Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21270, Thomas Harris, Conn. Continental

SERVICE
born.
continental
Harris, Thomas Elizabeth
NUMBER _____
W. 21270
CONTENTS

let. 30 March 1838 J. J. Perkins, 1891 April 2 Cond. B M Chester history Prior
Connecticut 1724
Elizabeth Harris of Thomas Harris dec d who died on the 9 th May 1802 New London in the State of Conn t who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Galfare of the 2 nd Reg t commanded by Burke, Col l in the Conn t . line for 10 months & 7 days
Described on the Roll of Conn t . at the rate of 51 Dollars 16 Cents, per annum, to commence on the 1 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of Jan y 1838 and sent C. Wham, New London Ct.
Arrears to the 1 th of Sept 1837 $322.54 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar 38 - 25.58
$358.12
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3. }
Recorded by W. Addison Clerk. Vol. 2 nd Page 69

State of Connecticut County of New London ss.
On this 12 th day of October A.D. 1837 personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of New London in said County Mrs. Elizabeth Harris a resident of said town of New London in said County & District, State of Connecticut aged 75 years. She being first duly sworn according 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 6 th 1836 and the act explanatory of said act passed March 3 rd 1837. That she was married to Thomas Harris formerly of New London aforesaid & now deceased in the month of October 1780. That the said Thomas was at the time of said marriage a Sergeant in Washington's Life Guard & continued in the service of the United States till the close of the Revolutionary war, when he was honorably discharged. That she has seen this discharge - it was a paper with a large seal to it. That it was kept with great care by her said husband with some other papers but during the last war, as the house in which the said Elizabeth then lived was exposed to be destroyed it was sent away with many other papers & has never since been seen by said declarant. That she knows that at the commencement of the Revolutionary war the said Thomas was an apprentice learning a Cabinet Makers trade in the town of Canterbury in this State, from there he went to Boston, here he remained till after the battle of White Plains. When the said Thomas came down to be married she believes he came to Norwich in the  the then often heard him speak of Philadelphia. She was one of the persons who was on board of the fire ships which were sent down to burn the British shipping in the North River & that

he together with Mr Lodowick Fosdick also a New London man had to swim ashore when said ships were set on fire & that at this time he took a very heavy cold & was sick & feeble for some time. On this account he received a furlough & was permitted to remain at home till his health was in some degree restored. After his health was improved he rejoined the army but cannot tell where it then was - I have heard him speak of York town & other places where he fought. After he had been absent some months he returned again in ill health & again returned to the army. Declarant has often heard her said husband speak of Capt William Coffey as his officer - and also of many many other officers in the Revolutionary army. And she said declarant further says on her oath affirmed that the said Thomas Harris did not return home to re- main till the winter of 1782 - to the second winter after the town was burnt (8 th Sept 1781) And she refers to the rolls of the Washington Life fund which she understands is kept by the govern- ment for further proof of the services of the said Thomas Harris & says that she has no documentary evidence now in her possession to prove his services.
She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas on the 17 th day of October 1780 - that he died at New London on the 9 th day of May A.D. 1802 and she has not intermarried but still remains his widow - as will more fully appear by reference to the proof here to annexed
Subscribed & sworn before said Court this Day & year above
Elizabeth Harris
witness J. Sherman Clerk

Thomas Harris & Elizabeth Minnie daughter of Turner Minnie was married October 28 th 1780 a True copy of the records of the town of New London Utah Henry Douglass Town Clerk
I Henry Douglass of the town & County of New London of lawful age having been duly sworn according to law on my oath aforesaid depose & say. That I am & for more than ten years last past have been Town Clerk of the said town of New London duly appointed & sworn & that the above certificate is from the records of said town & that from said records it ap- pears that Thomas Harris & Elizabeth Minnie were married on the 28 th day of October 1780
Henry Douglass
State of Connecticut County of New London
Be it known that on the 10 th day of October A.D. 1837 before me Thomas J. Perkins Justice of the peace within & for said County personally appeared Henry Douglass signer of the above affidavit & made solemn oath to the truth thereof & I do certify that he the said Henry Douglass is Town Clerk of said town of New London & that he is a cred- ible person
Witness T. J. Perkins Justice of peace
June 10 th 1837
T. J. P.

