Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4678, Nathaniel Harrison, N.C.
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SERVICE   N. C. 
Harrison, Nathaniel    
Jemima 
NUMBER   R. 4678
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State of North Carolina         
County of Stokes } SS        
On this twenty eighth day of May 1842 personally appeared before me Charles Banner one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, Jemima Harrison resident and pauper now in the poorhouse of the County aforesaid, aged nearly Eighty years, who being 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 7th 1838, entitled an act granting half pay and Pension to certain widows from her information is unable to travel, she has no record of her age only from hearsay of her parents who died many years ago. whose names was David & Mary Stewart;             
That, she is the widow of Nathaniel Harrison, who was a musician Fifer & Drummer in the militia and Regular army in the war of the Revolution; and served in the Several Tours cannot remember all of them as he related them often times, to her & others. But she recollects he said the first he was sent to crosscreek called Fayetteville against Tories about the beginning of the war as Drummer or fifer in Capt. Gooden or Cap. Dobsons Company. under Col. Joseph Williams she does not remember the date; but knew all the [unreadable] named officers well. they all lived in then [unreadable] County & Col. Williams was a neighbor of her father, and the next he said he went under the same officers shortly after the first Tour, against the Cheroke [Cherokee] Indians & started in the summer & warm weather & returned after the next Christmas. when he said they distroyed the Indians Towns & their corn and potatoes and afterwards he went in Capt. Merediths Company after Tories, and the last Tour she heard him talk of was under a Capt. James Shepperd a long time to South Carolina was in several Battles with (The James Shepperd) one Battle he was in & had to run from British & swim a river she thinks it was called Brier fork or Creek, she does not Recollect the length of time he served in all but he said it was nearly two years But begs leave to refer to Mr. Lewis Wolff. Jacob Helsepeck & Benji Jones who one now living acquaintances & served with her husband, as she heard him talk of &c       
She further declares that she was married to the said Nathaniel Harrison Surry County North Carolina in September seventeen hundred & ninety one, by Wm. Thornton Esquire who was
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was a Justice of the peace, that her husband the aforesaid Nathaniel Harrison died twenty three or 24 years past last October 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 & ninety four. Viz. at the time above Stated - that she has but one living child Named Peggy. two others are dead that was born of her body whilst she & her husband the aforesaid Nathl. Harrison lived in Union together as man & wife. said Peggy is about forty years of age tho she has no record of her age & is now a widow. called Peggy Grimes -         
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year first above mentioned before me              
C. Banner J.P.                    
Jemima  Harrison her mark        
N Carolina Stokes County } SS                    
Be it known that before me Charles Banner a Justice of the peace in & for the County aforesaid personally appeared Samuel Stewart aged about Seventy Six years brother to the above named Jemima Harris. he being a person well known for veracity & truth, being duly sworn on this 27th day of May 1842. declares on his oath it was always reported & believed in the neighborhood and County of Surry & Stokes aforesaid that the above named Nath. Harrison served in the Capacity of Fifer & Drummer in the Revolutionary War as stated by his this deponents sister in the foregoing Declaration, and further he states that he has just reason to believe that his said sister Jemima was lawfully married to the said Nath. Harrison by William Thornton who was a Justice of the peace in Surry County aforesaid which marriage happened shortly after the division of said County when Stokes County was cut off about the year 1790 that he was not present at the marriage because his parents & the family were very much opposed to the match and his sister Jemima aforesaid secretly absconded from her parents in Stokes County living near the line of Surry County & went over to Esqr. Thornton, who said he had married them together & that they were Lawful man & wife, that this deponents father David Stewart was very angry at his neighbor Thornton Esq. for marrying Jemima his daughter to Nath. Harrison aforesaid as it was alleged that Harrison was mixed blooded and appeared
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somewhat dark complection [complexion]. the said Nath Harrison died upwards of twenty years ago in Stokes County, and that Jemima his sister aforesaid is now his widow & a pauper in the poor house of Stokes & has one only living child called Peggy now a widow Grimes, --  Sworn to and Subscribed the date above mentioned before me         Saml. Stewart his mark
C. Banner JP                 
N. Carolina Stokes County} ss   Amendatory Declaration of the aforesaid Jemima Harrison Taken at the poor house of the County aforesaid this 11th Feby 1843. She claims a pension for services performed by her late Husband Nath Harrison Dec'd in the war of the Revolution for a three months tour agains the Tories to Fayetteville a four months tour to the Cherokee Nation, and five months to South Carolina agreeable to the Depositions hereunto annexed Sworn to and subscribed the day and year last above mentioned                   
Jemima Harrison her mark          
before me C Banner JP
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NCarolina
Stokes County }
I Charles Banner a Justice of the peace in & for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that the within named Saml Stewart is and old resident of said County. and of good standing for Credibility and truth, which I forgot to state when he gave his written Deposition given under my hand this 15th. Feb. 1843 - C Banner. J.P.
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Power of Attorney 
of 
Margaret Conrod 
daughter of Jemima Harrison.

Isaac N Coffin 
Washington D.C. 
Attorney.
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State of North Carolina County of Forsyth }ss                    
Be it known that before me Charles Banner a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid duly authorized by law to administer oath, personally appeared Margaret Conrod the only Child and heir at law of His late Nathaniel and Jemima Harrison a resident of the County & state aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to law, states that she is the widow of the late John Conrod Decd [deceased] and only living child & heir at law of the aforesaid Nathanial & Jemima Harrison Decd formerly of Stokes County N. Carolina (not Forsyth County) her Father the said Nathaniel Harrison was a Revolutionary private musician Drummer, and that she believes the U. States are still indebted under existing laws for the pension that was due her mother Jemima Harrison aforesaid under the application heretofore made by said Jemima, and that she is directly interested as a claimant in the pension for which application was made heretofore as aforesaid. Therefore Constitutes & appoints Isaac N. Coffin of Washington City D.C. her true and lawful attorney with irrevocable power to examine into, investigate and establish the claim for said Pension and do all acts necessary thereto-                      
In witness whereof the said Margaret Conrod has on this 22nd day of October A.D. 1852 hereunto signed her name and affixed her seal before me               
C Banner J.P.                     
Margaret Conrod her mark [seal]                 
State of North Carolina County of Forsyth } I A J. Stafford clerk of the court of pleas and quarter sessions of the County and state aforesaid do hereby certify that Charles Banner before whom the foregoing power of attorney was acknowledged, and affidavit made was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the peace in & for the county aforesaid. duly commissioned and sworn and that his signature above writen is genuine -                     
In Testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said court at office this 23rd day of October A.D. 1852- A. J Stafford
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Mar 15 1844
OJM 
Act March
Jemima [unreadable]

Rockford NC 
March 10th }
Free

J L Edwards Com. Pens
Washington City
D.C.
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A copy of Nathaniel Harrison marriage Bond To wit.

Blank
Test J W C C
Nath Harrison {seal} his mark 
James Creed {seal} his mark 
Upon the back of said Bond and the following endorsement, To wit, Nathl Harrison, Marg Bond, 22 May 1797.
"Jemima Stewart

State of North Carolina
Surry County }
I Francis K Armstrong clerk of the court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the county of Surry do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of A Bond on file in my office purporting to the marriage Bond of Nathal Harrison & Jemima Stewart which is the only record of said marriage in my office
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hands and affixed the seal of my office at Rockford This 8th day of March AD 1844
F. K. Armstrong clk
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This case not to be acted on but by the Commissioner, as the extract from the marriage record has been altered.
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House of Rep July 30 183
James L Edwards
Dear Sir
I enquire to learn if there is any objection to the granting the pension applied for some time since by Jemima Harrison of N. Carolina widow of Nathaniel Harrison a soldier of the revolution - If then should a satisfactory ascertainment of but a part of her claim let me hope that the pension to that amt will be granted 
Yr. obt. sert
A.W. Shepperd
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House Representative,
Washington, June 8, 1846.

