Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38,001, John Harris, Va.
Page 1

Va. Harris, John. S. 38,001
Page 2

18,604
Virginia
John Harris, 5th
of Southampton in the State of Virginia 
who was a Sergeant in the Regiment commanded by 
Colonel Washington of the Virginia 
line, for the term of 3 years. 
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia 
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on 
the 20 of March 1822.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th of May 182[?] 
and sent to James Rochelle, 
Jerusalem, Va.
[Crossed out: Arrears to the 4th of]  
portion of
Semi an. all'ce ending 4 Sept 1822 
$44.15
$44.15
 5 months 12/31 & 4/30

{Revolutionary claim, 
Act 18th March, 1818.}

1 May 1820
Improperly inscribed on 
the Pension List, the same 
person as John Harris 4th. 

See letter to Hon. Arthur 
Smith and Pension agt. 
20 Jan 1823

Date of death not on A.B.
Page 3

Virginia Southampton County to wit
On this 4th day of September in the year 1819 before me Richard C Parker judge of the Superior Court of law for Southampton County now in cession [sic] personally appears John Harris aged sixty seven years resident in the county aforesaid & State of Virginia who being before me in the open court first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to attain the provision made by the late act of Congress entitled "the act to provide for  certain pension engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war. That he the said John Harris enlisted in the County of Brunswick State of Virginia in the company of Capt. James Lucas forth [sic] Virginia Regiment in the Continental Service which regiment was commanded by Colonel Lawson and belonged to Scots brigade. that he enlisted about 9 years before the battle at Eutaw Springs for two years and was discharged at the expiration of that term that about two months afterwards he enlisted in Colonel Bailors regiment of light Dragoons belonging to the Continental Service for the term of three years & served the said time in that Regiment first under Bailor & afterwards under Col Washington that the company he enlisted in was commanded by Capt. Parsons That he was discharged after having served the first term at Valley Forge in Jersey & at the expiration of the second term a place called Round O in South Carolina, that he was at the battle of Brandywine Trenton Princeton Germantown Eutaw Springs Guilford Camden Cowpens & Broad River. That he is in reduced circumstances & stands in need of the assistance of his country for support. That owing to the great length of time he has no evidence of his service & discharge but his Oath & that he has had no pension heretofore allowed him by the law of the United States. Sworn to before me judge of the said Co[torn] in open court the day & year aforesaid.
Page 4

Virginia Southampton County to wit}
   I Richard E. Parker judge of the Superior Court of law for Southampton County aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction from the oath of John Harris that the said John Harris did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy and that he is in reduced circumstances & needs assistance from his Country and he now transmits the proceedings taken & had before me to the secretary of the war department pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid act of congress.  Given under my hand and seal in open court this 4th day of Septr 1819 aforesaid.
   Richd E. Parker
  Sworn to in open Court this 4th day of Septr. 1819
   James Rochelle  CC

John Harris
On Rolls
ERW

Admd

Jerusalem, Va.
Page 5

Recd. 30 March 1821
Clerk has not
certified the amount
of property exhibited
in the schedule

Jerusalem Va
Mar 27th

The Secretary of the war Department Washington City


Free
Page 6

John Harriss 4s
Certificate
15300

Augt 7827 again [?]
to be Cert.


Not entitled 
L.L.E.
Page 7

No. Pen. Cer. 15,300
date 9 Oct. 1819.

District of Virginia  (Sct)
Southampton County (to wit)
   On this 20th day of march 1821 personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of record, for the said County John Harriss aged Sixty Six years residing in Southampton County who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows, That he served in the 4th Regiment of Virginia Infantry, Commanded by Col. Lucas and afterwards was transfered [sic] to the third Regiment of Light Dragoons Commanded by Col. William Washington And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident 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 provision of an Act of Congress Entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed on the 18th day of March 1818. And that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me any property, or securities, Contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed, Sixty acres of land, one horse, eleven head of hogs, three head of cattle, one shot gun, two throw pots, two plow hoes, one dutch oven, one spider, one small skillet, one Cutter, six earthen plates, one dish, three knives and forks, one pair flat Irons, one Coffee mill, one drawing knife, one hand saw, two jugs, and my ocupation [sic] is a Farmer, a wife aged thirty eight years, three children: one aged eight years another three years and the other three years--John Harriss-- Sworn to and declared in the 20th of March 1821 In open Court.