aw
August 1, 1924.
Henry R. Drowns, Cor. Broad & Pearl Sts., New York, N. Y.
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 21270 , it appears that Thomas Harris enlisted in 1775 and served 7 months in Captain Johnson's Connecticut Company. He was at the battle of White Plains, dates and details of this service not given. He enlisted April 22, 1777 as a Sergeant in Captain Webb's Company, Colonel Durkee's Connecticut Regiment, joined General Washington's Life Guards May 30, 1778 as Sergeant, was at the battle of Yorktown and was discharged November 6, 1781.
Soldier married at New London, New London County, Connecticut, October 28, 1780, Elizabeth (or Betsey), daughter of Turner Miner. He died there May 9, 1802 and the widow, Elizabeth, was allowed pension on her application executed October 12, 1837, while a resident of said New London, aged 75 years.
There were children but their names are not stated.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
aw. Note: - Did not mention desertion as soldier must have made a satisfactory explanation of his absence in order to rejoin Washington's Life Guards. get pension u.m.

Samuel Bolles of the town of Water- ford of lawful age having been duly sworn according to law on his oath of office deposes as follows & says
That he is now about Ninety four years old & for the period of about fifty years last past has resided in said town - That he will remember being present at the marriage of Mr Thomas Harris of Mendon late deceased to Elizabeth his present widow. That they were mar- ried by the Rev. Dadock Barrow who deceased & that this marriage took place as near as deponent can recollect in the fall of the year 1780 - but he is certain that it was before Mendon was burnt viz Sept 6 th 1781. I remember that Deacon William Westcott & his wife were present at the wedding. From the failure of his memory he is unable to be more particular as to the circumstances but he is certain that the marriage took place before the close of the war & from calcu- lations made from the birth of his own children he is led to believe that the year 1780 was the year of that marriage That the father of the said Elizabeth lived upon a farm which had been occupi- ed by deponent & that their families were intimate for many years & until the family of Mr. Minnie were broken up
In presence of Ezra Chapelle }
Samuel Ba Bolles
Oct 15. 1837 Sworn to life one A. P. 80

State of Connecticut County of Middlesex ss.
Be it known that on this 10 th day of October A.D. 1837 before me the subscriber a justice of the peace within & for said county per- sonally appeared W. Samuel Bolles who having in my presence signed the within deposition in my presence made solemn oath to the truth thereof according to law & I do certify that the said Samuel Bolles is a credible person. Attest T. L. Perkins justice of peace

John Harris of the town & County of New Bedford of lawful age having been duly sworn according to law on his oath affirmed deposes testifieth & says -
That he is now about seventy eight years old & has resided most of his life in said town of New Bedford - That he was cousin to the said Thomas Harris formerly of said town of New Bedford because that they lived in the same neighborhood in their youth & were playmates & schoolmates - Deponent well recollects that the said Thomas Harris was in the war most of the time & that he was at home on furlough at least once perhaps oftener - Deponent understood at the time that the said Thomas Harris was a Sergeant in "Washington Life Guard" as it was called & that the said Thomas did not return to live at home till after the battle in 1783 - Deponent was himself absent much of the war at sea & cannot specify what particular services were rendered by the said Thomas - I know that he was married during the war for in the year 1780 I returned from a voyage to sea & saw his wife Mrs Elizabeth Harris, now his widow at his house - This was during the cold winter of 1779-1780 - Deponent was not present at the wedding but has long lived by them till the death of the said Thomas which happened at near Wessex about thirty years ago or more - He lived with his wife for many years - They had a large family & their children were brought up in the neighborhood where I then lived. Mrs Harris has never intermarried since the death of the said Thomas but still remains his widow John Harris

State of Connecticut County of New London ss. Be it remembered that on this 5 th day of April A.D. 1837 before me the subscriber a justice of the peace within the said county person- ally appeared Mr. John Harris sign of the foregoing deposition & made solemn oath to the truth of the facts therein contained & I do certify that he is a credible person - attest
Th. R. Weeks Justice of Peace

Sons of the Revolution
in the State of New York
Frances Tavern Corner Broad & Pearl Streets New York City
June 30, 1924.
Pension Bureau, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
Will you please furnish me with the Revolutionary Service of Thomas Harris, who was born in New London, Conn in 1759 and died there on May 28, 1805. His wife Elizabeth Minor Harris received a pension for his service and I would also thank you for any information you may have regarding his family.
This is required to establish a claim for membership in this Society.
Yours very truly,
Henry Russell Brown
Secretary.
HRD.HT

