Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21,243, James Harkness, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Harkness, James Elizabeth
NUMBER
W. 21,243
CONTENTS
Blank lined area for contents entry
Blank lined area for contents entry

Illinois 25.995
James Harkness of Peoria, Co. in the State of Ill who was a S er in the Company commanded by Captain Collins of the Reg t commanded by Col. Dyer in the Ill. Vol. line for Discharge
  3 Mo. D r  15.00    3 " C o  11.00    1 1/2 " B al  60.00 =     $ 86.00  
Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois at the rate of 86 Dollars  Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of Feb y and sent to 1324 Dance Water St. N.Y. Co. Peoria Ill.
  Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 -  215. -    Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 34  43. -     258. -  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. D. Spayn Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 8 Page 65
See letter 23 Feb 36 Hon. J. M. McKean Sec. of the Navy

80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 day of Aug 1849. and sent to
E. Wright Springfield Ills
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 345 Vol. 3 .

State of Illinois } Commissioners Court September Term Peoria County } Monday Sept. 2 nd A D 1833
Be it remembered that on this 2 nd day of Sept- ember A D 1833 personally appeared in open court before the commissioners or judges of the same James H. Harkness a resident of Peoria precinct in the County of Peoria & State of Illinois aged seventy four years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the follow- ing declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the seventh of June 1832 — That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated — He entered the army as a volunteer in the Massachusetts Line to test of his recollection on the first of July 1775 in Col. Wood Bridges Regiment and was dis- charged the 1 st of January 1776 He volunteered again in the same Line on the first of July 1776 for four months which time he served in Col. Dyer's Regiment Capt. Lyman's Company The 3 rd time he volunteered in the same Line in Capt. Murray's Company in Col. Pomeroy's Regiment the 15 th December as near as he can recollect 1776 and was discharged on the 23 rd March 1777 The fourth time he was drafted the same year for two months under Capt. Thompson Col. not recollected this time before his time was at the fort of Ticonderoga was besieged and he was detained two weeks longer making this time two months and 14 days this time he served under Capt. Thompson This tour commenced the 1 st of May 1777 The fifth time he volunteered in the same line under Capt. Thompson the same year upon an alarm from the march of the enemy towards Bennington in the month of August the battle of Bennington was fought before his company reached the army and were discharged at this time he served two weeks The sixth time he volunteered in Capt. Thompson's company and was discharged directly after the surrender of Burgoyne this time he served in Col. Porter's Reg. one month The seventh time he volunteered under  in Capt. Lumb's Company in Col. Wadsworth's regiment of the Massachusetts Line the 20 th June 1778 and was discharged on the 1 st of January 1779 served part of the time as a sergeant & part as a corporal The eighth time he volunteered in the same line under Capt. Dwight sometime in July 1779 served this time one month don't recollect the Col. He also says that he has no documentary evidence of his services & knows of no person nearer that Pennsylvania by whom he can prove his services

I the said James Hartness hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present one declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state
The following interrogatories were administered by the court aforeseid to the said James Hartness
Q. Where and in what year were you born
Ans. In the County of Hampshire in the State of Massachusetts and my parents have told me on the 15 th of June 1759
Q. Have you any record of your age & if so when is it
Ans. I have heard my parents say that my birth was was recorded on the Town register where I was born that being in the Town of Pelham
Q. Where were you living when called into the service? Where have you lived since the revolutionary war? & where do you now live
Ans. I was living in Hampshire County Massachusetts when I entered the service each time I resided there until I was twenty seven years of age when I moved to Bennington County Vermont I lived there about five years & then removed to Washington County State of New York I lived there about 15 years from there I removed to Bradford County State of Pennsylvania I lived there about 25 years from there I removed to Peoria County State of Illinois where I now live and where I have lived since Jan. 1832
Q. How were you called into service? Were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute & if a substitute for whom?
Ans I volunteered seven times & I was drafted once but was never a substitute
State the names of some of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served such continental & militia troops as you can recollect & the general circumstances of your service
Ans. I was acquainted with Genl. Sullivan at Rhode Island who was a regular officer also with Col. Green who commanded the regiment of blacks I was also acquainted with Col. Vose's regiment of regular troops I was also acquainted with Col. Shepherd & his regiment of reg. troops I have often seen Gen Washington & Green & Lafayette Col. Nathaniel Wade commanded the regiment of Massachusetts line to which I belonged while at Rhode Island When I first entered the army as a volunteer I was a little over sixteen years of age & belonged to Col. Woodbridge's Regiment and was in camp at Cambridge before Boston when Gen. Washington first took command

I did not join the army till just after the battle of Bunker Hill my time was out before the British evacuated Boston But I volunteered again & was at the building of Dorchester Hill fort which could annoy the harbor of Boston During this time only one regiment & a company or two of artillery lay there Col. Dyer commenced the regiment I do not recollect who commanded the artillery. We did not associate with them I think they were mostly foreigners while in Capt. Murray's company I joined Gen. Washington at Morris County New Jersey he took up his head quarters at Morristown after he had been harassed through the Jerseys by the British army I was under the command of Gen. McDougal at Peekskill on the north river a little below West point at the time Gen. Washington was marching through the Jerseys I was at Tienderoga when it was evacuated I was at the taking of Burgoyne at Saratoga Gen. Gates commanded the army Some of the principal commanders under him were Col. Stark, Fellows & I think Schuyler I was discharged this time after the surrender of the British I was under Gen. Sullivan at Rhode Island I volunteered again to go down to New London to guard the Sound under Capt. Dwight.
2. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what was the name of it? Answer I never received a written discharge it was not customary in the Massachusetts Line where I served they were discharged by companies & regiments.
State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood who can testify to your character for veracity & good behavior as a soldier of the revolution.
Answer I am acquainted with the Rev. Peter Boston who has preached as a Methodist circuit preacher in my neighborhood nearly a year.
I am acquainted with Samuel Clark & Isaac Waters Clerk of this Court who live in my neighborhood & are acquainted with me But I do not know any person in the State of Illinois who can testify to my services as a soldier of the revolution.
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 3rd day of September A.D. 1833 Isaac Waters Clk.
James H. [unclear]

We Isaac Waters Samuel Clark & John Ewalt residing in the County of Peoria & State of Illinois do here by certify that we are well acquainted with the within named James Harkness who subscribed and swore to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be seventy four years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Subscribed & sworn to the day & year first above written
Isaac Waters Samuel Clark John Ewalt
A. M. Brunk Secy
And this Court do hereby declare their opinions after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolu- tionary soldier & served as stated and the said Court further certify that Isaac Waters the Clerk of this Court who has signed the preceding cer- tificate resident of the Town of Peoria Peoria County Illinois & that the said Samuel Clark & John Ewalt who have signed the same are residents in the County & State aforesaid & that they the said Isaac Waters Samuel Clark & John Ewalt are cred- ible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Agil Wren John Boyle Edwin L. Jones Judges of Com- mission- ers Court

