Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 2112, John Harris, Conn.

SERVICE
born.
Harris John Martha
NUMBER _____
W 2112
CONTENTS

3994.
New Hampshire John Harris
of Litchfield in the State of N H who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col Swift in the N H line for 12 Mos
Inscribed on the Roll of N H at the rate of 40 Dollars ~ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 th day of Jan'y 1833 and sent to H. Hubbard (St of Reps) Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $60 ~ Semi-annual allowance ending Dec 33 20 ~ $80 ~
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. S. Blair Clerk Book D, Vol. 1 st Page 101,

857 New Hampshire - P Martha Harris widow of John Harris who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private Ct Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 10 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
3 February 1853
Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of July 53 and sent to
Dan Howe E H N H
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 9, 1848. Page 16 Vol. 24
3 Feb. 1853

9249
Declaration of John Harris Gillum Chth 60
(N.H)

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, COUNTY OF CHESHIRE, ss.
On this fifth day of September personally appeared in open Court, Before the Hon Aaron Nutton Judge of Probate for said County -
now sitting, John Harris a resident of Gilsum in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged seventy two years last March 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 7th, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
1 st That in 1776 - the last of April or first of May he enlisted for five months, at Litchfield Connecticut under a recruiting officer by the name of Hall - went with about fifteen others, through Great Barrington, & Albany to Fort Edward, and there joined Capt Shepherds Company, Col Swifts Regiment of Connecticut Militia - the company marched from Fort Edward, & joined the Regiment at Mount Independence - remained there until dismissed at the end of the term - was there while our fleet was destroyed on the lake - duly was keeping guard & fatigue - 2. In 1777 a draft was ordered of five out of the militia company in Middletown Connecticut to which I then belonged - for two months service that he turned out as one, without being drafted and went about the 12 th of August with the others from home town to Farmington - was joined there by others & went from there to Great Barrington were on our march to Saratoga - at Barrington we rec d orders to march to Bennington - went then through Pillsfield, & Williamstown to Bennington arrived there about 3 o'clock on the morning of the Bennington battle - having marched during the night - went immediately into the battle in the fore part of the day - was in about the centre of the left wing - was wounded soon after the engagement commenced by a musket ball through my left thigh - was carried back to Bennington - lay there four days - was then carried to Halfmoon - lay there until after the surrender of Burgoyne - about nine weeks - & as soon as I was able to travel the term of engagement having expired, returned home - was not able to name any company officers none with him until he marched into battle - Major, or Capt Clark, acting as Major, commanded the Battalion He was in when he marched into battle - 3. In 1778 in May he enlisted for 3 months, in Captain Waterburys Company - no Col present - Maj Delano was in command - went to Horseneck - Connecticut on the Sound stayed there guarding the Army - to keep the Cow boys from getting cattle - dismissed there at the end of the three

months -
4. In 1779 - volunteered for three months in Capt. Selanor Com- pany, in Col Smiths Regiment - I went east of April to first of May to Norwalk Ct. - guarding lines - remained there two months & was dismissed on account of other companies coming in - soon after I left the place was burnt by the British - - I do not know of any proof of said services - was born as I am told on my passage from England to this country - has a record of his age taken from his fathers family bible - Lived at Middleton when he went into his several services, although in the first he enlisted at Litchfield - has lived in various places since the war & the last twenty years in Gilsum NH - where I now live - was a volunteer in all said services - Recollect Genl Schuyler in his first services & that there were other Regiments there - Col Mott's Regt lay near the Rest of Col Swift - - never recd any written discharge Dudley Smith Esq. & Col George W. Hammond are my townsmen & neighbours & I expect can testify to my veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution. -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
John Harris
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Amos Watson Judge of Probate
We, Dudley Smith & George W. Hammond both of Gilsum aforesaid
hereby certify, that we are acquainted with John Harris who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be twenty two - 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.
Dudley Smith Geo. W. Hammond
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Amos Watson Judge of Probate
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 certi- fies, that it appears to them that Dudley Smith and George Hammond who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in the Town of Gilsum aforesaid and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
Amos Watson Judge of Probate
I, Asa Parker Register of the Court of Probate for sd County of Cheshire do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of John Harris for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this fifth day of September A.D. 1832
Asa Parker { Register of said Court of Probate

State of New Hampshire Rockingham County } p
On this seventeenth day of March in the year eighteen hundred & fifty three personally appeared before me James H. Butler a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas a court of record within and for the said county of Rockingham. Martha Harris of a resident of Epping in said county of Rockingham aged Seventy Seven years, who being 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 February third A.D. 1853 "To continue half pay pensions certain widows and orphans"
That she is the widow of John Harris. That she was married to the said John Harris on or about the eighth day of April eighteen hundred and thirteen
That her said husband said John Harris was a soldier in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain and drew a pension of forty dollars per annum at the pension agency at Concord New Hampshire She is not positive as to the place but thinks it was Concord (Thomas M. Edmonds Esq of Keene N.H. having been her husband's agent to draw said pension) as will appear by his pension certificate surrendered to the pension agent of the Department soon after his death
That said John Harris at the time of his death re- sided in Gilsum New Hampshire which took place on

or about the nineteenth day of June in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven - That he drew his pension under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 -
She further swears that she has remained a widow and unmarried ever since the death of the said John Harris and is now a widow and that she never has before made an application for a pension or relief
Signed in presence of James H Butler      Martha her  X Harris Geo. W. Leavitt      mark J P Dorr
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me - And I certify that the said Martha Harris the said applicant by reason of bodily infirmity cannot attend in open court
James H Butler
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Buckingham.

