Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19,713, Luke Harris, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Harris, Luke Leah
NUMBER
W. 19.713
CONTENTS

Vermont. 18. 8-94
error corrects - am? Amos He also, May 5. 1834
Luke Harris.
of Windsor is in the State of Vermont. who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Fish of the Reg't. commanded by Col. Taylor - in the Mass. line for 1 year
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont. at the rate of 40 Dollars Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Sept. 1833 and sent to Horace Fletcher. Proctor's Ville. Vt.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833 $ 100.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar. 34 20.00 $ 120.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by El Moun. Clerk, Book E. Vol. 3 Page 4 72

1931 Vermont, Montpelier
Leah Harris M rs widow of Luke Harris who was a Private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 26 Dollars 88 — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of Sept r , 1843 and sent to Amos Heald Chester, Vermont
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 1. Page 27
Rep d .

(State of Vermont) On this sixth day of August A.D. 1832, Person Windsor County ss. )-ally appeared Luke Harris of Baltimore in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont aged sixty nine years, the sixth day of February last, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7, A.D. 1832— That he enlisted into the service of the United States in the Revolutionary War in the Militia of Massachusetts, in the month of May or June A.D. 1779, then residing in the Town of Princetown in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts— joined the Company to which I belonged at Providence in the State of Rhode- Island on the 24 th day of July A.D. 1779. Commanded by Capt. Fish. Col. Tyler commanded the Regiment to which my Company belonged. I enlisted for six months, and served until October after I enlisted at Providence aforesaid. In the month of October I went to Newport on the Island (so called) and there served out the remainder of the term for which I enlisted and was then discharged at Tiverton.
That he again enlisted at Princetown in the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts about the last of July or the first of August A.D. 1780 for three months in the Militia of Massachusetts, under Col. Rand and Capt. Stearns— Marched soon after enlistment through Old Springfield and Great Barrington in Massachusetts aforesaid to Claverack near the River Hudson in the State of New York. And from Claverack aforesaid marched through Fishkill to West- Point. Soon after arriving at Westpoint I was sent back to Fishkill to guard public stores and prisoners. At the close of the three months I was discharged at Westpoint.
That he again enlisted at Princetown aforesaid the last
ms 228 ms 228 ms 228
ms 228 ms 228 ms 228

of August A.D. 1781 for three months in Col. Drury's Regiment of Militia and marched from said Princetown through Old Springfield in Massachusetts, Litchfield in the State of Connecticut to Westpoint. — The most part of the three months, I served on Constitution Island, opposite Westpoint guarding a fort and was discharged Nov. 28, 1781 —
He has no documentary evidence, and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service except as hereto annexed —
That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pensions Roll of the Agency of any State.
The following interrogatories were then proposed by the Court aforesaid to the Applicant, and the following answers made.
Question 1 st — Where, and in what year were you born?
Ans. — In the town of North Shrewsbury now called Boylston in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 6 th day of February A.D. 1763
Question 2 nd — Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
Ans. — I have none in my possession, but suppose there is a record of my birth at Princetown in Massachusetts. —
Question 3 rd — Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war; and where do you now live?
Ans. — I lived at said Princetown when I enlisted, and in 1787 I removed to Alstead New Hampshire, and after a residence there of nine years, I removed to Baltimore St. where I have since resided.
Question 4 th — How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
Ans. — I voluntarily enlisted at each enlistment, and was not a substitute at any time.
Question 5 th — State the names of the regular officers who were

with the Troops, when you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service —
Answer — I served, under Col. Tylar, Capt. Fish, Lieut. Col. Putnam, Maj. G- -man, Adjutant Smith, Col. Rand, Capt. Stearns, and Col. Drury at the several times of service
Question 6 th — Did you ever receive a discharge from service and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
Answer — I received no discharge from my first term of service — But I received discharges for the two last terms, one of which is lost, the other I have in my possession —
Question 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.
Answer — I would state the names of Jonathan Woodbury Esq. and Jonathan Boynton Esq. —
Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Luke Harris
Deber Proctor Judge
We Jonathan Woodbury Esq. a justice of the peace for the County of Windsor aforesaid and Jonathan Boynton, residing in Baltimore, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Luke Harris, who has subscribed and sworn to the above — declaration: That we believe him to be sixty nine 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 — Jonathan Woodbury Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid — Jonathan Boynton
Deber Proctor Judge

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 Jonathan Woodbury, Jr. and Jonathan Boynton, who have signed the preceding certificate, are residents in the town of Baltimore aforesaid, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Isaac Proctor Judge
I Reuben Washburn, Register of the Probate Court, within and for the District of Windsor in the said State of Vermont, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application Luke Harris for a Pension.
In Testimony, whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, this sixth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Reuben Washburn. —
8/5/32