Sir,
Please read the enclosed letter and give me the information to enable me to answer it. Retain the letter. 
Your obt servant
David S. Reid 
Hon. J. L. Edwards,
Comm. of Pensions
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Stokes Co. 13th Feb 1843                
Jacob Helsepeck being sworn declares that he knew Nathl Harrison in servis  Wolff says but was called Nat. Harris the Drummer Commd by Capt. Jas Shepperd from Surry Co. march'd to Salisbury, Charlotte & S.C. under Gen. Rutherford crossed Savana River & had a scrimage or small Battle at Brier Creek by a part of Rutherfords men. Said. Harris acted sometimes Drummer & then fifer in the whole route in this expedition we turned out for 5 months & served six m. [months] for want of new recruits. Then we came home but thinks Nat. Harris enlisted in S. Carolina for during the war he return'd after the war & married a Stewart & died in Stokes Co. leaving his widow Jemima Harrison who is now in the poor house. The above service was in 78 79 this is right.            
he further says that said Nat. H was always ready at his post as musician sargent & & he cannot tell the different places. They marched all the time of 8 months under Comm'd. of Genl. R tho in a strange Region - Lewis Wolff said that Nat Harris. had served a tour of three months in the spring of 1776 against the Scotch Tories down to Fayetteville with said. Wolff as his brother fifer & drummer. & in the fall of the same year. Said Harris set out under Capt. H. Smith to the Cherokee nation & served so said Wolff told him, all the tours was under Capt. H. Smith
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A Ruff. minutes of Jacob Helsepeck testimony concerning Nath. Harrison set down by me C Banner  J.P. 13 Febr. 1843 at a muster near Helsepecks
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Deposition in behalf of Margaret Conrod in light of the mother Jemima Harrison             
State of North Carolina County of Forsyth }ss                   
Be it known that on this 13th day of May 1856 before me a Justice of the peace for & within the County aforesaid personally appeared Charles Banner a resident of Forsyth County & State of North Caroline whom I certify to be a respectable & credible person who being duly sworn according to law deposed that the affidavit of Jacob Helsepeck Deceased dated the thirteenth of February eighteen hundred and forty three in the case of Jemima Harrison widow of Nathaniel Harrison for a pension which was sent to the pension office was taken & written by him the affiant and that the minutes then taken by him are hereunto annexed and show that instead of the words "the above Service was in the years of 1788 & 1789" as contained in the affidavit above mentioned, that the years taken down was "the years of 1778 & 1779" and that as it happened in a crowd & hurry an error was made by the applicant in drawing up the affidavit from the minutes of the years 1788 & 1789 is inserted in the affidavit as I am credibly informed it is           
C Banner
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year above mentioned before me. J. J. Guyre J.P. 


The above affadavit was sworn to and subscribed on the day & year first above mentioned and I certify that I know the applicant to be a credible person & that I have no interest whatever in the claim of Margaret Conrod above mentioned.
J.J. Guyre J.P. [signature]
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State of North Carolina County of Forsyth } I A J Stafford clerk of the court of pleas and quarter sessions for the County of Forsyth aforesaid do hereby certify that I Jabez J Guyre before whom the within affidavit was made and who has thereunto set his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the peace within & for the County & State aforesaid duly commissioned & authorized to administer oaths and that his signature above is genuine -                     
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of my office and subscribed my name this 15th day of May 1856 – A J Stafford clerk             
H. K. Thomas [unreadable]                                   
House of Reps DC 14 June 1856 I certify that I have known Charles Banner Esq of Stokes Co. N C for many years, and that he is a man of irreproachable character and undoubted veracity and with or without oath none who know him would doubt his statements                
R.C. Puryear                         
Deposition in behalf of Margaret Conrod in light of her mother Jemima Harrison for a Pension
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Washington July 5th 1855.
Sir: 
I herewith transmit in the suspended Revolutionary pension claim of Jemima Harrison widow of Nathaniel Harrison of North Carolina, under the Act of July 29th 1848 the following papers, viz:
Affidavit of Margaret Conrod only surviving child of said Jemima Harrison
Affidavit of Hon'ble. Charles Banner proving the declaration made by Captain Henry Smith the Officer under whom Nathaniel Harrison served as a Drummer and by Joseph Banner who was in the same company.
Affidavit of Elizabeth P. Grimes 
Certificate of Court that Margaret Conrod is the only living child of Jemima Harrison.
I request that the claim be examined under the Act of July 29th 1848, under which Act there is a Declaration on file - and in the Affidavit first above mentioned she states - "to which papers she begs the Department to have reference."
There have been many decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States that hearsay Evidence consisting of the declarations of pensions deceased relative
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to facts of which they were Eye Witnesses - is in Law sufficient Evidence of those facts. The Evidence of Captain Henry Smith is Evidence of the Very Officer under whom Nathaniel Harrison served, and he being his Drummer was very likely to make an impression on his mind more than a private of whom there was no distinctive characteristic.        
Of Joseph Banner; a Pensioner of the United States who served in the same Company with said N. Harrison - the Hon. Charles Banner Swear, - "he often heard said Harrison and his said Deponents' father Joseph Banner talking over certain occurrences that had happened while they were in the service together as Minute men."             
In addition to the Evidence herewith transmitted, there are Affidavits I think on file of Jacob Helsepeck, Lewis Wolff, William Young, Elizabeth Hill, Samuel Stuart, Elizabeth Apperson & Elizabeth Blackburn, which mass of evidence ought (as is respectfully represented) in fairness, when so often mere traditionary evidence which is Evidence of a vastly less degree that all the above taken together, is considered as sufficient - to be considered as sufficient. The Controller and Secretary of State of North Carolina have been written to and they both returned in answer that his name was not found in their Offices and referred to the Rolls in the Pension Office - therefore if the Regular service cannot be proved by the Rolls in your Office, and which I request may
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be examined - I request that the pension be granted for at least twelve months militia service, which I believe is fairly proved.                         
The Letter of your office to the Honble A. H. Sheppard of Sept 4. 1840 states - "The "Declaration in support of the claim of Jemima Harrison widow of Nathaniel under Act July 20th July 1848 has been examined and filed with the papers heretofore exhibited under Act July 7. 1838. The evidence on file is sufficient to establish the marriage as having taken place in 1797."    And the Letter of your Office to him of Jany 5th 1850; states "the evidence was deemed sufficient to establish the marriage in 1797."                 
The Letter of your Office to Honble A. H. Sheppard of Jany 5th 1850 also states, "Neither N. Harrison or any one of the witnesses have specified the alleged tours of her husband's service." This from the lapse of time is impossible to be more specifically done, that it is done, and Congress passed this law requiring a pension to be granted to her fully knowing this fact and yet requiring a pension to be granted. I will respectfully represent - Has a Department a mere branch of a branch of the Whole Government the right to Nullify this Law of the Land by refusing to carry into effect a Law. If I have any right, only, as the Advocate of the rights of the claimant to state what her right is, it is that she has a right that the Government from under the circumstances the best opinion it can as to the length of his services. I am supported in this view by the Evidence
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of an Eye-Witness, of one who was an Officer of the Government, in its confidence and therefore knows what the Government does consider is the right of a claimant viz: - J. J. Coombs forrmerly Chief Clerk of the Pension Office states as a fact in an argument among the papers of the case of Mary Eve Carney widow of John (of which I was afterwards the Attorney) as follows: "Many full pensions have been allowed, in cases where the evidence was wholly indefinite as to the exact length of service. It has been held and correctly held, in such cases, that if the evidence was of such a character as to leave no doubt that the soldier served at least two years, his claim to a full pension was clearly established -without requiring positive evidence as to how many years months and days he was actually in service beyond the two years."        
The Evidence of identity of the person who makes the application with Jemima Harrison who applied for a pension under Act July 7. 1838" required by the letter of the Pension Office of Sept 4. 1840 to Honble A. H. Shepperd, that is, of the present Applicant's, relationship to her, is furnished by the papers herewith enclosed.                 
I am Very Respectfully Your Obedt. Servt                           
Isaac N. Coffin                   
Loren P. Waldo Esq.                
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
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Letter
of
Honble Charles Banner
of Germanton N. C