State of New Hampshire, County of Cheshire Gilsum
and town of
John Harris of Gilsum and Martha Thomson of Atstead were married April eighth one thousand eight hundred and thirteen
I certify that the above is a true copy and extract of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures. as follows April 8 th 1813
Israel B. Loueland, Town Clerk
I, Israel B. Loueland above named, depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town, County and State aforesaid, and that the above is a true copy and extract from the records of said town with the exception above named as certified by me.
Israel B. Loueland , CLERK OF SAID TOWN.
State of New Hampshire Cheshire ss Sworn to & subscribed this fifteenth day of April eighteen hundred and fifty three before me Geo. W. Hammond Justice of the Peace

-9249
Ino Harris
Parole
12. March,
M.E
Playmates Antipasto
Not produced
Apr 23. 1892
$40-
Hon. H. Hubbard
H.R.
Wm Edwards,
Kenny Cheskin &
N.H.

9249
BRIEF in the case of Cheshire Co
Geo Harris of Gilsum in the State of New Hampshire (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
afant
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
—
3. How old is he?
72
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.     Apr 11th 1776 — 5 — As a Private Gen. Shepherd Col Swift   1777 - 12 Aug — 2 — " Maj. or Capt Clark   1778 May — 3 — " Capt Waterbury   1779 - Apr to May — 2 — " Capt Delano Col Smith  
5. In what battles was he engaged?
Benson - (Wounded)
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
Litchfield 6 th and Middleton 6 th
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
no living witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
no defect
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. Easton Examining Clerk.

Rev War
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 2112
Martha Harris.
Widow
John Harris.
Pre Rev. War.
Act: Feb. 3. 1853.
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 303
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of New Hampshire Rockingham County ss
I Benjamin E. Harris of Epping in the said County of Rockingham aged thirty four years having been duly sworn, depose and say, that I well knew John Harris who was a revolutionary pensioner & whose widow Martha Harris now applies for a pension under the act of Congress passed February 3 rd 1853.
That the said John Harris was my father and resided at Gilsum New Hampshire from my earliest remembrance till his death which occurred at said Gilsum on nineteenth day of June in the year eighteen hundred & thirty seven - That he drew a pension at the time of his death at the rate of forty dollars per year -
That my mother the said Martha Harris continued to reside at said Gilsum from the time of my father's death until the fall of eighteen hundred & forty seven when she removed to Deerfield N. H. to live with me - She remained in said Deerfield about one year when I removed to Epping aforesaid and she removed with me and has resided in said Epping ever since to the present time.
I further swear that I have known her from my father's death to this time and that she has

remained unmarried and is now a widow
That I am disinterested
B E Harris
State of Nottinghamshire County of Nottingham ss Sworn to and subscribed before me this ninth day of April in the year eighteen hundred & fifty three And I certify that the said Benjamin E Harris who is personally known to me, is a credible person and entitled to full credit and belief.
Charles S. Greville Justice of the Peace

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Office of Secretary of State.
I, JOHN L. HADLEY, Secretary of the State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that James H. Butler is an acting Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Rockingham duly commissioned and qualified; that his Commission was dated on the 21 st day of May 1859 and will expire on the 27 th day of October 1881 and that his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.
Given under my hand and the Seal of said State, this 20 th day of April 1853.
John L. Hadley Secretary of State.

State of New Hampshire.
Secretary's Office, Concord.
April 20. 1853.
I hereby certify, That at the dates of the annexed attestations George W. Hammond and Israel B. Loveland were Justices of the Peace for the county of Cheshire and Charles S. God- frey was a Justice of the Peace for the county of Rockingham — in the said State, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the State, the date above written.
John G. Wadley Secretary of State.

