Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17054, Ephraim Harding, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Warding Ephraim Susan
N 17054
CONTENTS

Reported
New York 3815
Susan Harding & Ephraim Harding
who died on the 18 March 1834. of Genesee Co in the State of N. York. who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain [blank] of the Reg t commanded by [blank] in the N. York line for 10 mo s . 20 days: Brevet.
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 35 Dollars 55 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of Decr. 1842. and sent Hon. S. W. Gates, R. Reps
Arrears to the 4th of March, 1842 391.05 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep r , 1842, 17.77
408.82
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 5 }
Recorded by Thos. L. Wood Clerk. Book 6, Vol. 3 Page 117
†

State of New York } β Seneca County
On this 22 nd day of October 1832 personally appeared before me William Mitchell Coggins one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Seneca, Captain Harding of the town of Bethany in the said County of Seneca, aged eighty years and upwards, 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 7 th June 1832.
That he was born in the town of Chatham in the County of Middlesex (then Hartford) and State of Connecticut on the 9 th day of May (Old Style) 1752, as he has been informed by his parents and believes to be true and as also appears from a record of his age now in his possession.
That, while he continued to reside at Chatham in the month of June and in the year 1776, after hearing of the Battle of Bunker Hill he volunteered his services under Captain Abijah Doolittle of the same town, in what was then called the Connecticut Militia for the purpose of going to Boston, and after marching to within about twenty miles of that place, finding that the services of the company were not needed, he returned home, having been out eight days.
That in the month of May 1776, he was "drafted" for a month and joined the Connecticut State Troops, under Capt Joseph Doolittle, and after marching to the brook joined the Regiment of Col Nathaniel Brown, was employed on duty most of the time as guard, served one month and was dismissed and returned home.
That in the month of August of the said year "76" was again drafted for a month; served again as guard for the term of time for which he was drawn, under Capt David Daniel Shepard in Col John Penfield's Regiment then stationed at Guilford, and after the month had expired was dismissed and again returned home.
That in the month of May 1777, he was again drafted for one month, and under Lieutenant Titus Canine  Corbin , marched to the brook, again acted as a guard, at that post, which was under the command of Col Brown; served one month, was dismissed and returned home.

Between the months of June and September of the said year 1777 he was twice called out on an Alarm, and went to Burroughford under Captain Abijah Hall; was out about two weeks each time .
That he was drafted at the following different times, and served for the length of time, and at the places, and under the several Officers below stated to wit
In the month of November or December 1777 drafted and served under Captain Hall  Hall at Guilford  New London one Month.
In August 1780 he was drafted and served at Guilford, under Capt Short one Month.
In October of the same year was again drafted, again served one month under Capt Abijah Hall at Guilford.
He was also drawn in the Spring of 1780 and served one month under Lieutenant Carrington  Carrington at New Haven.
In the year 1781 he was again drawn, and served one Month under Major Tylers, at Stony Point Cont, where it was supposed that the British party who burned Danbury had landed, and we were sent to prevent a like occurrence at that place.
I also Volunteered and served one month under Lieutenant Titus at Guilford, but in what year I am now unable to say. On the month of September 1777 Governor Trumbull  Trumbull of Connecticut ordered a Draft of one Brigade from the Militia of that State; and this applicant among others, was drawn, and served under Captain Abijah Hall, in Col Comfort Sage Regiment: We were ordered to Fishkill (New York,) and marched from that place to Redhook, and from that place to Saratoga, where he was, at the time of General Burgoyne's surrender after which he returned home by the same route, and was dismissed after having served three months.
That In the month of April 1778 he was called out on an Alarm, and went to Danbury Cont, under Capt A. Hall in Col Comfort Sage Regiment, was out about two weeks was dismissed and returned home; and in the month of May following was again drafted, served one month  on guard under Captain Nathan il Brown at Guilford, where he was again dismissed.
That he was again drawn in August of the same year and served one Month  on guard , at Guilford under Col John Pufield.

