Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3544, Winans Harris, New Jersey
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
New Jersey

Harris, Winans
Hannah

NUMBER
W.3544
B.L. WT 30777-160-55

CONTENTS
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4121
New York
Winans Harris
of Orange Co. in the State of N. York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Scudder of the regt commanded by Col. Seely in the New Jersey line for 15 months

Inscribed on the Roll of New York City at the rate of 50 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Increased from $40.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of April 1846, and sent to Hon. A.C. Nevin, House of Representatives

Arrears to the 4th of 
Semi-annual allowance ending

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by D Brown, Clerk,
Book E.2. Vol 4. Page 32.
Page 3

2,878

New York [City?]

Hannah Harris, widow of Winans Harris
NJ
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 50 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.

Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of November 1853 and sent to A.P. Stephens, Nyack, Rockland Co., N.Y.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act 
February 3, 1853, Page 76 Vol. a
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1855 June 20 to A.P. Stephen
July 17 Cir to P. Aqt
" 21 From Albany
to New York City, from 4 March 1855 notn to A.P. Stephen
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175.055 Act March 3
June 22 } SS
Hannah Harris, wid.
Winans Harris hu
Reviy War Peni. Act Feb. 3. 1853
[illegible] Feby 53-2878
Chi60Ao June 13 / 56
Boynton
[pencilled across diagonally] No. 30777 jp June 19/56
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10927
Wynans Harris
Pension papers under act 7th June 1832
admitted 1 year 40$ Mr. Wilkin Ho Repter
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State of New York, Orange County JP
On this 27th day of December in the year 1832 personally appeared before me of the Justices of the peace in and for said county. Wynans Harris, a resident of the town of Minisink, County aforesaid aged Seventy two years who being first duly sworn according to lay, 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 latter part of the year 1780 or the beginning of the year 1781 as a private, in a company commanded by Captain John Scudder in Col. Seelys Regiment of New Jersey troops; that he enlisted for one year and was stationed at Elizabethtown New Jersey and while at that place and in the said service was taken prisoner by the British troops and carried into New York and was then confined in what was called the Sugar House where he was kept for the period of about four month, then he was exchanged - returned to Elizabethtown aforesaid and served out the term of his service enlistment being one whole year and
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was honorably discharged - That he resides at the town of Elizabethtown in the State of New Jersey when he enlisted. That he was born at Elizabethtown aforesaid in the year 1760 and lived at Elizabethtown aforesaid when called into the service - and that since the war he has resided principally at Elizabethtown & other places in the state of New Jersey and for the last twenty three years in the state of New York. That he received a discharge from Captain Scudder but it is lost - That he has no record of his age, That his is acquainted with William Graham and Matt Kelly in his neighborhood who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any state - Winans Harris
Subscribed & Sworn before me the day & year above mentioned by the said Wynans Harris who in my opinion was a soldier
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tionary soldier and served as he states - HW Elliot, J Peace
[illegible]
State of New York,Orange County } JP I Asa Dunning Clerk of the County of Orange [illegible] Clerk of the County of Common Pleas in and for the said County do hereby Certify that Horace W Elliot Esq [illegible] when the foregoing affidavit was sworn was at the time a Justice of the Peace and for the said County of Orange and that the Signature HW Elliot subscribed as above is his Pension Signature - In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office this 27th day of December 1832. Asa Dunning Clerk.
[seal visible on left hand side]
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Hannah Harris
Widow of Winans Harris
Affdt for Pension.
A.P. Stephens
N York, N.Y.
Page 11

State of New York
County of Erie }SS Jp
On this 28th day of September One thousand Eight hundred and fifty three personally appeared in Open Court it being a Court of record Hannah Harris aged sixty seven years a resident of Newstead in the County aforesaid who being 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 law of the United States [srapto?] the 3rd February AD 1853. That she is the widow of Winans Harris, who was a soldier of the Revolutionary War but in what capacity he served is not know to this deponent nor does deponent know that names of the officers under whom he serves, that to the best of deponents knowledge and belief her said huband was pensioned under the Act of Congress [srapto?] 7th June 1832. and that he was paid his pension at the Agency for paying pensions in the City of New York. As will appear by the as will appear by the declaration by him made, and by the records of the pension office in the City of Washington. She further declares that she was lawfully married to the said Winans Harris in the County of Orange and State aforesaid on the 20th day of August AD 1817. by Charles Cummins, a minister of the Gospel. That her said husband died at Minisink County of Orange and State of New York on or about the
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25th day of November AD 1848. That she was not married to him prior to the second of January Eighteen Hundred but at the time above stated. She further declared that she is now a widow And that she has no certificate of other written evidence of her said marriage in her possession. Hannah Harris
Subscribed and Sworn in Open Court the day and year above written. Jesse Lockwood Justice of the Peace & associate Justice of the Court of Open & [illegible]
[missing piece of paper]
of New York, 
unty Clerk's Office }SS.
I, William Andre, Clerk of said County, and the Courts thereof, certify that Jesse Lockwood before whom the annexed affidavit was taken, and whose name is subscribed in the certificate of proof thereof, [handwritten] and an associate Justice of the Court of Oyn [Orange?] & [illegible] [handwriting ends] was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly elected, sworn and acting as such, and authorized to take the same; and further, that I am well acquainted with his handwriting, and verily believe the singature thereto, to be his genuine signature. & that the same was taken in open court In Testimon Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said County and the Courts thereof. 28 day of September AD 1853.
L Leblem Dep Clerk.
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State of Iowa SS
Charles Cummings of Muscatine Muscatine County in the State of Iowa being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is a minister of the Gospel of the denomination of Christians called Presbyterians And that he was such Minister on the Twentieth day of August in the Year of Our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and seventeen at Florida Orange County in the State of New York that he kept a Book containing a Record of Marriages and that from said Book so kept by deponent at the day and place last aforesaid he deponent found in the Holy Bands of Matrimony a W. Harris to Widow Tompkins that neither of their first names are entered in said Book nor does this deponent know their Christian names at this remote period of time. 
Charles Cummins
Sworn to this 28 day of January 1853 Before me LT Golrlerry Justice Peace

