Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21261, William Harding, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
R.I.
Harding William
S. 21261
carded
CONTENTS

21.435 Rhode Island
William Harding of Providence in the State of R.I. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Allen of the Regt commanded by Col Martin in the R.I. Militia line for 2 Years
Inscribed on the Roll of Rho Island at the rate of - 80 - Dollars  Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of Sept 1833 and sent Benj. West Courto Providence R.I.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 33  $207.00 Pemi-ant. allowance ending Mar 34  40.00 $247.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by N. D. Brown Clerk. Book 2 Vol. 2 Page 112
Aug 9. 1846- C.H.S.

Am Reading # 21236
2019

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Rhode-Island District, sc. August Term 1832
County of Providence
On this eighth day of October A.D. 1872 personally appeared in open Court, being a special District Court of the United States within and for said District, now in session— William Harding a resident of Providence in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island aged 75 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 Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832, viz.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He was born May 4 th 1759 in Rehoboth Mass, his birth is recorded in his family bible, lived in Barrington R.I. when he entered the service Since the War has lived all the time in Providence where he now resides —
and this applicant further states that from October 1775 to the summer of 1777 he served alternately for himself & as a substitute for his father in Capt David  Abel  Allen's company Col Martin's regiment of Rhode Island Militia, & served at Papausquash , Bristol & Barrington — those places being on the shore of Narragansett Bay , he then living in Barrington, half of the Militia being doing out the whole time the serving his own & his father's tours of course was out all the time — and this applicant further states that in June 1777 he came to reside in Providence soon after was drawn out & served one month in the Sergeants guard, whose duty it was to patrol the streets, under Wm Thayer , Sergeant — and this applicant further states that in October 1777 he was drafted & served one month in Spencer's expedition, in Capt Riggs company but does not remember the Captain's name or the regiment to which he was attached —
and this applicant further states that in August 1778 he was drafted & served one month in Sullivan's expedition in Capt Riggs company of which Joseph Allen  was Ensign Col Christopher Olney's regiment of Rhode Island Militia —
and this applicant further states that in October 1779 he was drafted & served one month on Rhode Island in Capt Joseph Allen's company Col Christopher Olney's regiment of R.I. Militia — and this applicant further states that one half of the Militia being obliged to be on duty the whole time in guarding the town of Providence, while the British had possession of New port — he served his regular tours of every other month during the whole time, when he was not called

being obliged to be on duty the whole time in guarding the town of Providence, while the British had possession of New port. He served his regular tours of every other month during the whole time, when he was not called to go away on any expeditions.
He served his drafts out & was honorably discharged but never had a written discharge & was a private in the whole
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 any State.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
William Harding attest B Lowell Atty
I Joseph Allen of Providence being now 77 years of age on oath do certify and say that I served once a month in Sullivan's expedition against the British on Rhode Island in July & August 1778. And I further testify that I well remember William Harding who is now present before me, who served in said expedition also said Harding was in the same company with me commanded by Capt Riggs. He served according to my best recollection about one month. I was an Ensign in the Company.
Joseph Allen
Providence Sept 24 1832
Sworn to before me by said Joseph Allen
Benjamin Carroll Commission Dist Clerk for R.I. Dist

me, who served in said Expedition also said Harding was in the same Company with me commanded by Capt Riggs & he served according to my best recollection about one month. I was an Ensign in the Company
Joseph Allen
Purvis Sept 24 1832
Sworn to before me by said Joseph Allen
Benjamin Cowell Commission Dist Clerk for R I Dist
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 Joseph Allen, Benjamin Grant who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the Michael Carey who have testified for and that applicant are — who also signed the same is a resident to the as they state and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, BENJAMIN COWELL, Clerk of said District Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Harding for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 28 day of November A D 1832
Benjamin Cowell

21236
William Harding R.I.
Plant 2 years
5. v 16. 08
July 16 1895
Plant
B Cowell
Providence R.I.

BRIEF in the case of  William Herdman  60 of Providence in the State of R.I.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 73  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. As a Gen.     Octo In 1775 he served alternately for himself and Father one month at a time till summer of 1777 so that he was at the time engaged   June drafted out Capt Allen Col Martin, Sergeant Thayer   Octo 1 Capt Riggs Company   Augt 1778 1 " " Col Olney   Octo 1779 1 Capt Allen " "  
5. In what battles was he engaged? none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Barrington R.I.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? three living witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? the papers are not properly attached, nor is the exact length of service given
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Taylor,
Examining Clerk.

