Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13315, Richard Harris, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Harris, Richard
S 13315
CONTENTS
Carded
This Envelope Includes FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER Received from GAO

Alabama. 19.937
Richard Harris. -
Madison Co Huntsville in the State of Alabama who was a Private in the Co commanded by Captain Manford . of the Regt commanded by W. Tucker . in the Ala. Sta. - time for two years .
Va. Line.  Apr. 23/66, Records corrected P.
Inscribed on the Roll of Alabama at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Sept. 1833 and sent to Houble C.C. Clay . Huntsville. Ala.
Arrears to the 4th of September 1833. - 2 00. Pension allowance ending 4 Jan. '84. - 40.
$ 240. -
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm R. Palmer, Clerk, " E Vol. 8 Page 46.
let Hon W. R. W. Cott  the  6/10/52.
D. Jones 23, 1853

Declaration, and Amended Declaration of Richard Harris.
Declaration of Richard Harris
20433

State of Alabama } On this 2 nd day of November personally Madison County } appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Court of S d County now sitting Richard Harrit a resident of S d County and State aged seventy three years and eleven months 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 in the Militia troops in the year Seventeen hundred and ninety five under Capt. Edward Munford and served several terms in Col. Tucker Regiment and in Col. Miles Regiment and one under Maj. Duvol as a private soldier. He afterwards acted as Quarter Master for Col. Tucker Regiment and the last term he served he acted as forage Master for Genl. Parsons Brigade at the Siege of York. He quit service immediately after the Siege at which time the war closed. He was in the battle at Petersburg, Old Jamestown and the Siege of York besides a number of small skirmishes which he cannot name at this late period. He resided in Powhatan County in the State of Virginia when he entered service and marched from thence every time he served a tour, he volunteered several times and was drafted several times and is very confident that he served at least three years in defence of his Country, and that he never received any pay for his services. He knew and fought under Genl. Washington, Genl. Lafayette, Col. Morris and Maj. Duvol. Besides others whose names are not recalled at this late period. He has no documentary evidence of his services. He received a discharge after the Siege of York from Maj. Wood First Command Second Division in which his rank as Forage Master and the pay to which he was entitled was certified, but it is lost or mislaid. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of

State
Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid in open court Rich d Harris 2 Nov 1832 Yes D Mead clerk
We Isaac W. Sullivan a Clergyman residing in the County of Madison and State of Alabama and John R. Eldridge John Phillips & C. C. Clay residing in (the same) hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Richard Harris who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be seventy three years and eleven months old: that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides; to have been of the rank stated in his subrogation application at such a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed this day and year aforesaid in open court this 2 nd day of Novr 1832
D Mead clerk
Isaac W. Sullivan John R. Eldridge John Phillips
C. C. Clay
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogat- ories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier of the rank stated in his declaration and served as such And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Isaac W. Sullivan who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County and State aforesaid and that John R. Eldridge John Phillips & C. C. Clay who have also signed the same are residents of said County & State and are Creditable persons and that their statements entitled to credit
Rich d Harris

I John Samuel Mead Clerk of the Circuit Court of and State of Alabama Madison County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Richard Harris for a peremptory
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this the second day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two
J. Mead

No. 6. Richard Harris
2 p gr. 53
Huntsville, Ala.
2 gr. 53
Box 19
e 19

State of Alabama
Probate Court of Madison County,
February Term 1853
Comes George R. Wharton and applies for letters testamentary on the Estate of Richard Harris late of said County deceased
Ordered That he give bond and security in the sum of Forty thousand dollars, conditioned as required by law, and the said George R. Wharton, together with Oliver D. Shaeffer and William W. Raper his Securities who are approved by the Court having entered into bond in the sum aforesaid, conditioned as aforesaid and taken the Oath prescribed by law, It is ordered by the Court that letters testamentary be issued to him accordingly
May Term 1853.
In the matter of Richard Harris deceased
Personally appeared before me in Open Court Wm W Raper, George R. Wharton and Wm H Moore and on being sworn produced satisfactory evidence to the Court that Richard Harris late of said County of Madison in the State of Alabama departed this life on the 23 d day of January 1853, that the said Richard Harris was a revolutionary pensioner of the United States, on the pension roll of Huntsville Alabama agency at the rate of 8 dollars per annum, and that he left no widow surviving him, and the same is ordered to be filed and recorded,
State of Alabama } J. Frederick S. Hammond Madison County } Image of the Court of Probate (which is a Court of record) in and for said County

