the year of our Lord 1818 I lived
with my father Pearly Harris in the town of
Chesterfield in the County of Cheshire and
State of Newhampshire that he my father was
then in possesion of the [under?] one half of
of thirty three acres of land in the town of
Chesterfield County and State afsd that I lived
with my father Pearly Harris untill February
1820 at which time we sold the farm for
the sum of six hundred dollars and received
three hundred dollars of the money which
money was all the property my father was
worth at that time
Further the deponant saith not
[signed] W. C. Harris


State of Vermont  
Caladonia SS       ⎬ In the town of St Johnsburg this 3d day of September AD 1827 then Waldo C Harris of  Sutton in the County of Caladonia  personally appearing and after being lawfully examined and duly
cautioned made solemn oath that the forgoing
deposition by him subscribed, contains the
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth
Before Leonard Harrington Just of Peace
Page 64

[handwritten]
Leonard Harrington
& Theophilus Grant
Affidavit
G. [or C.]
Page 65

[handwritten]

These certify that we the undersigned Leonard Harrington & Theophilus Grant [Grout] Justices of the Peace for the County of Caladonia have been well acquainted with Pearly Harris of St Johnsbury in said County for six years past 
that said Harris in now in nedy circumstances and in our opinion unable to support himself without the assistance of his friends
and relatives an aid from the publick. that relative to the small amount of property which he brought into the country with him at the time of his removal to St Johnsburg about six years since we feel the fullest confidence that the same has been really and bona fide disposed of without any intention on continuance to cover the same or any part
thereof to obtain a pension or for any other purpose but that in consequence of age and bodily infirmity
the necesary expences of said Harris and family have exceded his means of support and in that manner property has been disposed of - we further say that our opinion the value of the fifty acres of publick land heretofore owned by
said Pearly Harris subject to rent is the sum of $85,,00
[signed] Leonard Harrington
[signed] Theophilus Grout
Harrington
Caladonia ss St. Johnsbury Sept 24th 1827
Then the above named Leonard Harrington &
Theophilus Grout subscribed and made oath to
the [illegible] before me
[signed] Merit Newhall Justice of Peace
Page 66

[handwritten]

I have been well acquainted with the within named
Leonard Harrington and Theophilus Grout for many
years and certify that they are men of respectability
and character and that their testimony is entitled
to the fullest credit
[signed] W.A. Palmer
Page 67

[handwritten]
Moses Kittredge
Deposition
Page 68

[handwritten]

I Moses Kittredge of St. Johnsbury in the County of Caledonia
and State of Vermont of lawful age depose and say that
in the summer of 1822 I hold on account with Pearly Harris for mearchandise and in March 1823 we settled
and he gave me a Note for $13.76 and I held sd Note until the winter of 1825 when James Harris I think paid me all of said Note except $[illegible amount] whitch Pearly
Harris had previously paid- April 5th 1824 Pearly Harris gave me a Note for $4,00 for grain and in fall of 1825 James Harris paid said Note --
I had an account with Pearly Harris from 1823
until June 1826 ^for mearchandise when he settled and he gave
me a Note for $27.03 and Jany 14 187 he paid me for pork $9,00 Jany 20th 1827 he paid me $3.93 and
James Harris paid the remainder of said Note
St. Johnsbury Sept 21 st1827
[signed] Moses Kittredge

Sworn and subscribed this the 21st day of Sept
AD 1827
[signed] Theophilus Grout Justice of Peace

I certify that said Moses Kittredge
is a credible witness
[signed] Theos Grout Justice of Peace
Page 69

[handwritten]
James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 70

[handwritten]

