Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21255, James Harris, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
R. L.
Harris, James
S. 21255-
CONTENTS
carded

15760
Massachusetts
James Harris
of Berkshire Co in the State of Massachusetts who was a S gt Corp t in the Company commanded by Captain Thompson of the Reg t commanded by Col. Hovey in the Massachusetts line for 1 yr S gt { R 1 st Corp t {
R. Stah
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 104 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of May 1835 and Sept.
A. Bish of Arrears to the 4th of Oct. 1835 $208.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. 52.00
$260.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk Book Vol. 2 Page 32
Si Berkshire

James Harris Becket Ms Application for Pension Oct. 5 1832
15173
60 44 104

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Berkshire, ss.
ON this fifth day of October A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER, Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of Berkshire, now sitting, James H. Hiss a resident of the town of Berk in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged 78 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He enlisted at Westfield, in the state of Rhode Island in December 1776 in the Company commanded by Capt. Thomas Thompson in the Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Stanton for the term of fifteen months in the service of the United States under the authority of the state of Rhode Island being a Company of State Troops called fifteen months men stationed at Providence on the east side of New Port, he was a Corporal in said Company & served during the whole of said fifteen months in the capacity of Corporal was one of the 42 men who went with Maj. William Weston & took Maj. Genl. Prescott - the S. Hiss in March 1778 again enlisted at Providence for the term of one year in the Company commanded by Capt. Joshua Wabcock in the Regiment commanded by Col. Stephen being State Troops raised by authority of the state Rhode Island & was during said term of one year in the service of the United States was a Sergeant during the whole of said term of one year & in January 1779 he was the Sergeant assigned to this detachment was in service engagements was in the Bullock's Creek Expedition so called in State tradition He led the two men who stood on his right & left hand shot dead & fell at his feet S. Hiss was stationed at Providence -

She said I am! Here is answer the following Inquiries - to wit -
1 st - When & in what year was you born Answer - I suppose I was born on the 27 th April 1744 the place of my birth as I have been told was in Paxton in the state of Connecticut.
2 nd - Have you any record of your age & if so when is it.
Answer - I have none -
3 rd - When was you living when called into service Where have you lived since the Revolutionary war & where do you now live -
Answer - I was living in Farmington at the time I entered the service, since the Revolutionary war - I have lived in N.H.C. Massachusetts & I now live there - I was a volunteer in the service, the name of my Capt's were Capt. Thompson & Capt. Dabcock in the service of 15 months, Pte. Dabcock was first Lieutenant & John Dabcock 2 d Lieutenant Joseph Stanton was Col. William Benton Major Dibell Adjutant. Brigadier Genl. Spence in the service of one year was my Capt. was John Dabcock Lieutenant Andrew Stanton was Lieutenant & William West Second Lieut - John Topham was Col. - Hawkins 2 d Col. Eld. Hendy Adjutant The principal object of my service was to prevent the ships opposite New Port Island, was frequently on Patrol Guard - I never had a discharge - from the service & I know of none being given to any of the soldiers belonging to the Company - I am a member associated with Benjamin C. Perkins, Timothy Snow Gaining Center Groom & Rev. Joseph L. Mills etc of - N.H.C who can testify as to my services & discharge - which of my services in the service of the Revolutionary -

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
James Harris
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W.P. Walker J. Roberts
We Joseph L. Miles a Clergyman, residing in the town of D. Berk. Co. and Benjamin C. Perkins residing in T. D. Berk. Co. hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with James Harris who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 78 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Joseph L. Miles Benj C Perkins
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W.P. Walker J. Roberts
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 Joseph L. Miles who signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Beecher in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that Benjamin C Perkins who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Beecher in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W.P. Walker J. Roberts
I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of James Harris for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office of said Court of Probate, this fifth day of October in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Henry W. Bishop - Register of Probate

James Harris Mess
Captain 1 year Supt 1 year
15175
H. M. Bishop Esq James Mess

BRIEF in the case of James Harris  Co. of Berksshire  in the State of Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 78  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     Dec In 17 1/2. entered 1 3 Corporal Col. Thompson. Col. Hannon   March 1778 entered 1 Sergeant Col. Dabrows. Col. Topham  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? he was in several engagements  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Boston State of Conn. Stonington  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional documentary and one living witness  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? the papers are not attached agreeably to the regulation 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Taylor
Examining Clerk.

In reply to your request of _____, received for a statement of the military history of James Harris 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. S. F. 21255-
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Dec. 1776 15 mos. Corpl. Thomas Thompson Joseph Stanton R. I.   Mar. 1778 1 yr. Sgt. Joshua Babcock John Topham  
Battles engaged in, Sullivan's expedition to R. I. Residence of soldier at enlistment, Stonington, Conn. Date of application for pension, Oct. 5, 1832 His cl. was al Residence at date of application, Becket, Berkshire Co. Mass. Age at date of application, B Apr. 27, 1754, Preston, Conn. Remarks: There is no data relative to family.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