That, in the Month of August 1779, he was again "drafted", served one Month at New Haven, under Lieutenant William Walsh.
That in the Month of October following he was again "drafted" and served One Month , at Guilford, under Ensign Moses White.
That was also out one month at Guilford under Lieutenant Munger, but cannot now remember the year.
That the occasion of being out in the service, on so many short tours, was, that living near the Sea Coast, where British parties were constantly landing, and trying to land, destroy property, burn and destroy the neighbouring Villages, and take our citizens prisoners, the Governor ordered a "Guard" to be constantly kept at the different places along the coast, subject to these incursions, and the inhabitants agreed to take turns, and go on short tours, to accomplish this object; and by this means afforded each one an opportunity of carrying on their Farms, and providing for the support of their Families during their absence in the service of their Country; One month was the general term, designated for these tours; and this applicant was constantly called upon and subject to be called upon to perform these tours & go out on the alarms which during that period were very frequently made.
From the Spring of the year 1775 to the close of the war of the Revolution, he is very confident that he went out many times in this kind of service, which he is now unable to recollect distinctly and which of course are not here set forth; but that he has no doubt whatever, but that he served, in the Revolutionary War, at least two or three years ; the particulars of which, from the lapse of time, and the infirmities of age, he is now unable to state.
That he continued to reside at Chatham until the year 1795, when he removed to East Haddam where he remained about three years, from that place he removed to Lyme where he remained until the year 1829, when he removed to the said town of Bethany where he now resides.
That he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his services.
That he hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present

also declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me
Ephraim Harding
William Mitchell one of the judges of the Geneva County courts -
Ephraim Harding Application

We Daniel Peck a clergyman residing in the town of Bethany in the County of Genesee and State of New York and Elnathan Hunt of the same place, Do certify that we are well acquainted with Ephraim Harding who has sworn to and subscribed the above Declaration; That we believe him to be eighty years of age, and that he is reputed and believed to have been a Soldier of the Revolution in the neighborhood when he resided, and we concur in that opinion Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me
Daniel Peck Elnathan Hunt
William Mitchell one of the Judges of the Genesee County Courts
I William Mitchell Judge as aforesaid hereby certify that Ephraim Harding who has sworn to and subscribed the above Declaration at his place of Residence in the town of Bethany aforesaid that he was at the time of swearing to the same and is now unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity And I hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named Defendant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states which I further certify that it appears to me that Daniel Peck who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing certificate is a Clergyman residing in the said town of Bethany and that Elnathan Hunt who has also subscribed and sworn to the same resided in the said town of Bethany and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
William Mitchell a Judge of Genesee County Courts

State of New York Genesee County ss
I, Timothy Fitch, Clerk of said county certify, that William Mitchell, before whom the foregoing affidavits Ephraim Harding, Daniel Peck and Jonathan Hunt severally purport to have been taken and made, was at the time of taking the same one of the Judges of the County Courts in and for said County, and further that I am well acquainted with the signature of said Judge subscribed to said affidavits and verily believe the same to be genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name and affixed my official seal this first day of November 1832.
Timothy Fitch Clerk By P. Pringle Dep. Clerk
Ephraim Harding Application
18099
Secretary of War } Sir Washington City
Please to make such returns in relation to the within application as from its merits you may think proper to William Mitchell of Bethany Genesee County New York

State of New York ss personally appeared before me Genesee County
The undersigned a judge of the County Courts for the County of Genesee Esquire Harding who being duly Sworn deposes 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 Grade. In the year 1775 I served eight days as a private Soldier (and not eight months as marked in the table of the printed letter) In the year 1776 I served two several tours of one month each making two months which I served in the said year 1776 as a private Soldier. In the year 1777 I served one month as a private Soldier at Bennington as a private Soldier and again in the same year of 1777 I served two short tours of two weeks each time and again in same year of 1777 I served three months at the time when Burgoyne was marching his forces into the Country from the north making in the whole of my Service in the said year 1777 four months and twenty eight days which I served in that year as a private Soldier That the term of one month which is set forth in the Declaration of this Disputant as having been performed by him in the said Hall's Company at New London in the year 1777 was either a mistake of the Clerk who drew the Declaration or a misunderstanding between the Clerk and this Disputant it should have been set forth as Service performed in the year 1781 at the time New London was burnt That in the year 1778 I served one short tour of two weeks or fourteen days at Danbury and in the same year I served one month at Guilford and again in the same year I served another term of one month at Guilford making two months and fourteen days which I served in the year 1778

