Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25755, Philip Harris, Conn. Continental

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Conn
Harris, Philip Anna.
N 25755
Continental
BLWt 26.553-160-52
CONTENTS

14989 New York
Philip Harris
of Onejo in the State of N. York who was a Pirate in the Cause commanded by Captain Pantus of the Reg. commanded by Col. Watubury in the Cont. line for 2 Years
let R. B. Dimock, Apr. 22/52,
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of July 1833 and to Mrs. P. A. Starkweather Coopers town
Arrears to the 4th of Ma: '33 $ 160 Fem. ant. allowance ending 4 Sep '33 40 $200
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. G. C. Stiles
Recorded by Clerk, Book E. Vol. 3, Page 61

3744
New York Albany
Syrena Harris
Widow of Philip Harris who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private
Ascribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on the 3rd February, 1853.
25 1/2 December
Certificate of Pension, issued the 24th day of May 1854 and sent to
Jo Clark Brookfield N.Y.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 76, Vol. A,
32
Reg 3 m 58-41718

41. 715
Act. Mar. 3/55
Apr. 4/55
Anna Harris. wid of Phillip Harris mwr.
Revolutionary Pension
No 26.53
AD 160000 May 16/57 B. W. D.
Feb 53- 3744
Boston
EM
Aug 24
Clark
Joseph Clark Brooklyn N. York
Rev. J. Clark
Feb 53- no 3744
Vol 11. page 28.

In the Matter of Philip Harris a Prisoner
18309
acme 24 mo. pri 80 $

State of New York Oneida County. Isaac Buell of Lee in the County of Oneida aged 75 years being duly sworn, depose and say, that he is well acquainted with Philip Harris of Otsego, Otsego County (now present here) and was acquainted with the said Philip Harris in the Revolutionary War - That this deponent enlisted the said Philip Harris at Lebanon Con. as a private in Capt Painters Co., Col Jehuchan Baldwins Regt for the February 1778 three years - This deponent acting in enlisting said Philip Harris for Andrew Rudd a Sergeant who was enlisting Men - That the said Philip Harris, served in said Corps for a year or more - and was then discharged as this deponent was informed - This deponent being absent from the Company at the time he was discharged - was not personally knowing to the fact of the discharge, though he does well know of the service as above stated being a Soldier with him in the same company. Isaac Buell "In February 1778" interlined B.P.J.
Oneida County. Personally appeared before me this 28 th day of June 1832 the above named Isaac Buell above named to me known as a man of credibility and truth and veracity and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit. J. B. Root Comm. of Deeds.

Clerks office Oneida County B.
George Brown Clerk of the County of Oneida do hereby certify that Benjamin P. Johnson before whom the within affidavits purports to have been taken, was at the time of the date thereof a Commissioner duly appointed and sworn and authorized to take affidavits - and that the signature "B. P. Johnson" is in the proper hand writing of the said Commissioner.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said County this 28 th day of June AD 1832.
George Brown Clerk for Joseph B. Read Deputy Clk.

Otsego Co. N.Y. of the Term of October in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight Hundred & thirty two -
State of New York, on this 18th day of October in the Otsego County ss. year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred & thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Otsego, State of New York, a person known to me to be the person described in and who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following de- claration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 1832 That he entered the service of the United States under the following named of- ficers and served as herein stated in that this deponent in the month of February 1778 at Albany in Connecticut enlisted into Captain Painters Compa- ny for the term of three years and marched to Litchfield and remained there some time and went from there to West Point and remained there and was engaged in building stone and stone walls to Litchfield and remained so as to make out a little over one year from the time this deponent first enlisted and was discharged on account of ill health. This de- ponent further states that in the
one year