By John Sopham, Esq. Col. of the Second Regiment Foot, enlisted and assembled for the special Defense and Safety of the United States of America, in General and the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in particular To James Harris Greeting, By Virtue of the power and Authority to me given in and by said State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; I Do, by these Presents, Reposing Special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and Good Conduct constitute and Appoint You, the said James Harris be the First Sergeant in the fourth Company in the Regiment wherein I am Col. To proceed under the Supreme Command of the Commander in chief of the Continental Army, for the Defense of American Liberties; and for repelling every hostile Invasion thereof. You are hereby commanded, faithfully and Diligently, to discharge the Duty of a Sergeant in said Company; for this shall be your sufficient Warrant.
Given under my hand and seal at Head Quarters, in Tiverton this 13 day of Janua ry 1779
John Sopham Col

Rochester Ohio, R.I. Aug 22 nd /9/13,
To The Pension Office at - Washington D.C,
I am informed that my great Grandfather James Harris, was said to be a Revolutionary Soldier & served during the entire war, He went into the service from R.I. but afterwards moved to Becket-Mass, where he is buried, could you please inform me if he received a Pension? And also what Regiment and Company he belonged to over,

A silver cup highly prized by his descendants, is connected with a daring incident in the service of this James Harris. He formed one of a small volunteer party under Major Barton that stealthily entered the British lines, the night of July 2, 1777 and captured and bore off from his headquarters, General Prescott a prisoner of war. So well was this expedition carried out by the Yankees, that before his guards gave the alarm Gen. Prescott was beyond rescue. This cup was given to his son Judge Harris of Amherst, Ohio.
Yours Truly
Mrs. Minerva Austin

And oblig Theodon H. Elliott Mgr U. S. A. R. The Waldorf. Baltimore Md
References mentioned were sent me from Chicago in 1896-1902. and I have no access to the records. The "S. A. R." will not accept the reference without the requested copy.

Commissioner of Pensions O. N. & M. division Dept of Interior
Please send me Copy of Pension Application, and Pension & Service Records. of James Harris - Corford and Sergt. in the Revolution- ary War. Enlisted Stonington Conn. Born Preston Conn. 1754 - resided, and died in Becket Mass. 1843. O. N. & M. R. W. No 21,255. Ind. Rev. War O. N. & M. L. H. B. No 21,256. etc.

OWK ECL
2051 08 18
ARTHUR M. HARRIS, "BOURNBRAE" WESTERLEIGH, RICHMOND BOROUGH, NEW YORK CITY.
HON. COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Washington, D. C.,
Dear Sir:
One James Harris, who was a member of a R. I. troop in the Revolutionary war and who died at Becket, Mass. about the year 1842, was a pensioner.
Will you kindly advise me, at above address, whether or not your records show that this same James Harris was a soldier in the Lexington Alarm of Apr., 1775?
Thanking you for a reply at your convenience, I remain
Yours respectfully,
Sept. 26, 1902.
A. J. Harris

HOTEL WHITLEY
JASON AUSTIN, PROPRIETOR
EUROPEAN PLAN
EMPORIA, KANSAS, July 5 19 14
Commissions of Pensions, Washington D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Please send me the Revolutionary War Record of my ancestor James Harris of Preston Conn. He was born in 1754 - died 1839. He enlisted at Stonington Conn in Dec. 1776. He received a Pension.
Yours truly Mrs Jason Austin Hotel Whitley Emporia Kansas

Reenactment 21 255 INVALID.
File No. 21 255
James Harris
Bought Rev. Mrs.
Act: June 7 th 89 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 167
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1896. Mar 17 Sold pensioned.
D. J. Harris Chicago, Ill.
Apr. 1-1902 D. J. Harris, N.Y.C.S.
1913. Mch. 11. History to Theodore H. Ellis. Lr.
1913. Sept. 3. Hist from Catalogue to Mrs. Minerva Austin. M.B.H.
1914. July 15. History to Mrs. Jason Austin. Lr.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, ss. I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Sister  Silly Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Signature annexed to said deposition is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this fifth day of October A. D. 1832.
Henry W. Bishop - Register of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Berkshire ss. August 20 th 1892
Then the witness named Richard Allen affirmed & made oath to the truth of the within Deposition by him subscribed & I further certify that I am acquainted with the said Richard Allen & that he is a credible Witness -
Before me, Lester Filley Not. Pub. (Signature)

I Richard Chase of Otis in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts a soldier of the Revolution testify & say that I am 72 years of age that I am well acquainted with James Harrison of Berklee in the County of Berkshire that said James Harrison enlisted at Westerly in the state of Rhode Island in the Company commanded by Capt. Thompson in the Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Stanton for the term of fifteen months in the service of the United States, under the authority of the state of Rhode Island being a Company of State Troops called 15 months men. Stationed at Bristol on the East side of New Port that said Harrison served during the time I was a member of the same Company & served with him said Harrison was a Corporal in the Company the enlistment of said Harrison aforementioned was in December 1776. I. Harrison was one of the men who went with Col. Norton & took Major General Prescott on New Port Island - the said James Harrison in March 1778 again enlisted at Bristol for the term of one year in the Company commanded by Capt. Dorrance Nebbeock in the Regiment commanded by Col. Sullivan being State Troops raised by authority of the state of Rhode Island & was during said term of one year in the service of the United States. I. Harrison was during the period a Sergeant in the Company was stationed at Bristol I was a member of the same Company with I. Harrison & enlisted the same time we were in General Waller's the French Station so called as the Genl. Sullivan Expedition at which time many men were lost this Expedition was in August 1778 -
Richard Chase

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Harris, James GRADE Private LINE Virginia
WARRANT NUMBER 12214 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED October 22, 1791 To Jacob Klingman, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.