And in the year 1779. I Served one month at New Haven and in the same year I Served one month at New Haven making two months which I served in the year 1779. In the year 1780 I served one month under Capt. Sargent at Guilford and in the same year I served one month at Guilford under Captain Hall making two months which I Served in the year 1780. And in the year 1781 I served one month at Stony Point under Major Gyles and in the same year of 1781 I served one month at New London under Capt Hall when New London was burnt. This last tour is the one mentioned in my declaration as having been performed in the year 1779 making in the whole of my Service during the war of the revolution which I distinctly recollect the times and places of such Service the time of one year three months and twenty days which I served as a private Soldier and for which I claim a pension. And this deponent further saith that he performed much more Service than is here set forth but being unable to remember the times of such Service he hereby relinquishes any claim for any greater length of time than the one year three months and twenty days which is distinct in his remembrance. And further that he is very much broken with age and very poor and infirm and that he resides more than four hundred miles from the place where he resided when he perfor- med his Service that he is utterly unable to procure any living witness who can testify to his Service.
Sworn and Subscribed before Ephraim Haverly on the 16th day of July
BB:
William Mitchell a Judge of General County Courts

State of New York } Genesee County } ss
I, Timothy Fitch, Clerk of said County certify that William Mitchell before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been taken and read was at the time of taking the same one of the Judges of the County Courts in and for said County and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Judge and justly believe his name subscribed to said affidavit is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and seal of Office at Batavia in said County this nineteenth day of July 1833.
Timothy Fitch Clerk By B. Pringle Deputy

Susan Harding
No.
Declaration
NY.
all 4 July 36
on 73. a 35
Wadsworth Agent
Botanist
admn
10 mo. 20 d. pri
$35. 55/100
Hon. S. M. Gates
A. Rep.

State of New York } Seneca County } On this 23 rd day of February 1842 personally appeared before the undersigned one of the Judges of the County Courts of the County of Seneca Susan Harding a resident of the town of Bathany in the said county aged Eighty six, years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following dec- laration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4. 1836 That she is the widow of Ephraim Harding late of the said town of Bathany, who was a private and served as such during the Revolutionary war, and whose declaration on his application for a pension under the Act of 1832 is on file in the Pension Office. That this Deponent cannot particularly specify his service, as to the term thereof and the officers under whom he served: but she knows and recollects very well that her husband served many short terms of service in the Revolutionary war, but her age and memory are such as to render it impossible for her to specify the periods, but knows that he served more or less during nearly every year of the war.
She further declares that she was married to the said Ephraim Harding on the twenty first day of October in the year one thousand

Three hundred and seventy three, of which she was a Family Read upon Paper pasted upon a piece of board which is herewith enclosed, that her husband, the aforesaid Ephraim Harding died on the eighteenth day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty five, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. —
Known to and subscribed before me by the said Susan Harding, who is unable to write on account of blindness and who is unable to appear before a Court of Record on account of extreme old age and bodily infirmary.
Susan her Harding Mark
Dated February 23 rd 1842
Ira West one of the judges of Genesee County Courts