[written sideways on the left side of paper]
This affidavit must be sworn to before a Judge or Justice of the Peace and the certificate of the Clerk of the County must be attached with the Seal of the person being such Judge or Justice of the Peace and a right to take affidavit all on one posice. (?) M Clelan
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State of New York
County of Rockland
On this 28th say of October AD 1853 presonally before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within and for the County aforesaid came Edward C Harris, who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that Hannah Harris who has made the annexed affidavit for pension is the widow of Winans Harris deceased, that this deponent, at the instance and request of said declarant, sent for and obtained from the Reverend Charles Cummins that annexed affidavit of the marriage of the parties therein stated. that he knows of his own knowledge that the Winans Harris was a pensioner of the revolution at the time of his death and that he [knowing?] that the said Hannah Harris drew the balance of pension due the said Winans Harris at the time of his said decease. And this deponent further says that he has no interest in the application now made for pension by the said Hannah Harris. [line]
Edward C. Harris
Subscribed & sworn the day and year above written and I certify that I am acquainted with Edward C Harris and that he is a creditable witness. Isaac J. Blauvelt Justice of the peace }
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[seal]
State of New York
County of Rockland SS
I John E Hagenkamp Clerk of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Isaac Blauvelt whose name is subscribed to the within affidavit is a Justice of the peace in & for said County. And duly authorised to administer oaths, that the signature purporting to be his is genuine. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this 29th day of October AD 1853. John E. Hogenkamp Clerk
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175.055.
Hannah Harris.
A.P. Stephens
NYork NY.
Page 17

State of New York
County of Rockland }jp
On this 13 day of June [May scratched out] AD 1855.) One thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace, within and for the County and State aforesaid Hannah Harris aged sixty nine years, a resident of the County aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law declares she is the Widow of Winans Harris deceased, who was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. And a pensioner of the United States from the State of New York. That his service in the said war is set forth in his declaration for obtaining pension and together with the names of the officers under whom he served. And whose names this deponent does not recollect, that this deponent is placed on the pension roll under the act passed 3 February 1853. As such Widows Aforesaid. And - never to most respectfully refer to her declaration now on file in the Pension Office in the City of Washington. She furthers states that she was married to the said Winans Harris in the County of Orange and State of New York on the twentieth day of August AD 1817 by one Charles Cummings a minister of the Gospel and that her name before her
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said marriage was Hannah Casialine: that her said husband died at Minisink, in the County of Orange and State aforesaid on or about the 25th day of November AD 1848. And that she is still his widow. She further states that she has not heretofore made application for Bounty land under the present nor any former act of Congress passed for their purpose. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the Act approved March 3 1855. And that the evidence of her said marriage is on file with her former declaration for obtaining pension. 
X Hannah Harris
and Rachel P Harris 
M Edward C Harris
Residents of the County of Rockland, and State of New York upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed in our presence that we believe from the appearance and statements of applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. that we know her husband the said Winans Harris is dead, and that the said Hannah Harris is still his widow. Edward C. Harris Rachel P Harris
The foregoing declaration and affidavits were sworn to before me and subscribed on the day and year above written and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in this claim. Isaac J Blauvelt, Justice of the peace }
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[typed] State of [handwritten] New York
[typed] County of [handwritten] Rockland }SS:
[typed] I, [handwritten] John E Hagenkamp [typed] Clerk of the County of [handwritten] Rockland [typed] do hereby certify that [handwritten] Isaac Blannett ]typed] was, on the day of the date of the above declaration, a [handwritten] Justice of the Peace [typed] in and for the said County, duly appointed [word (s) obscured by seal] that I am well acquainted with his handwriting, and that the signature above, purporting to be his, is gen [obscured]
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name, this [handwritten] 18th [typed] day of [handwritten] June [typed] in the year 185[handwritten] 5
John E. Hogenkamp Clerk
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State of New Jersey
Essex County SS
Personally appeared before me Gideon Ross one of the Justices of the peace in and for the said County of Essex, James Harris, who being duly sworn on his oath deposeth and saith that his brother [scratched out] Jonathan [scratched out ends] Winans Harris enlisted about the year 1780 or 1781 in what was then called this year's service in a company commanded by Capt. John Scudder, in a Regiment commanded, as this deponent believes, by Col. Seely, of the New Jersey line that during the time for which he was enlisted he was taken a prisoner by the British troops at Elizabethtown in New Jersey, and conveyed by them to New York where he remained a prisoner about four monthz and was then exchanged  - that after his exchange he served the remainder of his term of service and was then regurly discharged, and further this deponent saith not. Taken before me the 19th day of April AD 1831 } James Harris, Gideon Ross [ink swirl]
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State of New Jersey
County of Essex SS
I Elias Van Arsdale Junior Clerk of the County of Essex and of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas holden at Newark in & for the said County do certify that Gideon Ross before whom the foregoing defenition was taken was at the time of doing thereof and now is a Justice of the peace in and for said County of Essex, duly Commissioned qualified & sworn residing therein - That I verily believe that signarure "Gideon Ross" is the proper hand writing of said Justice & that full faith and credit are due to his official acts - In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and afficed the Seal of said Court at Newark aforesaid that Thirteenth day of April AD Eighteen hundred & thirty one
E Van Arsdale Jr Clk
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J.W. Martin
Mount Hope
Orange County
New York
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[underlined]
Declaration for increase of Pension
[underline stops]
State of New York
Orange County }ss
On this 31 day of May 1845 personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County Winans Harris a resident of the town of Wallkill County and State aforesaid aged Eighty four years and upwards who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration amendatory of a former declaration made by him some time in 1832 under the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 That he was a native of Elizabethtown in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey and entred the Militia service in the County of Essex in the Sixteenth year of his age that he served his regular tours of monthly and alarm duty till he entred a company of three months men under Captain Samuel Harriman in 1780 and was stationed at Rahway in the County of Essex after which service in December 1780 or the beginning of January 1781 he enlisted into a company of New Jersey Levies for the term of one year under the command of Capt John Scudder and Lieut Darrel Woodruff which term of service he faithfully performed in the said company and as a prisoner after which service he again continued to perform his militia tours of duty untill the close of the war and he very believes that he served in the militia and Levies at least three years active duty during the Revolution That he is now a pensioner of the United States at the rate of [ink smear] forty dollars per annum & was placed on the pension list in January 1833  That he makes the foregoing declaration
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according to the best of his recollection but from his advanced age the consequent loss of memory and the great length of time since the Revolution he is unable to enter into details in relation to his services but refers to his original declaration on file in the Pension office made under the act of Congress of June 7th 1832 at the time he was pensioned he lived in Orange County New York 
BW Corwin Justice 
Winans Harris his mark
State of New York Orange County SS I certify that Winans Harris is a man of truth and veracity and I believe his statements made in the foregoing declaration are entitled to full credit and belief. BW Corwin Justice