State of New Hampshire County of Cheshire ss.
I Dudley Smith of Gilsum, in said County of Cheshire, having been sworn depose and say, that I well knew John Harris, who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary war with Great Britain and who was a revolutionary pensioner, whose widow Martha Harris now applies for a pension under the act of Congress passed February 3 d - 1853 That I knew him for more than twenty years before his death which occurred at said Gilsum about fifteen years ago viz: on or about the nineteenth day of June eighteen hundred and thirty seven. That I knew his said widow Martha Harris from the time of his death until she removed from Gilsum which I believe was in the fall of the year eighteen hundred and forty seven, she having made Gilsum and Alstead her residence from her husband's death until the time when she removed to Deerfield N.H. as I have been informed to reside with her son Benjamin E Harris. That she never intermarried but remained a widow while I knew her, and has not to my knowledge or belief married since she left Gilsum, and as I am informed continues to reside with her son Benjamin, who now resides in Epping New Hampshire. That said John Harris and Martha Harris resided within twenty five rods of me, and that I am disinterested in her application for a pension.
Dudley Smith
State of New Hampshire Cheshire county ss.
On this fifteenth day of April eighteen hundred and fifty three personally appeared the said Dudley Smith and who is personally known to me and a credible person entitled to full credit and belief before me, and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true
Before me Joseph B. Lordland, Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire County of Cheshire ss. I Amherst Hayward of Gilsum in said county of Cheshire, having been duly sworn, depose and say, that I well knew John Harris, who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain, and who was a revolutionary pensioner, whose widow Martha Harris now applies for a pension under the act of Congress passed February 3 d 1853. That I knew him for more than twenty years before his death, which occurred at said Gilsum about fifteen years ago. viz. on the nineteenth day of June eighteen hundred and thirty seven. That I know that he died at that time because I made a record of his death. That I knew his said widow Martha Harris from the time of his death until she removed from said Gilsum, which I believe was in the fall of the year eighteen hundred and forty seven, she having made Gilsum and staid her residence from her husband's death until the time when she removed to Deerfield N.H. to reside with her son Benjamin E Harris. That she never intermarried but remained a widow while I knew her, and has not to my knowledge or belief married since she left Gilsum, and as I am informed continues to reside with her son Benjamin who now resides in Epping New Hampshire. That said John Harris and Martha Harris resided within one and a half mile of me - and that I am disinterested in her application for a pension.
Amherst Hayward

State of New Hampshire Cheshire County ss.
On this fifteenth day of April eighteen hundred and fifty three personally appeared the said Amherst Hayward, and who is personally known to me and a credible person entitled to full credit and belief before me and made oath that the within affidavit by him subscribed is in his belief true
Before me Israel B. Lordland, Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire Rockingham County ss. I William H. G. O. Thurston of Epping in the said County of Rockingham having been duly sworn depose and say that in the fall of eighteen hundred & forty seven I resided at Deerfield - That I well know Martha Harris the mother of Benjamin E Harris - That said Martha Harris moved from Gilsum N H to said Deerfield in the fall of 1847 and lived with her son the said Benjamin E Harris - That in the fall of the next year A.D. 1848 They moved to Epping a distance of about seven miles where they have continued to reside till the present time
That I have known said Martha Harris from the fall of 1847 to the present time and that she has remained unmarried and is now a widow
I worked with said Benjamin E. Harris when he resided at said Deerfield and have been intimate with him and his family ever since
I have resided in said Epping for the last three years
That I am disinterested
Wm H G O Thurston
State of New Hampshire County of Rockingham ss Sworn to and subscribed before me this ninth day of April in the year eighteen hundred and fifty three and I certify

that the said William H. G. O. Thurston, who is personally known to me, is a credible person and entitled to full credit and belief -
Charles S. Linsley Justice of the Peace

9249 Mo Harris
Return to H. Hubbard H. J. R.
Th. M. Edward Renee Cheshire nH

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Mr Harris which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? _____
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. * Has he mentioned 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? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
Yes
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
_____
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
_____
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
Yes _____
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 the 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.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.

Jan 27. 1852
N o 1225
App d of Martha
Harris widow of John Rothschild Co. N.H.
3994
Appl 3 d Febry: 1853 $40. 00 / 100 per Annum Commencing 3 d Feby: 1853. Rev d :
Dear Howe Ephraim N.H.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Pension Office, Official Business

Brief in the case of Martha Harris, Widow of John , Atkinson County and State of New Hampshire , act 3 February, 1853,
Claim, ("original," or " for increase ")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner, under the Act of June, 1832. Marriage proven by second evidence, parole proof, certificate to be credible.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Danl. Howe, Esq., Oppim. L. N.H.
Name and residence of Agent
S. W. Boyton, Examining Clerk.

Effingham N. H. April 22. 1853
Sir
Enclosed is declaration of Martha Harris and accompanying papers in order to obtain a widows Pension -
If found correct in form and proof you will please forward her certificate to me at this office -
Yours Truly
Daniel Howe
Hon. Loren P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.

Clergyman's Certificate

I Elenore Chase, Clergyman of Gilsum in the County of Cheshire in the State of New Hampshire, hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John Barry of said Gilsum who I am informed has applied for a pension under the act of June 7. 1832 that I believe him to be seventy two 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 I concur in that opinion - Elenore Chase.
Cheshire ss - Dec 24. 1832. Subscribed and sworn to by Rev Elenore Chase known to me as a Clergyman of said Gilsum Before me Geo. W. Hammond, Justice of the Peace
Cheshire ss. Dec. 25. 1832
I Salma Hale clerk of the Judicial Court in said County certify that George W. Hammond is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county and I believe that the foregoing official signature is in his own hand writing as in testimony whereof I hereunto affix the Seal of our Superior Court of Judicature
S. Hale, Clerk