State of New York } ss. Alfred Harding of the town of Bathany Genesee County } in said County being sworn says, that he is aged fifty one years, is a son of Ephraim Harding and Susan his wife, that the said Ephraim Harding died 18 th March 1835 - That he has always understood that his father was a Revolutionary Soldier - That the accompanying Family Record upon Paper pasted on a chestnut board is the Family Record of his father's family - which this Deponent remembers as such as long as he can remember any thing - That it was commenced and written by his brother Ephraim who died in 1801 - and this Deponent has no doubt that it is a true Family Record. And this Deponent further says that his mother the said Susan Harding has remained a widow and never married since the death of her said husband, and further says not. Sworn and subscribed this 12 March 1842 by Alfred Alfred Harding Harding whom I certify to be a man of truth and veracity.
Richard Smith Justice of the peace of said county -

State of New York } Genesee County
I, Horace W. Soper, Clerk of the said County do certify that Ira Wait Esq. was a Judge of Genesee County at the time of taking the within declaration and that Richard Smith Esq. was a Justice of the Peace of said County at the time of taking the within affidavit and that I am well acquainted with their hand writing and do believe that their names respectively subscribed to the Certificate of taking the same are their hand writing. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto sub- scribed my name and affixed my official seal this 18 March 1842.
H. W. Soper Clerk
5558 227

A
REGISTER
of Ephraim Harding's Family Married October 21 st 1773
   Born. Names. Died.     April 5 th 1774 Jehiel - January 12 1797   July 25 1777 David - March 6 1778   March 20 th 1777 Levina - "   July 27 th 1779 Ephraim - February 15 1801   Sept 28 th 1781 Marias - March 18 1809   Oct 3 rd 1784 Warren - May 5 th 1794   Sept 15 th 1787 Benjamin -   May 15 th 1790 Alfred -   July 26 th 1792 Russel -   June 10 th 1797 Susanna March 12 1835   Father  

18099
Ephraim Harding
c. v.
Ad.
William Mitchell Bethany Genesee County New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to 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, shewing the Service of Ephraim Haining Genesee Co New York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1775 " " 18 Bri Capt Col Chatham   May 1776 1 1 " do 1st Lieut Brown Leabrook Middlesex   Augt 1776 1 1 " do 1st Lieut Pinfold Gulford County   May 1777 1 1 " do 1st Lieut Brown Leabrook Connecticut   1777 1 1 " do Hale   Dec 1777 1 1 " do do Branford   Oct 1777 1 1 " do 1st Lieut Major Tyler None   1780 1 1 " do 1st Lieut Brown London   1781 1 1 " do Hall Brown   1777 1 3 " do do as Gulford   1778 1 14 " do do do London   May 1778 1 1 6 do do Brown Honypot   Augt 1778 1 1 " do do Pinfold Gulford   Augt 1779 1 1 " do 1st Lieut White London age 60   Oct 1779 1 1 " do 1st Lieut Munger age 60   " 1 1 " do 1st Lieut Tyler  
1 1 1 1 3 1.20 1 10.20
I am, respectfully,
The allegation of 17 years of service is surely susceptible of proof & claimants are required to produce the best evidence in their power.
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
10 mo 20 days only specified

 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 do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
 If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a close relative of the said Revolutionary Soldier.
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 _____, 19____ &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 (U) 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 he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

July 13, 1932
BA-J/MCS
XXXXXXXXXXXXX Ephraim Harding W. 17054
Ada L. Harding 190 Sigourney Street Hartford Connecticut
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for the record of Ephraim Harding, a soldier of the Revolution.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, W. 17054, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Ephraim Harding.
He was born May 9, (old style) 1752, in Chatham, Hartford (which was later Middlesex) County, Connecticut.
While a resident of Chatham, Connecticut, he enlisted in the spring of 1775 and served at various times until the close of the Revolution, amounting to one year, three months and twenty days in all, as private with the Connecticut troops under Captains Abijah Hall, Joseph Darte, Daniel Shepherd, Shoot, Nathaniel Brown and Amos Whitmore, and Colonels Nathaniel Brown, John Penfield and Comfort Sage. He was at the surrender of Burgoyne.
He lived at Chatham until 1795 when he moved to East Haddam. He lived there about three years when he moved to Lyme and in 1829 he moved to Bethany, Genesee County, New York.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 22, 1832, at which time he was living in Bethany, New York.
He died March 18, 1835.
The soldier married in Chatham, Connecticut, October 21, 1773, Susan Wheeler.