Germanton NC
July 22
Isaac N. Coffin Esq.
Washington City
D. C.
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in the case of Elizabeth Banner           
Wrote him Sept 17, 1853 and sent certificate for 4 h. b. b,. from April 3, 1838 to March 4 1841 also under Act March 3 1853 
Germanton Stokes Co. N.C. Dear Sir, 20 July 1853 I replied to your letter of 28th June last on Saturday last. and yesterday recd your double letters of June 29th & July 9th inst. inclosing a new Regulation in the Pension office, in which you state that the declaration of Jesse Banner one of the Children of Betsy Banner could not be found in the pension office, I am sure I did put it in the post office at Winston addressed to Col.. Waldo, at the same time I enclosed you the power of Atto. of all her living, and afterwards I rec'd a scrip from the pension office acknowledging the receipt of the same, every thing necessary was fixed in the Declaration agreeable to your instructions. Tho it was done since the new Regulation was adopted of which I was not apprised of at the time, and if the new Regulation meant be conceded to it will have to be delayed until the 3rd Monday of Septemb. the next court of Forsyth Co. when I am [unreadable] that every requisite of the new Regulations can be complyed with if required. The clerk at the pension office has certainly overlooked the Declaration. tell him to try again - I have not the [unreadable] before me. but think Jesse Banner or some of the heirs has it.                         
I forgot to mention in my other letters to you to enquire after the claim for Bounty Land for Mrs Telleson for The Service of her former husband - Daniel. I wrote her Declaration & the Hon. Jas. T. Morehead wrote to me that he recd. it & sent it to the pension Department, & that is the last I heard of it; and I had forgotten it until a few days ago. She sent to me to know what had been done with it, will you please examine for it.              
I wrote you the other day that Peter Tuttle Esq. admin with the will of Henry Eason decd annexed wishes to sell the land wart [warrant] of 80 acres offerd to her. and has understood that the Government at Washington will pay a certain price in check. or some agency at Washington makes purchases. If you can let me know how fix it. so as he can get their pay. I will have it sent to you. when you can get your $5 as you say for trouble which I think turn over
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think you justly deserve as I told the two heirs of said Henry Eason. The said Peter Tuttle is one of her son in laws having married her daughter Susanna. 
The old claims of Jemima Harrison has never been finally acted upon yet, the witnesses are all dead & gone. I think ten months service was proved of Nathaniel Harrison viz. 3 months in N.C Militia in the winter & Spring of 1776 against the Scotch Tories to Cape Fear. & in the Autumn & Winter of same year 76, 4 months against the Cheroke Indians in the expedition against said tribe & 3 months to the South all under the command of Cap. Henry Smith & Capt. Goode. he went as Musician Drummer & fifer at times as was proven, after these Tours was performed. he enlisted for during the war. but the enlistment cannot be properly proven tho the other services has been proved. by the affidavits of certain respectable characters who are now dead. Look them all through once & I think you will find the proof as above as well as my short memorandum showing me which I currently looked over &c. Excuse me for intruding on you so much, I will Remain Very
Respectfully your humble
Servant
C Banner 
Isaac N. Coffin Esq 

Write 
1st: to get best evidence of marriage they can living together as husband and wife prior and  that they were married within the time required by law
2nd: As to Mrs. Tillison- must state in the nature of his service - where served and the time paper sent in––
3rd: Enquire where certificate issued since widow died, if heirs entitled
4th Look among papers for Jemima Harrison
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Bounty Land Claim Act Sept 28th 1850, and Widows Revolutionary Claim under Act July 29th 1848              
Washington October 5th. 1853                   
At the request of Hon. Charles Banner of Germanton North Carolina I have respectfully to solicit information in regard to the Bounty Land claim of Mrs. Tillison Widow of Daniel Tillison of North Carolina being Application for Bounty Land under Act September 28th 1850. To show that I am authorized to make this request herewith enclose letter of Mr. Banner of 20th July 1853        
I respectfully solicit the consideration of your office of the views presented by Mr. Banner in said letter relation to the claim of Jemima Harrison of North Carolina, a Revolutionary Pension Claim under the Act of July 29, 1848-             
I am: With the Highest Respect             
Your obedient Servant              
Isaac N. Coffin 
P.S. I request that my letter to Mr. Banner may be returned to me. Respy I N.C. Hon.              
Loren P. Waldo Comm. of Pensions Washington D.C.                  
No writ: has been filed in this case & not on suspended in file - for service in 77  N. C. Mil. W. H. Woodby
MJ Agt Milton
Oct 7 / 53
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H. of Reps. June 2./53.
Sir:
Mrs. Margaret Conrod [the name is underlined] of Surry Co. N.C. in right of her mother Jemima Harrison widow of Nathaniel Harrison, claimed a pension some years since, and as there has been no definite action on the same, the claimant desires me to ascertain for her the present condition of her claim. I do not know under what law or act of Congress the claim was filed. I would be pleased to learn what is its present condition, or what may be required for the establishment of the same. It is said that in the - year 1833 or 34 the testimony of Capt: Henry Smith and other was obtained, and has been filed with said claim.
Very respectfully Your Obt. Ser't
R.C. Puryear 
Hon. J. Minot
Comm. of Pensions }
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[Page is handwritten]
Jemima Harris
Co of stokes N.C
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Washington city December 8th 1852
Sir
On 20th of August last I had the honor to forward to the Department additional evidence in the application of Jemima Harrison, for a pension, which was acknowledged on 23rd of the same month: under date of 7th instant, I received a communication from the Department, informing me that the evidence was insufficient to authorize the prayer of the applicant:
Now pardon me for again troubling you, from carelessness or some other cause, I omitted to enter on my note book, the residence of the applicant and am at a loss for her address (the parties being unknown to me) Will you do me the favor, to give me the county, from which the application comes & greatly oblige your friend and obedient servant:: 
James T. Morehead 
James E. Heath Esq
Commissioner Pensions DC
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Aug 15. 1857
Letter from Comm Edwards resp to claim of Jemima Harrison

C Banner
Germanton
Stokes Co
N.C.

[illegible] NC
July 29th 
J.E. Heath Comm. of Pensions
Washington City
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Germanton Stokes Co. N. Carolina
28th July 1851
Sir, I have the honor to include a letter from the Pension office which the Hon. A. H. Shepperd. only sent it to me a few days ago. perhaps it may answer you for a ready reference to the declaration & papers on file in your office, relative to the claim of the widow Jemima Harrison. It appears that I comitted an error in Mr Jacob Helsepecks deposition wherein it states that a Tour of Service was rendered by Nathaniel Harrison in the year 1788 & 89. when in last it ought to be set down in 1778 & 1779 as Helsepeck stated it was in the time of the Battle of Brier Creek which happened on the first of March 1779 so it must be a militia of mine in setting the date in his deposition let it be [illegible] it was the date [illegible] said Battle happened; It has been proven if I mistake not that said Nathl Harrison first served three months in the spring of the year 1776 against the Scotch Tories to Fayetteville N.C. & in the fall of the same year 1776 marchd to the Cheroke Nation of Indians in Col. [illegible] Williams Regime of Militia & was in service four months in this expedition & the next was to South Carolina three months in the time of Beyer Creek Battle Shortly after said Battle it is alleged & believed that he enlisted in S Caroline & served during the war & there returnd home to Surry Co N.C. But this last service is not satisfactory proved. Therefore the widow relinquishes her claim for the Continental service, and only claims a pension for the Ten months service her husband served as a musician fifer & drummer as you will find by the Testimony of witness in your file the witness are all now dead, as this case has been a long time since the Commencement of it; please give the paper an early examination & let your Humble Servant know the result &c
Hon. J.E. Heath Comms. of Pensions 
Very Respectfully yours &c
Charles Banner 
Turn over
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Germanton 
28 July 1851 
Dear Sir, 
As the Hon. A.H. Sheppard has declined the canvas for a Reduction as a Representative for the distinct (which he could have had without opposition  I presume) I have to make enquiry in behalf of those who I undertook to aid in getting their claims and among the rest I beg leave to call your attention to the widow Mary Ryerson for a Pension of Money & Bounty land for Services rendered by her husband Stephen Ryerson dec’d. Mr Sheppard presented her papers to your office & he has not as yet returned any ans [answer] as to any action being had on the matter &c  
Very Respectfully I remain your Huml. Servant 
C Banner 
Hon J E. Heath 
Comm of Pension 
Washington City }
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Additional evidence for Jemima Harrison claim