Bath Sept. 16. 1850

James L. Edwards
Dear Sir in conformity
with your answer dated Pension office August 30. 1850
to me in regard to an increase of Pension in the case of
Aby Harris Widow of Pearly Harris  who is now dead
I herein enclosed Send you the Declaration of
James Harris the administrator of the said Aby Harris 
together with the certificate of the Judge of Probate
in order to obtain from Government the increase of pension
that was due to the aforesaid Aby Harris at the time of her death
in conformity with the act of Congress
passed July 1 1848 giving to the widow of the pensioner
the same amount of pension the Husband drew in his lifetime. in regard to the pension certificate which she
held under the act of 2d February 1848, it was surrendered
to the pension agent at Concord N.H. which certificate I suppose is there at Concord now unless it has been forward
to Washington previous to this time, but if any further
evidence is required in the case in adition to what is
now furnished in your Department to which I would respectfully
refer you, I will endeaver to forward it to you if to be
found if you will inform me what will be required
the case
your Obedient Servant
[signed] Alvan Hastings
you will please to direct all correspondence in the case to Alvan Hastings   of Bath Newhampshire as agent & attorney
in this case
[signed] Alvan Hastings
Page 71

[handwritten]

Declaration for an increase of pension
whereas Aby Harris late of St Johnsbury in the
County of Caledonia & State of Vermont was the widow
of Pearly Harris late of St Johnsbury County & State aforesaid who was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States
under the act of March 18th 1818 at the rate
of ninety six Dollars per annum up to the time of his death which death occured April 19th 1828 and after his death the said Abby Harris drew a pension under several acts of Congress, the last of which was the
act of February 3d 1848 at the rate of forty Dollars per annum which sum she drew up to
her death which took place on the 5th day of
November 1849. & whereas by the act of July
1848 the said Aby Harris was entitled to draw
pension of the same sum her Husband would be entitled to if he was living, wherefore I James Harris administration of said Aby Harris now make the following declaration under oath in order to
obtain the remainder of her pension now due
under the act of Congress passed July 1. 1848

State of Vermont
Caledonia County ss.
I the Subscribed am the
administrator of Aby Harris who was a pensioner
of the United States as the widow of Pearly Harris
Revolutionary pensioner of the United States under the
act of March 18, 1818 he having been a private
in the army of the Revolution & who drew a pension
Page 72

[handwritten]
at the rate of ninety six Dollars per annum, & She by being
his widow drew a pension of only forty Dollars per annum
& her pension certificates were surrendered to the pension agent
and I surrendered the last certificate when I drew the arrears due to her from September 4 1849 to Nov 5 1849
when he died - and I now ask for the ballance of pension her due to equal her husbands under the act of July 1 1848 up
to the time of her death which death occured Nov 5 1849.
& all arrearages due to him if any thing-- the said Aby Harris left only seven children alive at the time of her death, of which I am one of them, and am the administrator
& agent of the rest. I would refer you to the papers now on
file in his & her case in the pension Department, and the certificates surrendered & proof existing in the war
office for this addition to her said pension-
[signed] James Harris
State of Vermont
County of Caledonia ss - Sworn & Subscribed this 10th day of September AD 1850
before me
[signed] Theron Howard Justice Peace

I certify that the above Declarant is personally known
to me & that he is the same individual he represents
himself to be in the foregoing affidavit being a Son and
administrator of Aby Harris the late pensioner of the United States
[signed] Theron Howard Justice of the 
attest
Page 73

[handwritten]
State of Vermont
County of Caledonia SS
I Theron Howard Judge 
of the Court of Probate holden at Danvill in & for Caledonia District do hereby certify
that James Harris is administrator of Aby Harris late of this place, & that
satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court that the said Abby Harris was a pensioner of the United States
at the rate of forty Dollars per annum, & was a
resident of the County of Caledonia in the State of Vermont & that she died in the Town of St Johnsbury, County &
State aforesaid in the year A.D. 1849 on the 5 day of November & that she left but Seven Children alive at the time of her death; whose names are Aby, Cory, W. C. Harris, Salomy Snow, Theophilus Harris, Lydia Pearce, Roxanah Harris, & James Harris
testimony whereof I have here unto set my
hand & affixed my seal of office, at Danvill in
said District this 10th day of September in the
year of our Lord 1850
Probate Judge
[signed] Theron Howard
Judge of Probate