June Sixth Seventeen hundred Eighty Seven Joined in Wedlock Luke Harris to Sarah Hillard
Jonathan Hillard Jus. Peace
A true copy from the Town Records of Chesterfield with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record, in fair legible figures and letters as follows viz, June 6th. 1787
Attest. Oscar Goodridge Town Clerk of Chesterfield
I Oscar Goodridge above named depose and say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the town of Chesterfield aforesaid County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Town with the exception above named as certified by me Chesterfield Oct. 24. 1838
Oscar Goodridge Clerk of the Town of Chesterfield aforesaid
Cheshire ss. Oct. 24. 1838.
Sworn to before me
Larkin G. Mead. Just Peace.

State of New Hampshire Cheshire County p.
I Henry Goodridge Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Cheshire certify that Sabin P. Mear is a Justice of the Peace in the County of Cheshire aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn and that his name within written is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Keene this twenty fifth day of October A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight H. Goodridge Clerk

V4135
1746 Harris
On
act 7 July 38
on 87. d 37
vol 2. p 38. on pri. 1. 22
23 p 22 on " 3. 10
discharge " 3 -
8. 2
adm d
emo. 20 pri
$26.88
died - 13 July 37
pen: com: 14 July 37
H. H. Everett
AOR

State of Vermont, } District of Windsor, ss. }
Probate office for the District aforesaid. I Salmon T. Dutton, Register of the Probate court for the District of Windsor
aforesaid, hereby certify, that Thomas T. Hammond, before whom the foregoing Declaration of Leah Harris and the forego- -ing affidavits of Jonathan Boynton and Leah Harris, were severally sworn to and subscribed, is Judge of the Probate court for the District of Windsor aforesaid which Probate court is a court of Record; and that the signature annexed to the several certificates of the oaths, and the certificate of the credi- -bility of the said Declarant and affiants, purporting to be the signature of him the said Thomas T. Hammond, is his own proper and genuine signature.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said Probate court, and sub- -scribed my name at Concord, in said District, this tenth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun- -dred and thirty Eight.
Salmon T. Dutton, Register.

State of Vermont, } On this seventeenth day of Novem- County of Windsor, ss. } ber, eighteen hundred and thirty eight, personally appeared before the Hon. the Probate Court for the District of Windsor in the county aforesaid, Leah Harris, a resident of Baltimore in the county of Windsor and state of Vermont, aged seventy eight years on the 4 th day of October now last past, who being duly sworn accor- ding to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, pa- ssed July 7 th 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."
That she is the widow of Luke Harris, who was a Private in the War of the Revolution, and for whose services, he the said Luke Harris obtained a pension of forty Dollars per annum, under the act of June 7 th 1832, for a particular description of whose services, and the evidence of the same, reference may be had to the said Luke Harris' declaration, and the affidavits and certificates there- with, now on file in the Pension Office of the United States.
She further declares that she was married to the said Luke Harris, at Chesterfield, in the County of Cheshire and state of New Hampshire, on the sixth day of June, in the year seventeen hundred and eighty seven, by Jonathan Hildreth, a Justice of the Peace; that her former name was Leah Hildreth; that her husband, the aforesaid Luke Harris, died at Baltimore aforesaid on the thirteenth day of July, in the year, eighteen hundred and thirty seven; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, in the year seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz. at the time above stated; and she further declares that after the death of the said Luke Harris as aforesaid, she received from the Agent of the United States for paying pensions in Windsor, state of Vermont, the arrears of pension due to her said husband at the time of his death.
Witness, Thomas F. Hammond, Jonathan Boynton
Leah her Harris mark
Sworn to and subscribed by the said Leah Harris on this 17 th day of November, eighteen hundred and thirty eight.
Before me
Thomas F. Hammond, Judge of said Probate Court.
I, Jonathan Boynton of Baltimore in the county of Windsor and state of Vermont, aged sixty seven years, do depose and say, that I have been well acquainted with Luke Harris, late of Baltimore, aforesaid deceased, and Leah Harris, formerly his wife and now his widow, who has subscribed the foregoing Declaration in my presence; and for the space of forty years before his death, have lived within a quarter of a mile of their residence; during which time, they, the said Luke and Leah, constantly lived together in the relation of husband and wife, and were universally considered as such; I never heard their marriage questioned by any one, and I have no manner of doubt but