Forwarded to the department 10th August 1852
Jos T Morehead
Page 32

State of North Carolina County of Forsyth } Additional proof in favor of Jemima Harrison Be it known that on this tenth day May A.D. 1851 before me Charles Banner a Justice of the peace in & for the County & state aforesaid personally appeared Elizabeth Blackburn the widow of Younger Blackburn Dec.d. and ninety five years who being duly sworn according to law to declare what she remembers of the Services of a certain Nathaniel Harrison in the war of the Revolution, declares that she recollects said Natl Harris they called him he was a fifer & drummer & saw him often. One time she remembers when she was a young woman Capt. Henry Smith with his company encamped near her Father Thomas Goodes in the then Surry County N Carolina on Town Fork now Stokes County said Harris played on a Drum for the company & she with the other young people asked him to play on the drum which he done for them also on a fife. It was at the time they were marching down the Country against the Scotch Tories as she understood. The date she cannot remember but recollects that her uncle Richd Goode went with them as a Capt or Lieutenant & shortly after their return said Harris came back with the company. She was married to younger Blackburn the next June & in the fall of the year her husband was drafted to go against the Cherokee Indians when she went with him to the place of Randavouze near old Richmond being Surry Court house her husband hired one Ezekiel Young to go in his place. When she saw said Natl Harris going with the army as Drummer in Capt. Smiths Company under The Command of Colo Jo. Williams her uncle Richard Goode had the command of a company also, said Harris went with them & returned she thinks in the fall & winter of 1776 & 77 she saw said Harris often afterwards. & he next went with her uncle Richard; Company on Capt Smiths she don’t recollect which in a Tour to the South & she never saw any more of him untill after the end of the war, sworn to & subscribed the day & year just above written before me.                        
C Banner J.P.            Elizabeth Blackburn her mark                     
 I hereby certify that above named Eliza Blackburn is a very Respectable woman & retains her intelects surprisingly and her evidence is entitled to credit                  
C Banner J.P.
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State of North Carolina }
County of Forsythe

I A. J.Stafford Clerk of the County Court of the county aforesaid do hereby certify that C.Banner Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit or statement was made is a Justice of the peace in & for the county & state [illegible] duly [illegible] year by law to administer oaths; and that [illegible] his genuine signature [crossed out] In testimony whereof I have hereunto [crossed out] put my [illegible] and affixed [crossed out] my seal of office This [illegible] 14 day of August 1852
A.J Stafford C.C.L.
By J. Martin
Page 34

Pension office, September 4th 1849,             
Sir,                     
The declaration in support of the claim of Jemima Harrison, widow of Nathaniel Harrison, under act 29th July 1848 has been examined and filed with the papers heretofore under act 7th July 1838, The evidence on file is sufficient to establish the marriage as having taken place in (1797/1787?) but before the claim can be allowed, record evidence should be produced if attainable, in corroboration of the statement made by the witness, some such evidence may perhaps be found in the office of the Secretary of state and Comptroller of North Carolina Evidence of the identity of the person who makes the application with Jemima Harrison, who applied for a pension under act 7th July 1838 should be produced      
I have the honor to be Very respectfully your obt Servant,         
JL Edwards            
Hon A.H. Shepperd Salem, N.C.
Page 35

Mr. Ziglar    24 Nov 49   111 /2   
Bozilla Westmoreland } Beg [begin] at a forked pine stump run E10.50 to a point N.6° W11.50 to Ash Camp at the mouth of a Branch, then Nearly N. up the branch 9.00 to a back & W on the old line W. 9.00 to Rose rosebush when a B. gum fell at a Small S. Wd. N. 20.00 to a pine  W. & Germ road 25.00 to a W. O. Sprout where the [unreadable] S. 24.00 to W. O. Perry Ziglar C. then S 20.0 E 19.50 to a Small Pine where a Wo Fell thence E. 14.00 to the Beg.   
I wrote this letter before I tooked insribe thinking it was blank paper. }
C. Banner   
124
350.00      
248
10.20
10.02
1.80
1.24
56
2.81
16.92
1.40 ¾
18.32 ¾
J. L. Edwards letter
Washington
Jemima Harrison
Dated 4th Febr 1849   
8.25 stake   56
9.  11.50
10  Juniper Tree   W. 25
N. 39.75
82.80
52.80
20.50
100
1 2050000
111.5
56
25
14
350
35.18 ¾
314.81 ¼
314.75
Page 36

State of North Carolina Stokes County }    
Elizabeth Apperson of said County being duly sworn according to law on this 10th day of March 1846. in the eighty first year of her age that she now resides in said County of Stokes and formerly resided in Surry County N. Carolina from her infancy that she is the widow of William Apperson Decd and claims a pension at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum. said Deponant says that Saml Stewart the Brother of Jemima Harrison who is the widow of Nathaniel Harrison but was always called Nat Harris to tell what she knew of said Nathl Harrison serves in the war of the Revolution. Deponant says she first became acquainted with the said Nat Harris as he was called in Surry County aforesaid in the time of her youth as he hired to work for her father & lived in the neighborhood of her father at and before the Commencement of Revolutionary war, and to the best of her memory & recollection he said Harrison was a fifer & was gone as a fifer or soldier a tour to Fayetteville against what was called the Scotch Tories she cannot recollect the Captain's name he served under, and next went as she understood from him & others in the expedition against the Cherokee Indians & returned home to The same Settlement in which this Deponant resided. but the length he served she cannot remember, but the next Tour he went to the South she believes under the Command of Capt. Henry Smith or Richd Goode of Surry County aforesaid and his Brother John Harris went also under the same officers as she was told. the date she cannot tell, but she said Nathaniel Harris returned home Several years afterwards & said he had served through the whole War & had been in many Battles among which he said he had been in a Battle Called Brier Creek and War as at the Taking of Cornwallis at Little York where he & his brother was discharged & on Their way homeward, his brother John was taken sick & died. Deponant think said Nathl said he enlisted somewhere in South Carolina after the Battle of Brier Creek, this is all the Deponant recollects of his narrative which he stated as to his services in the war. Some years afterwards he married to Jemima Stewart who is now his widow. from the age of one of her children which is in his fiftieth year said Nath.l Harrison & Jemima Stewart was married. They both lived neighbors to this Deponant & her husband in then Surry County N. Carolina Sworn to & Subscribed before me the day & year first above written              
C Banner J.P.                            Elizabeth  Apperson her mark  
North Carolina Stokes County } I Charles Banner a Justice of the peace in and for said County do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Elizabeth Apperson who swore to and subscribed the foregoing affadavit and that she is a credible person and her statements are entitled to full belief given under my hand this 10th day of March A.D. 1846     
Charles Banner J.P.
Page 37

State of North Carolina } 
Stokes County
I John Hill Clerk of the Court of pleas & quarter sessions for Stokes County certify that Charles Banner whose name appears to the annexed affidavit at the time of signing the same was a duly commissioned qualified & acting justice of the peace in & for our said County of Stokes & that his signatures genuine in testimony whereof I have hereunto offered my seal of office & subscribed my name this 15th day of December 1849.
Jno Hill
Page 38

Germanton NC  August 15}  
Elizabeth Spainhaur  Free
Elizabeth Fulp
J. L. Edwards. Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

3948 August 21, 43
N C
Mar 3 1843

Harris
Page 39

Stokes County. Germanton
14th August 1843

The Hon
J.L. Edwards
Enclosed I send you the claim of Elizabeth Spainhour for a pension under the act of Congress of 3.d March last with a hope that you write act upon it as soon as possible & make me a return; I fear that the papers of Mrs. Elizabeth Apperson & Nancy David of this County have been miscarried or you would have gave me an answer before now, if you have not rec’d such papers for their Pensions, please to let me know. also Jemima Harris. (alias) Harrison, claim; which has been on The file for some length of time I have taken all the pains I possibly could for her to establish her claim, and from the Hon. A.H. Shepperd, return to me from you nothing was lacking but the grade that Nathaniel Harrison her husband bore as musician fifer in the army, which I think was satisfactorily proven by the deposition of Wm Young.   I sent two of his Depositions.  the first I presume was mislaid by Mr. Shepperd unless you have recd it since you wrote to me. &c.  Please be so good as to act upon all the above mentioned claims as soon as you can & you’l oblige the claimants and your 
Hum.l Servant
C Banner 