Spring of the year 1781 he was drafted at the Town of Lebanon & joined Capt. Maltons Company at Stanford our horse men - this deponent was drafted for six months, and marched to Stanford & was there stationed & remained in actual service for the whole six months at the dis- bansion of which time this de- ponent took David West's place and served as a substitute for him six months making in this last service one year and this deponent saith he was born in Lebanon State of Connecticut in the year 1758 and that he has a record of his age in his bible and was living in Lebanon when called into service and continued to live a number of years where- this deponent removed to the State of New York and living Owego where he has lived since since - Recollects Genl. Washington and Captain Maltone. This deponent never received any written discharge and this deponent refers to Oliver Duel of Middletown and County of Otsego and James Richardson

of the Town of Springfield and County aforesaid to testify to his character and their belief of his ser- vices as a soldier of the Revolution and he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity at present and declares that his name is no on the pension roll of the Army for any State sworn to & subscribed Philip Harris the day and year aforesaid
Horace Lathrop, Clerk.
We the undersigned of the Town of Middlefield and County of Otsego & former residence of Springfield and County aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquaint- ed with Philip Harris who has sub- scribed and sworn to the above decla- ration and that we believe him to be seventy four years old, that he is re- puted & believed in the neighbor- hood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion and we further certify that we well know that said Harris was in the service, and that

Sub P re
That he is a man of truth and veracity Sworn & subscribed Oliver Russell in open court to this 16 th day of Oct 1832 James Richardson Horace Lathrop Clerk
and the said Court do hereby declare themselves after the investigation of the matter and after hearing the Interrog- atories 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 Oliver Russell and James Richardson who have signed the preceding Certificate are credible persons and their statement entitled to
Credit J. O. Moore } Judges Elisha Frost } T. Page - }

I Horace Lathrop Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Otago do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the Matter of Philip Harris
In testimony whereof have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 19 th day of October 1832
Horace Lathrop By J. R. Cory Deputy
Otago County ss. - Philip Harris being sworn saith during the time this deponent served in Captain Painters Company as set forth by this deponent in his Declaration he was attached to a Regiment commanded by Maj. Painter until he was discharged and then Col. Sedgwick Baldwin took command of the Regiment and this deponent further saith that he was attached to the Company commanded by Capt. Morton during the last twelve months services set forth in this deponent's Declaration & that the Major's name was Bull who had the command of the Regiment according to the recollection of this deponent & this deponent saith he does not recollect the name of the Colonel if there were any who had command of the Regt. The Lieut. name in Morton's Company was Root & the Ensign's name "Cutler". The name of the Genl. was Waterbury. and this deponent further saith that he is not acquainted with any Clergyman in the neigh- bourhood where he resided or near there at the time before him at the time, which is the reason of his not procuring such certificate before that the Clergyman of the Parish with whom this deponent was acquainted had lately moved away.
Sworn before me this 1st day of June 1833
A. H. Doughty Justice
Philip Harris

State of New York Otsego County ss
I Horace Sathrop Clerk of the said County do certify that Seth Douthday Esq. before me the within affidavit purports to have been sworn to at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in for said County: And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affida- vit to be his proper hand writing & signature.
Witness my hand & seal of office this 12 th day of June 1833.
Horace Sathrop By H. A. B. Clerk Dep.

Bounty Land Act 3 d March 1859 Pseudonymy Widow Anna Morris Amounted by Joseph Clark Broomfield Madison Co N.Y. Agent
41.713
Please credit as above

State of New York County of Oneida
On this twenty ninth day of March A D one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me a party of the true worth and for the county and State aforesaid Anna Harris aged seventy two years a resident of Bridgewater in the State of New York who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of Philip Harris deceased who was a private in the Revolutionary war and a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States at the time of his death at the rate of eighty dollars and cents per annum. She further declares that she was married to the said Philip Harris in Bridgewater on the fifteenth day of May A D 1841 by one Machine minister and that her name before her said marriage was Anna Price. That her said husband died at Bridgewater State of New York on the twenty fifth day of December A D 1843 and that she is now a widow. She further declares that she is now a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States at the rate of eighty dollars and cents per annum for proof of her marriage and death of her husband she refers to the proof on file in the Pension Office. Her pension certificate is dated on the twenty fourth day of February A D 1844. She makes this declaration declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty bond to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3 d 1855 that she has not before made application nor received a bond warrant under any act of Congress.
We William Brown and Delos Pringle residents of Bridgewater in the State of New York upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Anna Harris in our presence and that we know by our own knowledge that she is the identical person she represents herself to be and that she is a Revolutionary pensioner and is now a widow.
Delos Pringle W m Brown
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in this claim.
Ebenezer Brown Justice of the peace