and by virtue of my Office Clerk of said Court do Certify the foregoing to be a true Copy and Correct transcript of the matter of Richard Harris late of said County deceased taken from and compared with the original on file among the records of my Office
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto Set my hand and the Seal of said Court at Office in Huntsville this the fourth day of July Eighteen hundred fifty three, J. L. Wammann Clerk
State of Alabama } Be it known that this day personally Madison County ss. appeared before me Wm. Moore, Agent of the United States for paying pensions, at Huntsville, Alabama, George R. Wharton and made oath in due form of law that he is the Executor of Richard Harris, decd.; the identical person who was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States, at the rate of eighty dollars ($80.00) per annum, and to whom a certificate of pension was issued, which is herewith surrendered. The said deceased pensioner died in Madison County, Alabama. Sworn to the foregoing before me This 4 th day of July 1853. W. Moore, Pensions Agt. G. R. Wharton
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

PENSION AGENCY,
HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA.
July 24 th 1853.
Received of W. H. MOORE, Agent for paying Pensions, thirty Dollars and eighty six Cents, being for four months sixteen days pension due to me Richard Harris from the 4th day of September eighteen hundred and fifty- two to the 20 th day of January eighteen hundred and fifty- three for which I have signed duplicate receipts.
O. R. Wharton Executor of Richd Harris dec.
$11.86

March 1, 1937.
Mr. Joseph J. Harris Route 1, Box 374-G Lomita, California.
BA-J/ILL am Richard Harris S. 13315
Dear Madam:
Further reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Richard Harris who served from Virginia.
The pension record has been found of only one Richard Harris who served from Virginia. The data given herein were found in his claim, S. 13315, based upon that service.
Richard Harris was born November 20, 1758 in Powhatan County, Virginia; the names of his parents were not given.
While a resident of Powhatan County, Virginia, he enlisted sometime in 1775 and served several tours of three months each as private in Captain Edward Mumford's company, Colonels Tucker's and Willis' Virginia regiment, also as 2 d sergeant under Major Devoe, after which he served as quartermaster and foragemaster and was discharged after the Siege of York, length of service three years. During his service, he was in the battles of Petersburg and Old Jamestown, and at the Siege of York.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 2, 1832, at which time he resided in Madison County, Alabama.
Richard Harris died January 23, 1853.
There are no data pertaining to the soldier's family.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
S.F. 13915
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Richard Harris a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1775 Pol. Edward Munford Yunker Va.   Qr. Master Willis   Forage Master   2 d Sgt   Served Three Years at various times.  
Battles engaged in, Petersburg, Old Jamestown Siege of York Residence of soldier at enlistment, Powhatan Co. Va. Date of application for pension, Nov. 2 1832. His cl. was al. Residence at date of application, Madison Co. Ala. Age at date of application, from Powhatan Co. Va. Nov. 20. 175-8
Remarks: d. Jan'y 23. 1853 *  See family data
* from A.P.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C. August , 189 3
Sir
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Richard Harris , a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     From 1775 6 mo Pr. ... Edward Munford Tucker Va   To 1781 12 " 2 d Master do Willis & do "   and 18 " Pr. Forage ... & Serg t do do "    The last item includes scattered turns of service
Battles engaged in, Petersburg James Town, Siege of Yorktown & taking of Cornwallis
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Powhatan County Va
Date of application for pension, Nov 1832
Residence at date of application, Madison Co Ill
Age at date of application, born Nov 20. 1758 in Powhatan Co Va
Remarks Moved to Ill. about 1803. His service not detailed with dates & names of officers but evidently served 3 years or more
Very respectfully,
Mr. Wharton Plummer
Commissioner.
1106 Chamber of Commerce Building
Chicago Ills

February 10, 1937
BAHB 801
Mr. Joseph J. Harris, Route 1, Box 374-G, Lomita, California.
HARRIS, Richard
Dear Sir:
In reply to your communication of January 25, 1937, you are informed that a careful search in the files of the Veterans Administration fails to identify a record for Richard Harris, Civil War veteran.
Your inquiry regarding the Revolutionary War service of the Civil War veteran's grandfather, Richard Harris , will be answered under separate cover.
By direction,
W. C. BLACK Chief Clerk

