Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4717, William Harville, Va.
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(3-1776)

Service | Number

Va | Harville, William | R. 4717
or Harvill
or Harwell

Oney, Omey or Naoma
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[handwritten on a pre-printed form]
No. Carolina 12.758

William Harville
of Caswell in the State of No. Carolina who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Clayton of the Regt -- commanded by Col. Elliot in the N. Carolina line for 6 months

Inscribed on the Roll of N. Carolina at the rate of 20 Dollars -- Center per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of May 33. and Sent Paul A. Harelson Milton Caswell Co. N. C-

Arrears to the 4th of March 33           40 --
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Septr - 10
                                                            50--

{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Raph Newnan Clerk
Book E -- Vol. 6 -- Page 42.
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State of North Carolina}
Caswell County}
On the 10th day of April 1833 personally appeared in open Court before John C. Harney Thomas W. Graves & Thomas D. Johnston Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Session for the county of Caswell, William Harville a resident of the said county, and state aforesaid aged about seventy one years who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.
That he was drafted (as a soldier of the revolution) for the term of six months in the fall of the year   in the county of Brunswick, State of Virginia and marched (as a private) to Yorktown, in that state in a company of Militia commanded by Capt Henry Clayton and Lieut. Buckner Stith, the regiment to which said company belonged was commanded by Col. Richard Elliott, that he was in the battle of Yorktown and that he served out the [the crossed out] full [illegible] or time of six months for which he was entitled, which terminated shortly after the battle of Yorktown, and that he was regularly discharged by a written certificate from under the hand of Capt. Clayton, which discharge he has since lost or mislaid so that it cannot now be found.
He does hereby relinquish every claim whatsoever to any pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency or state. 
The preceding declaration sworn to in open Court, this 10th day of April, 1833} [signed] Paul A Haralson Clk
          his
William X Harville
        mark
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Questions by the Court:
Question 1st - Where and in what year were you born - Answer I was born in the County of Brunswick, Virginia, I do not know the precise year, the record of my age having been taken away by a neighbor of mine who borrowed the prayer book containing it and who after wards went to the western country and took it with him. I remember of my parents telling me about the time of the battle of Yorktown, that I was then seventeen years of age.
Question 2nd. Have you any record of your age - Answer I have none.
Question 3rd. Where were you living when called into the service, where have you resided since and - where do you now live. Answer I was living in the county of Brunswick in the state of Virginia when called into the service, and [illegible crossed out] continued to live there until after the close of the revolutionary war about two or three years after that time. I removed to the County of Caswell, North Carolina, and have resided there ever since.
Question 4th - How were you called into the service, were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute - Answer, I was drafted.
Question 5th - State the names of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served, such continental and and militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service. Answer Henry Clayton was captain of my company, Buckner Stith, lieutenant, William Vaughan ensign and our regiment was commanded by Col. Richard Elliott, I remember of seeing Generals Washington, and Wayne at the battle of Yorktown I also remember that while I was at Yorktown, I was en-
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engaged with other of the militia in throwing up embarkments, and while so engaged, a party of the enemy came upon us and commanded us to "get up out of our breast works and surrender but while they and a party of the  regulars who were acting as our guard, were skirmishing or firing at each other, we made our escape leaving our arms behind as which fell into the hands of the enemy.
     Question 6th  Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it. Answer - I did receive a regular written discharge from the service signed by my Capt. Henry Clayton, which has since been lost or mislaid.
     Question 7th  State the names of persons residing in your neighborhood to whom you are known and who can testify as to your character for veracity and good behavior and also the name of any person or persons who can testify as to your services as a soldier of the revolution.  Answer- I am well acquainted with John Jeffreys, Thomas Jeffreys, and John Kitchen Esqr who can testify as to my character for truth and veracity. Living now at a considerable distance from the place where I entered the service there is no one living that I know of who can testify as to my services as a soldier of the revolution except my brother Payton Harville who resides in the county of  in Pittsylvania, State of Virginia and whose affidavit taken before a magistrate of that county, accompanies this declaration.  
Sworn and subscribed to in open Court this the 10th of April 1833  
   William his X mark Harville
Paul A Haralson Clk
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We John Jeffreys Sr. and Thomas Jeffreys and John Kitchen a justice of the peace of the County of Corinth residing in the county of Caswell, state of North Carolina do hereby certify that we are acquainted with William Harville who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding declaration that we believe him to be about seventy one years of age that he is a man of truth and veracity on oath.
and also that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood in which he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion 
Sworn and subscribed to in open court the day and year before written. 
     [signed] John his X mark Jeffreys
                  John Kitchen
                  Thomas Jeffreys his X mark
Paul A. Haralson Clk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a soldier of the revolution, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that John Jeffreys, John Kitchen and Thomas Jeffreys who here signed the preceding certificate are citizens of Caswell County, that they are reliable persons and that their statements are entitled to credit.