3910
3910 Elizabeth Harkness of James Illinois

Declaration In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th July 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows"
The State of Illinois / 3 On this 29th day of November Peoria County } 3 in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before Clark D Powell a justice of the county commissioners court in and for the County of Peoria and State aforesaid Elizabeth Harkness, a resident of Harkness Precinct in the County of Peoria aged seventy four years and nine months, who being first duly sworn ac- cording to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows" That she is the widow of the late James Harkness, a soldier of the revolutionary war and a pensioner under the Illinois agency under the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 entitled "An act supplementary to the act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the revolution. This declarant cannot specify the particular time of service or the capacity in which the said James Harkness deceased served in the War of the revolution, and must therefore refer to the evidence on file in the war department. The only paper in possession of this declarant relating to the pension of her deceased husband is a letter from J P Edwards Esqr to the Hon Samuel McKean of the United States Senate, dated February 23 1836 by which letter it appears that the said James Harkness "Has been allowed a pension for three months service as a sergeant three months as a corporal, and for eighteen months service as a private" She further declares that she was married to the said James Harkness at Rehoboth in the County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts on the 28th day of July in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty five - That her husband the aforesaid James Harkness died on the Eighteenth day of August in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty six - That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage
(took)

took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four viz on the 28 th July 1785 as above stated
Elizabeth his Harkness Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written
Clark D. Powell
I Clark D Powell one of the justices of the County Commissioners Court in and for the County of Ponce and State of Illinois do hereby certify that the above named Elizabeth Harkness is an aged and infirm person, unable from bodily infirmity to attend the sittings of a court. Given under my hand this 29 th day of Novr 1838
Clark D. Powell
State of Illinois } Pierce County } Before me Clark D. Powell one of the Justices of the County Commissioners Court in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Daniel Harkness aged 76 years a respectable citizen of said County of unquestioned credibility, who being duly sworn according to law deposes and saith That he had a brother named James Harkness, who was a soldier of the revolutionary war and a pensioner, and who died in Pierce County in the month of August or September in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty six. Deponent further saith that he well recollects the said James Harkness left the home of his father in the town of Pelham in the State of Massachusetts to go into the service of his country as a soldier and was gone from home from four to six months - three other men went away and returned with him and they were all reputed to have been in the military services of the country. Deponent further saith that the said James Harkness served a number of short tours after the year seventeen hundred and seventy six, but the precise length of time which he served deponent does not know, but believes it must have amounted to near two years - The officers under which he served deponent does not remember, except that in the campaign which resulted in the surrender of the British Army under General Burgoyne the said James served a tour under Captain John Thompson. Deponent further saith that the said James Harkness was married to one Elizabeth Edson (the daughter of Jacob Edson a respectable citizen of the town of Pelham aforesaid) some time in the month of July in the year seventeen hundred and eighty five - Deponent does not know of any county town, parish, church

or family record which affords proof of the marriage aforesaid Deponent further saith that the said James and Elizabeth from the year 1785 aforesaid up to the time of the decease of the said James in 1836 lived together as man and wife and the said Elizabeth widow of the said James is now living and has not married since the decease of her said husband - And further this deponent saith not
Sworn to and subscribed before Daniel Harkness me this 29th day of Novr 1838
Clark D. Powell
State of Illinois, Before me Clark D Powell one of the justices Peoria County of the County Commissioners Court in and for the County aforesaid personally came James Harkness aged forty six years a citizen of Peoria county and a person of credibility who being duly sworn according to law deponeth and saith that he is the son of James Harkness who was a revolutionary pensioner upon the Illinois agency. And that the said James departed this life at Peoria county, on the Eighteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six and was at that time reputed to be in the 48th year of his age - Deponent further saith that the only Bible which contains any family record of his father's family, does not mention the date of the marriage of his father and mother - and he believes, no record of that fact exists. And further saith not
James Harkness
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 29th day of November in the year 1838
Clark D. Powell

sworn to and subscribed upon me this 29th day of November in the year 1888 Clark D. Powell
State of Illinois Peoria County
I William Mitchell clerk of the County Court of Peoria County do hereby certify that Clark D Powell Esq is one of the Justices of the County Court of Peoria County of said County, duly elected and qualified as appears to me of record. And that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Peoria this Twenty Sixth day of February in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred & Thirty nine
William Mitchell Clerk.
3910 3910

Grace Starkness was Born September 1 1804
Chloe Starkness was Born August 27 1808
Roxanna Starkness was Born March 28 1786
And Died July 30 1800
and died August 27

Memoranda
Almer Harkness was Born may 26 1788
Anna Harkness was Born may 22 1790
James P Harkness was Born September 20 1792
David Harkness was Born November 30 1794
Betty Harkness was Born January 14 1797
Jacob E Harkness was Born may 13 1799
Daniel Harkness was Born August 9 1801

17.995
James Harkness. Peoria Co. Illinois.
Return
Adm 3 Months Serf " 3 " Corp 1 yr 6 Months poor
25 11 36
1/44 4
Isaac Waters Clerk Peoria Peoria Co. Illinois.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
8th July ~ 1833
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 subjunct 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 James Harkness.
   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.     1 July 1775 6 Serf { Corf { Cap. Conner Col Woodbridge 73 years Traditionary.   " 1776 4 Col Dykes Hamplin Co   15 Dec 1776 8 3 24 Cap. Murray Col Pomeroy Map-   May 1777 2 14 Cap. Thompson Town of Ockham   Aug 1777 Not stated Cap. Thompson   Taking Prisoner 1 14 Col Porter   July 1778 1 20 Col Porter   22 June 1778 6 10 Capt Lunn Col Wood   July 1779 1 Cap't Dwight   46  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
As there is a difference in the amount for services as a Corp. or Serf - the applicant must shew how long he served in each grade - this was distinctly pointed out by reference to Notes.

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 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 _____; 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 declarations.

April 12, 1932
Mrs. J. B. Crammond Wapello Iowa
BA-J/MCS XXXXXXXXXXXX James Harkness W. 21243
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of February 18th, requesting information in regard to James Harkness, a soldier of the Revolution.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, W. 21243, based upon the Revolutionary War service of James Harkness.
He was born June 15, 1759, in Pelham, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Mary & Sarah Green
While a resident of that place he enlisted July 1, 1775, as private in Captain Cowden's Company in Colonel Woodbridge's Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged January 1, 1776. He enlisted July 1, 1776, and served four months in Captain Lyman's Company in Colonel Dike's Massachusetts Regiment. He enlisted December 15, 1776, served in Captain Murray's Company in Colonel Pomeroy's Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged March 23, 1777. He enlisted May 1, 1777, and served two months and fourteen days in Captain John Thompson's Massachusetts Company and was at Ticonderoga when it was evacuated. He enlisted in 1777 and served two weeks in Captain Thompson's Massachusetts Company. He enlisted in 1777 and served one month in Captain Thompson's Company in Colonel Porter's Massachusetts Regiment and was at the capture of Burgoyne. He enlisted June 20, 1778, and served as corporal and sergeant in Captain Lamb's Company in Colonel Wade's Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged January 1, 1779. He enlisted in July, 1779, and served one month in Captain Dwight's Massachusetts Company.
When he was twenty-seven years of age he moved to Bennington County, Vermont. He afterward lived in Washington County, New York, in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, and in Peoria County, Illinois.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 2, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Peoria Precinct, Peoria County, Illinois.
The soldier died August 18, 1836, in said county.
He married at Pelham, Massachusetts, July 28, 1785, Elizabeth Edson, the daughter of Jacob Edson. of Pelham
She was allowed pension on her application executed November 29, 1838, at which time she was seventy-four years and nine months old and a resident of Harkness Precinct, Peoria County, Illinois.
Children of James and Elizabeth Harkness:
Roxanna born March 28, 1786, died July 30, 1800 Abner " May 26, 1788 Anna " May 22, 1790 James P. " September 20, 1792 n Peoria Co in 1838 David " November 30, 1794 Betty " January 14, 1797 Jacob E. " May 13, 1799 Daniel " August 9, 1801 Isaac " September 1, 1804 Chloe S. " August 27, 1808
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

James Harkness Ill. act 7 June 1832 to what time paid? P. Offin
Died 18 th Aug 1836 so to that period
Feb 6. 1839.
14

3910
Elizabeth Harkness of James Illinois
admitted
P. Copied Sept. 27 th 1886.
Copied by Col. Dykes (Map Mile)
died 18 Aug t 1836
Act 7 July 1838
Edson Harkness Esq. Tivoli. Ill

Elizabeth Harkness, widow of James, Illinois Roll, Will Mr Bogan please inform this office the amount per annum received by Mrs H, under the acts of 43 & 44?
under 43 & 44 P d at $80. p. annum, and paid up in full under both Acts to 1 st March 1848 -
N. B.
Union Office, May 8/49.