That I P Venable please send my last account to Joseph Clarke, Brookfield Madison County Ky he being my agent.
Thomas Davis
Bounty List
Oct 30th March 1859 Revolutionary War
Anna Morris
James T. Day
Joseph Clarke
Brookfield
Ky
April
41.713
Please send as above

State of New York, ONEIDA COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.
Ezra Brum
I DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That
Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the Jurat of the foregoing, affidavit thereon written, was, on the 28 day of March 185 7 a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and sworn and duly authorized. And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice, and verily believe that the signature to the said Jurat is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said County, and subscribed my name, this 30th day of March 185 7 .
R. Hulbert CLERK.

State of New York Oneida County
On this fourteenth day of February A.D. 1858 personally appeared before the Oneida County Court of the State of New York Anna Morris a resident of Bridgewater in the County of Oneida and State of New York aged sixty nine years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 3 d day of February 1853 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Philip Morris who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and a pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 at the rate of eighty dollars per Annum payable first in New York but afterwards paid in Albany which pension certificate was issued on the 29 th day of July 1833. She further declares that she was married to said Philip Morris on the twelfth day of May eighteen hundred and forty two. That her said husband died on the twenty fifth day of December one thousand eight hundred and fifty three. That she was not married to him prior to the second day of January eighteen hundred but at the time above stated. She further declares that she is now a widow. That the last hereto attached supporting to be a former record is her former record and that first relating to her marriage was written by her husband soon after their marriage and is the only record of her marriage with her knowledge that he made before he left marriage was Anna This
Ann Morris

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before the Oneida County Court in open court by me
Richard Halbert, Clerk

Marriages Anna Preston to Oliver Plumb March the 3-1802
Anna Plumb to Elijah Rice April 26 th 1826
Anna Plumb to Philip Rice May the 12 1842
Anna Rice to Philip Harris May 12 th  1842

State of New York County of Oneida
Thomas Conners being duly sworn says he is seventy three years of age and has resided in Pinedale in the County of Oneida and State of New York more than fifty years last past. That he has been well acquainted with Philip Morris for more than thirteen years past. That he was present when said Philip Morris was married to the widow Anna Rice by a Presbyterian Minister. Then residing near this place which was about twelve years past. That said Philip Morris died on or about the twenty fifth day of December 1853 leaving a widow by the name of Anna Thompson who still remains his widow. That said Philip Morris was a pensioner of the United States at the time of his death.
Thomas Conners
sworn and subscribed before me this 30 th day of January 1854. I further certify that I am well acquainted with the above named deponent who is a credible witness and that I have no interest whatever in the above application for a pension.
Ezra Brown Justice of the Peace

State of New York Oneida County ss
Isaac Woodworth being duly sworn deposes that he is fifty two years of age and has resided in Bondsville, County of Oneida and State of New York more than thirty years last past That he was well acquainted with Philip Morris during the latter's life who was his near neighbor That he died on the 24 th day of December A D 1853 on Christmas day and that he attended his funeral That he left a widow him surviving by the name of Anna Morris who still remains his widow That said Philip Morris was a pensioner of the United States under the act of 1832 at the rate of eighty Dollars per annum
Isaac Woodworth
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 30 th day of January 1854 I further certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Isaac Woodworth who is a respectable witness and that I have no interest whatever in the above named application
Ezra Brown, Justice of the Peace

State of New York, ONEIDA COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE,
I DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That
Ezra Brown
Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the annexed instruments and thereon written, was, on the 30 th day of Jan'y 185 4 a Justice of the Peace, in, and for said County, and sworn and duly authorized. And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice, and verily be- lieve that the signature to the said instruments are genuine .
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, and further I have no interest in this claim or its prosecution I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said County, and subscribed my name, this 14 th day of Oct r 185 4
Richard Hulbert CLERK.

