Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13,264, Thomas Harrison, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Harrison, Thomas
S 13264
CONTENTS
Carded.

00.874
New York
Thomas Harrison
of New Jersey Co. in the State of New York who was a Private in the Co. commanded by Captain Wheeler of the Regt. commanded by Col. Dehaert - in the New York line for 9 months
* N.Y. Line.
Records corrected March 6/06/82
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 30 Dollars 15 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of Oct. 1833 and in the District of Amsterdam
  Arrears to the 4th of Sep 33  $ 75    Semi-annual allowance ending 1st March 34  15     $90  
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Job Miles Clerk, Book E Vol. A, Page 91
Date of death not on file

State of New York } Montgomery County } ss
On this 20 th day of September 1832. personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid now sitting Thomas Harrison a resident of Broadalbin in the County and State aforesaid - aged Seventy three years on the fifteenth day of May last who being first duly sworn according to law -  doth on his oath make the follow- -ing declaration -
That during the Revolutionary war he lived in New- Jersey - There is years in town & the remainder of the time in the township - That he entered the United States Service in October 1776 - under Capt. James Wheeler who commanded a company of militia upon which went as a substitute for Aaron Roberts with whom upon enlistment as an officer was learning the trade of a wheel maker during the time upon which was in service under Capt. Wheeler as a private the company was stationed at Elizabeth town point - Col. Schart commanded the Regiment to which said company belonged one Spencer was Major one Bott was Adjutant of the Regiment Genl. Williamson commanded at Elizabeth town point when upon which

was there as he thinks - the enemy consisting chiefly of Hessian were stationed on Staten Island in plain view from Elizabeth town point - no battle or skirmishing took place during this service, deployment was at this time one month in the service & then was finally discharged -
In the following winter deployment again entered the united States service in the militia, the militia to which deployment belonged were divided & each class took its turn in service at this time it was the turn of the class to which deployment belonged to turn out. deployment entered the service in February in 1774  the  the he served under Capt. Robert Nichols, and was stationed at Aquetunk in New Jersey - there was a guard of men stationed there consisting of one company - deployment was in service at this time one month & was then discharged - finally - in the spring of the year 1777 - deployment served as a private soldier one month in the united States service under Captain Byers Parsons & was stationed at Newark during the said month - Lieutenant Deane was Lieutenant in said company Col. Phillip Van Der Veer commanded the regiment to which said company belonged - in the fall of the year 1777  the deployment served one month in the united

States Service under captain Elijah Squire - was Stationed at Newark in New-Jersey - The Company belonged to Col. Van Brunt's Regiment upon its service a month and was finally discharged - In the year 1778 - in the fall of the year - upon its service in the month of October he served in the United States Service one month under Capt. Nathaniel Camp - The Company was Stationed at Newark - The Company belonged to Col. Van Brunt's Regiment - - in the year 1779 - upon its service under Capt. Amos Doolittle one month in the United States Service as a militia man - was Stationed at 2 d River about three miles north from Newark, one Sherman was lieutenant in said Company - The militia to which company belonged at this time were divided into four classes one class was out every month & each class went south month - in November 1779 - upon its service one month under Captain Abraham Spier - one Kierny was lieutenant in said Company - in the year said Company during said month, was stationed at at 2 d River - in the year 1780 upon its service one month as a militia under Capt. Henry G. Hall - man - The Company was Stationed at 2 d River this River is in the town of Newark - This Service was performed

x in the month of December - In the year 1780 deponent served one month under Capt. Amos Doolittle - Joseph Woodruff was Lieutenant in said company. Said company was stationed near Springfield in New-Jersey. Said is about two miles from Connecticut farms whilst the American forces were commanded by General Wil- iam Maxwell - the British forces were commanded by Knyphausen there was a battle between the American & British forces whilst deponent was engaged in this service in which deponent bore a part - Gen. Greene with Rhode Island men was there during this service the British burnt Springfield & the B. was ammunition & arms -
x In April 1781 - deponent served one month as a private under Lieutenant Samuel Doolittle the company was stationed at E d River Hill deponent was engaged in this service it was he thinks that the Pennsylvania line revolted -
x In the year 1781 - in the month of October deponent served one month as a private under Capt. John Van -Varen was stationed at E d River & served one month - John Spier was Lieutenant in said company
Deponent was upon alarms & scouting parties at other times

for several days at a time & at several different times - but deponent can specify the number of times or length of time he served but has no doubt that it would amount to more than one month Deponent was born in the year 1758 1759 - in the township of Newark New Jersey & lived there until the 1791 - & then removed to Galway & Saratoga County & in the 1804 - removed to Brattleboro in Montgomery County where he has ever since resided - deponent has seen the record of his age in his father's bible which he believes to be correct & which corresponds with the above statement - deponent refers to the affidavit of Joseph Belcher hereto annexed to corroborate his statement - & refers to the Revd William Groom & Joseph Bygely who are well acquainted with him to testify to his character & their belief of his having performed revolutionary services -
Deponent hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present arrear due. That his name is not on the Pension Roll of the government of any State - Deponent never received a pension in his discharge - from the service - Given to the subscribers this day of year aforesaid Geo: H. Ferguson, Clerk                      Thomas Harrison