Thos. W. Graves J. P.
Thos. D. Johnston J. P.
John C. Harvey J. P.

I Paul A. Harleson Clerk of Caswell County court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the  illegible proceedings in the matter of the application of William Harville for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this the 12th day of April, A. D. 1833.
Paul. A. Haralson, Clk
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We John Jeffreys Sr. and Thomas Jeffreys and John Kitchen a justice of the peace of the County of Corinth residing in the county of Caswell, state of North Carolina do hereby certify that we are acquainted with William Harville who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding declaration that we believe him to be about seventy one years of age that he is a man of truth and veracity on oath.
and also that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood in which he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion 
Sworn and subscribed to in open court the day and year before written. 
     [signed] John his X mark Jeffreys
                  John Kitchen
                  Thomas Jeffreys his X mark
Paul A. Haralson Clk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a soldier of the revolution, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that John Jeffreys, John Kitchen and Thomas Jeffreys who here signed the preceding certificate are citizens of Caswell County, that they are reliable persons and that their statements are entitled to credit.

Thos. W. Graves J. P.
Thos. D. Johnston J. P.
John C. Harvey J. P.

I Paul A. Harleson Clerk of Caswell County court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the  illegible proceedings in the matter of the application of William Harville for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this the 12th day of April, A. D. 1833.
Paul. A. Haralson, Clk
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8855.
Oney Harvile.

N.C.

Act 7 July 38.

8855
Declaration
of
Widow
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Declaration of Oney Harville in order to obtain the benefit of the act of July, 7th 1838.

State of North Carolina }
Caswell County              } SS

     Be it remembered that on this 30th day of March A D 1843 personally appeared before John E. Brown one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Caswell and State aforesaid Oney Harville a resident of said County aged Eighty 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 William Harville who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and drew a pension of Twenty Dollars whose Certificate of pension is dated 20th day of May 1833. Signed by Lewis Cass Secretary of War.  No. 12,758, recorded in Book E Vol. 6 Page 42. She further declares that she was married to the said William Harville on the 30th day of January 1786, that her husband, the aforesaid William Harville died on the 18th day of March 1838, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety-four viz: at the time above stated.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before
John E. Brown JP   
     Oney her X mark Harville
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State of North Carolina } SS
Caswell County             }

     I John E. Brown a Justice of aforesaid do hereby certify that Oney Harville the signer of the within Declaration is entitled to full credit. Given under my hand this 30th day of March A D. 1843. 
     John E. Brown JP

State of North Carolina
Caswell County
     I Abisha Slade Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid certify that John E. Brown is an magistrate and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his an [illegible]
     In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official Seal this 30th March 1843
     A Slade Clk
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8855 
Oney Harville
dec.d
N.C. 
Act 7 July 38
See no 8855 
lettr co Wm Lea of 8 May '43 [?]
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Declaration

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7 July 1838, the 3rd March, 1843 & the 17th June 1844.  Acts granting half pay and Pensions to Certain Widows.