No 18309 Philip Harris Otsego County New York
e i
Round
Geo A. Starkweather Coopers Town Otsego County N.Y.
Wall

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 subjjoined 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 Philip Hares Olsego County New York
   Period when the service was rendered. 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 declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Entered July 1778 1 - - private Capt. Paurles Genl. Waterbury Marched to Fairfield, to West Point & Fishkill 74 years Lebanon Connecticut traditionalary. witness certificate. credible. No clergyman. No reason given. papers not properly attached   Dischd. April 781 - 6 - private Capt. Mottens 2 d Marched to Stamford   Sub - 1781 - 6 - private Capt. Mottens  
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 } County of } 88.
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 or 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.
[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 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 competent authority.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman 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 _____ A.D. 19____.
 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 (1) 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 amply 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 [j] 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.

Brookfield Madison County N.Y. April 2 d 1845
Rev L. D. Haskell
Dear Sir
You will please have the goodness to forward to me the loud currents on the enclosure loud clings agreeable to the directions on the back of each card
Very Respectfully your humble Servt Joseph Clarke

v
26.553
[Large cursive flourish] No. 100

Revy
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 25.755
Anna Harris Widow of Philip Harris Dow. Rev. War
Act Feb. 3 rd 1853
Index: Vol a Page 319
[Arrangement of 1870.]

21 Feby Simon Off. Feby 20 '54
Sir, 4m 53 Please certify last payment to Philip Harris, N.Y. prior Act 32 § 80.
Claimant within, alleges that he died in Decr. '53.
Yours Respectfully
J. Burt Esq. Commr. 3d aud.
Philip Harris, Act 1832 $80 per annum, Paid to 4 March 1853. No death
F. Burt Auditor

NY
14 1893
Wm Lloyd and
Phillips
Feb 18 1893
Free
Shillaber
W. H. Shillaber Museum of Persons
Washington City
D.C.
FREE

M e Anna Harris

Brief in the case of Oneida
Anna Harris and m. of Philip County and State of N. York act February 1853
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband pens. Act 1852 180 = for ann.
Marriage proved by leaf produced as the family record corroborated by witnesses neighbors one of whom was present. Death of husband in December '53 proved also by witnesses of credit
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Name and residence of Agent J. Clark Esq. Troopfield N.Y.
W.P. Examining Clerk.

N o . 5093 New York Anna Hanes wid. of Philip
Act 3 Feb. 1853
Admitted $80. for annum Commg. 23 Dec r 1853
Jo Clark Brookfield N.Y.

Brookfield February 15th 1854
Hon L. P. Waldo
Dear Sir
I enclose the application of Anna Harris for a pension under the act of 30 Feb 1853 I believe the papers are made agreeable to your instructions he was the last of the Revolutionary Soldiers within my knowledge He was more than 96 years of age
Please direct to Joseph Clark  Southfield  Madison Co. N.Y. If convenient please send her certificate so that she may draw her pension on the 4th of March when she leaves the ballroom from 4th Sept to 25th Dec. last.
Respectfully your Obedient Servt Joseph Clark

State of New York Otsego County
ss. On this 23 d day of December
A.D. 1857 personally appeared before me, Richard B Simock a Justice of the peace in and for Swift County, Philip Harris of the town of Bridgewater in the County of Oneida & State of New York, and made oath in due form of law, that he is a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, at the rate of $80. per annum, and is the identical Philip Harris, named in an original Certificate of pension issued at the pension office of the United States on the 29 th day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, of which the following is a true copy - War Department - Revolutionary Claims I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7 th June 1832 Philip Harris of the State of New York, who was a Private in the revolutionary Army , is entitled to receive Eighty Dollars, per annum during his natural life, commencing on the 4 th of March 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4 th of March and 4 th of September in every year - Given at the War office of the United States this 29 th day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty three - John P. Robb Acting Secretary of War
Examined and Countersigned
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Separate further says that during the time he was engaged in said service, he was shot by the British Cowboys, one shot struck him in the breast, and another in his head, direct- ly over his right eye, which has deprived him