1924, Aug 1 - Hist. to Henry R Draper
WIDOW, &c.
No. 21270 Elizabeth Harris widow of Thomas Harris Sergt Rev War
Act Inla 4 th 36
Box: Vol. _____, Page 315
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Thomas Harris
He died May 9 1862 at New London Conn Married Oct 28, 1780 to Elizabeth Minn at New London
daughter Turner Minn
Widow applied in Oct 1837 then living in New London aged 75 years She an wife was living in latter of the war in New London
At commencement of the war he was an apprentice to Cabinet maker's trade in Canterbury Conn from there he went to Boston. Was in battle of White Plains. Came from Morristown N.J. to be married to He was on board one of the ships sent down the bay to burn the British shipping in - He spoke of Yorktown & returned home in Winter 1781-2
Jabez Maynard a witness of Waterford Conn was a distant relation of Harris & a witness. Waterford a part of New London until 1801
Eliza Washburn of Waterford Conn in Oct 1837 stated she was sister to Thomas about 82 years old
John Harris of town & C. New London 78 years old where residing nearly all his life a cousin to Thomas & his wife

I, Iabez Maynard of the town of Watford in the County of New London of lawful age having been duly sworn according to law on my oath aforesaid do depose testify & say -
That I am now about eighty one years of age & reside in said town of Watford - That during the Revolutionary war I served as a private soldier in Cap: Nathan Hale's Company from that company I was drafted to serve as an Artillery man in Cap: M c Levy's Comp y and was in the service either on shore or aboard ship most of the war & am now a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States
And on my oath aforesaid I do further say that I well knew Mr Thomas Harris, formerly of the town of New London in said County. That the said Harris & myself were distantly related & that the said Harris enlisted into the Army early in the war, I knew him to be in the service in the year 1776 at White Plains & at that time I know that he was a Sergeant. I believe the first sergeant in "Washington's Life Guard" as it was then called. I believe he served with or under Cap: William Colfax who was also a New London man. I know that Mr Thomas Harris served & was honorably discharged for I have seen his discharge with a seal upon it - & I also know that he served to the end of the war. Mr Harris died about thirty years ago & left a Widow at who is now living - he was married during the war I know that first for I knew his wife & when we were both home a short time the latter part of the war or perhaps I was at his house & saw him & his wife - This was the latter part of the war late in the fall but what year I do not remember

Sometimes the latter part of the name I was sent to New London after a desertion by the name of Stephen Chapman. She had intestate undivided Chapman. I took with me a letter from the sister Thomas Harris & his wife then living in New London which I delivered to her. Jacob Maynard
State of Connecticut, County of New London 3p. On this fifth day of October A.D. 1839 before me the subscriber a justice of the peace for said County person- ally appeared Mr. Jacob Maynard who known to me was made solemn oath to the truth of the facts contained in the foregoing deposi- tion by him in my presence subscribed to certify that he was creditor  attest Th. L. Perkins justice of peace

in a great deal of confusion... New London Conn.
March 14 th 1838
Sir,
At a time when I was absent my friend J. Johnson Esq. of this place forwarded the papers substantiating the claim of Mrs. Elizabeth Harris to a pension on account of the Revo- lutionary services of her deceased husband Thos Harris. Since which time she has received a certificate entitling her to a pension of Fifty one 1 / 10 Dollars. It is thought there is an error as she has ever supposed that her hus- band served more than two years in the field & that his rank as Sergeant would have given a full pension to her, under this impression she did not obtain the part of other service which she might have done. She has no doubt of the service of her hus- band for more than one year & earnestly desires that the rolls of that Corps may again be examined & the error corrected.
The other service above alluded to is for 7 months at New Boston in 1775 in the company of Capt. O. Johnson. The copy of the

pay role of that Company I understand is in the office at Washington. Should the service in the Guards prove to have been but one year, she will claim an addition on account of the 7 th N o Service under Capt. Johnson
Will you oblige her by directing a re-examination of this claim & write me the result -
Very respectfully
Yours Obed t Serv t Th. S. Perkins
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissary of Pensions Washington

New London Conn Oct 12 th 1813
Dr. L. Edwards Esq. Concord New Jersey, Sir,
Enclosed are the Peninsular Papers for Mrs. Elizabeth Harris' Widow. Yrs respectfully for Thos S. Perkins
J. Wheeler

B m Chester (Navy) March 17 1891 Thomas Harris Cov Elizabeth do
Chief Clerk

In reply, refer to No. ....
Bureau of Navigation,
Navy Department.
Washington. March 17. 91
To the Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
I respectfully request that I may be furnished with a copy of the record of the Revolutionary War Pensioner Thomas Harris or Elizabeth Harris his wife. The little I know of the case is that the said Thomas Harris served in the body guard of Gen. Washington and died about 1804. His wife (Elizabeth) as I understand

received a pension. Harris was borne on the rolls of the Connecticut State Troops
Very respectfully yours John Chester Commander U.S.A.