   I James Rochelle, clerk of the County of Southampton in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the Schedule herein contained are true copes from the
Page 8

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 foregoing Schedule is {three hundred fourteen) dollars and ____ cents.
   In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Country on this Twenty sixth of March 1821--
   James Rochelle Clk of the
   Court of County of Southampton


State of Virginia
   At a court continued and held for the county of Southampton on the 21st day of August 1821
   The foregoing declaration and Schedule was presented in court and the court are of opinion that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the foregoing schedule is Three hundred fourteen Dollars
   A Copy
     Teste
       James Rochelle &c..
Page 9

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
M[?]HF/eel


February 26, 1929

Mrs. C.B. McDougal
New Lexington
Ohio

Madam:
   I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary war pension claim, S.38001, it appears that John Harris, 4th, enlisted in Brunswick County, Virginia, date not stated, served as private in Captain James Lucas' Company, Colonel Lawson's Virginia Regiment, was transferred to Captain William Parsons' Company, Colonels Washington and Baylor's 3" Regiment of Light Dragoons and served until in 1781; he was in the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, Camden, Broad River, Cowpens, Guilford Court House and Eutaw Springs.
   He was allowed pension on his application executed September 4, 1819 while a resident of Southampton County, Virginia aged about sixty-seven years.  His name appears erroneously on the list of Frederick County, Virginia pensioners.
   In 1823 he referred to his wife Mary aged about forty
Page 10

years, and his children, Anthony, Caroline and George aged nine, seven and three years respectively and William aged eighteen months.
   Respectfully,
     WINFIELD SCOTT
     Commissioner.
Page 11

John Harriss's
Certificate
Page 12

Virginia  Southampton County Sct
  I John Harriss In order to be restored to the Pension list under the act of the 1st day of March 1823, and in pursuance of instructions received from J. L. Edwards, bearing date July 18th, 1823 do hereby certify that the tract of land mentioned in my first Schedule dose [sic] not stand charged to me, on the land role of the said County, or any where else, nor has Edwin Drake with whom I contracted for the said tract of land containing Sixty Acres, ever made me a deed of Conveyance therefor, nor could he at that or any time since, have conveyed the same to me, he having previously conveyed the same land to James Scott of this county by deed in Trust, That I the said John Harriss have paid the sum of Two hundred dollars in part payment for the land, and am unable to pay the balance which would be Two hundred dollars principal and about fifty dollars interest thereon.  That I do at this time and have for the last four years lived upon the said tract of land without paying any rent therefor, but by reason of my [written over: his] having paid the sum aforesaid [marked out: as he supposes]--That I do not consider the said land mine because I have no deed for the same nor do I ever expect to have a deed because I am unable to pay the balance of the purchase money--In consequence of which I have petitioned for a pension, for services rendered my country during the Revolutionary war--Given under my hand this 22nd day of August 1823.  John Harris

Signed Sealed and delivered }
In the presence of                 }
Edwd. Butts                           }
H. [?]                                      }
Page 13

Virginia
   Southampton County Sct.

   I William E. Daughtrey a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that the within name John Harriss personly [sic] appeared before me and made oath that the foregoing certificate sets forth a true and correct statement of all the Circumstances Relative to the land mentioned within, and that every thing set forth therein is strictly true.
Given under my hand this 24th day of August 1823
  Wm. E Daughtrey J.P. {seal}

Virginia
   Southampton County Sct
I Aubin Middleton deputy clerk of the county aforesaid in the state aforesaid, do hereby certify that William E. Daughtrey whose name is affixed to the next foregoing certificate is at this time and was at the time of signing the same, a Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid in the state aforesaid, duly qualified as the law directs, and that full faith and credit is due to all of his official act as such, in every court of record, or else where, within the United States.
   In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my  hand and affixed the seal of the County this 26th day of August 1823.
   A. Middleton  D.C.
Page 14

