Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File [BLANK], Joseph Harper, On N.Y. List

SERVICE
NUMBER
✓
Harper, Joseph
Dis. No papers
on N.Y. list
CONTENTS

April 2, 1936
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BA-J/EEL
Alexander Harper-R.4626
Joseph Harper-Dis-Rev.War
Mrs. R.W.Van Valin Newberg Oregon
Dear Madam:
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, R.4626, based upon the military service in that war of Alexander Harper.
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of Alexander Harper are not shown.
Alexander Harper married July 30, 1771, Elizabeth. The date and place of her birth, the names of her parents and the place where her marriage to Alexander Harper took place are not shown.
While residing in Happersfield, New York, Alexander Harper entered the service, date not given, and served as captain of a company of rangers, engaged in protecting the inhabitants from the Indians and Tories. In July, 1778, the people of Happersfield were compelled to flee from their homes and take refuge in the fort at Schoharie and the family of Captain Alexander Harper were among the number who made their way to the fort. In April, 1780, Captain Alexander Harper was captured at Happersfield, New York, by a party of Indians and Tories under the command of Captain Brandt, was carried to Canada where he was held in captivity until the year 1782, when he was released and reached his home on November 27, of that year. At least one year of the time he spent in prison, he was in irons. While Captain Harper was in Canada in confinement, his wife, Elizabeth, and their children lived in the fort at Schoharie, and were there when an attack was made on the fort by a party of Indians and Tories under Colonel Butler and Captain Joseph Brandt, at which time Elizabeth Harper and the other women at the fort made cartridges for the soldiers. It was stated, also, that Elizabeth baked the bread for the fort. It is not shown that Alexander Harper ever served as a colonel.

Sometime in 1798, Alexander Harper moved his family from Harpersfield, New York, to the state of Ohio, in which state he died September 10, of that year. His widow, Elizabeth, died June 11, 1833, in the eighty-fourth year of her age.
The names of the following children are shown:
Margaret Harper . . . . . born June 1, 1772, married -----Wheeler. Elizabeth Harper. . . . . date of birth not given, married-----Tappin. Robert Harper . . . . . " " " " "
The places of residence of Elizabeth Tappin and Robert Harper are not stated.
On May 3, 1851, Margaret Wheeler, then a resident of Lake County, Ohio, applied, in behalf of herself, and the brother and sister named above, for the pension that might have been due on account of the services of her father, Alexander Harper, in the Revolutionary War.
The claim was not allowed as there was then no provision of law under which the children of soldiers of the Revolutionary War were entitled to pension.
In 1851, one Charles Wheeler made affidavit in Ashtabula County, Ohio; no relationship to Margaret Wheeler was shown.
*** * **
Joseph Harper Rev. War-Dis. mm 77
The name of Joseph Harper is born on a list of Invalid pensioners whose names had been inscribed on the roll of the New York Agency and whose residence and other information called for by the resolution of the Senate, could not be ascertained in consequence of the destruction of the papers of the War Office, in 1800, by fire.
The list referred to shows that Joseph Harper was a private in the Revolutionary Army received a pension of $36 per annum and died May 17, 1806. The record does not show from what state he served or in what state he died.

This office has no further information in regard to that soldier because of the destruction of papers in his application for pension, as stated above.
* * * * *
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Letter in case of Alexander Harper - R. 46260-
April 2, 1936
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BA-J/HEL
Mrs. R.W. Van Valin Newberg Oregon
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of four brothers, of Harpersfield, New York, namely, Colonel John Harper(1734-1811), who married, first, Mirriam Thompson and second, the widow of his cousin, Joseph Harper; Major Joseph Harper, who was wounded in the Mohawk Valley, married Catherine Douglass and drew a pension; Colonel Alexander Harper, who married Elizabeth Bartholomew; and William Harper, who married Margaret Williams; you request, also, the records of John Ferguson, who was wounded at the battle of Bunker Hill and drew a pension and Stephen Menn, who served in the Westchester County, New York Troops.
There are no claims for pension or bounty land on file based upon the military service in the Revolutionary War of a John or William Harper, as described by you, or of a Stephen Menn or Means. No record could be identified as that of the John Ferguson in whom you are interested. Such claims are the source of the data furnished by this office.
The records of Alexander Harper and Joseph Harper are furnished you herewith.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON
January 12, 1934
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BA-J/MHF/eel
Honorable Chester C. Bolton House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
My dear Mr. Bolton:
Reference is made to your letter of December 18, 1933, addressed to The Adjutant General, War Department, in regard to Joseph Harper, a Revolutionary War soldier, and which has been referred to this office for further reply.
The record of Joseph Harper was furnished you on December 27, 1933, in response to your letter addressed to Honorable E.W. Morgan, Director of Pensions, and had been mailed when your letter was received from the War Department.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON
December 27, 1933
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BA-J/MMHF/eel
Honorable Chester C. Bolton House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
My dear Mr. Bolton:
Reference is made to your letters in which you request the Revolutionary War records of four soldiers of the Revolutionary War, all of Ohio, on account of whose services United States pensions were granted: Samuel Bebee, Joseph Harper, and the husbands of Selina Hendry and Hannah Skinner.
Their records are given herewith.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON
December 27, 1933
Honorable Chester C. Bolton House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX BA-J/XXHF/eel Joseph Harper Rev.War-Dis.
My dear Mr. Bolton:
In regard to Joseph Harper, his name is borne on a list of Invalid Pensioners whose names had been inscribed on the roll of the New York Agency and whose residence and other information called for by the resolution of the Senate, could not be ascertained in consequence of the destruction of the papers of the War Office in 1800, by fire.
The list referred to shows that Joseph Harper was a private in the Revolutionary Army, received a pension of $96 per annum and died May 17, 1805. That record does not show from what state he served or in what state he died.
This office has no further information in regard to that soldier, because of the destruction of papers in his application for pension, as stated above.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

