Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,202, Godfrey Harper, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Harper, Godfrey
S 29.202
CONTENTS

Albany 30.837
Godfrey Harper
of Montgomery Co, in the State of N. York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Wyatt of the Regt, commanded by Col. Morris in the Cont. time for 14. months & 10 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 47 Dollars 76 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of Sept. 1836 and sent to Hon. M. J. Bovee, Amsterdam, N. Y.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 36, 262. 88 Semi-ant. allowance ending Nov. 37, 23. 88 $286.76
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book E. 2, Vol. 4 Page 30

Godfrey Harper
Pension
14928 287
Admitted Private 14 mo 10 days
Hon. M. J. Blaney Auditor General N.Y.

State of New York Montgomery County ss
on this 21 st day of September personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting Godfrey Harper a resident of the town of Amsterdam in the County of Montgomery & State of New York and of the age of 74 years last December the 28 th day, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. deponent says that he enlisted into the United States Service at or near the commencement of the revolution - upon General Montgomery's attack upon Quebec but the year this deponent cannot recollect - at the time deponent enlisted he resided at New Fairfield in Connecticut - he enlisted into the continental line under Captain Nehemiah Barstow as he thinks deponent enlisted about the time that corn is planted in the spring of the year but the month he cannot state he recollects that people were planting corn when he enlisted Lieut. Griggs was one of the Lieutenants in the company to which deponent belonged - the company belonged to Col. Waterbury's Regiment deponent enlisted for nine months immediately after he enlisted he went to New York and there joined the American forces - deponent staid as he thinks about one month at New York

Then left New-York and came on to Albany - from there went to half Moon Point - & from there went to Ticonderoga - Col. Waterbury commenced the Regiment and Gen. Montgomery was the General in Command - At Ticonderoga the ship carpenters constructed water craft to transport the Army across the Lake to Canada - upon our arrival with the Army from Ticonderoga to Brown Point - Remember that the American forces or a portion of them took the Isle of Mott - An attack was made upon St. Johns - upon our arrival in the maze I must - upon our arrival I think that Col. Guy. Johnson who was born in Montgomery County State of New-York and one of the Sons of Sir William Johnson commanded the British & Indians at St. Johns - St. Johns was attacked by Colonel & water & surrendered after fifteen days siege as upon our arrival - after the American Army got possession of St. Johns - there was a call for volunteers to go to Quebec with Gen. Montgomery & upon our volunteering - and went with the Army under Daniel Captain Daniel Chapman Capt. Bursly did not go - upon our arrival was present at the attack upon Quebec, it was on Christmas morning upon our arrival was with that portion of the Army that attacked the upper

Lower - the attack was made about the break of day - deponent Remembers that Gen. Arnold attacked the lower town? Recalls the signal given by him which was the firing a dry rocket - deponent recalls that in that portion of the army with which he was the brigade men went forward with shells to cut down the pickets that formed the enemies out works - deponent was near General Montgomery when he was shot - remembers that before he was shot he took hold of the pickets after they were nearly driven off & helped pull them on - not the gun had been fired by this portion of the army when Gen. Montgomery was shot - deponent remembers that a capt. Cheseman was also killed there as well as one of Gen. Montgomerys aids - deponent thinks that the guides employed upon this occasion got lost the army - immediately after Montgomery was shot the forces were ordered to retreat - Gen. Arnold had succeeded in getting possession of the lower town when the when the news of Montgomerys death threw every thing into confusion and the attack failed - the army

came back by St. Johns up the Lake Champlain on the ice - got back to Fort George in New York there the forces from Quebec were met by Gen. Worcester, & there deponent was discharged from the service, deponent thinks most many of the soldiers were discharged there - deponent thinks it was towards the last of February that he was discharged - having served full nine months - deponent received a written discharge -
In the Spring after deponent enlisted again into the United States service in the Continental line to serve one year - deponent enlisted in North Salem Westchester County New York. under Lieutenant Daniel Delavan who was the recruiting officer - Capt. John Hyat - soon recruited the company which deponent joined - deponent thinks that he enlisted as early as the month of April but is not positive - deponent went immediately to White Plains & entered the service, the army at White Plains was then commanded by Gen. Washington in person - Capt. Hyat's company belonged to Col. Morris Grahams Regiment - Gen. James Clinton commanded the Brigade