that they were legally married. I further say that I was present at the time the said Luke Harris died at Baltimore aforesaid; that he died on the thirteenth day of July, eighteen hundred and thirty seven, as stated in the foregoing Declaration; that the said Luke Harris was generally reputed to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and a revolutionary pensioner of the United States; and I further say that since the death of the said Luke Harris, she the said Leah Harris has ever remained the widow of the said Luke Harris, and now is sole & unmarried.
Jonathan Boynton
Sworn to and subscribed by the said Jonathan Boynton, on this seventeenth day of November, eighteen hundred and thirty eight, before me
THOMAS F. HAMMOND, Judge of said Probate Court.
I, Leah Harris of Baltimore in the county of Windsor and state of Vermont, aged forty seven years on the 7 th day of May now last past, do depose and say, that I am the Daughter of Luke Harris, late of Baltimore aforesaid, deceased, and Leah Harris who has subscribed the foregoing declaration. I have always made it my home with my said Parents from my earliest recollection to the time of my Father's the said Luke Harris' death, which took place at said Baltimore on the thirteenth day of July, eighteen hundred and thirty seven; I was present and saw him die; since which time my Mother has ever remained a widow, and now is sole and unmarried. From my earliest recollection up to the decease of my Father, they the said Luke and Leah constantly lived together in the relation of husband and wife, and I never heard their marriage questioned by any one, and I have no manner of doubt but that they were legally married.
Leah Harris
Sworn to and subscribed by the said Leah Harris, on this 17 th day of November. A.D. 1838, before me
THOMAS F. HAMMOND, Judge of said Probate Court.
State of Vermont. } November 17 th 1838, I certify, that Windsor County, ss. } Leah Harris who has sworn to and
subscribed the foregoing Declaration, Jonathan Boynton and Leah Harris who have severally sworn to and subscribed the above affidavits, are, each of them, persons of truth and veracity, and that their statements are entitled to full credit and belief.
THOMAS F. HAMMOND, Judge of said Probate Court.

Luke Harris Soldier in Col n Drury Regim t of Militia is Discharged the term having expired the term of three Months according to a Resolve of the Common Wealth of Massachusetts of June 30 th 81
Luke Drury Col n Com d
The in Issuing Commissions Will furnish you With provision on your Way home
West Springfield Novm r 28 1861

Those may certify that the Bear is loaded with Russian for the 22 nd instant John Collier L.L.
West Point Nov 28-81
29 Issued three rations
Whitcomb
in behalf of Chas. H. B. C. Dan

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 19713
Leah Morris
Wid of
Isaac Morris
Priv Res. War
Act March 3 rd /43
Index: Vol. 04 , Page 314
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Vermont (B.F.) 1746
Late Pen. Aug. 9: '39
Leah Harris widow of Luke Harris , deceased
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June, 1832 - and who died on the 13 th of July, 1837 - of Windsor Co. in the State of Vermont who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Fish of the Regt - commanded by Col. Tyler in the Vermont Militia time for 8 mos. 2 dys. private.
Inscribed on the Roll of Bellows Falls at the rate of 26 Dollars 88 - Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March , 1837. } July,
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st day of February, 1839 and sent to Hon. H. C. Everett, A. R.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept. 1838 = $30.88 Semi-annual allowance ending 4th Mo. '39 = 13.44
$44.32
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by S. A. Ellish Clerk, Book A, Vol. 2, Page 41

Vermont 1746
Repr
June 26
Leah Harris
widow of Luke Harris
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 13th: July, 1837— of Windsor in the State of Vermont who was a private in the company— commanded by Captain Fish of the Rept: commanded by Col: Tyler in the Napaught: line for 8 months 2 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Montpelier at the rate of 26— Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1836. Ending 14th: July, 1837—
Certificate of Pension issued the 24th: day of June 1843 and sent to J. F. Ham- mond Esq: Brownsville, Vt: —
Whole amount due $36.52
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by W. H. Stewart Clerk,
Book A Vol. 2 Page 41

4578 Luke Harris
Adm c
1 year
$40 ✓
Horace Fletcher Esq Proctor's Ville Vermont

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
1 May 6
1833
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
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Mr Luke Harris

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

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are 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 the 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 services. 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 place 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 [f] 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.

June 21 1843
Morristown Vt. June 163
Vt.
Leah Harris
Arrears
See
War Department, Pension Office, Washington City. D. C.
 26.88  8.96  68  14.13 52  63  30  210 
224

26.66 2.22 28.88
Dear
J. L. Edwards Esquire
War Department Pension Office Washington D. C.
MAY 29 1882
Mr. [unclear] let

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir,
I have received a letter from your department stating that it was supposed that a package enclosing the claims of Josiah Washburn and Seth Hunt of Vermont had been directed to me by mistake. I have not received the papers referred to but I enclose you the papers of Luke Harris, which have been sent me -
I am yours &c
Eliz: Town. N. J. May 28. 1833
William M. Scudder

Luke Harris B t act 7 June 32, when cash p d ? 6770
1 Feb 35
Died 13 th July 1837 paid to that period 014