She was allowed pension on her application executed February 23, 1842, at which time she was eighty-six years of age and a resident of Bethany, New York.
Children of Ephraim and Susan Harding:
Jehiel born April 5, 1774, died January 14, 1797. Levi " February 25, 1776, " March 6, 1776. Lucinda " March 20, 1777. Ephraim " July 27, 1779, " February 15, 1801. Darius " September 28, 1781, " March 18, 1829. Warren " November 3, 1784, " May 5, 1794. Benjamin " September 15, 1787. Alfred " May 16, 1790. Russel " July 26, 1792. Susanna " June 14, 1797.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
February 4, 1926
Harry E. Harding Erie County Savings Bk. Bldg. Buffalo, N.Y.
Sir:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, #. 17054, it appears that EPHRAIM HARDING was born May 9, 1752 (old style), in Chatham, Hartford (later Middlesex) County, Connecticut.
While a resident of Chatham, Connecticut, he enlisted in the spring of 1775 and served at various times until the close of the Revolution, amounting to one year, three months and twenty days in all, as private with the Connecticut Troops under Captains Abijah Hall, Joseph Darte, Daniel Shepherd, Shoot, Nathaniel Brown and Amos Whitmore, and Colonels Nathaniel Brown, John Penfield and Comfort Sage; he was at the surrender of Burgoyne.
Pension was allowed on his application executed October 22, 1832, at which time he was living in Bethany, Genesee County, New York. He died March 18, 1835.
He married in Chatham, Connecticut, October 21, 1773, Susan Wheeler. She was allowed pension on her application executed February 23, 1842, at which time she was eighty-six years of age and a

resident of Bethany, New York.
Children of Ephraim and Susan Harding:
Jehiel born In 1774, died January 14, 1797. Levi " February 25, 1776, " March 6, 1776. Lucinda " March 20, 1777. Ephraim " July 27, 1779, " February 15, 1801. Darius " September 28, 1781, " March 18, 1829. Warren " November 3, 1784, " May 5, 1794. Benjamin " September 18, 1787. Alfred " May 16, 1790. Russel " July 26, 1792. Susanna " June 14, 1797.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Ephraim Harding 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. W.F. 17054
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr. 1775 Serving at various times 1 1/2 3 mos & 20 days. Pvt Abijah Hall, Joseph Dart; Daniel Shepard; Nathaniel Brown. Nathaniel Brown; John Penfield and Compt Sage. Conn.   Amos Whitmore.  
Discharged at close of War.
Battles engaged in, at surrender of Burgoyne.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Chatham, Hartford Co. Conn.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 22, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Bethany, Genesee Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, born May 9 (O.S.) 1752, in Chatham, Hartford Co. Conn.
Remarks: He died Mch. 18 1835. He married at Chatham, Conn. Oct 21, 1773 Susan Wheeler & She was allowed pension on an ap. su. Feb 23, 1842 while a resident of Bethany, NY aged 86 years. Children: Jehiel b. Apr. 5, 1774; died Jan. 14, 1797; Levi b. Feb. 25, 1776. d. Mch. 6, 1776; Lucinda, b. Mch 20, 1777, Ephraim b. July 27, 1779 d. Feb. 15, 1801; Darius, b. Sept 28, 1781. d. Mch. 18, 1829; Warren b. Nov. 3, 1754 d. May 5, 1794; Benj. b. Sept. 15, 1787; Alfred b. May 16, 1790; Russell b. July 26, 1792, Susanna b. June 14, 1797.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Aturn Oct. 4. 1841
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Dear Sir
Ephraim Harding served as a private in the War of the Revolution in Capt Hall's Company and Infantry in Colonel Benfield's Regt - in the Connecticut State Troops - He was at the taking of Burgoyne - Served at Horse Neck and at Saybrook - I am informed that he made one or 2 applications for a pension and did not succeed and that his papers are on file - He died before July 1836 and has left a widow who is now living and was married during or before the Revolution - I believe she has not applied but wishes to apply under the act of July 4, 1836 - I am informed that he served a year or 14 months - The information which I want from your department is where are the records of the services of the Connecticut State Troops - are they in the Comptroller's Office Hartford Connecticut? Also I want to know how long he alleges he served by his papers on file in your office and in what company or companies and in what regiment or regiments and how long he served at each period as he is dead it will be difficult for her to state the times he served - Will you have the goodness to give me the above required information - also in what years and what time in each year he served and at what times he entered the service and when he served and how long in the whole - Will you give me an answer as soon as