September 23, 1935
William Harding-S.21261 BA-J/AWF
Mrs. John F. Marvel 5 Whelden Avenue Providence, Rhode Island
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Robert Clarke of Massachusetts, Philip Floyed, of Massachusetts, and William Harding of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, all soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land made to the United States, based upon service in that war. A search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the service of a Robert Clarke who served with the Massachusetts troops in the Revolution or of any Philip Floyed. These surnames have been searched under similar spellings.
The Revolutionary War record of William Harding which follows was obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 21261, based upon his service in that war. This is the record of the only William Harding of Rhode Island, that is found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
William Harding was born May 4, 1759 in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, he was the son of Richard Harding, name of his mother not shown.
While residing in Barrington, Rhode Island, where his father was also living, they both belonged to Cap-

tain Vial Allen's company, Colonel Nathaniel Martin's Rhode Island regiment; this company and regiment were called out in October, 1775 and William Harding served as a private, his own monthly tours, and also served for his father who was old, guarding the shores of Narragansett Bay until sometime in 1777.
William Harding moved in June, 1777 to Providence, Rhode Island, and shortly after served one month doing guard duty under Sergeant William Thayer. He served in the fall of 1777, one month in Captain Riggs' company and was in General Spencer's Expedition, and served one month in July and August, 1778 and was in General Sullivan's Expedition, in Captain Riggs' company, Colonel Christopher Olney's regiment. He continued to serve in monthly tours, part of the time in Captain Joseph Allen's company, until sometime in 1779, guarding the town of Providence.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 8, 1832, at which time he was living in Providence, Rhode Island.. He died August 9, 1845.
There are no data in this claim concerning the family of the soldier, other than the reference to his father, Richard Harding, as shown above.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

and now in this 3 d day of August 1833 William Harding maketh further, oath. in explanation of his declaration made October 8 th 1832 in Court. Said William says that in October 1775. he and his father Richard Harding both belonged to & were privates in Capt Vial Allen's Company of Col. Martins Regiment of Rhode Island Militia, that they were in Barrington a town adjoining the Eastern shore of Narragansett Bay. That frequent incursions were upon the shores of said Bay by British cruisers especially by Com: Wallace & his fleet during that & the following years - that in October 1775. an order was made that one half of said Company should be on military duty all the time, that one half should serve a month & then the other half a month - And this affiant says that his father being old he did his own & his father's duty so that he was on duty all the time from said October 1775. to June 1 st 1777. being one year & 9 months that he served constantly as a private in said Company in guarding the shores of said

Bay. During this service they were stationed at British Warren Bay & other places along the shore of said Bay for 15 or 20 miles,
and he further says that in June 1777 he removed to Providence as stated, that soon afterwards he served a month in a separate guard as stated. He was drafted & served as a private - In November following he was drafted & served as a private in Spencer's expedition as stated -
In August 1778 he was drafted & served a month as a private in Sullivan's expedition as stated. In October 1779 he served another month. In all the preceding services he served as a private being twenty five months in all. In addition to which & to explain his other services mentioned, as guarding & watching the town of Providence he says that while the British were in possession of Newport it was necessary to have a night guard to guard the town - that he served every other night during the whole of that time except when absent in other services - He has no doubt that in 1777 & 1778 & 1779 he served more than a year, in this service he never failed to do his duty - He served one three

years in all during the War of the Rebellion for this he claims a pension under the act of 1831 & in addition to the pension evidence already adduced he now pro- duces the certificate of the Rev. Doctor Crackes, Rector of St Johns Church in this City & W. R. Davenport Esq. Collector of this Port. who have testified to his repu- tation of having served
William Harding
August 3 1833
Sworn to before me by said William
Benja Lowell
Commr Dist Court R I Dist

21236
William Harding
5 H 216 d. answered
BC
B. Cowell
Providence R.I.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Harding 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? No - He must specify each particular term of active service - the length of each, when & where performed & the names of all the officers under whom he served 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? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes 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? yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no 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 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 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 shewn 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.
†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 authenticates 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 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

MRS. JOHN F. MARVEL 5 WHELDEN AVENUE EAST PROVIDENCE, R. I.
Sept. 14, 1935.
Veterans Administration Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
Have you a revolutionary service for one Philip Floyd ?
Family data says that he was a soldier and that he received a pension. He married Deborah (Edes) Ware, (widow)
Oct. 26, 1788 in Needham, Mass. (Vital Records) If you have any family data we will be most grateful for it, as we have no authentic dates and do not know the names of his parents, or where or where he was born.
Yours very truly,
(Mrs. D.F.) A. E. Marvel—

MRS. JOHN F. MARVEL 5 WHELDEN AVENUE EAST PROVIDENCE, R. I.
Also:
Have you a service or any family data for one William Harding who died in Bristol, R. I. July 28, 1804?
His wife was Hannah _____ and she died in Bristol, R. I. July 28, 1827 aged 87 years, at the home of her daughter Nancy Clarke.
also:
One Robert Clarke whose wife was Arine _____
Note: We think both William Harding & Robert Clarke were of Massachusetts. A.W.M.