Virginia
    Southampton County Sct
     I William E Daughtrey a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid in the state aforesaid, do hereby certify that Aubin Middleton whose name is affixed to the foregoing certificate is deputy clerk of the County aforesaid, duly qualified as the law directs, and that full faith and credit is due and ought to be given to all of his official acts as such, Given under my hand and seal this 27th day of August 1823'
     Wm E Daughtrey  J.P. {seal}
Page 15

District of Virginia Sct
   On this 20th day of March 1822 personally appeared in open court being a Court of record for the County of Southampton, John Harriss, a resident in said county aged sixty five years who being first due sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18th March 1818 and the 4th May 1820, that he the said John Harriss enlisted for the term of three years on the day of ___ in the year _____ time not reccollected [sic] in the State of Virginia in a company of Dragoons commanded by Captain William Parsons in the Regiment Commanded by Colo. William Washington in the line of the State of Virginia 3rd Regiment of Light Dragoons on the Continental Establishment that he continued to serve in the said Corps the three years for which he enlisted when he was discharged from the said service in the State of South Carolina a few years after the Battle of the Eutaw Springs. that he was in the Battles of Germantown, Brandy Wine Trenton the Eutaw Springs Guilford Court house Camden and Cowpens and that he had no other evidence now in his posset. of his said services having lost the discharge And in pursuance of the Act the 1st of May in the year 1820, I do most solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th 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 intention thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provision of an act of Congress entitled and Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval services of the United States in the Revolutionary wars passed on the 18th day of March 1818 And that I have not nor has any person in Trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me Subscribed.
    Schedule
1 Spinning wheel $1.50  1 pr of Cotton Cards 50 cents 3 rush bottom chairs $1.00 1 Pine chest $1.00 3 plates 12 cents 3 knives & forks 12 cs one earthen bowl 6 cents 1 Plow hoe 25 cents 1 weeding hoe 25c 1[?] 50c
Page 16

Amount $5.30  John Harris Aged 65 by profession a Farmer a wife aged 41 years and four children aged as follows 8, 4, 3. years & one age three months--I am also considerable in debt and have no debts due me--Subscribed by me this 20th March 1822
   John Harris


Southampton March court 1822
   John Harriss late a soldier in the revolutionary war this day presented his declaration and Schedule in pursuance of an act of congress in such case made and provided which is ordered to be certified to the Secretary of the war department and the court certify that the value of the property contained in said Schedule is worth five Dollars and thirty cents--
    A Copy
     Teste
       James Rochelle  &c.
Page 17

Recd. 3d March 1823.

Jerusalem Va  }
Jany 14th        }


The Hon
   Arthur Smith
      Member of Congress
         Washington city

Hon. Arthur Smith.

Free
Page 18

Jerusalem Southampton county January 3rd 1823.

Sir
  I must take the liberty of asking the favour of you to assist me in obtaining a pension which appears to be due an old revolutionary soldier.  It appears that John Harriss a revolutionary soldier in pursuance of the act of Congress passed the 18th of March 1818 forwarded his declaration to the war department and in return received a certificate bearing date the 9th of October 1819 [?] John Harriss 4th inscribing him on the pension list, roll of the virginia agency at the rate of eight Dollars per month a copy of which certificate is herewith enclosed--and in pursuance of the act of the first May 1820 he was stricken from the pension roll by the Secretary of war.  that in pursuance of the act of May 1850 he forwarded another declaration with a Schedule of his property annexed a copy of which is also herewith enclosed and in return received a certificate bearing date the 17th day of May 1822. As John Harriss the 5th placing him on the pension Roll of the virginia agency in pursuance of the before recited acts of 18th March 1818 and 1st May 1820. at the rate of eight dollars per month to commence on the 20th of March 1822. a copy of which certificate is also herewith enclosed--application was made at the virginia agency in the city of Richmond for payment which was refused on the ground that John Harriss the 4th had been rejected and that the certificate No. 5 does not belong to John Harriss of this county.  I am enclined [sic] to think from this and other circumstances that there is some mistake, and must therefore ask the favour of you to make some inquiry into the subject, John Harriss of this county is certainly entitled to his pension and is now actually in need of assistance from his country.
   Your attention to this Subject will greatly oblige--Yours Respectfully
    James Rochelle
Page 19