commitment for I want to send to Connecticut as soon as I know where to send to get the most proof of his service if he is on the Connecticut Rolls - Your obedient servant Clinton Farnham
Also I want to make application for her at the earliest possible period
Washington City
Dear Sir, I have the honor to submit the following application
Oct 9 1861

Hn. S. M. Gates HQ

State of Connecticut } ss. Chatham County of Middlesex } Pl
I Daniel Shepard of Portland in said Middlesex County, being duly sworn depose and say, that I am eighty eight years old; that I was well acquainted with Ephraim Harding for- merly an Inhabitant of said Chatham, that said Harding was drafted and served two months at Guilford in New Haven County, in said State, in Capt Amos Whitmore's Compy. and Col John Penfield Regiment, in the year 1777 or 1778 of which I cannot positively state. I also depose and say, that I was the orderly Sergeant of said Company - at the time the said Harding performed the service aforesaid Sworn and Subscribed this 6 th day of September A D 1842
Daniel Shepard
Before me Huntington Selden
Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the said deponent is a credible witness, and sustains an unblemished character for integrity
Huntington Selden Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut,
Office of Secretary of State
Hartford, Sept r 13 th 1842.
I hereby certify that Huntington Selden, Esq r , of Chat- ham, in the County of Middlesex, in said State is, and since the 20 th day of June last past, has been a Justice of the Peace, within and for said County of Middlesex, duly appointed, commissioned, and qualified, as appears of record in this office. And I further certify that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Huntington Selden, Esq r , and believe the within to be his own proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said State, and officially signed the same.
N. A. Phelps
Secretary of State

June 22, 1840
E Haring N York
Wm S. M. Gates, N.Y.

House of Reps Washn June 20 1840
Sir
In your letter of the 11 th in reply to my letter of the day before, in which I requested the papers of E. Harding to be returned to me for Judge Mitchell, you state, that the proofs are insufficient, but do not return me the papers, or say whether or not that is contrary to your practice - Judge M. was aware that the claim was rejected & desired a return of the papers that he might perfect the proofs I suppose - I desire to inform him definitely whether he can have the papers returned & therefore call your attention again to that request contained in two previous letters -
Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt S. M. Gates
Hon J. L. Edwards Comp of Reunions

\begin{array}{r} 33.13 \\ 2.22 \\ \hline 35.35 \end{array}

House of Rep s Wash Dec 12/42
Sir
Herewith I enclose an additional affidavit in the case of Ephraim Harding, an applicant for a Pension from Seneca County NY. & ask a reconsideration of his case -
Very Respectfully Yours Ob t Serv t S. M c Gatis
Wm J. S. Edwards Comp ee Pensions

Batavia N.Y. March 18. 1842
Sir,
I enclose the application of the Widow Susan Harding for a Pension. — The proof of marriage, the Family Record, is upon a Bond, for which it could not well be removed.
I am Yours
Very Truly Nicholas
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commr. of Pensions

FRANK HARDING
ATTORNEY AT LAW
73 W. EAGLE STREET
ROOM 1
BUFFALO, N. Y.
Buffalo, N.Y., March 6, 1914.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir;
Will you kindly give me the Revolutionary history of Ephraim Harding , private, I understand, in Conn. troops.
I would like as many facts as it is convenient to obtain from the record.
He or his widow was granted a pension or a land warrant and among the other facts, I would like to know how it was.
Thanking you for the favor I am,
Respectfully yours,
Frank Harding