Elizabeth Hackney, Illinois Roll, at Will Mr Bogan please inform me the amount per annum paid to Mrs W under the Acts of '43 & '44?
'43 & '44 at $80. p. annum and Cole p u to 4 th Mar. 1848. B.B.

Elizabeth Marknap of James Illinois
Suspended
See Ct 7 Feb. 1839 Hon. J. McKean let: 20 th July 1839 Edson Marknap. do. 22 nd July '39
Act 7 July 1838

4. Illinois
Elizabeth Harkness widow of James
who was a Genl; Capt; 1st Inf
in the Waukegan line
Inc. June 1842.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 86 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of May 1849 and sent to
E. Wright Springfield Ills
[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2. Page 226

H 610
Illinois
Elizabeth Harknep widow of James Harknep decd
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 18 th August 1836 of Peoria Co. in the State of Illinois who was a Sgt. Hosp. in the Comp. Y. commanded by Captain Cowden of the Regt. commanded by Col. Keyes in the Ill. Vol. Inf. line for 2 mos. Sgt 38 " " Private }
Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois at the rate of 86 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836. 18 th August 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st day of Nov. 1839 and sent Edson Harknep Nicola Co. Ill.
Arrears to the 4 th of Sept. 1839 $261. 00 Semi-annual allowance ending June 1840. 43. 00
$304 00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by M. Addison Clerk. Book 4 Vol. 2d Page 223
Lt Col. J. J. Stuart March 20. 1840. Pay
let 11 Feb. 42 to Erastus Wright. do to El Hark- nep Apr 17. 1843.

4287
Illinois
Elizabeth Hartknef widow of James Hartknef who was a pri. Corp. of Serj. in the Massachusetts line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 86 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th day of January 1844 and sent to Elizabeth Hartknef
Peoria Illinois.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 Page 196.
Arrear Case,
Rep. J. Day
1844

SKK
Ms. Asaph Eliz. Harkness
J. Edwards Esq. Commr. of pensions Washington D.C.

Trioli, (Peach Co) Ill. Aug 10 1839
Dear Sir - your favors of the 20th ult have both been duly received together with the pension certificate of Mrs Rebecca Read. You will receive herewith the Deposition of Mr Mattoon the justice of the peace who, it is said, Married James & Elizabeth Harkness in the year 1785 - or if he be deceased then you will receive a statement to that effect from some credible person. I have Before you receive this there will have been sent to the Department the only family record which appears to have been kept by James Harkness deceased. That is the date of the births of his children.
All the testimony required by the very rigid rules of the department being now before you, I hope Sir, that no further delay will take place in granting a pension to the applicant.
I have enclosed this to my agent at Pelham Mass to be sent to you with the deposition of Mattoon so that the papers of the case might be as little separated as possible.
Very respectfully yours
not humble
servt
Edson Harkness
Edwards Esqr

Adm o Accts 43 & 44 at $86 per annum, less former pay at $80 per annum.
E. Wright, Springfield, Ill.

Springfield Ills 21. March 1829
J. L. Edwards Esq Commr. of Pensions
Enclosed is the Application and Affidavit of Mrs Elizabeth Harkness for the arrears of Pay due her as per document herewith transmitted and the Records in the Pension Office will show
Please give it your Attention and report soon If it should go to Mr Wagners Office you will foreseen Yours
Everett Wright

Senate Chamber Feb 2 - 1889
Dear Sir
Will you have the goodness to inform me whether the documents in support of the claim of the widow of James Harkness for a pension has been received at your office. James Harkness was a pensioner and formerly resided in Penn a and a few years since he moved to Peoria Ill and died there, his widow is now applying for a Pension. I have been requested to attend to the matter and inform that the papers were recently sent to you. Your early attention to this request will greatly oblige
Your obedt Servt
Sam M c Lean
J. L. Edwards Esq.

Eliz. Harkness
Arrear from 4 March 1836 to 18 th August 1836.
$86 per annum
To the Publisher at Peoria Illinois

State of Illinois } Frank County } Personally appeared before the undersigned acting justice of the peace in and for said County Elizabeth Harkness widow of James Harkness who was in his life time a pen- sioner on the Roll of the Illinois Agency at the rate of $86 per year and on oath declares she is his  widow wife his widow, and she has left farmly about $86 per year and is entitled to  sworn and subscribed this 23 rd of September 1843 }
And also appeared Eliza Harkness and Delanah Harkness who have been acquainted with the affiant Elizabeth Harkness for the space of seven years and from our personal knowledge know her to be the widow of James Harkness sworn and subscribed } Edward Harkness this 23 rd day of September 1843 } Delanah Harkness

I John Beverus The Justice before whom the foregoing Affidavits was read do hereby certify that the infirmity of the said Elizabeth Harkness renders it next to an impossibility to go before a court of Record to identify her self. Given under my hand and seal this 23 rd day of September 1843
Know all men by these presents that I Elizabeth Harkness of Peoria County Illinois do hereby nominate constitute and appoint City My true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to receive from the treasury of the United States arrears of Pension due me from the 4 th March to the 18 th of August 1836 and sign Receipts for me for the same Given under my hand and seal this 23 rd day of September 1843
Elizabeth Harkness
State of Illinois } Peoria County }
Personally appeared before the subscriber an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County Elizabeth Harkness above named and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be her act and deed for thereupon thereon expressed Given under my hand and seal this 23 rd day of September 1843
John Beverus J.P. etc
estoppel

State of Illinois
Peoria County ss
William Mitchell Clerk of the County Commissioners Court within and for said County do hereby certify that John Bernard Esquire whose name appears subscribed to the within Certificate was at the time the same was made and now is an acting justice of the peace within and for said County duly commissioned and qualified and as such full faith and credit are due his official acts
Given under my hand and seal this Court at Peoria this 9 th day of October A.D. 1843.
William Mitchell Clerk

Lead
Rev 21.243 WIDOW, &c.
Uld. 18-1907
Mrs. May M. Wood Denver Colo
File No. 21243
Elizabeth Harkness Wid of James Harkness Sergt. Rev. War
1912 Jan. 23 Tombstone letter to Mrs. C. K. Woolf letter in 1732196 mm Crow & 1913 Dec. 17. Hist. to Oren S. Gibbs - C. 1915 Jan. 22 Hist. to Mrs. Jas. Upton 1915 June 18. " " Mrs. C.B. Kirkpatrick 1916 Sept. 5. History to Mrs B. Petterson. M. 13 H
Act Feb. 24 1848
Index: Vol. CA , Page 315
1925 Oct. 29 hist to Mrs. Nellie E. Harkness M.C.S.
1928 July 30 Hist. to L. E. Harkness G.H.Y.
1928 Dec. 13 Hist. to Miss Mary Kinnear M.C.S.
1932 Apr. 1 Hist. to Mrs. J. B. Crummond M.C.S.
1939 Mar. 2 Hist. to Miss Carmine Waters M.C.S.
[Arrangement of 1870.]