About one month after dis went to White Plains as he thinks - Col Gen Blintons Brigade moved over into New-Jersey and were stationed at Bergen Some time perhaps one month & then returned again to White Plains - & on the 23 rd day of August as deponent thinks. About two hundred men & he among the number were ordered to go down to Fox Creek one near or upon the Enemys line Col. James Williams as deponent thinks being in command the party on their way crossed a road that lay between two swamps one on each side of the road these fields were occupied by the enemy who were surprised when the Americans had proceeded so far as to be almost completely hemmed in the enemy commenced firing a battle ensued in which deponent was taken prisoner & when he heard -dared his musket - he was struck a severe blow with it upon his head which fractured his skull - most of several Stockbridge Indians were in this engagement & deponent thinks most of them were killed - deponent was taken to New York & put into the Quaker Meeting house, then called the Rebel Hospital

deponent was confined in this Hospital about five months until some time in January & was then released from imprisonment by an exchange of prisoners - deponent then went home to North Salem & Staid about three weeks & joined the Army again at Windsor. Staid with the the Army until his year expired & was then discharged, received a written discharge -
In the month of March of the year that Arnold turned traitor deponent & about sixteen of his comrades from North Salem Press - Hill & Brimpton - went to New London Connecticut and enlisted on board the United States Ship Humboldt commanded as deponent thinks by Capt James Nicholson - Mallery - Star - & Whiting were lieutenants on board of Service Vessel - deponent enlisted for nine months & served almost Eleven months on board this Vessel - About the fourteenth of May  first of April the Vessel went to sea - had been out about one month and were met by the British Vessel Watts & an engagement ensued which lasted more than two hours - neither Vessel surrendered it was a desperate battle deponent thinks that the British Vessel mounted

Thirty Six Guns & the Tumbull thing two - The Tumbull returned to Boston & arrived the day before her purchaser - then the Viper was repaired and in about one month put to sea again - cruised off the coast of New foundland & Halifax - gone about three months and returned & put into Chester Harbor in near Philadelphia - it was here that deponent first heard of Arnold's treachery - the Viper stayed about three weeks in this harbor went to sea once was absent nearly or quite five months and returned to Philadelphia - during all these trips deponent was with said ship & in the United States Lumber - on the return of the Viper at this time deponent received a written discharge having served in said Viper about eleven months - deponent's discharge from the Lumber as here in mentioned were all burnt by his wife when he lived at the Landplats in the town of Johnstown and county of Montgomery - said discharge & about a large quantity of bon- -tenental bills were rolled up together but deponent's wife supposing them useless burnt them - deponent was born in the town of Rye Westchester county & State of New York.

in the year 1755 1754. during the revolutionary war deponent when not in the Service lived at North Lalem in Westchester County New York deponent has resided for the last two five years & now resides in Amsterdam Montgomery County deponent has a sum or an annuity his age in his pension in the name writing of his father & which he believes to be correct & corresponds with his Statement above made deponent has no documentary evidence to prove his service - he refers to the certificate of Dr. Charles Wright hereto annexed to prove that it is believed in the neighborhood where he resides that he was a soldier in the revolution & performed revolutionary services -
Deponent hereby releases all any claims to a pension or annuity except the present & says that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State -
Godfrey Harper
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Geo: D. Ferguson. Clerk.