State of New York
Orange County SS
William Graham of the town Minisink in the county and State aforesaid aged fifty four years being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following affidavit Viz. That he he has been acquainted with Winans Harris who made the foregoing declaration for more than twinty years and has acted as his agent in drawing his pension for several years That the said Harris was pensioned under the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 at the rate of forty dollars per annum - That he has had frequent conversations with the said Harris in relation to his Revolutionary services and has always understood from him that he did not draw as much pension as he was entitled to for the services rendered
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The country by him during the war That the said Harris always said to him that if Justice was done him he would draw a full pension or Eighty dollars per [unerlined] annum [underline ends] That he believes that the old man is to be believed in his statement heretofore made Sworn to and subscribed this 31st day of May [ink spotches] before me William Graham
BM Corwin Justice of the peace
Orange County SS 
I certify that I am well acquainted with William Graham who made and subscribed the foregoing affidavit and know him to be a man of truth and veracity and his statements are entitled to full credit and belief
BM Corwin Justice of the peace
[underlined] State of New York [underline ends] 
Orange County
[underlined] Clerks Office [underlined ends]
SS 
I John C. Wallace, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Orange County Certify that BW Corwin is a Magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signature puporting to be his is genuine. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this second day of June in the year 1845. 
JC. Wallace Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Orange County. [seal affixed]
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Revy Widow, &c.
File No. 3544
Hannah Harris
Widow
Winans Harris
Pri. REv. War.
Act: Feb. 3d /53
Index: - Vol. A, Page 302
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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175.055.
[postal stamp]
Hon. L.P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington City, DC
[stamp: FREE]
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30.777
Hec Ar [?]
Let. to J.W. Martin July 26 '45
Let to Wm. A.C. Nevin Jany
19.1846
Page 29

Pension Office Nov 3 1853
Sir
Please report time of last payment to, or death of, within named pensioner
Respectfully Oo
Th Bat Esqr
3rd Resent for commr
S Cole
Winans Harris Act 1832 $50.00 p. an.
Due [Died?] 25th Novr. 1847, Paid to in death
Saml. S. Rind
Actg. Auditor
[ink swirl]
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Erie Co. N.Y.
Husband pen. under act 1832
Act of Feb 3 1853
Allowed $50 per annum
to commence Feb 3 / 53
A.P. Stephens 
NYack
Rockland Co
N York
[envelope is printed on right side "department of the interior, Pension office, Official Business Commissio]
Page 31

4121 New York
Winans Harris
of Orange in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Scudder of the Regt. commanded by Col Seeley in the New Jersey line for 1 year 
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 40 Dollars, [blank] per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of Jany 1833 -- and sent to Hon. W Wilthen Hon [illegible] Arrears to 4th of Sep. 1832 $60 Semi- anl. allowance ending 4th M '33 $20 
= $80 {Bevolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Geo. C Stiles, Clerk, Book D Vol 5. Page 127.
Page 32

Let. to Hon. N. Jones July 13, 1840
City of New York 4121
Winans Harris
of Orange Co in the State of N. York
who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Scudder of the Regt commanded by Col. Seeley in the N. Jersey line for 12 mos. private
old certificate for $40 cancelled.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York City at the rate of 40 Dollars --- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension reissued the 11th day of July, 1840 and sent to Hon. Nathaniel Jones, House of Representatives. Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1840 $20.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Ma. '41. 20.00
[line total] $40.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by S. A. Elliot, Clerk, Book D, Vol. 5, Page 127.
Page 33

Winans Harris NY Act 1818
1780 or 81 12 mo under Capt. John Scudder Col Seely Was taken prisoner and confined in the Sugar House. 
Act 1832
1780 or 81 
12 mo |in same officers as above
for Increase
1780 3 mo. |in Cap. Saml. Harriman at Rahway
1780 or 81 12 . " Cap. John Scudder Col Seely
sevrd in the militia his [uguear?] time of duty.
Page 34

Albany Pension Agency.
July 19. 1855.