2128 Willow Hill Dr April 4
Yrs
Small J. H.
Leah Hairs J. L. Edwards Esq Garrisonian of Purvis Washington D.C.

Purnan Agency
Bishop Bellamy Hall
April 8 th 1839
Dear Sir,
Contrary to a determination I had made, not to trouble you with any subject not necessarily connected with the discharge of the duties of the office, I have yielded to the importunity of a poor, but worthy and woman, a pensioner, to solicit your attention to her case. Her name is Leah Harris, the widow of Luke Harris, who was a pensioner on the roll of this agency, under the Act of June 7, 1832 at $40.00 per annum. The said lady rec'd her certificate a short time since, for a pension under the Act of July 1838, from 14 th July 1837, the time of her husband's decease at $26.88 3/4 per an. while her husband's pension was $40.00.
Judge Hammond, who assisted in procuring her pension, expresses his belief that some mistake has been made relative to the amount, as the testimony he thought sufficiently full to entitle her, as it had her husband to $40.00 per an.
She refuses to take her pension, at the present rate, tho' I tell her it will make no difference, until she is sure that the diminution is not the consequence of accident or mistake - She wishes to know why she is not entitled to the same pay her husband rec'd.
If it should be your pleasure to direct an examination of her case, and it should appear that she is entitled to a higher rate, I will return her Certificate for correction.
I am most respectfully
Yr. obedt. Servt.
North Guilford by William Henry
J. L. Cederquists Clerk of Purnan

Washington 28. Jan. 1839
Sir
I transmit the application of the Widow Sally Orcutt for a pension. and am Respectfully &c H. Everett
J. L. Edwards Esq Commr of Pensions

Leah Harris Vt
Act 7. July 3 8 26.88 from March 36 to 13 July 37.
H. Hammond Brownsville Vt

State of Vermont District of Windsor ss
On this twelfth day of June in the year eighteen hundred and forty three personally appeared before the Probate Court for the District of Windsor aforesaid, Leah Harris a resident of Baltimore in the County of Windsor and state of Vermont aged eighty two years in October last, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the amount of Pension which she claims from the 4 th of March 1836 to the thirteenth day of July eighteen hundred and thirty seven, from which period she has been already paid under the Act of the 7 th July 1838.
And the declarant further alleges that she is still the Widow of Luke Harris who was a Private during the War of the Revolution; that her Pension, was allowed to her at the rate of twenty six dollars and eighty eight cents per annum, and was paid to her at the Agency in the State of Vermont, and further she saith not.
Witness Ulysses W. Hammond Luke Harris
her Leah X Harris mark
Sworn to and subscribed on this 12 th day of June A.D. 1843,
Before me
Thomas F. Hammond, Judge of said Probate Court.
I hereby certify that the above named Leah Harris is personally known to me, and is a person of truth and veracity.
Thomas F. Hammond, Judge of said Probate Court.
In testimony of all which I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court, and subscribed my name at Baltimore in said district, this 12 th day of June, A.D. 1843.
Thomas F. Hammond, Judge.
The Certificate may be forwarded to me, at Browns Ville, Windsor Co. Vt. Thomas F. Hammond

Declaration
State of Vermont } On this second day of June Windsor County ss } A.D. 1843. Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Windsor, Leah Harris a Resident of Baltimore in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont; aged Eighty two years who being first sworn according to Law, doth on her oath, make the fol- lowing declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3 d March 1843. Granting pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That She is the Widow of Luke Harris, late of Baltimore, Deceased; who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution, That she cannot now recollect, the time & place of service, or Company or Regiment in which he served, Reference is therefore had to the files & record of the war department, Wherefor. That She was entitled to, and did receive a pension of Twen- ty Six Dollars and Eighty Eight cents per annum for five years from the 4 th of March 1836. to the 4 th of March 1841. under the Act of July 7 th 1833. ~ ~ ~ She further declares, that she is still a Widow. ~ ~ in presence. Leah her Harris of Luke Harris mark . Amos Heald
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written. Before me Amos Heald Justice of the peace.

I Amos Heald. The same Magistrate herein before named, do hereby certify, that the before named Leah Harris is personally known to me to be the Identical person named in an original pension certificate Issued for her.
and since returned to the war department. Dated at Chester this Second day of June 1843 - and certified By me Amos Heald. Justice of the Peace
STATE OF VERMONT, ) I, Norman Williams, Clerk of the County Court of the Coun- Windsor County,....ss. Sty of Windsor in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that
Amos Heald
is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the ninth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two and will expire on the thirtieth day of November next, and that his signature above written is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court, this 6 th day of June A. D. 1843
N Williams Clerk.