Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6,953, John C Harris, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va
Harris, John C or Hairris
S. 6,953
CONTENTS
carded

May Ditto o
Virginia 12.834
John C. Harris ★
Nelson in the State of Virginia who was a pri: in the company commanded by Captain Bias of the Regt. commanded by Col. Taylor in the Virginia line for 9 months
Lt. A. S. Thomas 11 1840 12 Aug 184
John C. Harris ★ June 15, 1844. Record corrected. f
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 30 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 st day of May 33 and sent S. Garland Lovington C.H. Va.
Arrears to the 14th of March 33 — 60 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept " 15
$75
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Miller Clerk, Book E. Vol. 6. Page 12

John C. Harris.
(Ex 2)
25/85

Virginia
At a Court of Quarterly Session held for Nelson County at the Court-house on the 26th day November 1832.
State of Virginia } County of Nelson } S.S.
On this 26th day of November 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Justices of the Court of Nelson County, now sitting, John L. Harris, a resident of the County of Nelson, and State of Virginia aged 78 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated. 1st He was drafted, in the County of Louisa and served a tour of one month in a Company commanded by Lieutenant William Harris. 2nd. Again drafted from Louisa and served a tour of three months in a company commanded by the same William Harris, then a Captain. 3rd Again drafted from the same County, and served a tour of five months in a Company com commanded by Captain John Bias, (the whole of his services was nine months)
His first tour was in April or May, but does not recollect the year, at the Barracks in Albemarle; the troops stationed there were under the command of Col d Taylor. In his second tour he was stationed at Four Mile Creek, below Richmond, he does not recollect the name of his Colonel, but the troops at that station were then under the command of General Nelson. In his third tour, he marched from Louisa on the 1st June 1780, (in company commanded by Capt n John Bias, Thomas Shelton Lieutenant, and Winston Ensign) and was stationed for some time at Hillsborough in North Carolina waiting for arms, that they then marched to South Carolina and joined the army under General Gates at Rugeley's Mill the evening previous to the battle of Camden, that he was in that battle, and after the defeat the company got together on the Pedee, from thence they marched to Hillsborough where he was discharged, and returned home in the month of November, in this tour the Regiment to which he belonged was commanded by Col d Stubblefield, Col d Joseph Spencer and Major Mosby were also attached to it. His first tour was one month, his second three months, and his third five months, in all, nine months. He also states, in reply to interrogatories propounded by the Court, that he was born in the County of New Kent on the 24th of December 1754, or 1755, as he was informed. That he has no record of his age. That he was living in the County of Louisa when drafted into service. That since the revolutionary war he has lived in the Counties of Albemarle and Buckingham and now resides in the County of Nelson. That he was in the 7th Division and, as before stated, was drafted into service. That the names of all the Officers he now recollects have been already mentioned in this declaration. That he does not recollect of ever receiving a discharge, that if he did, he has lost it, and that

Harro B Scott and Drury Shepherd his neighbours will testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief as to his services as a soldier of the revolution, and that he has no documentary evidence by which to establish or support his claim.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever 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.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
John L. Harris
We Harro B. Scott and Drury Shepherd residing in the County of Nelson, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John L. Harris who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 78 years of age, that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
H. B. Scott.
Drury Shepherd
And the said Court, do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states; and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Harro B. Scott and Drury Shepherd are residents of the County of Nelson, are both credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
A copy of the record.
In testimony whereof, J. Spotswood Garland clerk of the said Court, do hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of my Office this 28th day of November 1832, and in the 57th year of the Commonwealth.
J. Spotswood Garland

Joseph John C. Harris Va No 2 5785-
Adm rs to a private 9 mo $31
20

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of John C. Harris
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     - drafted 1 Pri. col. Taylor 78 years   - " 3 " Col. Stubblefield Louisa   June 1750 5 " and Spencer C. Va. Traditionary  
I am, respectfully;
Your obedient servant;
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers :
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers ; the time he left the service ; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers ;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service ; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) , who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his-

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
 6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
□ The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. }
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John C. Harris a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. F. 695-3
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apl. or May 1 mo Pvt Lt. William Harris Taylor Va.   ✓ 3 " Capt. Wm. Harris ✓   June 1, 1780 5 " John Bias Stubblefield Joseph Spencer  
Battles engaged in, Camden Residence of soldier at enlistment, Louisa Co., Va. Date of application for pension, Nov. 26, 1832. His cl. was al Residence at date of application, Nelson Co., Va. Age at date of application, Born Dec. 24, 1754 or 1755 in New Kent Co.
Remarks: There is no data rel to family after the war he resided in Henrico, Buckingham & Nelson Counties Va., and was again in Buckingham Co. in 1840. The date & place of his death are not known.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
5-2856 Recd. records inaccessible at present  Dec. 15/19.

Rev. Sir OSB
1 2ct stamped envelope enclosed OB New York, NY.
Nov. 29-19.
W. S. Commissioner of Pensions.
Dear Sir:-
Can you tell me whether or not there was a John Clinton Harris of the army of Virginia on the Revolutionary War pension list? If so, can you give me date of death and place of death?
Thanking you in advance for your trouble,
Respe.
Nina S. Osborn.
72 Elwood St.