State of North Carolina
Caswell County         
                                     Court of Pleas & quarter Sessions
                                     October Term A.D. 1846.
On this the 7th day of October 1846 personally appeared in open Court Elizabeth Dunnaway, a resident of said County, aged 60 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 provisions made by the above mentioned Acts of Congress.
     That she is the daughter of William Harville of late of said County, who was a pensioner of the United States at Twenty Dollars per annum.  That her saidfather was placed on the North Carolina Pension Roll about 13 years ago., and regularly drew his pension - that he died in the aforesaid County of Caswell on the 18th day of March 1838 leaving a widow Oney, who did not afterwards marry but remained his widow till her death.
     That this Declarant's mother, the said Oney Harville, did die on the 6th day of January, 1844, leaving surviving her three children. Elizabeth the declarant who intermarried with Samuel Dunnaway, Henry, and Jane.
     The declarant further states upon her said oath that her deceased father, the aforesaid William Harville resided in Greenville County, State of Virginia, and was, as this declarant has always understood and believes, married in said County. That her dead mother's maiden name was Smith.
     That a certified copy of her father's marriage bond, furnished by the Clerk of Greenville County, Virginia has been procured and is herewith inclosed.
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The said Elizabeth Dunnaway, further states, that she has reason to believe and does believe that her father & mother were married in the year of 1786. That her father died as above stated on the 18th day of March 1838. That they were not married prior to his leaving the service, but that the marriage took place, previous to the 1st January, Seventeen Hundred and ninety-four; viz: at the time above stated (1786). 
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the day and date first above written
Test                                     her 
A Slade  -- CCC     Elizabeth X  Dunnaway
                                          mark
State of North Carolina,
     I Abisha Slade Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions, for said County, certify that it has been given in evidence to the satisfaction of said Court that William Harville, a Pensioner of the United States, did die on the 18th day of March, 1838, that he left a widow surviving him, Oney Harville, who did not intermarry after the death of the said William, but remained his  widow till her death: That said Oney Harville did die on the 6th day of January, 1844, and left surviving her but three children all of lawful age. To wit: Elizabeth, who intermarried with Samuel Dunnaway, Henry & Jane Harville.
     In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office & subscribed my name on this the 7th day of October 1846.
     A. Slade Clk
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Know all men by these presents, that we William Harwell & Drury Adams are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Virginia in the sum of fifty pounds current money to which payment well and truly to be made we bind ourselves, our heirs &c jointly  and severally firmly by these presents, sealed with our seals and dated this 30th day of January 1786.
     The Condition of the above obligation is such that whereas there is a marriage shortly intended to be had and solemnized between the above bound William Harwell and Oney Smith, spinster, according to Law. Now if there shall be no lawful cause to obstruct the said intended marriage then the above obligation to be void, else to remain in full force. 
Sealed and delivered in presence of P. Pelham
     William his X mark Harwell seal
     Drury his X mark Adams  seal

Certificates of Marriages Returned
Jan. 30 1786 William Harwell to Oney Smith    Greenville
     Retd June 2nd 1786.  William Andrews Prn

State of Virginia, Greenville County to wit:
 I Joseph Turner, Clerk of the County Court for the said County of Greenville in the state of Virginia do hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true transcript from the records of the said Court.
     In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and annexed the seal of the said Court, this 19th day of January 1843.
     Jos. Turner Clerk

Virginia, Greenville County to wit:
 I, Thomas Turner presiding Magistrate of the County Court of said County of Greenville, in the state of Virginia do certify that Joseph Turner, who hath given the preceding certificate, is Clerk of the said Court, and that his said attestation is in due form given under my hand, this 25th day of January 1843. 
   Tho. Turner P. M.
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Dear Sir
     Hickenford Jan 19th 1843
     Enclosed you will find the marriage bond and the certificate of marriage of Wm Harwell to Oney Smith. You will find them certified according to law. I find on examination of the oldest marriage bonds in the office nothing of the marriage of James Blake to Sally Clifton. This county was not established until 1781; prior to that time it formed a part of the County of Brunswick. It is probable from the date of the marriage (1777) it may be found in that county.
     Very Respectfully
     Yours &c
     Jos. Turner
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Oney Harville 
of 
North Carolina
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POWER OF ATTORNEY.