O. W. & N. DIVISION MAR 7 1901 RECEIVED.

U.S. Comm. of Pensions - Washington D. C. Dear Sir, -
I am seeking proof of Revolutionary ancestry for admission to D.A.R.
Can I learn through you if my great great grandfather James Harkness was a pensioner?
I am told he received a pension.
He was born in Pelham Mass. June 2-1756 and died at Harkness Grove (Elmwood) Illa.

Aug 18th - 1836,
I have seen his grave where there is an old and a new tombstone but the dates differ on them, — "born June 20 - 1759 - died Aug 18 - 1835" and " " June 2 - 1756 " " 18 - 1836"
If you cannot give me the information can you refer me to someone likely to be able to assist me?
Very truly
(Mrs) May M. Woodside -
1644 Emerson Ave. Denver, Colo.
Feb - 20 - 1901,

SL,
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Widow Sub - Division
April 11, 1932
No. ,
Claimant, _____
Soldier, _____
Referred to Revolutionary War section for reply to that part of letter relative to James Harmons. Writer had been advised of service of Chas. H. Peck.
J. J. Robinson Chief Widow Subdivision
CT

just
Pension, Sec,
✓
Jan 18 th 1915-
Dept of the Interior.
Bureau of Pensions.
Please send me the Military History of my great Great Grandfather James Harkness who served in Revolutionary war, going into service on April 19 th 1775 - from Pelham, Mass.

Respectfully
Mrs James Upton,
114 So Adams Street.

Hapells Iowa Feb. 18. 1932
Department of Interior Bureau of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs,
W. C. 761268 OK
I would thank you for the war record of my father, Charles William Peck , (now deceased) of the Ill. Inf. (O I - 47), in the Civil War.
Also of James Harkness of the Rev. War. I do not know his Company but he was at the Ex cavation of Ticonderoga.
Yours Resp.
Mrs. J. B. Crammond Hapells Iowa

M Rev. Lee
Pension Office Washington D.C. Dear Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 7th. of May. I am sending you. Dotes. of Enlistment of James Warkness. a Revolutionary Veteran.
James Warkness. born. June 15 th 1759. Enlisted at Rehoboth Mass - July. 1 st 1775.
Captain. Rowden.
Married Elizabeth Echon July. 28 th 1785.
She was allowed. a pension Nov. 29 th 1838.

hoping these dates are satisfactory to entitle me to the War Record of James Workness, yours resp -
Mrs C. B. Kirkpatrick.
Browns Valley Minn.

1018 Commercial Emporia, Kansas January 23, 1939
Veterans Administration Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir,
I should like to have the Revolutionary War record of James P. Harkness. He was born in Pelham, Massachusetts, June 2, 1756, and died in Harkness Grove, Ill., August 18, 1836. The first name of his widow was Elizabeth.
Yours truly, (Miss) Carmie Waters

State of Illinois } I Peter R. Borine Minister County of Peoria } in the Methodist Episcopal Church & Circuit Preacher in the Canton Circuit in the said State Do hereby Certify that I have been acquainted with James Starkness for nearly a year. That he sustains a character for truth & in- tegrity. That he appears to be seventy four years of age. And that it is gener- ally believed in his neighborhood that he is a soldier of the revolution. August 20 th 1833 Peter R. Borine.

[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page. The text is mostly illegible but appears to be a formal letter.]

Rev.-1 C.B.B.
Wheaton Minn
Aug 22. 16.
Comm. of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:- Will you kindly give me the Rev. war record and family record of James Hakness. My great grand father. The Hakness enlisted in Pelham Mass. and served under nine different enlistments. as found I think in your records I.S.C. Amid File 21, 243. Reuben.
I am wanting to use these records to complete my applica- tion papers for the membership in the Daughters of the Revolution for the favor conferred. Mrs B. Petterson Wheaton Minn

1 May 49
April 24/49
Erasmus Wright,
In reference to the Pension of Mrs Elizabeth Warkness refers to an error therein —
W. Scott 2792
with M c
H ms
Commissioner of Pensions
Dept. of the Interior } May 5 th 1849 }

Springfield Illin s 26 April 1879
Dear Sir
I regret to trouble you with a case which should have been corrected by Mr. Edwards. The Pension Book for Illin s shows that Mrs E Harkness received 5 years Pen. at $ from 4 March/36 to 4 March 1841 at $86 per Annum - Under Act 3- March 1843 and 7 June 1844 she was Pensions at the rate of only $80 per Annum and received at $80 until 4 March 1848. Then again placed on the Roll at under Act 2 d July 1848 at the rate of $86 per life Her Husband received $86 per An.
Mrs Harkness makes affidavit to the fact and application for the arrears diff ce for 5 years from 80 to 86 Dollars per Annum and only asks her just due - I think that Mr Edwards by reference to the Accounts & Receipts will find she has not made a false declaration -
Mr Edwards letter herewith transmitted
Yours Respectfully
Erasmus Wright Atty for Mrs Harkness
Col T. Evans Secy of Int l Dept t Washington City D.C.

Pension Office, April 12. 1849
Sir,
The affidavit of Elizabeth Harkness has been filed with her other papers. On examining the case, it appears that she is not entitled to the amount claimed, as she has been pensioned under the various laws at the rate of $86 per annum, and not $80 per annum.
I am, respectfully, Your Oat Servant, J L Edwards
Erastus Wright, Esq, Springfield Illinois.

State of Illinois } Peoria County }
On this Second day of February 1849 Before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Elizabeth Harkness and made oath in due form of Law. That she is the Identical Elizabeth Harkness and Widow of James Harkness Deed who was a Revolutionary pensioner at $86.00 per Annum That she was Reassessed under Act 7 July 1838 at $86 per Annum and drew a Pension at that rate until 14 March 1841. That she was again Reassessed under act 3 rd March 1843 at only 80 per Annum when it should have been $86 per Annum
It Continued at $80 per Annum from 14 March 1843 to 14 March 1848 - 5 years for which she is entitled to the Additional Pay of $6 per year as the Records will Show -
She now makes this Affidavit to draw said arrears of $30 - and asks your Order that the Pension Agent for Illinois be instructed to pay said Arrears. - She is now continued under Act 2 nd Feb y 1848 at $86 per Annum -
Sworn to and Subscribed this day & date above written before me
Justus Gibbs
J. Peve
Elizabeth her  X Harkness { seal Witnesses Daniel Harkness Anna Harkness

Get the Clerks Certificate of Magisterium on this side
I also hereby empower of Springfield Ills Erosius Knight to act for me in the matter of getting the arrears due me from the Government and he is hereby empowered to receipt for same and do and perform any legal act touching the matter for me and in my name hereby ratifying whatsoever my said Atty may do in the premises
Peoria County Ills February 18 th 1849
Witness
Elizabeth Harkness
Mark of Daniel Harkness
Anna Harkness
day of February 1849
Acknowledged before me this second
Justin Gibbs J.P.
Clerks Certif
State of Illinois } I William Mitchell clerk of the County Commissioners Peoria County } Court of the County of Peoria aforesaid do hereby Certify that Justin Gibbs is a justice of the peace in and for said County, duly commissioned & qualified, that his Commission was dated on the 19 th day of August A.D. 1847 and will expire on the first Monday in August A.D. 1849 and that his signature above written is genuine
Given under my hand and seal of said County this 8 th day of February A.D. 1849 William Mitchell Clerk