Rehman
6953
INVALID.
File No. 6953
John C Harris
Dis Brew War
Act: Spence 82
Index:—Vol. 163 , Page 160
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1916 Aug. 9. History to Phillip Tillion Jr. Letter with { Cl. W. 55-5-1 William Howell
1919 Dec. 15. Hist. to Nina S. Osborn

Dea # (12.834) John C. Harris.
See let to A. S. Thomas. July 6. 1840, do. to same July 27. 1840
Act of June 1832.

State of Virginia, Buckingham County } s.s.
This day personally appeared before us, Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid, John C. Harris of said County, and being first sworn, doth, upon oath, declare, in order to obtain the benefit of the Law allowing an increase of pension, that he is the identical John C. Harris named in an original pension certificate, which he exhibited to us, and of which the following is an correct copy:
War Department. Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832 John C. Harris of the State of Virginia, who was a private in the War of the Revolution, is entitled to receive Thirty dollars 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 31st day of May, one thousand, eight hundred & thirty-three.
Examined & Countersigned J. L. Edwards. and endorsed Sec. of War
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E. Vol. 6. Page 12 by Wm Miller, Clerk.
He further declares that, from the infirmities of age, he cannot support himself by performing bodily labour; that he has not, nor has any person for him, in trust, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to him; and that he has no income, nor has he, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of his property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring himself within the provision of the Law allowing an increase of pension; and that his present pension is not sufficient to support him.
John C. Harris Mark
Sworn to and subscribed this 11th day of June 1840, before us John Ayer J.P. J. M. Harris J.P.

We, the undersigned, hereby declare that we are personally acquainted with John C. Harris, United States Pensioner, named on the preceding page; and believe what he there says of himself, especially as to his physical disability, and pecuniary circumstances; being convinced that he is totally unable any longer to support himself by labour. Given under our hands this 11 th day of June 1840. R. C. Jones W. C. Hill Hull & Hull
Duly sworn to, and subscribed before us this 11 th day of June 1840.
John Ayres J.P.
J. M. Harris J.P.
We certify that the above named R. C. Jones is a practicing physician , and is, as well as Wm C. Hill and Hull & Hull is a man of probity and truth; and we do not believe they, or either of them, would testify to any thing which they did not believe. Given under our hands this 11 th day of June 1840.
The word "our" in two places, and the word "physician" in another were interlined before our signing it.
John Ayres J.P.
J. M. Harris J.P.
I Rolfe Eldridge clerk of the court of Buckingham county, certify that John Ayres and John M. Harris are magistrates as above duly commissioned and qualified. That the foregoing signatures purporting to theirs are genuine —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office and subscribed my name this 12 day of June 1840
R. Eldridge clerk of the court of Buckingham

va. va. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m.
2 Oct 1832
Washington D.C.
ev. le fur
25

Buckingham, Va June 13, 1840
Sir,
I now enclose you the evidence upon which John C. Harris, Pensioner, bases his claim to an increase of his pension. We had no form to guide us, but simply embodied the facts and circumstances, the best way we could, to satisfy you of the justice of his claim.
According to our opinion of the Laws bearing on his case, as gathered from a document no. 126, headed "Pension Laws now in force," being a "Letter from the Sec. of War," in answer to a Resolution of the H. of R. of the 7th. Octr. 1837, and ordered to be printed, March 9, 1840: we thought it necessary only to give you the best evidence we could as to his physical inability, and pecuniary circumstances. Any evidence you may require of these facts can be easily furnished you. We knew of no form in which to place it, nor did we suppose you would deem that essential.
If evidence of any other fact is required of him, or if more is called for upon the above two, please inform us. Mr. Harris would have made this Declaration in court, but having no way to get there, living about 20 miles off, and being almost blind, and very weak, he was in hope the Law did not imperiously require it.
As to Mrs. Bailey's case: We can find no

record of her marriage. What evidence of that fact besides her oath, does the Department require?
The most respectable men in the county will testify that they have known her upwards of 40 years; always regarded her as the true wife of Ish- mael Bailey who was a Pensioner, without ever having heard that fact spoken of, much less doubted. She has a child upwards of 50 years old.
If her pension getting her pension, depends upon an official record of her marriage, I fear she will never obtain it. But if the next best evidence, or any other, will answer, it will be furnished in abundance. Sir.
Will any other suffice?
most obediently,
A. Thomas.
J. L. Edwards
Comm. Pen.
Washington.
D. C.

Smocays August 8
James L. Edwards Esq. Comm. of Pensions Washington
Aug 11 1840

Lake Hall, Buckm o Va
Aug 8. 1840
Sir:
Pardon me for troubling you so often, though I know what you have already done is but the discharge of your official duties, and would have been done in any other case.
Yours to Mr Hill and your last to me have both been received. Respecting Mr. Harris's claim for an increase of Pension, permit me to ask you one other question: By relinquishing his claim to a pension under the act of Jan 9 th 1832, can he come under the law of 1818, or any other, allowing more than $30 a year?
Monday next is our quarterly court. I shall then have Mrs. Bailey's declaration, and the evidence upon which it is based, entered on Record. Though I should have been glad to know your opinion of the evidence or affidavit sent in my last, before I paid the recording fee, as it will be clear loss to me unless it be admitted.
most Respectfully
A. Thomas