N.B. the Election in the 3d district of N.C in which I reside has terminated by Electing a Democrat Mr. Read. over Mr. Mitchel. Whig. about 200 Votes and I am Sorry for that, CB 

Since I wrote the above Mrs. Elizabeth Fulp came before me & made her Declaration which I herein enclose. She wishes a speedy return &c
Respectfully yours
C. Banner 
We have very rainy weather & has had for three weeks past.
Page 40

July 21, 1843.
Addl [additonal] to case of
Jemima Harrison

Germanton NC
July 15 } free
The Hon
J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 41

Germanton Stokes [unreadable] NC. 14 July 1843              
The Hon. J.L. Edwards       
Commr. of Pensions               
Dear Sir) Enclosed you will receive the additional Testamony of Wm Young in behalf of Jemima Harrisons claim for a Pension. no proof is obtained relative to Nathl Harris Service in the Regular troops. except Capt. Goodes saying he did enlist out of his company in S. Carolina after the Battle of Brier Creek for during the war from that time. therefore if the claim is allowed his Regular Service can be calculated from that time &c                
You wrote to be a few weeks past, that no additional Testamony had been recd in behalf of the above applicant respecting the Grade that her husband Nathl. Harrison bore in the Army I handed the Deposition of Wm Young to the Hon. A.H. Shepperd myself who promised to forward the same to your Department as soon as practicable, I have sent him your answer to me from which he will learn that it had not received your office. perhaps he will find it but if he does not, this is the same in substance and some items more, I hope you will act upon the matter as soon as you can as the old lady desires to know the Result. also. Mrs. Nancy Davis & Elizabeth Apperson claims for the additional pension of one year under the act of 1843. let me hear from you &c.  
You oblige the old Ladies & your Humble servant              
C Banner
Page 42

Amendatory
State of North Carolina County of Stokes }    2nd Depo of Wm Young in behalf of Jemima Harrison                    
Be it known that on this 7th day of July 1843 before me Charles Banner a Magistrate in & for the County aforesaid. personally appeared William Young a resident of said County & a Pensioner of the U States. he being first duly sworn according to law, declares on his oath that he was well acquainted with a certain Nathaniel Harrison, (whose nickname was calld Nat. Harris the fifer) many years before & since he married a Jemima Stewart in Surry County N. C. that he recollects that the said Nat Harris Served as Sargent Fifer Three differed Tours under the command of this deponants Brother in Law Capt. Richard Goode, who married his sister Rebecca, that since the Revolutionary war he often heard said Capt. Goode & said N. Harrison chating over the many Hardships & Ventures & that they had encountered during the war that said Capt. Goode always spoke well of said Harrison as his orderly sargent fifer. that he was a brave soldier. & first served a three months Tour in the winter & spring of the year 1776 & marched from Surry County N C Joined & Rondevouzed at Dobsons & Road and thence to Fayetteville N Carolina a Siege against the Scotch Tories. - The next Tour was the expedition to the Cheroke nation of Indians. which happened in the fall & winter of the same year 1776. Which was at least four months in the last in both of the above mentioned Tours this Deponant lived part of the time as a teamster hauling provisions for the army & saw his brother in law Capt. Goode & said Harrison at the head of his company march & they returned together to Surry County aforesaid & were neighbors to the Deponant the next or a tour was a call for five months men to go to South Carolina (but previous to that thereto said Harrison went on a Scouting expedition or expeditions after the Tories some times two weeks. & sometimes less as a minit man, he thinks at least he was out on these calls. three months some times when the command of Capt. Meredith Capt. Goode & others he dont remember But in the Tour to South Carolina he turned out Volunteer
Page 43

& Started from Richmond. (Surry old court house) he does not recollect the date exactly but thinks it was in the Fall or winter of 1778 from there marched Southwards by Salsibury & joined the army of Genl Rutherford & was in the Battle of Brier Creek in the time of the service & shortly after said Battle the term of five months expired so said Capt. Goode, But his soldiers were returned one month longer for new recruits to come forwards to Genl. Rutherfords army; & a part of his company was disatisfied to be kept in service longer than the term of five months, in consequence of which Capt. Goode stated that he lost several of his Company by their enlisting in the Regular Army among which was his sargent fifer the said Nat. Harrison who enlisted for during the war under a Regular officer near Savannah River    He Capt. Goode did not tell the officers name But after Harrison returned to his home & neighbor to his Deponant. he brought a writen discharge after the war ended which he showed to Mary Goode, that he stated in his narrative of Regular service that he had performed he had been in Several Battles particularly in the Battles of Guilford (and there he was slightly wounded in the arm by a ball) and the taking of Cornwallis at little York where he got his discharge. Major Goode seemed to believe him & this Deponant believes he said Harrison served as above stated Sworn to and subscribed the date above mentioned before me        
C Banner J.P.                William Young his mark             
 North Carolina Stokes County } I Charles Banner who took the foregoing deposition of Wm Young do hereby certify that he is a person of respectably for Veracity & think in the County aforesaid & a person of extraordinary memory of his age, the first deposition being taken in haste did not state all the items that he has since recollected. Given under my hand this 7th day of July 1843.                    
 C Banner J.P.
Page 44

& Started from Richmond. (Surry old court house) he does not recollect the date exactly but thinks it was in the Fall or winter of 1778 from there marched Southwardly by Salsibury & joined the army of Genl Rutherford & was in the Battle of Brier Creek in the time of this service & shortly after said Battle the term of five months expired so said Capt. Goode, But his soldiers were retained one month longer for new recruits to come forwards to Genl. Rutherfords army; & a part of his company was disatisfied to be kept in service longer than the term of five months, in consequence of which Capt. Goode stated that he lost several of his Company by their enlisting in the Regular Army among which was his sargent fifer the said Nat. Harrison who enlisted for during the war under a Regular officer near Savanah River S.C. Capt. Goode did not tell the officers name But after Harrison returned to his home & neighbor to this Deponant he brought a written discharge after the war ended which he showed to Mager [Major] Goode, that he stated in his narative of Regular service that he had performed he had been in Several Battles particularly in the Battles of Guilford (and there he was slightly wounded in the arm by a ball) and the taking of Cornwallis at little York where he got his discharge. Mager Goode seemed to believe him & this Deponant believes the said Harrison served as above stated Sworn to and subscribed the date above mentioned before me                  
C Banner J.P.                   William Young his mark                
North Carolina Stokes County } I Charles Banner who took the foregoing deposition of Wm Young do hereby certify that he is a person of respectabily  for Veracity & truth in the County aforesaid & a person of extraordinary memory of his age, the first deposition being taken in haste did not state all the items that he has since recollected. Given under my hand this 7th day of July 1843. C Banner J.P.
Page 45

State of North Carolina
Stokes County }
I John Hill clerk of the Court of Pleas & [illegible] for said County do hereby certify that Charles Banner whose name appears to the foregoing certificates is a qualified and acting Justice of the Peace and that his signature as such is genuine.
In testamony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of my office and subscribed my name this 14th day of July A.D. 1843
Jno Hill C C
By H. Breedlove  D C
Page 46


March 1843
Jemima Harris
NC free

Germanton N.C  free
[illegible]
The Hon.
J. L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
Washington City
Page 47

The Honb’e J. L. Edwards Esq. } Stokes County
N. C. Germanton
30th May 1845

Dear Sir)
Some time ago I rec’d your ans’r through the Hon. A. H. Sheppard our Representative in Congress: requesting the claim of Jemima Harris. (alias) Harrison widow of Nathaniel Harrison a Fifer in the army of the Revolution. respecting the grade he acted in during his Service, I took the Deposition of a Pensioner. Mr. Wm Young relative to his grade in ans’r to your letter to Mr. Shepperd & gave it to him since his return from Congress & have not rec’d any answer. therefore am doubtful whether it even reach’d your office & if so you never acted further on the claim will you be so good as to let me know whether you rec’d the Deposition of Young from Shepperd or not. The old lady Harrison is anxious to know the result you’l oblige the old lady & your Humb. Servt -
C Banner 