Prohibito
21 261 INVALID.
1935 Sept. 23-list L. Mrs. J. Marvel
File No. 21,261
William Harding
Pro Rev War
Act: June 7 th 89 th
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 167
[Arrangement of 1870.]

We Nathan Blarker a Clergyman residing in Providence & Walter R Danforth resident in said Providence hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Harding who has subscribed & sworn to the annexed declaration that we believe him to be 74 years of age that he is respected & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Aug 2 18
in m. & s. & m. & s.
August 3 d 1853
W. R. Danforth.
Sworn to before me by the said N Blarker & W R Danforth and and I further certify that N Blarker is a Clergyman re- siding in Providence & is Ruler of Hephzibah Church & that he and the said W R Danforth who is Collector are both gentlemen of the highest respectability & their state- ment entitled to the full credit
Devyra Lowell Committee Dist. Court R. Dist.

Benjamin Grant of Barrington in the County of Bristol in the State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations, the age of eighty years & upward, being sworn according to law, on solemn oath do testify and say, that some time in the month of October A.D. 1776, William Harding now resident in the City of Providence in said State, being then enrolled in Captain Vial Allin's Company of Militia in said Town of Barrington was drafted in said Company into the service of the Revolutionary War, and said William Harding served as a private soldier in said Company in guarding the shores at Brunswic Point in said Barrington from some time in the month of October A.D. 1776 to about the first of May A.D. 1777, and I was in the same service during the same time. Daniel Winnicutt was Lieutenant of said Company during this time. Said William Harding served in said Company about seven months according to the best of my recollection. Said Company was attached to Colonel Nathaniel Martin's Regiment.
Benjamin Grant
The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations. Bristol ss. in Warren, September the 18 th A.D. 1832 Then the abovenamed Benjamin Grant personally appearing before me the Subscriber, and being sworn according to law, made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition, to which he subscribed his name in my presence; taken at the request of William Harding of the City of Providence in said State to be used in his application for the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, entitled an Act supplementary to the Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution. And I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said Benjamin Grant, that he is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit.
Levi Packard Justice of the Peace.

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations,
Secretary's office Nov. 21 st A D 1832.
I certify that on the eighteenth day of September last, Levi Haile was a Justice of the Peace for the town of Warren in the county of Bristol, duly elected and commissioned, as appears of record in this office.
I further certify that the name "Levi Haile" to the foregoing certificate is the proper hand writing of said Levi Haile.
Witness, Henry Bowen Secy.

BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
Lemuel H. Arnold
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
BE IT KNOWN, that the name "HENRY BOWEN" to the afore-written attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, who, at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law: Wherefore unto his said attestation full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed at Provi- dence, this twenty first day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- two and of Independence the fifty- seventh .
Lemuel H. Arnold
BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
Henry Bowen Secy.

Michael Lang of Barrington in the the State of Rhode Island on oath distinctly and say that I was a Sergeant in Capt Allens Company of Militia during the whole Revolutionary War. I was first in Sergeant very soon after the Lexington battle - Richard Harding of said Barrington & William Harding his son. who is now present before me. were present in said Company - Richard Harding never did any duty when the Company was called out upon alarms or were drafted but his son always served for him - The Militia were called out half at a time during the years 1776 & 1777, so that according to my best knowledge & belief Mr William Harding must have served all the time -
I remember one circumstance as to his service in particular. There was an Englishman who lived on a point called papersquash point in Bristol who was obliged to quit the country he left behind his stock on his farm and I remember that Mr Harding

according to the best of my knowledge carried away a span of horses, I remember of meeting him with the horses going to Warren where they were to be secured After his Englishman whose name was Varsail, all his property was confiscated - So far as regards said Hardings services from Octobr 1775 to 1777. I believe he has stated them correctly in his declaration
In Providence
Oct 17 th 1832.
Michael Cary
Sworn to before me.
Benja Lowell.
Commissioner of Dist Court for R.I. Dist.

I Joshua Bicknell of Barrington county of Bristol & State of Rhode Island do hereby certify and attest to whom it may concern, That I have been acquainted with Michael Carey of Barrington, for the last sixty years, and have lived in the same neigh- borhood with him during that time. He has always been considered a man of truth, is a member of the Baptist church in said Barrington of good standing, and has been for a number years. Joshua Bicknell —
Providence Jf.
Providence Oct 22 1832
Subscribed & sworn to Before me
M c Staples Jus. Peace

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Providence ss. I William R Watson Clerk of the court of common Pleas within & for the county of Providence in said State, hereby certify that William R Staples within named, is a Justice of the Peace for the Town of Providence in said county and that the within signed - thing purporting to be his, is in the proper hand writing of said Staples -
In Witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said court at Providence this 25 th day of October 1832 -
W m R Watson