18,441
John Harris,
Southampton Co Va
James Rochelle
Jerusalem, Va
Recd. 30 Day 1822

Jerusalem Va
March 26th

The How: Secretary of the department of War
Washington City
Page 20

District of Virginia
On this 20th day of March 1832 personally appeared in open Court being a Court of record for the County of Southampton John Harris a resident in said County aged Sixty five years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath state the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the act of Congress of the 18th March 1818 and the 14 May 1820. That he the same John Harris enlisted for the term of three years on the day of _______ in the year _________ time not recollected in the state of Virginia in a Company of Dragoon Commanded by Captain William Parsons in the Regiment commanded by Colonel William Washington in the line of the state of Virginia and Regiment of Light Dragoons on the Continental Established that he continued to serve in the said Corps the three years for which he enlisted when he was discharged from the said service in the State of South Carolina a few weeks after the Battle of the Eutaw Springs that he was in the Battles of the Eismann Fenn, Brandywine, Trenton, the Eastern Springs Guilford Court House, Camden, and Confens and that he has no other evidence on his person of his said service having lost his discharge. And in pursuance of the act of the 1st May in the year 1820 I do most solemnly swear I had. I was a resident citing so of the United States on the 18th March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or on any manner dispensed of my property or any part thereof with (?). Hereby, so to diminish has to bring myself neither the provision of any award of Congressional Act to provide for certain person engaged in the Land and (?) service of the United States in the Revolutionary War papered on the 1th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor had any person in Trust forego any property or securities contract, or debit due to me nor have I any income than what in the Schedule lends ?) and by me described as John Harris aged 65 by profession a Farmer. A wife aged 41 years and four children aged as follows: 8, 4, 3, and one aged 3 months.
I am also considerable (?) Lane. No debts due me. Subscribed by me this 20 March 1822.
John Harris

Schedule:
1 Spinning wheel - $1.50
1 (?) of cotton cards - .50
3 (?) Bottom chairs - $1.00
1 (?) chest - $1.00
3 plates - .12
3 Knives and forks - .12
1 Earthen barrel - .06
I Plow hoe - .25
I (?) - .25
1 ass - .50
$5.30
Page 21

Southampton County Va
I James Roschelle clerk of the county court of Southampton in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the Schedule annexed are Truly copies from the named 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 five Dollars and Thirty Cents. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand (?) and affixed the seal of the said court, on the 26th (?) day of March 1822
James Roschelle, C.S.C.O
Page 22

The Secretary of the War Department
Washington City
Page 23

Declaration
In order to be restored to the Pension List and the act of the 7th of March 1823
Virginia
Southampton County, writ:
On the 17th day of June 1863 personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of record in and for the County of Southampton aforesaid, John Harris, resident of said county, aged sixty eight, appeared who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to draw the provisions made by the Act of Congress, of the 18th March 1818 and the first May 1820. That the said John Harris served in the 4th Regiment of Virginia Infantry, Commanded by Col. Lucas. That he then enlisted for three years in the County of Brunswick Virginia, on the ____ day of _____ in the year 1778 in the troops of Calvary Commanded by Capt. William Parsons in the third regiment of Light Dragoon, Commanded by Col. William Washington in the (?) of the State of Virginia on the ____ day of Continental Establishment. That he continued to serve in the said troops until the date of 1780 when he was discharged from said service at a place called the round about Twenty miles from the Eutaw Springs where Col. Washington was taken prisoner in the State of South Carolina. That he served in the Battle of Germantown, Trenton, Prince Forew, Brandy Wyne, and several others. That his name has been placed on the pension list and ought therefore an account of his
Page 24