N.B. as we have no Representative in congress at present, I shall address you on all occasions of pensions that I am call’d on in future 
Our Elections for Rep. to consul will be in August next. in our District we have two Candidates in the field (Viz) Mr. Mitchel (Whig.) who was Elected in place of Lewis Williams Dec’d and a Mr. Reed a Democrat. I am of opinion that Reed will be Elected [illegible]
CB
Page 48


Oct 7. 1853
Let in case of Betty Banner [illegible] Harrison [illegible] & hand [illegible]  Isaac N. Coffin,
[illegible]
case Cannot be found


Hon. Loren P. Waldo
Comm. of Pensions
Washington City

Will Mr. Woodley please return these papers after he has attached to that [illegible]
Page 49


No. 8593
Jemima Harris
N.C.
Let 26 Jany 1843; A.H. Shepperd 
Let to Hon. A.H. Sheppard Mar 9 '43 
Let to C. Banner June 8. 1843 
Let to  F. K. Armstrong Sep. 9 1843 
Let to C Banner [illegible]
Let to C. Banner Act 7 July 1838 10 44

428
Jemima Harris or Harrison, wid of Nathaniel
N.C.
Hon AH Shepperd 4 Sep 1849- 
Same 5 Jany 1850- Same 17
Aug 1850- [illegible] Nov
1 1853-Same July 12 1853-
Hon R.C. Puryear Jany 5 18560
I.N. Coffin June 26 1856-
Same Sep 22 18560
July 29. 1858
4678
Page 50

8593
Jemima Harris
NC
Rejected
Let to A. H. Shepherd Mar 9 
Let to C Banner June 8.
Let to F R Armstrong Sept 9 44
Let to C. Banner Decem. 9 44
Let to C. Banner  Sept 10 45
Hon D. S. Reid June 16 1848 -
Act 7 July 1838

Hon A. H. Shepherd  Jany 5/50
C. Banner
Ans 3/51
Hon Jos T. Morehead Dec 7/[illegible]
Same Dec 10 50
(Informing from what co. application was made)

Turn
Page 51

State of North Carolina
Controller's Department
I Geo. W. Brooks Controller of the Public Account in and for the state aforesaid, do hereby certify that it appears of record in my office among the pay sheets made by said State to Sundry persons for Military Service in the Revolutionary war as follows -

Nathaniel Harrison
Book No.5 Page 49. £ 9.12.11. Salisbury District. Aug. 1783
The testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of my office at Raleigh this Sept 6 1856
Geo.W. Brooks 
Controller
Page 52

 REJECTED 

4678 
Jemima Harris or Harrison 
Service: Wid Nathaniel 
N. C.
Page 53

Washington March 4, 1843

J.L. Edwards Eq.
[illegible] I enclose you the amended declaration of Mrs. Harris
Yr obt sert
AH Shepperd
Page 54

Washington Sept: 16th: 1856.          
Sir:              
In the case of Jemima Harrison widow of Nathaniel, of North Carolina, under the Act of July 21. 1848, a suspended case, I herewith transmit Certificate of George W Brooks Esq. Controller of the State of North Carolina.                         
By this Certificate it appears that the Records show that he received £9 12s, and as £ 32 was a private’s pay per year, - that reduced into federal currency show, three months and eighteen days service proved by Record Evidence thus corroborating the proof of his Regular service.    But as the North Carolina Records are very imperfect and therefore payments for the remaining Militia service which is positively proved by the Affidavit of Jacob Helsepeck who not only served and proved the service of Nathaniel and therefore deeply interested not to swear to a lie and thus cut off his own pension, but who was a Revolutionary Penioner 
- these Records do not show. But they do confirm the parol evidence as far as they are preserved. I therefore earnestly solicit that with the very large maps of parol testimony - (confirmed so far as the Records are preserved)- proving that he served very much more than six months- and with the solemn promise of the Government
Page 55

that it would not "require from the applicants positive proof of service from a contemporary survivor, would after the lapse of so many years be to deprive many of them of the benefit of the law" - which promise as stated by the former Commissioner of Pensions (page 539, edition 1854) was approved by the publication by Congress of many thousand of the Regulations contacting it - best which notwithstanding, is furnished in this case, - I therefore earnestly solicit that the very small amount out of all which is proved by the evidence) of only six months service be allowed.           
I am Very Respectfully Your Obedt Servt:           
Isaac N. Coffin.                       
Honble Seth Cole          
Acting Commissioner of Pensions          
Washington. D.C.
Page 56

Washington June 16th: 1856.            
Sir:               
I herewith transmit Affidavit of Charles Banner Esq. and the original minutes of testimony in the Revolutionary pension case of Jemima Harrison of North Carolina under Act of July 29th 1848 - proving that a mistake was made in writing the Affidavit of Jacob Helsepeck in inserting the years 1788 & 1789 instead of 1778 & 1779.                 
In the letter of the Pension Office of Jany. 5th: last, letter Contl [controller] Richard C Puryear it is stated “and her witnesses have not been able to describe his services in such a manner as to approximate the length of it.”   And in a letter from same of Jany 5. 1850 to the Honorable A. H. Shepperd it is mentioned that "Jacob Helsepeck one of the witnesses states that "Harrison's services was rendered in 1788 & 1789." The original minutes (annexed to above Affidavit herewith enclosed) prove that the insertion of the years 1788 & 1789 was an accidental mistake and that the years 1778 & 1779 were intended to have been inserted. As the person (Charles Banner Esq.) who drew the original Affidavit is a gentleman of the highest intelligence and as the object of the Affidavit was to prove service in the Revolutionary War, it is self-evident that he would not have taken evidence of service in 1788 & 1789, when he full well knew the Revolutionary War was ended five
Page 57

and six years before those years- and when he well knew that the service of Genl Rutherford under whom Helsepeck served, was in the Revolutionary War. Although in these notes the figures 1788 & 1789 are erased, it will be seen that the erasure was then made as the correction is in precisely the same ink and handwriting and the line "78. 79 this is right" is equi-distant from the line above and below. That half line being made at a certain distance from the next one above it, the next following line guided by the distance between the two above is made the same distance apart as the two above - these showing that the correction was made before the line commencing "he further says" and there that the correction was made at the time, But in drawing the Affidavit the mistake was made in the same was as a mistake will often occur inadvertently by the most intelligent persons in leaving out a word or in misspelling. In addition to this Charles Banner Esquire, of whom the Honble Richard C Puryear Certifies "is a man of irreproachable character and undoubted veracity and with or without oath none who know him "would doubt his statements" swears the mistake was made a "crowd & hurry" Jacob Helsepeck states "we served "six months. For want of new recruits then we
Page 58

"came home but thinks Nat Harris enlisted in S Carolina for during the war." "Lewis Wolff said that "Nat. Harris had served a tour of three months "in the Spring of 1776 against the Scotch Tories as his "brother Fifer & Drummer and in the Battle of the same "year said Harris set out under Capt H Smith "to the Cherokee Nation & served 4 months, so said "Wolff told him. All the tours was under Capt H Smith."
It is stated by the claimant that Capt. H Smith applied for and obtained a pension ^in 1833 and details the nature service, thus showing it was in the Revolutionary war.
Its the evidence of Jacob Helsepeck is corroborated by the very large mass [the lines "very large mass"  is underlined] of Evidence of Lewis Wolff, William Young, Elizabeth Hill, Samuel Stuart, Elizabeth Apperson & Elizabeth Blackburn, - it will now be seen that the fact no longer exists "that her witnesses have not been able to describe his services in such a manner "as to approximate the length of it," because Jacob Helsepeck has been able to state six months service as he Solemnly Swears that he served with him that duration of time - and therefore although there is Strong Evidence and Reason to believe he served at the least much longer than six months, she has at the least a fair claim for only six months service, which I respectfully solicit may be allowed by your office.
Page 59


I am
Very Respectfully
Your Obedt Servt
Isaac N. Coffin. 