WARD, FLYNN, SPRING & TILLOU
HAMILTON WARD WILLIAM J. FLYNN DANA L. SPRING HAROLD J. TILLOU JOHN E. MONTGOMERY JULIUS A. SCHREIBER GENEVIEVE GOERGEN MANLEY B. TILLOU HARRY E. HARDING
LAW OFFICES ERIE COUNTY SAVINGS BANK BUILDING BUFFALO, NEW YORK TELEPHONE SENECA 0503
December 31st, 1925.
Department of the Interior, Revolutionary War Service, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:-
I am desirous of getting data relative to the Revolutionary Services of Ephraim Harding and Thomas Wood. It is necessary for me to have this information before my application in the Sons of the American Revolution will be accepted. For your information, I might  may say that the records show that Ephraim Harding enlisted at Chatham, Conn., June 1771 and was discharged in 1780. Thomas Wood, who was born at Providence, R. I. enlisted at Adams, Berkshire County, Mass. in 1776 and again in 1777.
Will you kindly furnish me such information as you may have at your convenience?
Very truly yours,
HEH:T.
Harry E. Harding

190 Sigourney St.
Hartford Conn
June 1 1932
Bureau of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs: Can you give me some information concerning holder of Pension No W 17054
Ephraim Harding
Widow Susan or
Susannah?
My reference is
Revolutionary War Pensions
A. G. Draper
Conn State Library
Thanking you, I am sincerely
Ada R. Harding

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. _____
17054
Susan Harding
wid. of
Ephraim Harding
Priv. Rev. War.
Act: _____
July 4, 1836
Index:—Vol. _____
a
Page _____
312
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Apr. 11/44 Unit. Hist. to J. W. Harding Atty. at Law. Yrmn. N.Y. C
1914. Mch 14. Hist to Mr. Frank Harding. M.B.H.
1926. Feb. 4. Hist to Harry E. Harding 1932 July 13. Hist. to Ada L. Harding. M.C.O.

Rev.
Ak. June 1832
Ephraim Harding
Superintd
See letter to
Wm Mitchell
Bothany
N. York
Nov. 1. 1833
let to Hon. S. M. Gates 11 June 1840
to same 22 June 1840
" Moulton Farnham Oct 12 th 40

(5558)
Juan Ray Harding Suspended Letter to Mr. W. Foster, March 28. 1842
act 4 July 36

State of New York } Genesee County } p 3
Jotham Mead of the town of Bethany County & State aforesaid being duly sworn deposes & says that he this deponent is eighty five years old that he lived during the Revolutionary war in the towns of Greenwich Fairfield County & State of Connecticut This deponent further says that he was personally acquainted with Ephraim Harding the man referred to in the annexed or accompanying application, that said Ephraim Harding resided during said Revolutionary war in the town of Chatham County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, that he the said Ephraim Harding was in the service in the Connecticut Militia in said war this deponent saw him in said service at several different places & times. Knows said Ephraim Harding was at Guilford in 1776 & served under Capt. Joseph Dart Col. N. Brown should say one month, also one month in the same year under Capt. Shepard & Col. Penfield at the same place. In 1777 in the Spring of the year said Harding went to Seabrook under the command of Col. Brown & Lieut. Carrier was at Seabrook one month - was drafted out three in the fall or summer of the same year to go to Branford should say was out two months but cannot say position, was under the command of Capt. Hall In 1779 said Harding was also out three months under Capt. Hall in Col. C Sages Regiment at Saratoga In August said deponent verily believes or some time during the summer of 1778 said Harding served one month at Guilford under Capt. John Penfield In 1779 in August one month at New Haven