(COPY)
January 25, 1937,
The Veteran's Bureau, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I am seeking information or Richard Harris. He was born September 2, 1844, at Jugtown, Iowa and married Angeline C. Stevensen Richard Harris served in the Civil War for the north and received a pension. I would appreciate any information you can furnish me.
Family tradition is that Richard's grandfather, Richard Harris, served in the Revolutionary War in Virginia. To identify him I can give you no more information except he had a son, Richard, who married Elizabeth Church Palmer.
Thanking you in advance for any help you may be able to give me, I am,
Yours truly,
/s/ Joseph Harris
Joseph J. Harris, Route 1, Box 374-G, Lomita, California.

221 E. Jones st Reno, Savannah Ga Sec 20 m Mar. 13 - 1917
Bureau of Pensions, My dear Sir:-
Will you kindly give me a copy of the Pension of Richard Harris of Madison Co Alabama? His name appears in "Military and Revolutionary Pensions 1840" page 148.
Very sincerely
Mrs. Walter S. Wilson
221 E. Jones st Savannah Ga.

22/2 R.H.H.
Commission of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-
Will you please give me the military history of (Capt.) Richard Harris, Revolutionary soldier, enlisted at Powhatan County, Va.

I am informed that during the latter part of war he was in command of the Commissary Department & had the title of Major. I am also informed that he drew a pension from the Government.
He died 1853.
Any information you can give me pertaining to his military history will be appreciated.
Very respectfully, Mrs. Maria Harris Anderson.
26 S. McLean Blvd., Memphis, Tenn.

Wharton GEORGE W. PLUMMER, LAW OFFICE, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUILDING, CHICAGO.
Chicago, August 2 d 1893
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C. Dear Sir:-
I wish to ascertain from the records of your office, information concerning the rank, army record, regiment, company &c. of a certain Revolutionary soldier named Richard Harris . He served thro. the war, entering from Virginia, was connected for some years with the Quartermasters Department, with the rank of Captain, I am informed, tho' his title may have been conferred on him by courtesy of his friends. He received a pension for many years after the war, until his death at a very advanced age in 1853. I understand his pension was sent him for some years to Virginia, and afterward to Huntsville Ala. where he lived and died. What I wish to obtain is documentary proof of his Revolutionary Army record, and am informed that as a pensioner his complete record is on file in your Department. Any informa-
AUG 8 1893

Charlton GEORGE W. PLUMMER, LAW OFFICE, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUILDING, CHICAGO.
Chicago,
189
about which - you can give me, or any suggestions which you can make as to how or where I can ascertain the de- sired knowledge will be most grate- fully rec d
Very Truly Yrs
Charlton Plummer
1106 Chamber of Commerce Bldg.

3 Aug 24 Hist Wharton Plummer Chicago Ill.
1912 Nov. 22 Hist. to Mrs. Maria H. Anderson. V.L.M. 1917 Feb. 30 Hist. to Mrs. Walter S. Hill 1937 March 1 - Hist. to Joseph J. Harris
Perham
13315 INVALID.
189 to
File No. 13 315
Richard Harr Priv. Rev. wa
Act: June 7th 1832.
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 35
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I Thomas Hubbard of the County of Morgan and State of Alabama do hereby certify that I was personally acquainted with Richard Harris of the County of Powhatan and State of Virginia for three years and upwards during the Revolutionary War and served as many six tours and up- wards with him in the militia of the State of Virginia, four of which tours I believe, were three months each tour, and I do further certify that I have seen the above named Richard Harris within the last three months and do know him to be the identical man with whom I served in the Revolutionary War six and that he is now a resident of the County of Madison and State of Alabama. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 15 th day of June 1833 -
Thomas Hubbard

State of Alabama } Marion County } I John W Locke an Acting Justice of the peace in & for the said County State aforesaid do hereby certify That Thomas Hubbard who is a Subscribing Witness to the foregoing facts as is therein stated is a respectable citizen of said County and in faith and exact is true to all of his acts given under my hand & Seal at my office in the town of Decatur County State aforesaid This 15 th day of June 1883
John W Locke D
Sworn to before me day & date above
John W Locke D