Honble J. Minot
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington. D.C.
Page 60


Eliza Hills
Depo
Page 61

State of North Carolina Stokes County } ss Be it known that on this 11th day of January 1842 before me Charles Banner a Justice of the peace in & for said County personally appeared the widow Elizabeth Hill of Surry County N.Carolina who says she is about seventy nine years old. who from common report is a pious Sensable person of Veracity for truth & which I believe to be correct, she being first sworn according to law, declares on her oath that she was & now is well acquainted with a certain Jemima Harris now in the poor house of Stokes County as a pauper whose maiden name was Jemima Stewart. also she was acquainted with Nathaniel Harris so called and was present & law said Harris & Jemima married & lived together as man & wife by William Thornton who was a Justice of the peace in Surry County some time shortly after the division County in the year 1790. or 91 she dont recollect which, But a few persons were present & she understood that said Jemima's parents were oposed to her marrying said Harris & it was called a runaway match, they lived together many years & done well had several Children, but only one named Peggy is now living. they lived near neighbors to this Deponant many years & said Nathl Harris died upwards of twenty years past who was a good hand to play on the fife & Drum & had Served in the Revolutionary War as she always understood for which services, she this deponant is informed that said Jemima about to petition for a Pension. She further states that said Jemima has remained unmarried & the widow of the aforesaid Nath.l Harris ever since his death, Sworn to and subscribed the day & year first above mentioned before me               
C. Banner J.P.     Elizabeth Hill her mark
Page 62


8593
Jemima Harris
N.C.
Act 7. July 38
Rejected
[illegible]
1797



No8593
NC
July 7 1838
Jemima Harris

Hon. A.H. Shepperd H. R.
Page 63

N.Carolina Stokes County } ss        
Be it known that on this 12th day of August 1843 before me Charles Banner a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Lewis Wolf & Jacob Helsepeck both Pensioners of the United States and of good & respectable character of Veracity & truth. They being duly sworn according to Law to declare what they know of a certain Nathaniel Harrison Services in the Revolutionary War. first. the said Wolff declares that he was well acquainted with said Harris they both were fifer musicians in Surry County N.Carolina, & resided not far apart and in the Spring of the year 1776. said Harrison & the Deponant both served a tour of three months in Col. Williams Regiment of Militia as musician fifer he does not recollect the Captain who Harrison served under. but thinks it was Capt. Goode or Dobson and marched from Dobson crossroads in Surry County to Fayetteville N Carolina against the Tories who was defeated before they receded Fayettesville & they returned home & was discharged this Deponant was in Capt. Henry Smiths Company. Harrison officiated some times as Drummer and was a first [unreadable] as either the fifer or Drummer, and in the Summer or Autumn of the same year 1776, they served together & marched together in Colo Williams Regiment from Richmond Surry County aforesaid to Wilkes County N. Carolina to Join the South Carolina troops to go against the Cheroke Indians the South Carolinians failed to meet. & our Regiment returned back to old Richmond then Surry Court house. & rendevoused some time. then marched over the Blue Ridge to Join the Virginia troops this deponant did not go. but said Harrison went as fifer or drummer & returned with the army he thinks they were at least four months in this service against the Cherokes and further this Deponant understood that said Harrison went a Tour to South Carolina as fifer in Capt. Smiths & Capt. Shepperds Campaigns. and. when he was an old Bachelor was married to David Stewart daughter Jemima; he died in Stokes County many years ago & his widow is now a pauper in the poor house as this deponant is informed. sworn to & subscribed the date first above writen before me C Banner J.P.         Lewis H Wolff his mark
Page 64

Next. Jacob Helsepeck declares that he knew Nathaniel Harrison named as written by Mr. Wolff but he was called by the name of Nat. Harris the drummer in in a Company Commanded by Capt. James Shepperd. from Surry County N.C & marched to Salisbury & Charlotte then into South Carolina under General Rutherford to Savannah River & crossed over to Brier Creek where we had a Battle, the said Nat Harrison was in the whole route some times Drummer & then fifer as occasion required.  in this expedition we engaged for five months least were detained. for want of new recruits a month longer & then was discharged. & returned home to Surry County. he thinks Harrison after was enlisted but is not certain that he did; he married a Stewart many years ago. & he died in Stokes many years ago he cannot recollect. but understands his widow is now in the poor house of Stokes County. Sworn to and Subscribed the date first mentioned on the other side; the above service was in the years 1788 & 1789 - 
Sworn to before me
C Banner J.P.
Jacob Helsepeck his mark 

The said Jacob Helsepeck further Declares that the aforesaid Nathl Harris alias Harrison acted always at his past as musician fifer in the grade of a sergant in the expedition to South Carolina above mentioned. but cannot recollect the different routes & stations they marched in the five months Tour above alluded to which under the command of General Rutherford it being a Strong Region to him; Lewis Wolff who Testafied to the [illegible] (who died a few weeks past.) Remember.d to this deponant about the time we give over Depositions aforesaid that, the said Nath.l Harris or Harrison. was his Brother fifer in a Tour to Fayetteville N.Carolina of three months in the same grade as himself as sergant & fifer and afterwards acted in the same Capacity in a set out to the Cheroke Nation, of Indians in 1776. Sworn to ans Subscribed This 13th day of Feb. 1843
before me
C. Banner JP 
Jacob Helsepeck his mark
Page 65

State of North Carolina
County of Stokes }
I Charles Banner a Justice of the peace in said County before whom the foregoing Depositions of Elizabeth Hill. Saml Stewart, Lewis Wolff and Jacob Helsepeck were [illegible] taken. Do hereby certify that they all are Credible persons for Veracity & truth in the neighborhood & County where they reside. and I believe the Hon. A.H. Shepperd can certify the same
C Banner JP 
20th Feb.r 1843
Page 66

License Bond

Nath.l Harrison
to
Jemima Stewart
1791
Page 67

Nathl Harrison his mark {seal}                 
James Curd his mark {seal} 
Test J. W. C. C.                    
 On the back of the paper appear the following endorsements to wit Nathl Harrison, Marg Bond. " 22d May 1791 " Jemima Stewart,                   
State of North Carolina Surry County } I Francis K Armstrong Clerk of the Court of pleas and Quarter Sessions in and for the County of Surry do certify that upon examinations of any office I find among the file of Marriage Bonds for the year 1791 in my office or paper with the signatory of Nathl Harrison & James Curd under seal of which the above is a true copy and on the back of said paper are the endorsements above given the said paper is signed and witnessed in the same [illegible] of the above copy and entirely blank In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office of Rockford this the 8th day of February AD 1843      
F.N. Armstrong clk                
By H. C. Hampton D. C.
Page 68



428
Jemima Harrison
of Nathaniel 
N. Carolina
I have been requested to send the enclosed

A. H. Shepperd
Page 69

State of North Carolina County of Forsyth lately Stokes County }                         
On this 26th day of April 1849. personally appeared before me Charles Banner a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid Jemima Harrison who is some times called & known by the name of Harris. a resident of the County aforesaid but from bodily infirmly and age is actually unable to walk without help from her bed to the fire place, therefore is quite unable to go to the County Court aged at least eighty one years but has no family Record at present. if any is in existence perhaps it is filed in the Pension office of the U. States with her declaration on a former application for a pension under the act of Consul of 1838. who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her Oath make the following declaration (first) that the foregoing is the truth. & secondly in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the law of the United States passed on The 21st of July 1848. that she is the widow of Nathaniel Harrison who was a private soldier in Captain Henry Smiths company in Colo Joseph Williams Regiment from Surry County N. Carolina & marched to the Cheroke Nation of Indians and from proff it appears served in this Tour at least four months & returned home with his company. and some time after that enlisted as a private under Captain Joseph Philips as a Regular & served during the war of the Revolution as she was informed & believed was the case But for more Satisfactory proff of the applicants claim for a pension she begs the pension department to have reference to the Deposition of Lewis Wolf and others. all of whom are now dead. whose Depositions are now on file in that office in the case of her former application for a pension. she cannot physically recollect the date of her marriage to said Nath.l Harrison but it was after the division of Surry County which was in the year 1790. She believes & several years before the year 1800. as pr [proof] the deposition of Elizabeth Hill will more plainly appear and that her husband the
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the aforesaid Nathaniel Harrison died about the last of October 1804 in Stokes County N. Carolina, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by the proof hereunto annexed sworn to and Subscribed at her place of residences on the day and year first above writen before me
C Banner J.P. 
Eliza Johnson her mark