L.P. Waldo, Esquire, 
Commisioner of Pensions:
Sir, In reply to your letter of the 17th [nist?] I have to state that Hannah Harris a Pensioner under th act of 3d Feby 1853 at Fifty Dollars per annum was last paid to the fourth day of March 1855. I am, Sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Col. Ten Broeck, In charge of Pension Agency.
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Payments to be [made?] at New York by Presd: U.S. Br. Bank, Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of Col. Seely
Capt. Scudder
New York {ink swirl]
Issue New Certificate
Recorded by Geo. C. Ste [cuts off]
Clerk, in Book D. Vol.
page 127.
Hon. N. Jones.
Page 36

War Department. 
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832, Winans Harris of the State of New York who was a Private in the Revolutionary Army is entitled to receive Forty dollars [crossed out] and cents[crossed out ends] per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year. Given at the War Office of the United States, this 7th day of January one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
[crossed out] Lew Casr
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned.} JL Edwards[crossed out ends]

Written sideways on document: Cancelled
Page 37

NYack N.Y. 11 January 1855.
Sir,
Hannah Harris, Widow of Winans Harris a soldier of the Revolution applied for pension under the Act passed 5 February 1853. A pension was granted her and made payable at the agency for paying pensions in the City of Albany. Mrs Harris has removed to the Southern part of the State of New York where She will make it a permanent place of residence during the remainder of her life. She is desirous of having the place of payment changed from Albany to New York City as it will make a material difference in expenses to her, she being poor. If the place of payment con be changed, with the Commissioner inform me what is requisite to effect it. 
Respectfully your Obor Servant, A.P. Stephens
Hon. L.P. Waldo
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NYack N.Y. 23 October 1855
Sir, 
At the time of making the Application for having the payment of the pension of Hannah Harris, made in New York instead of Albany her pension certificate accompanied the affidavits of application. I have received a notice directing the pension to be paid in New York but her certificate did not accompany it. As she has to swear she has the certificate in her possession, or  if drawn in persue by her; she will present as the evidence of her being entitled to pension; she wants beg the Commisioner to have it forwarded to enable her to draw it. The Commissioner for paying in New York is very particular & the reason of my sending it was to the place for paying endorsed on it. Respectfully your Obedient Servant, A.P. Stephens
Hon. Coms of Pensions.
Page 39

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Comsr of Pensions}
Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of yesterday in reply to mine of 28th March making certain enquiries in reference to Wynans Harris's Pension. I regret sir that I am misunderstood as to my enquiries in this case - I intended, substantially to ask the favor of a copy of Harris's Declarations? If inconsistent with your rules to grant it - Then to ask of you to assign the reasons for denying a pay certificate to Harris, [underlined] originally, and previous to his application to Congress - I am informed by his attorney who makes this request through me, that his is able now to obtain such additional proof of service as will entitle Harris (as he believes) to [underlined] full [underlined ends] instead of [underlined] half [underlined ends] pay now recvd by him - I was aware that "his pension had not been discontinued." 
Very Respectfully, 
Your Hn servant, 
Nathl. Jones
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Office of Secy of State
Trenton NJ Dec 24, 1845
Sir, 
I have this day forwarded a Certificate to the Pension department in accordance with your request stating that no previous knowledge had been obtained from the records of this office of pay & to Winans Harris of Essex County when the certificate was made - in May last. on reference to a memorandum I made at the time the Certificate issued. I observe No. 388 for [pound sign] 2.16.0 and No. 401. [pound sign] 27.16.0 on a a examination of these Indents, I find my clerk made an error in No. 388 if issued for [pound sign] 2.16.0 I find the Indent and pay Certificate both call for [pound sign] 12.16.0. The Certificate following Winans Harris is for [pound sign] 2.16.0 which accounts for the error I am unable to say whether Indent No. 388 made for [pound sign] 2.160 or [pound sign] 12.16.0 for fear of a mistake I enclose you a [underlined] correct certificate. [underlined ends] I shall regret very much if the error was made in the original certificate.   No charge is made for this additional certificate. Respectfully, yr. obt servant, Charles G.McChesney
John W Martin Esqr Mt Hope NY
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Mt. Hope NY Jany 2 '46
Dr Sir
I am again under the neccesity of asking a favour from you in the presenting the accompyning Certificate of Pay to Winans Harris a Soldier in the Revolution to the Commissioner of Pensions Mr Harris is already a pensioner at the rate of $40 per annum which is only half what he is entitled to as appears upon the Military records of New Jersey. In his first declaration he only claimed a pension for one years service done in the New Jersey State troops under Capt Scudder he at that time being [gonrent? ignorent?] of the law in relation to Pensions afterwards for any he only drew a pension for one years service stated that he done at least two years service in the State troops and militia and last May or June made a declaration to that affect and more recently made an other which has been forwarded to the Pension office Upon a close examination of the Military records of NJ we find that the State troops under Capt Scudder and others were paid by a W Halsey and at the close of the war we still find the State in debt to Winans Harris the amount contained in the accompanying Certificate. It is for this amount that we claim an increase of Pension from
Page 42

forty dollars per annum to eighty dollars per annum - It appears that a mistake was made in the Certificate first [illegible] and the Secretary of State finding out the mistake has forwarded to me a correct Certificate which I will consider it a great favour if you will present it with the letters of the Secretary to Col Edwards and ask an examination of the case at the earliest day that may suit his convenience - A certificate has been forwarded showing that a settlement with the State troops had been made previous to the settlement of the amount contained in the enclosed Certificate as signed by the Secretary of State
Your Obt St
John W Martin
Hon Abe Nevin MC
N2 Since writing the foregoing letter I have been favored with the accompyning Certificate which you will be kind enough to surrender to the Commissioner of Pensions when the additional claim is allowed. The new Certificate you will do me the favour to transmit to me. Your obt. St John W Martin
Hon Abe Nevin
Page 43