I Deocletus Wright of the town of Amster- -dam county of Montgomery and State of New York - certify & declare that I am well acquainted with Godfrey Hays who has been since & sworn to the above declaration that I believe him to be seventy five years of age - that he is a native & believes in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & of course in that opinion bearing no doubt of the put- Sworn to Subscribed the day & year of our Lord. Geo: D. Ferguson, Clerk. Deocletus Wright
I Clement Sadler of the town of Johnstown in the county & State last aforesaid have been acquainted with the above named Hays for about twenty five years & during that time I have always understood & believed that he was a soldier of the revolution & of that still believes the same - Sworn to Subscribed the day & year aforesaid Geo: D. Ferguson, Clerk. Clement Sadler
I Aaron Haring first Judge of the county of Montgomery in the State of New York during the have been acquainted with the above named Godfrey

Sworn Harper for twenty five or thirty years past & from information received from various reliable sources, and at different times during that period, I have no doubt whatever of his having been a soldier of the revolution & a pioneer. I have had many propositions the affidavits of Gen. Belknap & others stating that David Harper was in the service - which affidavits are lost - Sworn to & subscribed the day before aforesaid Geo: D. Ferguson, Clerk. Aaron Haring
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, & 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 Deodatus Wright of the town of Amsterdam, and Clement Sadlier and Aaron Haring of the town of Johnstown all in said County of Montgomery, who have signed the preceding Certificates, are credible persons, & that their statement is entitled to credit.

I George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the said Court, do hereby and certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Godfrey Harper for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 29th September 1832
Geo: D. Ferguson

Godfrey Glusker N.Y.
same place same person
el
In Vol 5. p 5. 0.15 dup " 3 159 - $7.37
8 mi. Waverly
15
8. 15 5. 25 14. 10
D. Wright
Dr. Page agent Amsterdam Montgomery County New York

Hm M J Bovee H R

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 subjined 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 Godfrey Harper of Montgomery, New York 
    Entered Before King Montgomery allot and duet Volun. Succeeding Spring The Gen that (Arnold turned Spain Entered in board United States Ship Trouble 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 decla- ration is sup- ported.   Years. Months. Days.     Period when the service was rendered. 8 9 Private Capt. Richard Bursley Lieut. Briggs Col. Walter Ladd Col. Mont- gomery Gen. Schuyler Battle of Quebec To New York to Albany to Ticonderoga to Byron Point to Quebec New Fairfield Connecticut aged 77 Gradiation Insider   
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ 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 clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are simply 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 [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[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.
some as far as it can be from present day the 9th June that has passed
some

29 202 Very INVALID.
File No. 29,202
Godfrey Harper Rev Mr
Act: June 1 st 89
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 121
[Arrangement of 1870.]

New York
Rev. -
Godfrey Harper
Suspended
In let to Mr. J. Bove July 14: " " " " " Aug 11. 1836

Amsterdam August 6. 1836
Dear Sir
I have before me the letter of the Comptroller in of Connecticut in reply to two letters I wrote him in behalf of Elisha Chiddell & Godfrey Hapsen. He says that you have the evidence in the War department - that both Chiddell & Hapsen lived but he cannot say how long - as to the case of Doctor Chiddell there can be no doubt as he is a man of respectability & integrity as much so as any man in my district - I endorse as to the letter he sent me & I have no doubt that every word he has stated is true - as to Mr Hapsen case 8 1/2 months are allowed to him, and the liars in Connecticut is not allowed - I want you to allow him as much of the last two months as you can & send his certificate to me - he is in the Poor house.

and I am anxious to have him taken from it - men who have fought & bled for the liberty you & I enjoy in common with the American People - have not ought to spend their last days in the Poor house where our country owe them a debt of gratitude which can never be paid
I am yours with respect
Mathias J. Bane
J. L. Edwards Esq.

Sept 14 (N.Y.)
Mr. A. C.
D.L.
Free M. J. Bruce
Mrs. I. I. Edwards Dresser Office Washington D.C.
NY

Amsterdam Sept 9. 1836
Dear Sir
Enclosed I send you the certificate of the Comptroller of Connecticut in the case of Godfrey Henshaw for 176 days since that will make his whole time 14 months & 10 days Friend Edwards do not delay the certificate forward it to me as soon as you can as I am anxious to relieve the old soldier from the Poor house - he deserves a better fate -
I am your friend
William J. Borne Dr
Ps. I wrote you about E. Bradley's certificate It is at hand
L. L. Edwards Esq.
W. J. Borne

FREE
Hon Matthias S. Bovee House of Representatives Washington Amsterdam N.Y.