Springfield Ills 7 th Oct 1848 J L Edmonds Esq. Committee of Patents Washington City D C
Enclosed please find the App of Elizabeth Harkness for a continuation on the Parson Knit under Act of Congress of 2 d Feb 1848.
Please send the Cert of to Wright & Abel to E. Wright of Springfield Sangamon Co Illinois
Yours &
Wright & Abel

EN
aa

STATE OF ILLINOIS, } ss. Peoria COUNTY, }
On this Third day of October 1848, personally appeared before the undersigned, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County [1] Elizabeth Harkness a resident of the County of Peoria and State aforesaid, aged Eighty four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 2d February, 1848,
granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war, That she is the widow of [2] James Harkness who was a [3] Private in the army of the Revolution; that she received a pension under the act of Congress of 17th June, 1844,
at the rate of [4] Eighty Dollars per annum. She further declares that she is still a widow.
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year } [1] Elizabeth Harkness above written before me Gustus Gibbs  Mark Daniel Harkness Justice of the Peace.
WITNESSES: Betty Gibbs
STATE OF ILLINOIS, } Peoria County, }
I, William Mitchell , Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Gustus Gibbs — whose signature as a Magistrate appears above is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified, that his commission was dated on the Nineteenth day of August 1847, and will expire on the first Mon day of August 1849, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
Given under my hand and seal of said court this fourth day of October
A. D. 1848.
William Mitchell, Clerk R. Hamilton, Def. Clerk.
N. B.—(1) Pensioner's name. (2) Husband's name. (3) A private or captain, as the case may be. (4) What he drew per annum. As this sheet must go to Washington city, and, if allowed, they will issue a new Pension Certificate, therefore you will please have it correctly filled up, and return it to E. Wright, of Springfield, Illinois immediately.
The Com. of pensions will for my pension Cert. to E Wright at Springfield Ills (1)

Washington City
March 18 th
Sir
Will you be so good as to examine the enclosed letter and furnish me with the information desired by Mr. Hartness - I will thank you to return Mr. H's letter
Yours Ob d . Serv t .
J. G. Edwards Esq r Comm r of Pensions
John T. Stuart

1538 50 1488
3

War Department Pension Office
February 23, 1836
Sir,
I herewith enclose the letter of Mr James Harkness, and have to state that the act of 7 June 1832, fixes the rate of pension for one or more terms, for a term of two years, or any other term not less than six months, according to the pay received while in the line of the army. For two years service as a private $6.66 2 / 3 per month or $80 per annum is allowed; as a Sergeant $10 per month or $120 per annum, and so on for services in higher grades. One years service as a private would therefore be $40 per annum, and as a Sergeant $60 per annum, and for a less period of service a proportionate allowance is made. Mr Harkness has been allowed a pension for three months as a Sergeant, three months as a Corporal, and for eighteen months service as a private, making $86 per annum
I have the honor to be Very respectfully Your Obedt Servt.
J. L. Edwards
Hon. Samuel McKean Senate U. States

ap 26
Miss Abigail  H. A. H.  Abigail  H. A. H.
Edwards Commission of Washington City

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Hampshire ss.
I, Samuel Wells, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampshire, do certify, that Cyrus 100 Pringman Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Cyrus Pringman and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth, this Twenty third day of April — in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine
Samuel Wells Clerk.

Pelham April 23 d 1839
I Asa Tomson depose and say that I hold the office of town clerk in the town of Pelham county of Hampshire and state of Massachusetts and likewise depose and say that I have searched the records of said town to find the record of the marriage of James Harkness to Elizabeth Edson said to have taken place in said Pelham in the month of July in the year seventeen hundred eighty five but cannot find any record of the same neither can I find any record of any marriage before seventeen hundred ninety three in said town
Asa Tomson town clerk
Hampshire ss April 23 d 1839 Then personally appeared Asa Tomson Town Clerk of the town of Pelham subscriber to the above Deposition and made Oath to the truth of the same
Before me Cyrus Kingsman Justice of the Peace

4354 Eliz. Harkness
$86 per an
To the Penpension at Peoria Illinois

State of Illinois, } Peoria COUNTY. }
On the 23 d day of September 1843, personally appeared before the subscriber, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Elizabeth Harkness a resident of the State of Illinois, in the County of Peoria aged Seventy nine years, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the bene- fits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 3 d of March, 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of James Harkness who was* a soldier of the Revolutionary war and Received as a pensioner at the Illinois Agency $86 per annum
And eighty six _____ Dollars, was the annual amount of Pension she received under the act of the 7 th July, 1838; and she further declares she is now a widow.
And I, John Bevans the acting Justice in the case, do hereby declare the above named Elizabeth Harkness is personally known to me, and I believe her to be the widow of the aforesaid James Harkness
Sworn and subscribed this 23 d day of September 1843.
Elizabeth Harkness Mark JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
John Bevans
STATE OF ILLINOIS, } PEORIA COUNTY, } ss.
I, William Mitchell , Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court for said county, do hereby certify, that John Bevans Esq. whose name appears subscribed to the foregoing certificate, was, on the day of the date thereof, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified, as appears of record in my office; and that, as such, full faith and credit are due to all his official acts.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court, at Peoria, this 9 th day of October 1843
William Mitchell
Clerk.

July 22
Gen. at.
W. H.
FREE
Hon. A. L. Edwards,
Chairman of Pensions Washington D.C.

Warkness Grove Peoria County Illinois July 1 1889
Sir Permit me to call your attention to the application of Elizabeth Warkness, widow of James Warkness, deceased, for a pension. The history of the application up to this time is as follows
During the past winter an application was forwarded, containing the declaration of the party, the deposition of a witness that the deceased pensioner and applicant were married in the month of July 1785 (I state from recollection as to dates) at Pelham Mass. Also the deposition of a witness stating that James Warkness died on the 18th of August 1836 and that his widow had since remained single & unmarried. These papers were soon after returned with two objections, - the first related to the manner in which the certificate of the county clerk was attached to the papers. This objection was forthwith obviated and the papers sent back to the Department. The second objection was that inasmuch as record evidence of the marriage must be produced in all cases where

it existed, the records of the Town of Pelham might furnish produce that evidence
The town clerk of the Town of Pelham was accordingly written to on the subject and requested to examine the records and ascertain whether they did or did not contain any evidence of said Marriage And to make out his deposition accordingly and forward it to the pension office
I have recently received a letter from Asa Tomson, town clerk of Pelham in which he informs me that no record of any Marriage previous to 1793 is to be found in his office
That he made out a deposition to that effect, swore to it before a magistrate and got the certificate of the co clerk as to the official character of the magistrate and had it forwarded to the pension office according to my request on the 23 d of April last
I have been very particular in the above statements in consequence of the papers being sent to the office at different times
If the above testimony of Mr. Thompson be irregularly taken , I wish to be informed of it as early as practicable
If the testimony of Tomson be regularly

taken and that with the former latter evidence of the marriage is not sufficient , & with you so to inform me, As Mr Tomson the clerk says that the justice of the peace who married the parties is still living in the neighborhood, of sound mind & memory Very respectfully,
Yours
obb
Scrat
Eason 5 Wark 1
Wm J L Edwards Censor of Pensions
(Our nearest Post Office is now
"Trivoli
"Peach Co Ill")

cu sub Mrs. Adolfus Eliz. Harkness
FREE
W. L. Edward Esq. Cambridge Station Washington D.C.