House of Representatives
March 28, 1840
Hon. JL Edwards
Comsr of Pensions
Sir
[underlined] Wynans Harris of Orange Co NY who was a resident of N. Jersey during the Revolutionary War was placed on the Pension Roll by act of Congress in January 1833. The papers had previously been rejected at the war department - the same were returned from House of Representatives to the Pension Office on the 9th of August 1832 - Now sir, the objt of this note is to comply with a request made on me to ask of you the favor either to surrender to the Pensioner his Declaration or a Copy of the same - and should you not feel at liberty to do either then I am requested to ask of you to report the reasons for refusing a Certificate of Pension to claimant. I will here observe
Page 44

that as stated to me by a friend of Harris that "the Pensioner is a very poor man - that he insists that the government has not allowed him his just dues and that "he has been able to find where he received pay for services to the amount of $69.50/100 which is better than twenty months service." May I ask for a reply, early as the business of your office may permit
Your Obt Servant Nathl Jones
Page 45

House of Reps. July 10th, 1840
Hon J.L. Edwards
Comsr of Pensions
Sir. By request I enclose for your examination certain pay certificates and the pension certificate of Winans Harris who applied for an increase of his yearly pension He asks that the papers may be examined and alleges they go to shew that he is entitled to a larger stipend - In any event he desires a new certificate for the reason that the one enclosed has become mutilated. Very respectfully Your Obt Servant Nathl Jones
Page 46

State of New Jersey
[seal in upper left side] I Charles GMcChesney Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that application was made by letter bearing date Mt. Hope NY May 23 1845, Signed J.W. Martin, requesting a certificate for any amount of pay & service that the Rolls or recorded of this Office might contain of Winans Harris, lated of Essex County New Jersey in the Revolution. that by endorsement on said letter it appears that two cvertificates were issued and forwarded May 27th 1845 to J.W. Martin Esq. and that no previous information or knowledge was obtained from this office. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office at Trenton in said State this twenty fourth day of December A.D. One thousand eight hundred and forty two.  Charles G McChesney Secy of State
Page 47

Isaac Halsey PayMaster to the Militia of the County of Essex - Dec. 1. 1782 in Specie.
1782 Dec 1. Capt John Scudder & Compy dischgd. Served to Jany 1782. Nos. L 1744.3.4
Settled Dec. 14.1782. James Ewing Auditor.
State of New Jersey
[seal on left side]
I Charles G McChesney Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true abstract from book B of Auditors Accounts Page 86. As taken from and compared with the original now of record in my office; and I do further certify that by an Act of the Legislature of this State passed Dec 26, 1780 Capt John Scudder was authorized to raise and command a company of men to be stationed at Elizabethtown and that the pay of the privates in Said company was by the 6th section of the same Act fixed at three shillings per day: and that it also appears by the records of my office that Capt. Harriman commanded a Company of militia in Sept 1780. Stationed at Rahway, and that his accounts
Page 48

were audited and settled by James Ewing Auditor on the 4th day of December 1782. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office at Trenton in Said State this fifth day of June AD One thousand eight hundread and forty five. Charles G. McChesney Secy of State [ink swirls]
Page 49

Receipts for Cash paid One years' interest on Notes given by the Commisioners of the several Counties for Militia Services. 
[table]
[row 1] No. of Voucher, No. of Certif., Date, SIGNED BY. PAYABLE TO. Amount. 1 y's int. [end of row 1]
[row 2] 388, June 14, 1784, Thomas Clark, Winans Harris, 2.16.0, 0.3.4 [row 2 ends]
[row 3] 401, 16.., Do, Do, 27.16.0, 1.13.4 [end of row 3]
State of New Jersey: I Charles G. Mc Chesney, Secretary of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a ture abstract from a Book, headed as above, as taken from, and compared with the original, now remaining in my office. - And I do further certify, that Thomas Harris - was, by an Act, passed by the Legislature of this State, December 20, 1783, entitled "An Act to procure an estimate of the sums due to the Militia and Troops who have been raised for the defence of the frontiers of the State, and to provide for the settlement of the same," appointed a Commissioner for the County of Essex - for the purpose of settling and adjusting the pay rolls of the Militia and Troops of this State, as aforesaid, and also for signing and delivering out to each and every person a note for the payment of what may be justly due. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, at Trenton, in said State, this Fifth day of June. A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty five.  Charles G. McChesney, Secretary of State.
Page 50

Receipts for Cash paid One years’ interest on [previous line of text is crossed out] Notes given by the Commissioners of the several Counties for Militia Services.

[2 row, 7 column table]
[row 1:] No. of Voucher. -- No. of Certif. -- Date. -- SIGNED BY. -- PAYABLE TO. -- Amount. -- 1 y’s int.
[row 2:] x Indent ,, -- 388 401 -- June 14 1784 ,, 16 . -- Thomas Clark D -- [Winans?] Harris D -- S 12.16.0 27.16.0 -- [n.a.]