Comptrollers Office Hartford Connecticut June 29th 1836
Sir
In reply to yours of the 25th I would say that there are no records in this Office whereby I can determine the length of time which Godfrey Hearps served in 75 or 76, but on examining the State records I find that the then colony one fourth of the Militia of this, then colony were divided into six Regiments and ordered to serve during the pleasure of the General Assembly not exceeding seven months
Colonel David Waterbury was appointed to command the 5th Reg t raised under this law
I have the honor to be Very Respectfully your Obedient Servant Wm Field Comptroller
Hon Matthias J Booe House of Representatives

July 11
While
FREE
Free M c J. Powell Grafton Harbor D.C.
Dear James L. Edwards
Pension Office
Washington City
D.C.

Amsterdam July 7. 1836
Dear Sir
Enclosed I send you a letter from the Comptroller of the State of Connecticut in relation to the claim of Godfrey Housen who is at this time in the Poor house of this County There can be no doubt of his services in Col. Watbury Regiment - which time you will allow him - also 8 months on the Ship Humble & 15 days as appears on your rolls the two last terms have been begun See Mr Lane has examined them in com- pany with me - on a first look very fine except com - I found my family all well & I hope this will find you Family well give my respects to Mr Lane - forward the certificate of Godfrey Housen to me - & I will see that the old soldier is taken out of the Poor house
I am your friend
J. J. Edwards Esq. Matthias J. Bane D r

Comptrollers Office Sept r 7 th 1836
I William Field, Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Connecticut, do certify, that it appears by the pay roll of Capt. Nehemiah Beardsleys Company, in Col. Haverburgs Regiment, that Godfrey H. Harker served as a private therein, from the 9 th day of May to the 30 th day of October 1775, being 176 days, and that it appears by the return of back rations due the same company, that there was due to Godfrey Harker 17/11.
I further certify, that the names Godfrey H. Harker and Godfrey Harker, do not appear upon any of the pay or ration rolls of any of the other companies which belonged to that Regiment.
As the name of Godfrey Harker does not appear upon the pay roll, & the name of Godfrey H. Harker does not appear on the ration roll of the same company, it must be obvious, that the letter H. was omitted in one name or inserted in the other through mistake.
Wm Field Comptroller
30 / 175 5.25 8.15
14.10 —
fourteen months eleven days in all
M. J. Buell

C.W. Jan
#
29.202

Godfrey Harper - Rot - N. York line -
New York
Box one old Book, v Ref. " Wid - del. Draw adust. Inval. - file no. 29, 202.
OK

Godfrey Harpms affidavit Showing reason for not obtaining more testimony

State of New York Montgomery County
Godfrey Harpur of the town of Amsterdam in the County and State aforesaid being duly sworn doth depose and say that several years ago (the precise time this deponent cannot recollect) for the purpose of making an application for a pension under some former Law of Congress, this deponent procured the affidavits of several persons who were acquainted with the fact stating that this deponent had performed services as a soldier for the United States in the Revolutionary War. Among the affidavits then obtained by this deponent showing the performance of said service was one from Richard Dodge and one from Daniel Delavan under whom this deponent enlisted & served, & also an affidavit from one William Drew & also one from James Collard. At the time said affidavits were obtained said Dodge Resided in Montgomery County New York said Delavan Resided at Lingsing in said State - Drew Resided in Putman County, & Collard in Westchester - Drew & Collard both served as privates with this deponent in the Revolutionary War.
Said affidavits were left with the said Richard Dodge who undertook at that time as the agent of this deponent to obtain a pension for him - for some reason however unknown to this deponent he failed of getting a pension at that time, the said affidavits this deponent has endeavoured to procure and forward for the purpose of aiding his present application as he has no doubt they would, but he cannot find them & believes them lost - said Dodge died about