State of Illinois } Poria County }
(Deposition)
I William J Phelps a Justice of the Peace for said County do
certify that on this day came before me James Warkness a credible witness and on being sworn deposeth that the annexed leaf was taken by him from an old Bible that had been in possession of his Father James Warkness a Revolutionary Pensioner now deceased since about the year One Thousand Eight hundred and thirteen thirty - that the names thereon are the names of his children and that the same are in his hand writing and were copied by him from an older Bible which had become torn and defaced - and that the dates there named are understood by the family of said James Warkness deceased truly to represent the respective births of his respective children - And the deponent further saith that the said James Warkness died August 18 th 1836 Eighteenth - One Thousand Eight hundred and Thirty six - and further saith not. Given under my hand and seal this 22 nd day of August 1839
William J Phelps Justice Peace
State of Illinois } Poria County }
Elizabeth Warkness a credible witness being duly sworn deposeth and saith that she is the widow of James Warkness a Revolutionary pensioner who died on the eighteenth day of August One Thousand Eight hundred and Thirty six - that she knows of no other record of her marriage or the births of her children than the one herunto affixed - that the hand writing is that of her husband James Warkness deceased - and further saith not
Given under my hand and seal this 22 nd day of August 1839
William J Phelps Justice Peace
State of Illinois } Poria County }
William Mitchell clerk of the

County Commissioners Court of said County of Pima do hereby certify that William Phelps whose name appears subscribed to the foregoing certificate was at the time the same was made an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the said County of Pima, duly commissioned and qualified as appears of record in my office, that as such full faith and credence are due his official acts and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court at Pima the 6 th day of September A.D. 1839
William Mitchell Clerk

Thos L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Pearia Feb 26 1839
Dear Sir I have just reced the papers relating to the application of Elizabeth Workness for a pension which were forwarded to me by Senator McKean and I herewith return them to the office with the correction relating to the manner in which the seat of the Clerk was attached
The other error relating to the record evidence of the marriage will probably be corrected in the course of a short time by the affidavit of the Town Clerk of Pelham Mass stating either that there is or is not a record of the Marriage - I have requested the Town Clerk Pelham to forward to you all the evidence in his possession in regard to the Marriage and if there is none he will so state the fact
So soon as this paper is received and the papers examined you will please inform me of the result so that an agent can be employed (if necessary) to receive the pension certificate - Respectfully
Yours abt
servt
Edson Workness
Hon J L Edwards Comr of Pensions

apl 17 1843
Levols M 2 Apr
Eliz Hanknef Mrs M 38
25
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Trivoli. Praria Co Ill. Mar 28 1843
Sir I have been informed that a law passed at the late session of Congress granting further relief to the Widows of Revolutionary Soldiers. If so you will much oblige me by sending a copy of such instructions as may be issued from the Pension Office in regard to proceedings under said law.
I write this in behalf of my Mother, Elizabeth Harkness, widow of James Harkness, deceased, who was a Soldier of the Revolution. My mother rec'd a pension from the 18th August 1836, (the time of her husband's decease) to the 4th March 1842
Respectfully
Yours
E. Harkness
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Rev. War.
Wid. File No. 21,243, James Harkness, Private, Corporal and Sergeant, Massachusetts troops. Born June 15, 1759, in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Resided in Peoria County, Illinois, in 1833, died August 18, 1836.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section MCS/eel
December 13, 1928
Miss Mary Kinnear Elmwood Illinois
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.21243, it appears that James Harkness was born June 15, 1759, in Pelham, Hampshire County, Massachusetts.
While a resident of said place he enlisted July 1, 1775, as private in Captain Cowden's Company, Colonel Woodbridge's Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged January 1, 1776. He enlisted July 1, 1776, and served four months in Captain Lyman's Company, Colonel Dike's Massachusetts Regiment. He enlisted December 15, 1776, served in Captain Murray's Company, Colonel Pomeroy's Massachusetts Regiment, and was discharged March 23, 1777. He enlisted May 1, 1777, and served two months and fourteen days in Captain John Thompson's Massachusetts Company; he was at the evacuation of Ticonderoga. He enlisted in 1777 and served two weeks in Captain Thompson's Massachusetts

Company. He enlisted in 1777 and served one month in Captain Thompson's Company, Colonel Porter's Massachusetts Regiment; he was at the capture of Burgoyne. He enlisted June 20, 1778, and served as Corporal and Sergeant in Captain Lamb's Company, Colonel Wade's Massachusetts Regiment, and was discharged January 1, 1779. He enlisted in July, 1779, and served one month in Captain Dwight's Massachusetts Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 2, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Peoria Precinct, Peoria County, Illinois. He died August 18, 1836, in said county.
He married at Pelham, Massachusetts, July 28, 1785, Elizabeth Edson, the daughter of Jacob Edson. She was allowed pension on her application executed November 29, 1838, at which time she was seventy-four years and nine months old and a resident of Harkness Precinct, Peoria County, Illinois.
Children of James and Elizabeth Harkness:
Roxanna born March 28, 1786, died July 30, 1800. Abner " May 26, 1788. Anna " May 22, 1790. James P. " September 20, 1792. David " November 30, 1794. Betty " January 14, 1797. Jacob E. " May 13, 1799. Daniel " August 9, 1801. Isaac " September 1, 1804. Chloe S. " August 27, 1808.

The above noted is the only soldier named James Harkness found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

Rev. 1812 Wars Section.
July 30, 1928.
L. M. Harkness, 246 Phillips Street, Galesburg, Illinois.
Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 21243, it appears that JAMES HARKNESS was born June 15, 1759, in Pelham, Hampshire County, Massachusetts.
While a resident of said place he enlisted July 1, 1775, as private in Captain Cowden's Company, Colonel Woodbridge's Massachusetts Regiment, and was discharged January 1, 1776. He enlisted July 1, 1776, and served four months in Captain Lyman's Company, Colonel Dike's Massachusetts Regiment. He enlisted December 15, 1776, served in Captain Murray's Company, Colonel Pomeroy's Massachusetts Regiment, and was discharged March 23, 1777. He enlisted May 1, 1777, and served two months and fourteen days in Captain John Thompson's Massachusetts Company; he was at the evacuation of Ticonderoga. He enlisted in 1777 and served two weeks in Captain Thompson's Massachusetts Company. He enlisted in 1777 and served one month in Captain Thompson's Company, Colonel

COPIED BY ADY
Porter's Massachusetts Regiment; he was at the capture of Burgoyne. He enlisted June 30, 1778, and served as corporal and sergeant in Captain Lamb's Company, Colonel Wade's Massachusetts Regiment, and was discharged January 1, 1779. He enlisted in July, 1779, and served one month in Captain Dwight's Massachusetts Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 2, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Peoria Precinct, Peoria County, Illinois. He died August 18, 1836 in said county.
He married at Pelham, Massachusetts, July 28, 1785, Elizabeth Edson, the daughter of Jacob Edson. She was allowed pension on her application executed November 29, 1838, at which time she was seventy-four years and nine months old and a resident of Harkness Precinct, Peoria County, Illinois.
Children of James and Elizabeth Harkness:
Roxanna born March 28, 1786, died July 30, 1800. Abner " May 26, 1788. Anna " May 22, 1790. James F. " September 30, 1792. David " November 30, 1794. Betty " January 14, 1797. Jacob E. " May 13, 1799. Daniel " August 9, 1801. Isaac " September 1, 1804. Chloe S. " August 27, 1808.
The above noted is the only soldier named James Harkness found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT, Commissioner.