[Handwritten line] x It appears by a memorandum of [search?] in May last that Certif. no. 388 was in the certificate from this office called [S?] 2.16.0 _ if so it was an error it should be S 12.16.0. as above.

[Seal next to below text]
STATE OF NEW JERSY:
I, Charles G. McChesney, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true abstract from a Book, headed as above, as taken from, and compared with the original, now remaining in my office. – And I do further certify, that Thomas Clark [name handwritten] was, by an Act, passed by the Legislature of this State, December 20, 1783, entitled “An Act to Procure an estimate of the sums due to the Militia and Troops who have been raised for the defence of the frontiers of the State, and to provide for the settlement of the same,” appointed a Commissioner for the County of [Cfex?] for the purpose of settling and adjusting the pay rolls of the Militia and Troops of this State, as aforesaid, and also for signing and delivering out to each and every person a note for the payment of what may be justly due.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, at Trenton, in said State, this twenty fourth day of December A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty-five.

Charles G. McChesney [signature]
Secretary of State.
Page 51

Payment to be made at New York by Shepherd Finapp [Vinapp?], Esq Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of New York City. Re=Recorded in the Pension Office in Book D, Vol. 5, page 127 by S. A. Ellist, Clerk.
Page 52

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832, Winans Harris [ink swirl] of Orange county New York, who was a private in the Revolution is entitled to receive Forty dollars [crossed out] and cents [crossed out ends] per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year. Issued in liew of a certificate for the same amount dated 7 January 1833, cancelled. Given at the War Office of the United States, this eleventh day of July, one thousand eight hundred and forty. J [the rest of the signature is not visible]
Examined and countersigned.}
Page 53

Brief in the case of Hannah Harris widow of Winans Harris Erie County and State of New York act of February 3 1853
[line]
Claim, ("original," or "for increase")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband a private in New Jersey line 15 months & pensioner of the US under act of June 7, 1852 at $50 per annum & paid to his death November 25 1847
Allowed $50 per annum to commence Feb 3 1853
(if for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Marriage proved by clergyman record
Death by Auditor's report
Identity & Widowhood by credible witnesses.
Name and residence of Agent
A.P. Stephens
Nyack
Rockland Co
N York
Examining Clerk.
J Selway
Page 54

Hannah Harris. Affidavit for Change of Payment Of Pension. Transfer to NY City when cu ansd.
A.P. Stevens NYack NY
Page 55

State of New York
County of Rockland } ss.
On this 13th day of June AD 1855, before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County of Rockland personally appeared Hannah Harris, who on her oath, declares that she is the same person who applied for a pension under the 2d section of the act of february 3d 1853 for services rendered by her husband Winans Harris as a private in the Revolutionary War, that her name was placed on the pension roll of the State of New York and made payable in the City of Alban. That she has removed from the Western part of the State of New York to the Southern part of said State where she intends to remain and whishes her pension to be made payable in the City of New York in future. The following are the reasons for removing from her former place of residence to where she now intends to make it a permanent residence. She is becoming old, and has gone among her children and relatives to reside that her pecuniary means are very limited and it costs her about one seventh part of her pension each six months to obtain the semiannual payment thereof. and by hav-
Page 56

ing it paid in the City of New York, it will cost her only one dollar and she need not employ any person to get it, as she can apply for it in person. Subscribed and sworn before me, the day and year above written. Isaac J Blauvelt Justice of the Peace. 
Hannah Harris

State of New York
County of Rockland} ss.
On the 13th day of June AD 1855
personally before me came Edward C Harris, a resident of the county above named who being duly sworn doth depose and say that the above named Hannah Harris who has made the preceding affidavit is the identical person she represents herself to be, that the facts set forth in her affidavit he believes to be true that I am acquainted with the said Edward Harris and believe him to be a credible person, whose oath can be relied on. Edward C. Harris.
Page 57

Winans Harris
of New York
Act of "1832" for increase further evidence
Page 58

State of New York
Orange County | SS 
On this 21 day of  February 1846 personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the aforesaid County John W Martin of the town of Mount Hope in the County of Orange and State of New York aged forty eight years to me well known as a reputable character and who is to be believed when under oath or otherwise who being first duly sworn according to lay doth on his oath depose and say that the supplemental declarations of Winans Harris a soldier of the Revolution asking an increase of Pension was not [preduated?] or founded on any previous or prior knowledge or Search or information from the Secretary of State of New Jersey but that the supplemental declaration was made from the statements of the said Winans Harris at the time the said declaration was made statements the substance of which this deponent has often heard the said Harris repeat previous to the making the said supplemental declaration and this deponent has always heard the said Harris say that he done more than two years service during the Revolutionary war That he has repeatedly heard the said Harris say that he was twice taken prisoner Once while under Capt Scudder and afterwards at Bergen Point That he has known the said Harris for a good many years and he knows that during his acquaintance with the said Harris he has sustained an immpeachable character for honesty and truth Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written before me
John W Martin
BW Corwin, Justice
Page 59

STATE OF NEW YORK.
ORANGE COUNTY, CLERK'S OFFICE}SS.
I, JOHN C. WALLCE, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Orange, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That B.W. Corwin Esquire before whom the foregoing Affidavit was subscribed and sworn, was at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county; and further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said B.W. Corwin and verily believe that the signature to the Attest of said affidavit is genuine. IN WITNESS Whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of the said County, the Twenty Seventh day of February 1846 John C. Wallace, Clerk