one year ago a Sumatick - these affidavits have been seen by Judge Haring late first Judge of Montgomery County aforesaid as appears by his affidavit attached to this deponent's original Declaration for a pension under the present Law this deponent has made injured and has been informed & believes that each of the persons who made said affidavits are Dead - and this deponent does not know that any person is living from whom he can procure positive testimony of his having performed Revolutionary services - this deponent is old, Poor and decrepit and unable from these causes to take as active measures to procure additional testimony as he perhaps otherwise could - but he again repeats that he has furnished already the best proof in his power - of the facts of his having performed services - this deponent will only add that he faithfully served his country as stated in his origin- al Declaration in her hour of trial, he is now old & And miserably Poor & in need of the bounty which she promises those who thus served her - but if it be long withheld it will be useless to him
Subscribed & sworn to this 3 thirty first day of October 1833 } G. Harper before me Wm Reid Justice of the Peace Montgomery County N.Y.
State of New York } Montgomery County } ss. I, George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the court of Common Pleas of the county of Montgomery aforesaid, do hereby certify that William Reid before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been sworn, was on the date thereof a Justice of the peace in for the said County - and that his name subscribed to the above affidavit is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal at office this 19th day of March 1834.
Geo: D. Ferguson
G. Harper

Godfrey Harper
Amended data etc for perusal
15 days

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace of the town of Amsterdam County of Montgomery & State of New York Godfrey Harper who being duly sworn deposeth & 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  up  than  one  year  and  eight  months as a private soldier in the United States Service during the revolutionary war - & not up  than  ten  months as a seaman on board the United States ship Trumbull - & for these services & claims a share in great need of a pension - Subscribed & sworn before me This first day of July - 1833 - 3 Wm Reid Justice of the Peace GODFREY HARPER
I have been acquainted with the above named Harper for eight or ten years past & have no doubt from what I have always understood that he performed the  revolutionary  services & is entitled to a pension  share - John Bostwick of the town Wm Reid Justice of the Peace County & State As soon as he is sworn before the undersigned Justice says that he has long been acquainted with the above named Harper - & has always understood & believed that he was a soldier & performed revolutionary services - This deponent well remembers of hearing his father Robert Bostwick who is now dead speak of often speak of the said Harper having been

engaged in the revolutionary war in a soldier, to the knowledge of said Robert - the said Harper & the said Robert having resided in the same neighborhood during a part of the time that the war lasted - deponent says his father has been dead about six years -
Subscribed &
sworn upon
me this first July - 1833 -
John Bostwick
W m Reid Justice of the Peace
I am acquainted with the above named John Bostwick & have been for fifteen years past & believe that he is a person of credibility & entitled to belief - July 1 - 1833 - W m Reid Justice of the Peace
State of New York } Montgomery County } Clerks Office } p
(A. Richard Housley) Deputy Clerk of the County of Montgomery do certify that William Reid Esq r whose name is sub- scribed to the affidavits of the within affidavits purporting to have been made by Godfrey Harper and John Bostwick and also to the foregoing and within certificates was at the date of the same a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid and duly au- thorized to take affidavits And further that I am well acquai- nted with the handwriting of the said Justice and verily belie- ve that the signatures to the affidavits of the within affidavits and also to the within certificates are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County this sixth day of July 1833
A. H. Housley

Revolutionary Claims
Hon. Richard Rush
Secretary of the U.S. Treasury
Washington City.
1008.
G. Harper. - Recd Sept. 13. 1828. ack'd 13

Johnstown Sept. 8 th 1828
Sir
Enclosed I send you the papers of Mr Godfrey Harpin. an applicant for a pension under the act of the 15 th May 1828. Mr Harpin has lost his discharge but his case is a very strong one. you will see by the testimony of William Warren & Richard Dodge. both now on the pension list: and who if necessary will testify as to his having served during the war.
Respectfully Yours &c P.T
W. H. Hylle
Hon. P. Rush