MS.A.
October 29, 1925
Mrs. Nellie E. Gibbs 1410 Gregory Ave. Wilmette, Ill.
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 21243, it appears that JAMES HARKNESS was born June 15, 1759, in Pelham, Hampshire County, Massachusetts.
While a resident of said place he enlisted July 1, 1775, as private in Captain Cowden's Company, Colonel Woodbridge's Massachusetts Regiment, and was discharged January 1, 1776. He enlisted July 1, 1776, and served four months in Captain Lyman's Company, Colonel Dike's Massachusetts Regiment. He enlisted December 15, 1776, served in Captain Murray's Company, Colonel Pomeroy's Massachusetts Regiment, and was discharged March 23, 1777. He enlisted May 1, 1777, and served two months and fourteen days in Captain John Thompson's Massachusetts Company; he was at the evacuation of Ticonderoga. He enlisted in 1777 and served two weeks in Captain Thompson's Massachusetts Company. He enlisted in 1777 and served one month in Captain Thompson's Company, Colonel Porter's Massachusetts Regiment; he was at the capture of Burgoyne. He enlisted June 20, 1778, and served as Corporal and Sergeant

in Captain Lamb's Company, Colonel Wade's Massachusetts Regiment, and was discharged January 1, 1779. He enlisted in July, 1779, and served one month in Captain Dwight's Massachusetts Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 2, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Peoria Precinct, Peoria County, Illinois. He died August 18, 1836, in said county.
He married at Pelham, Massachusetts, July 28, 1785, Elizabeth Edson, the daughter of Jacob Edson. She was allowed pension on her application executed November 29, 1838, at which time she was seventy-four years and nine months old and a resident of Harkness Precinct, Peoria County, Illinois.
Children of James and Elizabeth Harkness:
Roxanna born March 28, 1786, died July 30, 1800. Abner " May 26, 1788. Anna " May 22, 1790. James P. " September 20, 1792. David " November 30, 1794. Betty " January 14, 1797. Jacob E. " May 13, 1799. Daniel " August 9, 1801. Isaac " September 1, 1804. Chloe S. " August 27, 1808.
The above noted is the only soldier named James Harkness found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ a statement of the military history of James Harkness a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. N. 21,243
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     July 1, 1775 Jan. 1, 1776 Priv. Cowden Woodbridge Mass.   July 1, 1776 4 mos. Tymian Dike   Dec. 15, 1776 Mar. 23, 1777 Murray Comeroy   May 1, 1777 3 mos. 14 ds. John Thompson   1777 2 weeks "   1777 1 mo. " Porter   June 20, 1778 Jan. 1, 1779 Corporal Hamb Wade    July 1778 1 mo. Dwight  
Battles engaged in, Evacuation of Trenton, taking of Princeton
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Pelham, Hampshire Co., Mass.
Date of application for pension, Sept 2, 1833. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Peoria, Illinois
Age at date of application, born June 15, 1759 Pelham, Mass.
Remarks: He married at Pelham Mass. October 1785 Elizabeth Eason dau. of Jacob Eason. Sol. died Aug 18 1836 in Peoria Co. - she was allowed pens. in her 84th year. Nov 22, 1838 - while a res. of Harkness Precinct, Peoria Co. Ill. - ac't 74 yrs. 9 mos. 7 ds. Ch'd: 1. *Hannah b. March 1788. Anna b. May 1790. James R. b. Oct 20, 1792. David b. Nov 30, 1794. Betty b. Jan. 14, 1797. Jacob E. b. March 1799. Daniel b. Apr. 9, 1801. Isaac b. Sept 1, 1804. Chloe b. Aug. 27, 1808. *Roxanna b. March 28, 1786 - d. July 30, 1800. - Eason also in 1847.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
See Harkness p. 1838

James M. Smith 1839 1847
James M. Smith in 1839 1847

State of Illinois } Commissioners Court December Peoria County } Term Dec 30
Present Aquila Mien I Edwin L. Jones County Commissioners Be it remembered that on this 30 day of December 1833 personally appear- ed in open court before the Commissioners of the same James Hartness a resident of the said County who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration as an appendix or supplement to his declaration made before this Court on the second day of Septem- ber last in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the seventh of June A.D. 1832 That as he has before stated on the said 2 d day of September last he volunteer- ed on the 20 June 1778 in Capt. Lamb's Company Col. Wades Regiment & was dis- charged on the 1 st of January 1779 that he served one half of the said period as a Ser- jeant and the other half of said time to the best of his recollection I believe as a Corporal
Sworn to and sub- scribed in open court James Hartness This 30 day of Dec. 1833 Grace Waters Clerk Com. Court Peoria County Ill.
The undersigned County Commis- sioners in and for the said County do hereby certify that the above proceedings were had in open court the day & year above named
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of said Court Peoria Dec. 30 th 1833 Grace Waters Clk Com. Court P.C. Ill.
Aquila Mien. Edwin L. Jones Commissioner

State of Illinois } I Isaac Waters Clerk of the Peoria County } County Commissioners Court in and for the County do hereby certify that the annexed contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of James Harkness for a pension I further certify that Andrew M. Hunt whose signature appears to the subjoined certificate of Isaac Waters Samuel Clark & John Ewalt is a legal acting justice of the peace for said County that full faith & credit are due to his offi- cial acts
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court this 2 d day of Sept 1833
Isaac Waters Clk

March 2, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS James Harkness W. 21243
Miss Carmie Waters 1018 Commercial Emporia, Kansas
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to James P. Harkness, a Revolutionary War soldier who died August 18, 1836, in Illinois.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, W. 21243, based on the military service of James Harkness. The initial, P., does not appear in his name.
James Harkness was born June 15, 1759, in Pelham, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. The names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, he enlisted July 1, 1775, as private in Captain Cowden's company in Colonel Woodbridge's Massachusetts regiment and was discharged January 1, 1776. He enlisted July 1, 1776, and served four months in Captain Lyman's company in Colonel Dike's Massachusetts regiment. He enlisted December 15, 1776, served in Captain Murray's company in Colonel Pomeroy's Massachusetts regiment and was discharged March 23, 1777. He enlisted May 1, 1777, and served two months and fourteen days in Captain John Thompson's Massachusetts company and was at Ticonderoga when it was evacuated. He enlisted in 1777 and served two weeks in Captain Thompson's Massachusetts company. He enlisted in 1777 and served one month in Captain Thompson's company in Colonel Porter's Massachusetts regiment and was at the capture of Burgoyne. He enlisted June 20, 1778, and served as corporal and sergeant in Captain Lamb's company in Colonel Wade's Massachusetts regiment and was discharged January 1, 1779. He enlisted in July, 1779, and served one month in Captain Dwight's Massachusetts company.