[seal affixed on left]
Page 60

House of Reps, Jany 2d 1832
I hereby certify to the Secry of War that from 20 or 25 years past, I became acquainted with Winans Harris, now a resident of the State of New York & as I understand, an applicant for a pension under the Act of June 7th 1832. Said Winans Harris when I first became acquainted with him, resided in Morristown, New Jersey, in which place I was his family Physician for a number of years prior to his removal. I very well remember, that he was generally believed & considered to be a soldier of the Revolutionary Army, or of the Militia, & frequently heard him speak of his services during the war. 
Lewis Condict, one of the Representatives from N. Jersey.
Page 61

State of New Jersey
Essex County} SS
Personally appeared before me Gideon Ross one of the Justices of the peace in and for the said County of Essex Nicholas Mooney who being duly sworn on his oath according to law deposeth and saith that Winans Harris enlisted in the year 1781 in what was then called the year's service, as a private in a Company commanded by Capt. John Scudder of Westfield in the said County of Essex. That this deponent also belonged to the same Company at that time; and that while stationed at Elizabeth Town under the command of the said Scudder the said Harris was taken a prisoner in this deponents presence by the British Troops and conveyed by them as this deponent understood and as he believes, to the City of New York where he remained a prisoner for some time and was then exchanged - that after his exchange he returned to the command of the said Scudder and marched with him to Dobbs Ferry on the Hudson River where the Company was placed under the Command of Col - Seely then in the three months service and continued under his command until the company were marched back to Connecticut Farms near Elizabeth Town where the said Seely discharged the troops under his command that belonged to the three months service - that the said Harris with this deponent continued in the said company under the command of the said Scudder until they were regularly discharged at the expirations of their term of service and further saith not. Taken before me the 19th day of April AD 1831. Gideon Ross
Nicholas Mooney
Page 62

State of New Jersey
County of Essex }SS
I Elias Van Arsdate Junior Clerk of the County of Essex & Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas holden at Newark in & for said County do certify that Gideon Ross Esquire before whom the foregoing deposition was taken was at the time of taking such deposition & now is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Essex duly commissioned qualified and Sworn. That the Signature "Gideon Ross" I verily believe is the proper hand writing of said Justice and that full forth & credit are due & may be given to his official acts. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Newark aforesaid the Thirteenth day of May AD Eighteen hundred & thirty one
E Van Arsdale Jr Clk

I hereby certify that Nicholas Mooney the deponent within named is known to me to be a person who sustains a good character for veracity & that in my estimation his affidavit as Sworn to and subscribed by him is entitled to full faith and credit. Gideon Ross Dec 27. 1832
Page 63

State of New Jersey
Morris County SS}

Personally appeared before me William Brittin a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Morris and State aforesaid Aureantie Bruen and being duly sworn according to Law deposeth and saith That She is well acquainted Winans Harris, now makeing application to the United States for a pension That She was knowing to his intesting in the Service of the United States in the time of the Revolutionary War - for one year, and was under the Comd of John Scudder - and laid sume time at Elizabeth Town Essex County New Jersey and while at that places was taken prisoner and carrid into New York and there confined in the what was then called the old Sugar House and there remained for the turn of four months - and was exchanged and returned to Elizabeth Town and afterwards was taken by the British the Second time and was taken in to New York - and then escaped from the enemy - and the deponeth further saith She is welll knowing to his serving one full year in the Service of the United States, in the revolutionary She has always been acquainted with the said Winnans Harris sine a child. and further the deponent saith not
Sworn and Subscribed before me the 20th day of April 1831 William Brittin
Auscantie Bruen
State of New Jersey
Morris County SS }
I David Day Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Morris aforesaid do hereby Certify that William Brittin Esquire
Page 64

within named was on the twentieth day of Aoril AD Eighteen hundread and thirty one, before and still is one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for the County of Morris aforesaid duly Commissioned and sworn and authorized to take the within Affidavit In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court at Morris Town this thirteenth day of May A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty one [ink swirl] David Day Clerk [seal is visible to the left]

[written upside down further down on paper]
State of New Jersey
Morris County }
This may certify that I have have been acquainted with Aureantie Bruen, who has signed the within deposition, for many years, she living for many years in the same neighborhood with me - once being the wife of an able Farmer Benjn Bruen in this place can [?] fully testify that she the said Aureantie Bruen is a credible witness and full credit may be relied on and taken to the affidavit in which she has subscribed her name In witness whereof I hereby subject my name the 19th day of 1832. William Brittin, Justice of Pea [illegible] County
Page 65

This may certify that I have have been acquainted with Aureantie Bruen, who has signed the within deposition, for many years, she living for many years in the same neighborhood with me - once being the wife of an able Farmer Benjn Bruen in this place can [?] fully testify that she the said Aureantie Bruen is a credible witness and full credit may be relied on and taken to the affidavit in which she has subscribed her name In witness whereof I hereby subject my name the 19th day of 1832. William Brittin, Justice of Pea [illegible] County
Page 66

Winans Harris
N York
7 June 1832
increase
15 mos since new certificate
12 mos Col Seely 
3 mos Capt Harriman
40
10
____
$50
Deduct what has been paid
Hon. A.C. Nevin
H Reps
[crossed out] John W. Martin, Esq [crossed out ends]
Mount Hope
Page 67

Supplemental declaration of Winans Harris (act June 7, 1832) of Orange County New York
JW Martin Mount Hope Orange County New York
Page 68