Know all men by these Presents: That I, Jensy Merit of the county of Caswell and State of North Carolina the child and heir at law of Maoma or Oney Harville widow &William Harville whose claim for pension under the Act of Congress approved the 7th day of July 1838, is now suspended for further proof, and who died on the ___ day of January 1845, do hereby constitute and appoint P. M. Henry Esqr of Washington City my true and lawful Attorney irrevocably for me, and in my name and place, to examine all the records, letters, affidavits, and other documents and papers connected with the aforesaid suspended claim now on file in the Pension Office, as well as all the Muster Rolls and other records that may show the Revolutionary services of the said Wm Harville and to obtain what amount of arrears may be  due to the said widow and generally to do all lawful acts and things whatsoever touching the premises in order to prosecute said claim to some result: hereby revoking all powers of attorney heretofore given for a like purpose, and confirming whatsoever my said attorney shall, in my name, legally do in the premises: In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and seal this 2nd day of  July 1857.
     Jensy her X mark Merit  (seal)
attest  Wm Long J.P. 
     J Clarey
     Acknowledged and subscribed before me, a Justice of the Peace, for the aforesaid County of Caswell and State North Carolina; and I do certify that of my own personal knowledge the aforesaid Jensy Merit is the acknowlidged child of Maoma or Oney Harville deceased.
     Witness my hand and seal this 2nd day of July 1857.
     Wm Long J. P. (seal.)

State of North Carolina
County of Caswell
     I do certify that William Long Esquire, before whom the foregoing acknowledgment was made, was at the time of it being made a Justice of the Peace for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that the above is his genuine signature.
     Witness my hand and the seal of the County court for said county, this 2nd day of July 1857.
     Tho. W Graves Clerk.
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24890
William Harville
N. C.

Admit as a private
for hmi $20.

Milton
N. C.
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office
183 

Sir: 

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

A Statement, shewing the Service of William Harville N.C.

(a table with columnar headings)
Period when the service was rendered.
Fall of 1781-drafted 

Duration of the claimant's service.
Years. -
Months. 6 
Days. - 

Rank of the claimant.
Private

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Cp. Clayton Elliot ^Col.

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
71. born in Brunswick Va.
entered there, and now lives in Hallifax Co. N.C.

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
1 Surviving witness knows his service - but not certified credible
Certificate of a clergyman and 3 citizens all credible.
papers not authenticated
no seal to the witness deposition

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1852.

The following regulations have been adopted:

This law has been construed to  extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but no those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerk to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.

Four general classes are embraced in this law:

1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.

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

DECLARATION

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.

State, Territory, or District of County of } ss.

On this _________ day of _________ personally appeared (a) before __________ A.B. a resident of (b) of __________in the country of __________and State, Territory or District of ___________-aged (c) ____________years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.  That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) ____________, with _________and served in the ___________ (e) regiment of the ____________line, under the following named officers:  

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

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

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.      A. B.  

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

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier,, and served as he states.

I __________________ of the Court of ____________ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____________ for a pension.

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

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

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

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

Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.

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

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the ____________ and the C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____________ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, _____________Clerk of the Court of _________ do hereby certify that the foregoing, contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of ___________for a pension.

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

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power.  This is the original discharge or commis-sion; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connect3ed therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case.  The facts will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be at-tempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-expected.  All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in Militia, State troops,or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.

1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4.  How were you called in to service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? 
5. State the  names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6.  (To a Soldier. - Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it giv-en, and what has become of it?)
(To an Officer. - Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?)
7. State the names of persons whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can tes-tify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.  If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates. 

The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can pro-cure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
_______________

(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will  fol-low the rule laid down for a his guidance.

(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides.  If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for non-conforming to the rule.

(c) The age of the claimant must invariably by mentioned.

(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.

(e)  Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had.  Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:

"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peach &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the procise length of the service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: --For ________ year __________months, and _________days, I served as a _____________. For _________ months and ___________days, I served as a _______________; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or place, where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent au-thority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.

(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable

(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.

(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.

(i) The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no pub-lic seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.