When James Harkness was twenty-seven years of age he moved to Bennington County, Vermont. He afterward lived in Washington County, New York, in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, and in Peoria County, Illinois.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 2, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Peoria Precinct, Peoria County, Illinois.
This soldier died August 18, 1836, in said county.
He married at Pelham, Massachusetts, July 28, 1785, Elizabeth Edson, the daughter of Jacob Edson of Pelham.
She was allowed pension on her application executed November 29, 1838, at which time she was seventy-four years and nine months old and a resident of Harkness Precinct, Peoria County, Illinois.
Children of James and Elizabeth Harkness:
   Roxanna  born March  28, 1786,  died July 30, 1800    Abner  " May  26, 1788     Anna  " May  22, 1790     James P.  " September  20, 1792,  resident of Peoria County, Illinois, in 1838    David  " November  30, 1794     Betty  " January  14, 1797     Jacob E.  " May  13, 1799     Daniel  "  " August  9, 1801     Isaac  " September  1, 1804     Chloe S.  " August  27, 1808    
In 1843, Edson Harkness, son of the soldier, along with one Delanah Harkness (relationship not shown) testified in behalf of the widow, Elizabeth Harkness, and the post office address of Edson Harkness was Trivoli, Peoria County, Illinois.
In 1849, Daniel Harkness and Anna S. Harkness (relationship not shown) acted as witnesses for the widow, Elizabeth Harkness.

In 1838, Daniel Harkness, brother of the soldier, James Harkness, was living in Peoria County, Illinois, aged seventy-six years.
The widow, Elizabeth Harkness, was living in Peoria County, Illinois, in 1848.
There are no further data relative to family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

RN

Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
Will you please send me data concerning James Harkness , a Revolutionary soldier.
Thanking you, I am
Very Truly
(Mrs.) Mary Kinnear, Elmwood, Vt.

Galesburg Ill July 25, 1928
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir,
My great grand father James Harkness was a soldier of the Revolution. I have been trying to find out what battles, if any, he was in and who he fought under.
The Adjutant General of the War Department referred me to your office. Is it possible that you could give me this information. Any information you can give will be greatly appreciated
Respectfully
L. E. Harkness 240 Phillips St Galesburg Ill

PHONE WILMETTE 1920
LLOYD HOLLISTER, INC.
Printers and Publishers
PUBLISHERS OF WILMETTE LIFE WINNETKA TALK GLENCOE NEWS
WINNETKA OFFICE 564 LINCOLN AVENUE PHONE WINNETKA 2000
1222 CENTRAL AVENUE WILMETTE, ILL.
25 Sept. 1925.
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Revolutionary War Record Section, Attention Acting Commissioner, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Kindly send me statement of the military history of James Harkness, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
This information is requested relative to the filing of a petition for membership in the D. A. R. Society.
Thanking you, I beg to remain,
Very truly yours,
Nellie E. Gibbs (Mrs Chas. Hotz)
1410 Gregory Ave Wilmette Ill.

Morning Sun, Iowa
Dec 9 th 1913
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D. C.
I would like a statement of the military history of James Harkness, a soldier in the Revolu- -tionary war

✓ Department of the Interior
Board of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Will you send me the Military history of James Harkness a Soldier of the Revolutionary War. Residence of Soldier at enlistment, Pelham, Hampshire Co. Mass and oblige
Mrs Bert Bristol
1804 - 15th St
Moline Illinois

having his descent evidently *Oren S. Gibbs a son of Justin Gibbs and Betty Smith Betty Smith was the daughter of Ichabod Smith and Anna Harkness Anna Harkness was the daughter of James Harkness and Elizabeth Edson
*Mr Oren S. Gibbs Morning Sun Box 174. Louisa County Iowa
I wish to become a member of The Sons of the American Revolution

I Ebenezer Mattson of Amherst in the County of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty four years, do testify and say that I was an acting Justice of the Peace in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, from the 1781, or 1782, for more than fifteen years, I was appointed a justice during the time when John Hancock was Governor of Massachusetts that during the year 1785, as near as I can recollect I joined in Marriage, Mr. James Hankins and Miss Elizabeth Edson, who then resided in the Town of Pelham in said County. I was well acquainted with the said James Hankins before his Marriage he lived in that part of Pelham which adjoins Amherst and in my neighborhood, and he continued to live there with his wife for many years after their Marriage
Watt Ode
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire County ss - } September 2 d . 1839 Then personally appeared Ebenezer Mattson who is well known to me as a person of trust and a credible witness, and in oath to the above affidavit -
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Hampshire ss.
I, SAMUEL F. LYMAN, Register of the Court of Probate within and for said County of Hampshire, do hereby certify that Thomas Conkey Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that the signature thereto annexed purporting to be his, I know to be genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this third day of September A. D. 1839
Samuel F. Lyman Register of Probate.

I Elenora Mattson of Ashhurst in the County of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty four years, do testify and say that I was an acting Justice of the Peace in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, from the 1781, or 1782, for more than fifteen years, I was appointed a justice during the time when John Hancock was Governor of Massachusetts that during the year 1785, as near as I can recollect I joined in Marriage, joined in Marriage, Mr. James Hankins and Miss Elizabeth Edson, who then resided in the Town of Petham in said County. I was well acquainted with the said James Hankins before his Marriage he lived in that part of Petham which adjoins Ashhurst and in my neighborhood, and he continued to live there with his wife for many years after their Marriage
Mattson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire County ss - } September 2 d . 1839 Then personally appeared Elenora Mattson who is well known to me as a person of truth and a credible witness, and subscribed and made oath to the above affidavit - Before me William Cook Justice of the Peace
Dear J. L. Green Register of Probate.

June 6 1843
Treasurer's Office Elizabeth Harkness Ms.
January 1838
Must lie until in- quired for E.H.

Declaration
In order to obtain arrears of pension due from March 4, 1836, under the act of July 7, 1838
On this 26th day of May, A.D. 1843 personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for the County of Peoria and State of Illinois. Elizabeth Harkness a resident of Harkness precinct, in the County of Peoria aforesaid, aged seventy nine years who, being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the amount of pension which she claims from the 4th of March 1836 to the Eighteenth day of August in the same year from which period she has been already paid under the Act of the 7th July 1838. And the declarant further alleges that she is still the widow of James Harkness who was a soldier during the Revolutionary war, that her pension was allowed at the rate of Eighty six dollars per annum and was paid to her at the agency
STATE OF ILLINOIS, } ss. PEORIA COUNTY. }
I, William Mitchell, Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court for James P. Parkhurst Esq. whose name appears subscribed to
said county, do hereby certify, that the foregoing certificate, was, on the day of the date thereof, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified, as appears of record in my office; and that, as such, full faith and credit are due to all his official acts.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court, at Peoria, this 26th day of May 1843
William Mitchell Clerk.

Declaration
In order to obtain arrears of pensions due from March 4, 1836, under the act of July 7, 1838
On this 20th day of May, AD 1843, person- ally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for the County of Peoria and State of Illinois. Elizabeth Harkness a resident of Harkness precinct, in the County of Peoria aforesaid, aged seventy nine years who, being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the amount of pension which she claims from the 4th of March 1836 to the Eighteenth day of August in the same year - from which period she has been already paid under the Act of the 7th July 1838. And the declarant further alleges that she is still the widow of James Harkness who was a soldier during the Revolutionary war, that her pension was allowed at the rate of Eighty six dollars per annum and was paid to her at the agency in Peoria in the State of Illinois and further she saith not
Elizabeth Harkness
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written before me. J. P. Harkness J. Pease

L 610.
Illinois
Elizabeth Harkness widow of James Harkness
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 18 th of August 1836 of Peoria Co in the State of Illinois who was a Pte. Corp. & serg in the Company commanded by Captain Ender of the Regt. commanded by Col. Dykes in the Massachusetts line for 3 mos. serg 5 3 " corp 3 18 " private
Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois at the rate of 86 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. & Ending 18 th of August 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th day of January 1844 and sent to Elizabeth Harkness Peoria, Illinois.
Total amount, $ 41. 79
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by F. L. Sramm Clerk, Book A Vol. 2 Page 223.