No 14,023
Geo. Harrington N.Y.
roma
elf
D. Wright
D. Wright agent Amsterdam Montgomery Co. New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 the Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Thomas Harrison Montgomery Co. New York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Sub. 1776 1 Private Capt. James Col. Dehaas Elizabeth Newark   1777 1 Wheeler Genl. Williamson Staten Island New Jersey aged 73 Traditionary for part of the service   " 1 Capt. Robert Living Witness for part   " 1 Nichols   " 1 Capt. Cyrus   " 1 Parsons Col. Philip Newark   " 1 Lieut. Henry Vanderkirkland Staten Island   " 1779 1 Capt. Elijah " " " " "   " " 1 Lieut. Amos   " " 1 Dodd   " " 1 Lieut. Sher   " " 1 Man   " 1780 1 Capt. Abraham With the British in 1780 Springfield   " 1781 1 Lieut. Kirby   " 1781 1 Capt. Hendry   " 1781 1 Gerullman   other times 1 Capt. Amos   Infant Dodd   more  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
+ Lieut. Joseph Woodruff Genl. Wm. Maxwell o Lieut. Samuel Doolittle o Capt. J. Van Varnum Lieut. J. W. Sheir

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) _____ 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 day 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 proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of 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.
[l] 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.
Done as far as it can be done done done

We William Groom a clergyman of the town of Bridalton & Joseph Segoblyer of the same place —
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Thomas Harris on — who has subscribed and sworn to the above declar- ation; that we believe him to be forty three 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 & that he is a man of good moral character
Sworn & subscribed this 3rd day of Sept. 1832 in Open Court
Wm Groom Joseph his Segoblyer mark
Geo: D. Ferguson, clerk

Rev. man
✓ 13.264 INVALID.
File No. 13,264
Thomas Harrison
Prin. Pa. var
Act: June 1 th 1852
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 434
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Thos. Harrison New York - Oct 32 Peru ®
By Mr. Wade Dec 23 rd 1857

State of New York Onondaga County Ss
I Thomas Harrison of the town of Vienna in S d County, am a Rev: pensioner aged 92 years, & receive $30. per annum, I claim to have an increase of pension, for services rendered, & to have my case reopened for investigation. Sworn & subscribed before me this 24 day of October 1857 Thomas Harrison Plyma Abbott Just Peace
Know all men by these presents that I Thomas Harrison a Rev. Pensioner, do hereby appoint Willie G. Wade of Ron. N.Y. my true & lawful attorney, for me & in my name to investigate & present my claim for an increase of pension, with the U.S. Government, to a final result. Witness my hand & seal at Vienna
N.Y. This 24 th Day of October 1857
In presence of Plyma Abbott Justice Read THOMAS HARRISON A D Fitch
The above power of attorney granted, & acknowledged, before me - October 24 th 1857
Plyma Abbott Just Peace

Thomas Harrison
Amended declaration for Pension
+

Thomas. Harrison's Amended Declaration
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace of the town of Amsterdam and county of Montgomery in the State of New- York Thomas Harrison of the town of Broad- -albin in said county who being duly sworn deposits and saith that by reason of his advanced age and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but he is confi- -dent and swears positively that he did serve as a private soldier in the militia during the revolutionary war at different periods more than one year - and that he do  now claims a pension for one years service - And further saith not.
Subscribed & sworn before me This 18 th day of June - 1833 - }
Thomas Harrison
W m Reid Justice of the Peace Montgomery County N.Y.
I have been for a number of years acquainted acquainted with the above named Thomas Harrison and believe him to be a man of fair character & strict integrity -
W m Reid Justice

State of New York Montgomery County Clerk's Office p 3
I Richard H Cushman Deputy Clerk of the County of Montgomery do certify that William Reid Esqr whose name is subscribed to the Swat of the within affidavit and also to the within certificate was at the date of the same a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Montgomery and authorised to take affidavits &c and further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice & verily believe that the signature to the Swat of the within affidavit and also to the said certificate is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand hand and affixed the seal of the said County this Sixth day of July 1833
R. H. Cushman -

Thomas Harrison Pension papers
14923
sw
4
67 Employment claims 12 mo - while the specifi- cations do not exceed 9 mo.
adm 9 mo pri 30#

State of New York } ss Montgomery County } Joseph Blake of Amsterdam in the County & State aforesaid being sworn in open Court says that he is acquainted with Thomas Harrison in the annexed declaration named & that he deponent since one month with said Harrison under a last Nathaniel Camp - at New York City during the Revolutionary war & in the United States since & from his deets & circumstances related to this deponent by said Thomas as deponent has no doubt that he was at Spring- -field in New Jersey - at the time mentioned in his Declaration. Depo- -nent was also there - but he said Thomas were in different companies & battalions - And this deponent says from his acquaintance with said Thomas both during the war & since he has no doubt but that his declaration is true -
Joseph Blake
Sworn & subscribed in Open Court the day & year aforesaid
Geo: P. Singleton Clerk.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named officer was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further Certifies that it appears to them that William Groom, who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Broadalbin in said County, and that Joseph Degolyer who has also signed the same is a resident of the same town & is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
¶ George D. Ferguson, clerk of the said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Harrison for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the 29th September 1832.
Geo: D. Ferguson
And the said Court do further certify that Joseph Glynne who has made the annexed affidavit is a resident of the town of Amsterdam in said County of Montgomery and is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said County this sixth day of July 1833.
R. H. Lushney Dep Clerk