In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which con-tains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service

(j) In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the wit-nesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under the seal of office.

( ) The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note (j) applies to continental troops only.

(k) This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.

(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.

(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 22

BA-J/ILL
WILLIAM HARVILLE
N. 4717

Mrs. M. M. Reno
5052 Ingersoll Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa.

Dear Madam:
     Reference is made in your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of William Harvel (Harville), a pensioner of Caswell County, North Carolina.
     the data given herein are found in the papers on file in pension claim, N. 4717, based upon service of William Harville in the Revolutionary War.
     William Harville, or Harwell, the name is shown both ways, was born in Brunswick County Virginia; the date of his birth and names of his parents are not shown.
     While a resident of Brunswick County, Virginia, he enlisted for six months as a private in Captain Henry Clayton's company, Colonel Richard Elliott's Virginia regiment, was in the battle of Yorktown and was discharged shortly afterwards.
     The soldier resided in Brunswick County, Virginia, several years after the war, then moved to Caswell County, North Carolina.
     He was allowed pension on his application executed April 10, 1833, at which time he resided in Caswell County, North Carolina. He gave his age then as about seventy-one years, but stated also that he was aged seventeen years at the time of the battle of Yorktown (1781). His name was borne William Harville on the pension roll, but is shown also as Harwell. He died March 18, 1838 in said Caswell County.
     The soldier married in Greenville County, Virginia, Miss
Page 23

Oney Smith, the date and place of her birth and names of her parents are not sown. She survived her husband in 1843, she was aged eighty years; and a resident of Caswell County, North Carolina. She died January 6, 1844.
     Three children of William Harville and his wife, Oney, were living in 1844: Elizabeth, the wife of Samuel Donaway, or Dunnaway, who was aged sixty years then and a resident of Caswell County, North Carolina; Henry Harville; and Jane Harville.
     In 1857, Jensey Merit, daughter of William Harville and his wife Oney, resided in Caswell County, North Carolina; she referred to her mother as Oney, or Maoma. It was not stated that she was identical with the daughter, Jane, noted above, nor was the name of her husband given.
     In 1833, Peyton Harville, brother of William Harville, the soldier, was a resident of Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
     Very truly yours,
     A. D. Hiller, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Page 24

Marriage 
William Lea Esq.
Yanceyville
N.C.
Page 25

Know all men by these presents that we, William Harwell & Drury Adams are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Virginia in the sum of fifty pounds current money to which payment well and truly to be made we bind ourselves, our heirs, & jointly and severally firmly by these presents, sealed with our seals and dated, this 28th day of January 1786.
The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas there is a marriage shortly intended to be had and solemnized between the above bound William Harwell and Oney Smith spinster according to Law now if there shall be no lawful case to obstruct the said intended marriage then the above obligation to be void, else to remain in full force. 
Sealed and delivered in presence of P. Pelham
William his X mark Harwell Seal
Drury his X mark Adams  seal

Jan 30 1786 William Harwell to Oney Smith _____ Greens
          Retd June 2nd 1786 William Andrews Pr
     
State of Virginia Greenville County , to wit:
     I Joseph Turner, Clerk of the County Court of Greensville, in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true transcript from the record and files of the said Court.
     In testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand and annex the seal of the said Court, this 9th day of March 1843.
     Jos. Turner, Cle

Virginia Greensville County, to wit:
     I Henry wWche presiding Magistrate for the said County of Greensville, in the state of Virginia, do certify that Joseph Turner
Page 26

who hath given the preceding certificate, is Clerk of the said Court, and that his said attestation is in due form. Given under my hand this 15th day of March 1843
     H Wyche J. P.
Page 27

Peyton Harville
aff ovr

Wm. Harville
Page 28

Pittsylvania County Virginia
     This day Peyton Harville of  the county and state aforesaid - Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for the county aforesaid - and made oath that - (to the best of his knowledge) in the year of 1781 - William Harville was drafted in the county of Brunswick State of Virginia and marched under Capt Clayton who was attached to a Regiment of Militia commanded by Col Richard Elliott - - to York Town - and has a good reason to believe that the said William Harville served a Six months Tour of Duty - and that he was in the Battle, at the Defeat of Lord Cornwallis. - - Given under my hand & seal this 29th day of October 1832
     J M Williams J P  Seal
Page 29