State of Alabama, I M c M c Kenzie clerk of the Morgan County Court of Morgan County and State of aforesaid do hereby certify that John W Locke before whom the foregoing affidavit appears to have been sworn to and subscribed was on the day of its date an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County of aforesaid duly elected sworn and commissioned agreeable to law that his official acts are justly entitled to due faith and credit and that his signature to the foregoing affidavit is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office at office this 20 th day of June in the Year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty three and of American Independence the fifty seventh Year
Teste M c M c Kenzie Clerk

Colman S. P. Field " "

The State of Alabama } Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, Madison County ss. } A Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly elected, commissioned and sworn; Richard Harris of said County who being duly sworn deponeth 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 three months I served a tour as a quartermaster: For three months I served a tour as a Forage Master: For three months I served a tour as a Second Sergeant: I also served several other tours as a private which amounted to the best of my recollection to a period of three years at the least; and for such services I claim a pension. The said Richard Harris further swears that he knows of no witness now living by whom he can prove the whole, or any part of the services above enumerated with the exception of Thomas Hubbard who can prove a part of said services and whose Certificate and affidavit are hereto annexed as a part of this Amended Decl- aration: The said Richard Harris further swears that he was born in the County of Powhatan in the State of Virginia, on the 20th day of November 1758 where he resided until he was about 45 years of age: I ascertain my age and the day of my birth from a Register kept by my father - left by him and which is now in my possession: The said Richard Harris further swears that the following persons are his neighbors to whom he is known in his present neighborhood, and who can, as he believes will testify to his character for veracity and their belief as to his services as a soldier of the Revolution - viz. Capt. Peyton Powell, John Connally,

Major Robert B. Armstrong, Capt. William Evans, John Blevins, Isaac Skillen, Francis T. Martin, William Patton and John J. Coleman. The said Richard Harris further swears that by reason of his age and the consequent loss of memory as aforesaid, he cannot fix the distinct times at which the several hours of service above mentioned were rendered, more accurately than he has already done in his original declaration hereto annexed, and to which this is an amendment.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd day of July 1833.
Rich d Harris
John J. Coleman S. P. Beall
State of Alabama } I, Richard B. Purdom, clerk of the Madison County } County Court of said County do certify that John J. Coleman, before whom the foregoing affidavit by Richard Harris, was sworn, is now and was at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned as such and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto sub- scribed my name and affixed the seal of said County Court at Office in Huntsville this twenty-third day of July A. D. eighteen hundred and thirty three and of Amer- ican Independence the fifty-eighth.
Rich d B. Purdom

19.937. Richard Harris'
20.433
Pension Papers.
Madison Cty
Adm 2 years $ 80
ahead
Refer to general letter in St. Charles Heraighead's office for further information
Yours
C. C. Clay C. C.
Huntsville
Alabama

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Richard Harris which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? ny
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? ny
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? no
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? no
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? — no
An affidavit is required setting forth each hour of actual service & the grade in which it was rendered.
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? ny
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? ny
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? ny
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? ny
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? ny

 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? 21  XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?   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? 200  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? 29  XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 127 124  
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.

Hunterville - July 28 th 1833.
J. L. Edwards Esq. -
Sir,
I now send you the annexed Declaration of Mr. Richard Harris, of this vicinity, supported by the testimony of Major Thomas Hubbard, who was a Captain in the Revolutionary Army, as his documents, on file, abundantly prove. I think he now claims himself entitled to a full pension, at least, as a private, having served several tours as a Quarter master & Forage Master. I know all who have testified for Mr. Harris - and state, confidently, that they are men of respectability & credit. I think Mr. Harris is entitled to more than the pension of a common soldier - and have little doubt you will agree with me.
Very respectfully, your obed. servt.
C. C. Clarke

FINAL PAYMENT Voucher
Received from GAO
Payments to be made at Mobile, by P. M. Br. Bank. Agent for paying Pension= ers, in the Agency of Alabama.
This paper belongs to Richard Harris
Recorded in the Pension Of= fice, in Book E. Vol. 8. Page 46 by W. H. Palmer. Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Richard Harris of the State of Alabama who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Eighty. dollars and  cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this twenty-sixth day of September, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three.
Levi Wood Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.