It appears from the roll of Colonel Burke's reg t Captain Webb's company that Thomas Harris, whose widow applies for a pension under act 4 July 1836, enlisted as sergeant 22 o April 1777, for the war, joined the General Guards 30 th May 1778, deserted 9 May 1780, joined 31 December 1780, dis- charged 6 th November 1781.
The widow states that her husband was one of those who were engaged in setting fire to the British shipping in the North River and had to swim ashore, took cold, which impaired his health, was furloughed more than once in consequence of ill health, and was finally discharged in the winter of 1782.
¶ The widow is entitled 31 Dec. 1780 - and not from any period anterior thereto.
(Over)

Cowden brook - In Capt. Chas. Johnson Col. Israel Putnam May to Dec 1775 Regt numbered by col. of Seymour - at Cambridge - detached of Regt at Bunker Hill . It was at Centerville Conn Sept 26 Col. Putnam April 1777 for Bennington Col. Wolcott joined Gen. Wm. Gates May 26 1778 - detached May 1 1780 reformed Dec 31 1780 disbanded Nov 1781 Regiment organized 1776 - 175 men Major Salab. Gible R.D. - In company order at Millington Forge Nov 17 1778 with 100 men more which previously was with the 100 Col. Putnam from Bridgeport  Illinois  Shelton Col. John Norton - in Connecticut Jan 1 1781 in Col. Norton Co. as present + disbanded Nov 16 1781 Col. Am. Parsons ( Canterbury ) present. Regt left Fort Schuyler March 1776 Opened at Plattsburgh July 27 on Long Island Aug 26 engaged in Long  Canterbury Aug 27 1776 (narratively escaping Confusion ) disbanded Dec 1776
(over)
306.96 20.08 332.54

Esther Westcott of Watford in the County of New London of lawful age having been duly sworn according to law in her oath affirmed deposes testifies & says
That she is about eighty two years of age & was sister to Mr Thomas Warren family of New London deceased. That the said Thomas was in the army most of the revolutionary war. That he was home once or twice & one of those times he was married to Mrs Betsey or Elizabeth Warren now his widow I was present at the wedding although I cannot recollect the time but believe that it was before the hard winter. Some time after he was married he went back to the army & continued there till the war ended from the failure of my memory I am not able to state the time of the marriage but know that it was before the end of the war & before he left the army
In presence of Mary Leffler } Esther Westcott Edward Chaffee } Esther Westcott mark
New London County ss On this 5 th day of October 1837 before me the subscriber a justice of the peace in & for said County personally appeared Mrs Esther Westcott & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by her in my presence subscribed & I do certify that she is a credible person
Attest Thos. L. Perkins justice of peace

The S. Perkins Justice of the Peace
State of Connecticut } ss New London County } ss
I John DeWitt Clerk of the County Court in and for said New London County do hereby certify that Thomas S Perkins Esq is a Justice of the peace in and for said County that his Commission was dated June 1 1837. and will expire June 20 1838. and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts as such. and that his signature above written is genuine. In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 10 th day of October A D 1837
John DeWitt Clerk
[Faint, illegible text at the bottom of the page]

2804
Elizabeth Norris Con
on roll Col Dunker Sergeant from 31 Dec 1780 to 6 Nov 1781 10 mos. 7 days; left
$458.16 100

And the said Court do hereby certify that the said Elizabeth Harris the above applicant is a credible person and that her statement is entitled to credit And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter that the said Thomas Harris (the husband of the applicant) was a Revolutionary soldier - and that the said Elizabeth was duly married to the said Thomas Harris in the year 1780 - and that the said Isabele Maynard, Esther Means, John Harris, Samuel Belle & Henry Douglass are credible persons and that their respective statements are entitled to credit
I, Sarah Wharn Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Cumberland aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elizabeth Harris for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of said Court & of my Office this 12 th Day of October A.D. 1837
J. Wharn Clerk