State of New York
Orange County }SS

On this 14th day of [crossed out] September[crossed out ends] October 1845 personally appeared before me the Undersigned one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County Winans Harris of the town of Minisink in the County of Orange and State of New York aged Eighty five years and upwards and made the following declaration as amennatory of former declaration made by him in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 granting [crossed out] half pay and [crossed out ends] pensions to soldiers of the REvolution. That in the summer of 1776 he entred the service of his country in a company of militia in Elizabethtown in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey the name of the Captain he does not distinctly reccollect but thinks it was Herriman in one of the Essex County Regiments the Colonel of which he thinks was named Dayton but of thishe is ot certain That he done his regular monthly tours of duty and was sometimes out on alarm until in 1780 he entred the service in a company of three months men under Capt Samuel Harriman and faithfully served the three months at Rahway in the County of Essex and was discharged with the rest of the company at the end of the three months That in December 1780 or the beginnig of January 1781 he enlisted into the New Jersey Levies for one year under Capt John Scudder and Lieut David Woodruff during which time he was taken prisoner at Elizabeth town and was carried to Statten Island from thence was carried to New York and put in prison was removed from the prison to the prison [shik?] where after being a prisoner seven weeks and three days he was exchanged and returned to his company and done duty untill the term of his enlistment expired which was one year which service he most faithfully performed.
Page 69

at the expiration of the years service he returned to the Elizabeth town company of Militia in which company and under different officers of the Regiment to which the said company belonged he continued almost constantly to do duty untill the close of the war. That soon after he returned from the years service he with others  was called out to Bergen Point where he was taken prisoner for two months and this service from the time he left home untill he returned was at least ten weeks - That after this he was out his own regular tours sometimes he went in others plans and frequently when not on duty was called out on alarms - He was at the Battle of Springfield and Connecticutt farms and at one of those places was deafned from the firing of the Cannon so that he has ever since been almost deprived of the sense of hearing - That from the time he entred the militia [scratched out] untill [illegible] [scratched out ends] where he was sixteen years of age untill the close of the war he is certain that he done at least three years service as a militia man years man and upon alarms, That he served along the Shores of Essex County and at Newark, Elizabeth town, Rahway Springfield Aquacanoe, Bergen Point, Hackensack and many other places that he cannot mention. That he cannot recollect but a very few of the officers names he recollects Col Dayton Col Seely Col Crane and other Brigadeer Genl Wind and Col Munson - That from old age and very great loss of memory the foregoing is the most correct statements that he can now make but he does most solemnly delare upon his oath that so far as he has been able to state; the foregoing declaration is strictly true - The reason why he was so short in his statements in his declaration is 1832 or 1833 was because he did not think that he could substantiate any service but the years service under Capt John Scudder
Page 70

That when he removed from New Jersey he come to Goshen in Orange County and State of New York from thence he removed to Florida, and from thence to Minisink in the County and State aforesaid where he now resides. He further declared that he does not know of any one living who served with him but believes that they must be all dead and he now relies on the evidence that has been produced & is on record to substatiate his claim. Winans Harris, his mark. 
Subscribed & sworn by making his mark this 14th day of October 1845 before mme G.W. Cork, One of the Judges of Orange County Courts. 
Orange County SS
I certify that Winans Harris many opinion should be believed in the statements made in the foregoing declaration and upon personal examination I am satisfied that from old age and the diseases attendant upon the same [crossed out] that [crossed out ends] he should be excused from attending upon the Court of Record in and for said County G.W. Cork, One of the Judges of Orange County
Oct 14th 1845
State of New York.
Orange County, Clerk's Office, } SS.
I, John C. Wallace, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Orange, Do Hereby Certify, that G.W. Cook Esq. before whom the foregoing Affidavit was subscribed and sworn, was at the time of taking the same, Judge of County Courts in and for said county; and futher, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said G.W. Cock and verily believe that the signature to the Attest of the said affidavit is genuine. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of the said County, the Sixteenth day of October 1845
John C Wallace Clerk [seal affixed on left side]
Page 71

Southern District of New York
Orange County SS}
On this first day of June in the Year one thousand eight hundred and thirty one personally appeared in open Court in the Court of Common Pleas it being a Court of Record for the said county of Orange [underlined] Winans Harris aged Seventy Years [underlined ends] resident in the Town of Minisink in the County of Orange who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary War as follows - he entered into the Continental Service in or about the last of Year 1780 or the beginning of the Year 1781 - under Captain John Scudder in Col. Seeley's Regiment of New Jersey troops he enlisted In one Year and was stationed at Elizabeth Town Essex County in the State of New Jersey and while at that place was taken prisoner by the Brittish troops and carried into New York and there confined in what was called the Sugar House and there remained for about four months then he was exchanged and returned to Elizabeth Town aforesaid and served out the term of his enlistment being one whole Year and was honorably discharged by Capt Scudder the discharge is now lost And I Do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 - and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with in tent thereby to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of the Act of Congress entitled[illegible] Act to provide for Certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War passed 18th day of March 1818 _ and that I have not nor has any person in Trust for me any property or Securities Contrancts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the following inventory and by me Subscribed to wit - He has no property of any kind except a Scanty wearing apparel he is a Shoemaker by trade but from his age cannot no much at his
Page 72

trade has a wife and three children and is unable to support himself. Sworn in open court this first day of June 1831 before Samuel S Seward John Hallock [illegible] Gilbert Ogden Fowler & John B Booth Judges Asa Dunning Clerk
I Asa Dunning Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Orange in the State of New York Do hereby Certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court that the said Winans Harris did serve in the Revolutionary War as Stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, under one engagement on the continental establishment. I also certify that the foregoing oath and that [illegible] there to annexed are truly [illegible] from the workds of the said Court, and I do further Certify that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the that amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule does no exceed Five Dollars. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Said Court this first day of June 1831. Asa Dunning, Clerk.