Director of Pensions Mr. Black, Chief Clerk HARPER, Joseph
December 13, 1933
MB
The attached communication from Hon. Chester C. Bolton in which he requests to be advised as to what the records disclose regarding the service of Joseph Harper, is referred for your consideration and reply. Mr. Bolton's letter has been acknowledged.
3 att.
E. W. MORGAN
adl

December 13, 1933
MB
Hon. Chester C. Bolton House of Representatives Washington, D. C.
My dear Mr. Bolton:
Receipt is acknowledged of your letter dated December 12, 1933 in which you request to be advised as to what the records disclose regarding the service of Joseph Harper, who, it is alleged, died May 17, 1905 in Harpersfield, Ohio. Your inquiry is being referred to the Chief, Clerk, Veterans Administration, who has jurisdiction in the matter.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN Director of Pensions

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
MEMORANDUM
From Director of Pensions To Mr. Black, Chief Clerk Subject HARPER, Joseph
Rev. War?
Date December 13, 1933
MB
The attached communication from Hon. Chester C. Bolton in which he requests to be advised as to what the records disclose regarding the service of Joseph Harper, is referred for your consideration and reply. Mr. Bolton's letter has been acknowledged.
E. W. Morgan
E. W. MORGAN
3 att.

CHESTER C. BOLTON 22D DISTRICT OHIO COMMITTEES: APPROPRIATIONS RIVERS AND HARBORS
Congress of the United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
December 12, 1933.
Personal
Hon. E. W. Morgan, Director of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
My dear Mr. Morgan:
Would you please give me what information your records disclose regarding the service of Joseph Harper, who is shown in the report on Pensions of 1835 as receiving $96.00 per annum as an invalided pensioner. New York service; died May 17, 1805 at Harpersfield, Ohio.
Thanking you,
Most sincerely,
Chester C. Bolton

(COPY) WAR DEPARTMENT THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE WASHINGTON
Hold in cl-
ETC
A.G. 201 Harper, Joseph (12-18-33) ORD
December 26, 1933.
Honorable Charles C. Bolton, House of Representatives.
My dear Mr. Bolton:
I have your letter of December 18, 1933, in which you request the military record of Joseph Harper, said to have received a pension of $96 per annum in 1835, for New York service, and to have died May 17, 1805, in Harpersfield, Ohio.
Several men named Joseph Harper served in New York organizations during the Revolutionary War, and the desired record has not been identified from the information furnished.
As the Director of Pensions, Veterans Administration, this city, has the records of all pension claims on account of United States military service, I am transmitting your letter to him for consideration and reply.
Very respectfully,
E. T. Conley Brigadier General, Acting The Adjutant General.

A.G. 201 Harper, Joseph (12-18-33)ORD
1st Ind.
CL
War Department, A.G.O., December 26, 1933.-To the Director of Pensions.
1. Inviting attention to the basic communication and copy of reply thereto. 2. The records indicate service of one Joseph Harper as a private of Captain Robert McKean's Company, Colonel Cornelius D. Wynkoop's regiment of Forces of the United Colonies, raised in and for the defence of the Colony of New York. Nothing additional has been found in this case. 3. The records also show that one Joseph Harper served as a lieutenant of Captain Allen's Company, Harper's New York Regiment, from Tryon Co. He is shown to have been commissioned 1st major March 3, 1780. Nothing additional shown in his case. 4. One Joseph Harper was commissioned November 21, 1776, as an ensign in Captain Jacob Wright's Company, 2d New York Regiment, commanded by Colonel Philip Cortlandt. He was transferred in April, 1777, to Captain Jonathan Hallett's Company, same regiment, and resigned September 28, 1778.
Brigadier General, Acting The Adjutant General,
By
1 inclosure. (Copy of A.G. letter)