of The Sight of The Said right Eye for a great many years - for which loss & disability The Said Philip Harris Claims That He is entitled to an increase of pension - from the time he first made application for a pension as The same disability was then existing - and dep- onant also Claims That he is entitled to full pension, at least the rate of $96. per annum as he served pretty much all of the time - during The Revolutionary War and is therefore entitled to full pay at least $96. per annum Now Therefore I Philip Harris, am advised That I am entitled to receive more pension than $80. per annum & that I am entitled to receive at least $96. per annum I do here by constitute and appoint Richard B Simock of Burlington in Otsego County State of New York my true and law full agent and Attorney for me and in my name to present and prosecute my Claim to the amount of $96. per annum or any other amount, that I may be entitled to receive by way of increase or otherwise - Given under my hand and Seal This 23 rd day of December 1857- Sworn and subscribed before me the day and Philip Harris year above written
R. B. Simock justice
Executed in presence of Halleck G. Field E. H. Smith

Otsego County
ss On this 23 day of December 1857 personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for said County. Philip Harris, known to me to be the individual named in the foregoing power of attorney and acknowledged that he executed the same for the uses & purposes therein mentioned
R. B. Dimock Justice

Durington Dec 31-1857
4 Dear J. E. Heath
In Sir You will see by the foregoing power of Attorney, that I am duly authorized to present & prosecute the claim of Phillips Harris, who is a Revolutionary pensioner, for an increase of pension - Mr Harris informs me, that he served most all of the while during the Revolutionary War, and the fact, was so set forth, in his original declaration, if that be the case, Mr Harris is entitled to receive more than $80. per Annum - He should, & ought to have been placed on the pension Roll, at the rate of $96. per Annum - I think this case of Mr Harris's, is a perfectly plain Case, & he should be placed on the pension Roll at $96. per Annum from the 4 th March 1831 - Mr Harris informs me, that while he was engaged in said service that they were fired upon by a party which he calls British Cow Boys , that came to steal Cattle that belonged to the Army, and was ordered to go and drive them back, and they fired upon him and wounded him, one shot, or ball struck him in the breast and another in his head, directly over his right eye, & still remains in his head, and deprived him of the light of his right eye - Mr Harris says he does not recollect whether, he set forth that fact in his original declaration or not, that he lost the light of his right eye in consequence of said wound, as he did not know as that fact would make any difference as to his claim Now if you find upon the examination of his said original declaration, that it was not so set

one of the fact - But if you find upon said Examination, that the fact was so set forth in said declaration, and authenticated by proper proof, he was entitled to $96. per annum at the least, and should have been so placed upon the pension roll, at that time - This appears to me to be a perfect plain case and I will submit it to you, for your consideration, trusting, that you will not withhold a single dollar, that may be, and is in justice due a Revolutionary Soldier, that was one among the first, to take up Arms in defence of Our Country, and defend the rights, privileges, and blessings, that we are now permitted to enjoy - Now if there is any one, that is deserving of a liberal reward for his services, it is the Revolutionary Soldier. - You will please to direct your communication to Richard B. Simmons Burlington County New York and oblige -
Yours truly
J. E. Heath
R. B. Simmons
Commissioner of Pensions
N.B. I will forward to you at any time Mr. Harris' original Certificate of pension at your request, or as soon as you send a new, or a increased Certificate. - The old man does not want to send his Certificate until it absolutely necessary, for fear it may be lost, before he shall get another - I will see that it is sent, at any time at your request -
R. B. S.

State of New York OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Whereas, the foregoing Copy of said Decree, as already recited, the 2 d Exhibit, was on the 28 th day of December 19 57 a true Copy of the Decree in and for the said County of Orange , duly attested to as true and correct, and the same well compared with the final writing of the said Judge, and that the signature to the attested instrument is genuine.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed seal of the said County, at Poughkeepsie, the 10 th day of January 1862 Samuel North Clerk.