Property on in pursuance of the Act of the 5th May 1820. I do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United State 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 so to diminish it onto bring my self within the provisions of an act of Congress Entitled (?) act to provide for certain reason engaged in the land and manual service of the United States in the Revolutionary war papered 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 debt due to me, nor have I any (?) other than what is contained in the chronicle hereto annexed and by my subscribed to wit, one head of cattle, two head of hogs, two plow hoes, two jugs, four plates, five knives and forks, four cps and 7 ewers, one ax, one (?), six table butter spoons, one bole, one shot gun, one cider barrel, one dutch oven, one (?) and one skillet, one (?) pot. Signed John Harris – by occupation a farmer. That he is very (?) years of age. That he has six residing in his family with himself. To note, his wife Mary aged about forty years, Son Anthony age nine years, Daughter Caroline, aged seven years, son George aged three years and Son William aged eighteen months. That since the Exhibition of my first (?) the following changes have taken place in my property. Sixty acres of land which was improperly inserted into the former schedule is to be accounted for in this way. True it is I had partly contracted for the said land, but never had a need, executed to (?) for the same. Consequently, never had a legal title thereto, nor the grantors have made one at that time, or any time since the
Page 25

Same being under an encumbrance by deed in Trust to a Mr. James Scott show there were other articles, to wit, one cow and one hog which I have killed, for the support of my family and one horse which died, one pot sold to Matthew Murtford for one dollar and seventy five cents (money), one coffee mill sold to George Johnson for one dollar money, one drawing knife sold to Hardy Drake for thirty seven cents, and hand saw sold to Hardy Drake for one dollar and seventy five cents money, and one pair of (?), sold to George Johnson for one dollar and fifty cents money. All sold about February 1822. Signed John Harris
Virginia
Southampton County (to wit)
I Aubin Middleton, Deputy Clerk of the County aforesaid, the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that it appears to the Satisfaction of the Court that the said John Harris did serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration against the German enemy, for the time of nine months under one engagement on the Continental Establishment. I also certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule hereto annexed, are truly filed from the records of the aforesaid Court and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total account in value of the properly exhibited in the foregoing schedule is five dollars and thirty seven cents.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this Seventh day of July in the year 1823.
A.	Middleton D.C.
Page 26

Virginia. File Num: 20
John Harris, 4th, private served 
2 years – 1776 to ‘78
3 years – 1778 to ‘80
Aged about 68 years – occupation a farmer
Wife about 40 years and three children – 8 – 4 & 3 years old
Schedule, dated 20th March 1821 contains
60 acres of Land
1 horse – 11 hogs – “3 head of cattle” – 1 gun 1 2 iron pots – 2 hoes – and other tools and furniture – the whole certified by the court to amount to $314”
Stricken from roll 3rd Dec. 1821.
Sched: dated 20 March 1822 contains – a few articles of furniture valued at $5:30/100 – this was (?) for an original declaration of John Harris, 5th was inscribed on Pension roll on 17th May 1822.
…error was discovered and the … “John Harris 5th” was stricken from the roll 20 January, 1823. 
…. Sched: under act (?): 1823 16th June 182… contains –
2 head of cattle – 10 hog – 2 hoes – 1 ax – 1 gren – 1 iron pot 1 dutch oven and other articles of furniture all valued by the Court at 5:37/100 – He accounts for different schedules by saying that the 60 acres of land was inproperly inscribed into the … schedule, he … having received deed for it he says “consequently never had a legal title thereto, nor … grantor have made one at that time, or any time since, the … having under an encumbrance … deed in trust” – but, he does not state that he had not been paid for the land, nor that he could not have … to the person from whom … purchased, for the return … the money. He does not say, …, that he had not p(?) the property, nor, the barn raising therefore.
… under oath that he has paid $200 on the land and in consequence of that he is permitted to occupy the premises but he still owes $250 on it and is unable to pay it.
Restored
See letter of the 18th July, 1823 to…

A.	Middleton, Esq
Page 27

153'00
Virginia
John Harris 4th of Southampton in the state of Virginia who was a private in the regiment command of Colonel Bailor of the Virginia line for the term of two years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 8- Dollars per month, to commence on the 4th of Sep: 1819.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th of Oct. 1819 and sent to Richard E. Parker Esq, Jerusalem, Virginia.
Provision of semi-anl. all'cc ending 4 March 1820 
5 mo. $48.23
27/30 4/31 $48.23

Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.
Discontinued
Page 28

1929 - Feb. 26 - writ to Ms. C. B. McDougal. er letter in (?) John Self, 531358 MM

38009
INVALD.
Rej
File No: 38,001
John Harris
Priv Rev War
Act: 18th March 18
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 210
[Arrangement of 1870.]