1008
John D. Rockefeller

Revolutionary Claims.
[ C. ]
Form of a Power of Attorney.
Know all men by these presents, that I, Godfrey Harker ————— of Amsterdam ————— in the county of Montgomery ————— in the State of New York ————— do hereby constitute and appoint Col. Joseph Watson or Thomas D. Haddock my true and lawful attorney, with a power of substitution, for me, and in my name, to receive from the United States the amount of pay now due to me, under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828, as a Soldier ————— in the Second regiment of the New York line of the army of the Revolution.
Witness my hand and seal, this 28 th day of August in the year
1828
Sealed and delivered } in the presence of }
Godfrey Harker Amos Root
Before me, Amos Root ————— a Justice of the Peace in the county of Montgomery ————— in the State of New York ————— personally appeared, this day, Godfrey Harker ————— whose name is subscrib- ed to the foregoing power of attorney, and acknowledged the same to be his act and deed, and also declared that the same was not given by reason of any transfer, or of any at- tachment, levy, or seizure, by any legal process whatever, of the pay therein authorized to be received, but that the said pay is intended to enure wholly to his personal benefit.
Witness my hand, this 28 th day of August in the year
1828.
Amos Root Justice of Peace
I, George D Ferguson ————— Clerk of the Court of the county of Montgomery in the State of New York do hereby certify that Amos Root ————— before whom the foregoing power of attorney was acknowledged, is a Justice of the Peace.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the [L. S.] said Court, this fifteenth day of September in the year
1828.
Geo: D. Ferguson
[ D. ]
Form of Affidavit to be taken by Attorneys.
Before me, ————— a Justice of the Peace in the county of in the ————— of personally appeared this day, ————— the attorney named in the foregoing power of attorney, and made oath that the same was not given to him by reason of any transfer, or of any attachment, levy or seizure, by any le- gal process whatever, of the pay therein authorized to be received, but that the said pay is intended to enure wholly to the personal benefit of the person by whom the said power was executed.
Witness my hand, this ————— day of ————— in the year
I, ————— Clerk of the Court of the County of in the State of ————— do hereby certify, that before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, was, at the time, a Justice of the Peace, and duly empowered to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the [L. S.] said Court, this ————— day of —————

Revolutionary Claims
For the purpose of obtaining the benefit of an act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Army of the Revolution approved on the 15 th of May 1828. I Godfrey Harper -er. of Amsterdam in the County of Montgomery in the State of New York do hereby declare that I enlisted in the continental line of the Army of the revolution for and during the war and continued in its service until its termination at which period I was a private in Captain John Drakes - company in the second regiment of the New York line
And I also declare that I have since received a certificate for the sum of Eighty dollars to which I was entitled under a resolved of Congress passed the 15 th of May, 1778.
Godfrey Harper
Before me Amos Root a Justice of the peace duly empowered to administer oaths in the County of Montgomery in the State of New York personally appeared this day Richard Dodge and William Wallen of the said County who did severally make oath that Godfrey Harper by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed is generally reputed and believed to have been a soldier in the army of the revolution in America as therein stated
Witness my hand this 28 th day of August 1828
Richard Dodge
Amos Root William Wallen Justice of the Peace
I George D. Ferguson Clerk of the Court of the County of Montgomery in the State of New York that Amos Root before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn was at the time a justice of the peace and duly empowered to administer oaths In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this 8 th day of September in the year 1828.
Geo: D. Ferguson

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Sept. 13. 1828.
Godfrey Harper, of Amsterdam, in the County of Montgomery, in the State of New York, has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a private in captain Drake's company, in the Second regiment of the New York line; and that he has not received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing.
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary, A. D.kins
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
18 th September 1828
It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to Godfrey Harper in the Second  not
It further appears that Godfrey Harper  not is now on the pension list of the  any  the agency, and has been so since the 3 d March 1826 at the rate of  dollars per month.
The name of Godfrey Harper cannot be found among those of the New York line to whom Certificates for the gratuity of Eighty Dollars were issued -
John Hagner And

War Dept: Bounty Land Office 15 May 1882
The records of this office do not show that Godfrey Harper of the N. York line ever received or is entitled to bounty land of the United States
Robert Taylor

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Harper, Henry GRADE Private LINE Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER 9533 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED June 29, 1789 To M. Mc Connell, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.