under Lieutenant Walsh as this deponent thinks and verily believes. Det In the fall of the same year one month or thereabout under Moses White whether Lieut. or Ensign this deponent cannot say. In August 1780 one month at Guilford under the command of Captain Root. In the fall of the same year one month under Captain Hall at Guilford also in the Spring of 1780 or 1781 one month at Guilford under Lieutenant Carrier as this deponent thinks & verily believes. Also in 1781 one or two months at Stony Point, but who the Commanding Officers were this deponent does not now remember. This deponent further deposes & says that the events of the Revolution are are distinct and fresh in his memory.
And further this deponent saith not Subscribed and sworn This 10 th day of February 1842 before me Ira Wait one of the Judges of said County
Jotham M. Mead
I certify that I have been personally acquainted with the above named Jotham Mead about one year last past and believe him to be a man of truth and veracity.
Ira Wait one of the Judges of said County

State of New York Monroe County
Ysso: I Horace W. Soper. Clerk of the said County do certify that Ira Wait Esq was a Judge of said County, at the time of taking the above affidavit and that his signature above are genuine. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my Official seal this 18: March 1842 N. Soper Clerk

State of New York } Wyoming County } ss. Seth Hall of the town Orangeville in the said county being sworn doth depose and say, that he is aged twenty four years and that during the time of the Revolutionary war, he this deponent resided in the town of Chatham in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut and a near neighbor to Ephraim Harding who lately  now resided in the town of Chatham Bethany in the County of Herkshire, whom this Deponent well knew and has known since he was a boy: That this Deponent recollects very well that the said Ephraim Harding was out in the Revolutionary service several times: that he recollects of his coming home and telling where he had been in the service and incidents of his campaigns, and he recollects very well of his stating at one time after he returned that he had served that campaign under Capt Joseph Darr. That this Deponent has heard the Deposition of Nathan Mead hereto annexed read and thinks from his recollection of what the said Ephraim Harding said of on his returns home from service, that the said deposition is true as he believes and that he recollects the names of some of the officers mentioned in the said Deposition. — Told further saith not. —
Seth Hall
Sworn and Subscribed

before me by the said Seth Hall who is well known to me to be a man of truth and veracity this 26 day of February 1842.
Sylvan H Babbitt Justice
6 Sylvan H Babbitt Deputy Clerk J. H. Babbitt P. P. Merrill Clerk

State of New York, Wyoming County, } ss: I Nelson Wolcott, Clerk of said County do hereby certify, that Lyman A. Babbitt before whom the annexed affidavit was taken, was at the time of taking such affidavit a Justice of the Peace of said County, duly authorized to take the same. And that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that his signature to the certificate of said affidavit is genuine. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Official Seal at Warsaw in said County this 8 th day of March 1842. Nelson Wolcott Clerk of Wyoming County

Index of Ethraim Harding

State of New York
Oswego County ss.
Aaron Wheeler of the town of Scriba in said County being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, That he is Eighty three years of age. that he was born in the town of Chatham in the State of Connecticut that he had a sister by the name of Susan Wheeler who was married to Ephraim Harding in the town of Chatham aforesaid a year or two previous to the commencement of the Revolutionary war. (as near as he can recollect) that he, this deponent was at the wedding and saw them married - and further saith not -
Aaron Wheeler
Subscribed and sworn before me this 13 th day of September 1841
Ebenezer Dardsley Justice of the Peace
I certify that I have been personally acquainted with Aaron Wheeler. then twelve years past - and believe him to be a man of undoubted truth & veracity.
Ebenezer Dardsley J.P.

STATE OF NEW-YORK, } ss. OSWEGO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, }
I, Andrew T. McCarty — Clerk of said County,
Do hereby certify, That at the date of the Certificate of Proof or Acknowledgement , to which this is annexed, the said Ephraim Beardsley Esq. was a Justice of the Peace in and for the aforesaid County, residing in said County, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same: And further, That I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Justice and verily believe the signature to the said Certificate of Proof or Acknowledgement , to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said county, this 18 th day of September 1841
A. T. McCarty Clerk. By J. Stevens Dep. Clerk