Virginia to wit
I William Tunstall Clerk of the County Court of Pottsylvania in the State aforesaid do hereby Certify that James M. Williams Jr. Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit of Sigler Harville was made is and was at the time an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly empowered to administer Oaths and that I believe his signature is genuine -

In testimony whereof I 
have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office this 9th day of March  1833 -
Will; Tunstall
Page 30

(left hand side of page)
No. 6 1846     13,117
Oney Harville, dc
July 7, 1838

Sort as Reg
for widow of Wm Harville

(right-hand wide of page)
Oney Harville
wid of William 
No Carolina
July 7, 1808

4717
Page 31

Washington D C
5 Nov 1846

Sir
     We have the honor to present the declaration of Mrs. Elizabeth Dunnaway of N Carolina, daughter of William Harville, a revolutionary pensioner, and of Oney Harville, who remained his widow until the 6 January 1844, when she died, leaving three children, of whom the declarant is one. Attached to the Declaration you will find a certified copy of the marriage bond.
     Very respectfully
     yr obt serts
     T L & A Tho Smith

J L Edwards Esqr
Commr of Pensions
Page 32

8855
N.C.  afl 7 43
July 7, 1838
Oney Harville

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Comr. of Pensions
Washington City

FREE stamp
Page 33

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Comr. of Pensions
Washington City
Page 34

Yanceyville, Caswell County
March 30th 1843.

Sir
You will find enclosed the pension papers of Mrs. Oney Harvill, Respectfully ask your attention to them.

Very Respectfully
Your obt servt
Wm. Lea.

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Washington City
Page 35

8855
N.C.
Rejected 3 mos only!
(let to W. Lea, May 8, 1843 crossed out)
Act 7 July 38
Page 36

No. 8.855

[illegible]
Letter to Mess. Smith Dec. of 16

July 7, 1838
Page 37

E. Donaway
affidavit
Page 38

State of North Carolina
Caswell County

Be it remembered that on this 30th day March 1843. personally appeared before John E. Brown one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Caswell and State aforesaid Elizabeth Donaway who being first duly sworn according to law, depose and say that William Harville dead on the 18th day of March 1843. She further declare that Oney Harville has not intermarried (?) but still remains the widow of William Harville aforesaid.

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and Year above written before.
John E. Brown JP

Elizabeth Donaway
Page 39

William Seal
May 8, 1843
Page 40

Pen Office
May 8 43

Sir
     The claim of Mrs. Oney Harville has been examined and dis allowed.
     By examination of the papers of her late husband it is evident that he was not entitled to the pension he received - - at the time his claim was adjudicated in the several states was very limited on the part of that examining clerks and the pressure of business hurried the settlement of the numerous claims suddenly thrown into the Dept.
     Arguably to his declaration he was but only in service [illegible] in 1781 in the Militia from Brunswick Co. Va. which he estimated at 6 months - It is now known that the tour was but 3 months & consequently insufficient to entitle him to a pension
     Wm Lea Esq. 
Younceyville N. Car.
Page 41

Des Moines Iowa
Veterans Administration 
Washington
Assistant to the Administrator.

Dear Sir:
Please send record of William Harvel (Harville) Pensioned N.C. 1832 private in Rev. War. Caswell Co. 
Yours truly
Maud C. Reno

Mrs. M.M. Reno
5052 Ingersoll Ave.
Des Moines Iowa
March, 17 - 1936
Page 42

(left hand side of page)
1936 = April 7 - Hist to Mrs. M. M. Reno ILL

(right hand side of page)
(Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873. crossed out)

4717
P.O.
Oney Harville
Service: Widow of William

Enlisted: REJECTED, 18
Discharged:   , 18

Application filed:     , 18

Alleges:

Re-enlisted:

Attorney:
P.O.

Recognized.     Contract. 
Cert. of Dis. Searched for     , 18.