Jemima Harrison her marks 

North Carolina 
Forsyth County }
Be it known that on this 26th day of April AD 1849 personally appeared before me Charles Banner a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid. John Conrod Esquire who is a Credible person for Veracity & truth who being duly Sworn according to law. declares on his oath that about the fall or Autumn of the year 1804 he was present and assisted in Intering the body of Nathaniel Harrison who was called & known by name of Nat Harris in the County of Stokes N. Carolina and that from general report of old citizens & acquaintances in the County he did serve several years as a soldier in the Army of the United States in time of Revolutionary War. Sworn to & Subscribed the day & year first above writen before me
C Banner J.P. 
John Conrod 

State of North Carolina
Forsyth County }
I John C Blume Clerk of the Superior Court of Law for the county aforesaid Certify that Charles Banner is a Magistrate in and fore said County, and that his signature to the foregoing purporting to be such as genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of my office and subscribed my name this 24 day of April AD 1849
John, C,, Blume, C.L.C
of Forsyth County
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Hon L.P. Waldo
Comm of Pensions
Washington D.C.
[illegible] of 
I.N. Coffin Esq

the heir of Jemima Harrison claim for a pension
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State of North Carolina County of Forsyth }           
...On this 19th day of June A.D 1855 before the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions now Siting in the Town of Winston in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Peggy (alias) Margaret Conrod widow of John Conrod Decd a resident of the County aforesaid aged about fifty three years the only living child of the late Jemima Harrison Deceased who was the widow of Nathaniel Harrison Deceased who being first duly sworn according to law. doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to apert the claim of her mother the said Jemima Harrison widow of Nathaniel Harrison to the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed the 2nd February 1848. entitled an Act granting half pay and Pensions to certain widows:" that the said Jemima Harrison was the widow of Nathaniel Harrison who served as a private musician Drummer & fifer in the militia and Regular soldier in the war of the Revolution for which service her mother the said Jemima Harrison made application for a Pension whose Declaration & Tertiary Deposition to Substantiate her claim are now on file in the pension offices to which papers she begs the Departments to have reference to by the aid of her attorney Isaac N. Coffin Esq. together with the annexed proof her the said Margaret Conrod being the only & identical living child of the said Nathaniel & Jemima Harrison deceased also additional evidence herewith in closed: the said Jemima remained unmarried & the widow of said Nathl Harrison up to the time of her death. which occurred on the fourth day of February A.D. Eighteen hundred & Fifty two 1852 Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written before the Court       Sworn A.H. Stafford Esq             Margaret  Conrod her mark
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State of North Carolina County of Forsyth ] 19th June 1855 At a court held for Forsyth County aforesaid at June Four 1855. personally appeared Charles Banner Esq. who being duly sworn according to law  & a resident of said County aged Eighty one years declares on his oath that he was well acquainted with Nathaniel Harrison who went by the name of Nat Harris the drummer. That he often heard said Harrison & has said Deponants Father Joseph Banner Talking over certain occurances that had happened while they were in the service together as minnit men and a four month Tour against the Cheroke Indians in the fall & winter of 1776 & 77. said Joseph Banner was in the Pension list & served in the same company with said N. Harrison Commanded by Captain Henry Smith in the North Carolina militia; and it so happened that the said Captain Smith came to this deponants house of residence soon after or in the winter of 1832 or 33 after the Pension Act of Congress had passed in June 1832, and got this Deponant to aid him in getting proof of his Services from the Servicing old soldiers that had served under his command as Capt. in the war of the Revolution. accordingly I did assist him & wrote & look many Depositions to substantiate his claim for a Pension his first inquiry was after such & such was most of whom were dead or removed   But he particularly enquired after his Drummer Nat Harris as he called him; said he was a faithful drummer & fifer & a good soldier in battle or else where that said Harrison had served more than twelve months under him in regular Tours & minnit men after Tories in the then Surry County N..C. that he went as one of his guard to a Convention of Council of Safety held at Hillsboro or Newbern N.C. I dont recollect which but was gone some two weeks on that occasion then said Harrison served three months under his Command in the winter & spring of 1776 against the Scotch Tories down to Cape Fear then in the Autumn of the same year he served a four month Tour against the Cheroke Indians & returned home to Surry in January of Feb. 1777. The next said Harrison went under his command as a Volunteer for three or six months. not recollected which ^was to South Carolina. reference to said Capt Smiths Declaration will more plainly show; during which service his said Drummer Nat Harris was in the Battle of Brier Creek in March 1779. and Swam over Savanna River on the retreat with his drum which he braged of & said it hepe [helped] him to swim. said Capt Smith was sorry to hear that he said Harrison was dead
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as he wanted his evidence in [crossed out] his case for a Pension that he always esteemed him for his good behavior & orderly conduct;  after the said Battle his term of service for which he was engaged as a Volunteer explained and he said Harrison enlisted for during the war under some Regular officer in South Carolina and he never saw him any more untill the war ended when he came back to his old neighborhood in Surry County near the said Capt Smiths residence he said he was glad to see him and that said Nat Harris boasted very much that he had followed the Read coats during the Scape [escape] and had seen Lord Cornwallis' Surrender his sword to Washington at little york so ended his history; and said Capt Smith believed that he served faithfully the whole was as he was a man of truth & the said Capt Henry Smith was a Citizen & neighbor of Deponants Father in then Surry County N. Carolina and esteemed by his many acquaintances as a useful valiant brave soldier and a true friend of his country, and a bitter enemy to the Tories. some time after the war he removed to Cabarrus County N. Carolina & where the Pension law passed in 1832 he came back to his old County then Stokes Co. from Davidson of Surry Co. & from sub division is now Forsyth County  where he formerly resided, after said Capt. H. Smith returned home to Cabarrus. I proceeded to take the affadavits of those that the Captain had named & were living in the County of Stokes which Depositions I carried to the next Court of Cabarrus in the Town of Concord when & where the Hon Dan'l M. Barringer assisted me in drawing said Capt. Smiths Declaration which he made oath to in Court and the Depositions aforesaid were annexed thereto: & I presume are now on file in the Pension office, this narrative will show the credibility of Capt. Smith aforesaid whose assertions I believe to be true in regard to Nath.l Harrison who was the husband of Jemima Harrison who Petitioned for a Pension on acc't of her said Husbands Services; that her Brother Sam.l Stewart made application to me some time in the year 1842 to assist him & his sister to obtain a pension - she being unable to attend court. I attended to her place of Residence & took her declaration and afterwards the Deposition of sundry witnesses  who are all now dead. also the said Jemima & her Brother who said for him are both dead. and Peggy alias Margaret Conrod is the only living child and heir at law of the aforesaid Nathaniel 
turn over
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and Jemima Harrison Decd who died about the 4th of Feby. 1852 said Margaret was first married to one Grimes who died. then some five or six years ago it fell to my lot to Solemnize the rites of matrimony between her the said Margaret & one John Conrod Esq. who is now dead. and she his widow is the identical person & only living child and heir at law of the aforesaid Nathl & Jemima Harrison Decd who has this day made application & aported her claim in court for the Pension that was due to her mother aforesaid Sworn to and Subscribed before the Court on the day & year first above mentioned
A.J. Stafford Clk 
C Banner
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State of North Carolina
County of Forsyth }
On this 18th day of June AD. 1855 before the court now settling in the court house in the town of Winslow in & for the County aforesaid personally appeared Elizabeth P. Grimes and being duly sworn according to law declares that the within named Margaret Conrod is the identical & only living child & heir at law of Nathaniel & Jemima Harrison both dead. that the said Jemima Harrison remained his widow up untill the day of her death which occurred about the fourth of February 1852 as states within. by  Margaret Conrod
Sworn to & Subscribed before the court
A J Stafford clerk 
Elizabeth P. Grimes her marks 

State of North Carolina
County of Forsyth} At a court held for Forsyth County aforesaid at June Term 1855 satisfactory evidence was adduced in open court by the annexed affadavits of Charles Banner Esq. and [crossed out] Elizabeth P Grimes, who are residents of Forsyth County and Persons of credibility and [illegible] declares that Margaret Conrod who made the foregoing Declaration is the identical & only living child & heir at law of Nathaniel & Jemima Harrison Deceased and agents her claim in right of her mother for a Pension
Testamony whereof I A.J. Stafford clerk of said court. have hereunto affixed the seal of the court and subscribed my name this 19th day of June AD 1855
AJ Stafford clerk