Pension File of John Harding, War of 1812 ****************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ****************************************************************** Transcribed by: Melinda Pennington, mgp383@gmail.com Soldier: John Harding born 20 May 1797 born NYC married 1st 07 Oct 1817 to Ophelia Flowers in NYC 2nd Jane ________ (Mrs. Jane Gilbert) on 21 May 1868 Jackson Twp., Jasper Co., MO died 29 Dec 1875 Illinois Twp., Washington Co., AR Transcribed from actual copies of service records. mgp John Harding served in the War of 1812, Capt. B. A. Muzzy's Co., Detachment of Sea Fencibles, State of New York, commanded by Maj. Pexcel Fowler, Quarter Gunner, enlisted as a Private and later promoted to Corporal, date of enlistment Sep 1, 1814 until honorable discharge on Dec 7, 1814 Sep 1 - Oct 29, 1814, Company Muster Roll - Present Sep & Oct 1814 Company Pay Roll dated Oct 29, 1814; Commencement of service, or of this settlement Sep 1, 1814, Expiration of service Oct 15, 1814, Term of service charged 1 mos. 15 days; Pay per month $18, Amount of pay $ 27 Sep 1 - Dec 31, 1814 Company Pay Roll dated Nov 20, 1814; Commencement of service, or of this settlement Oct 16, Expiration of service Dec 7, 1814, Term of service charged 1 mos. 22 days; Pay per month $18, Amount of pay $ 30.76 Nov 6 - Dec 7, 1814, Roll dated: both, Dec 7, 1814; Company Muster Roll - Present (To what period paid: Oct 15, 1914) To what time engaged or expiration of service: Dec 1, 1814 Transcribed from Pension records of John Harding: 13 Apr 1871, Washington Co., AR; Declaration for Pension War of 1812, John Harding, aged 74 yrs., resident of Washington Co., AR, wife name is Jane Gilbert whom he married in Jasper Co., MO in June, 1867. He served at least 60 days in the military service in the War of 1812, enlisted in Capt. Massey Co. Major Fowler's Batallion in 1814 and was honorably discharged at New Utica, NY in Oct 1814. He was in the service as a Corporal known as the "Sea Fencibles" stationed at Block House No. 3 on Long Island, on the "narrows" near NY. His P.O. address is Cincinnati, Washington Co., AR and his home is near Cincinnati. Signed John Harding. Attest. E. B. Moore 15 Apr 1871, Washington Co., AR; Claim of a person who has not had a Land Warrant, John Harding, aged 74 yrs., resident of Washington Co., AR, served as a Corporal in Capt. Massey in the Battalion commanded by Maj. Fowler in the War of 1812 for 3 mos. Signed John Harding. Witnessed by E. W. Moore, W. W. Moore, Thos. B. Ballard and John J. Harding (his son) all residents of Washington Co., AR 13 Apr 1874, Washington Co., AR, John Hardin, aged 79 yrs, a resident of Washington Co. sworn declares that he served the full period of 60 days in the Naval Service of the War of 1812 enlisting in Capt. Macey Co. of Sea Fencibles as a Quarter Gunner and was later made a Corporal. There was some 3 or 4 Co's of us and our Division was called the Sea Fensibles. Enlisted in 1813 in the City of NY. Stationed on Long Island near New Utica in Block House No. 3, 8 mi. from Brooklin opposite the Narrows. We were stationed there for the express purpose of working the Cannon. I enlisted for 3 mos. served the full period of 3 mos. and was discharged at Block House No. 3 under a Major Fowler and Lieut. Guero. I was never in any battles but remember one incident...it was reported that an English "Man of War" run aground on Long Island Side. We was called out and marched all night. Next morning we received news that she had got off and we were ordered back to Block House No. 3. Attorney George W. M. Reed of Fayetteville, Washington Co., AR. My P.O. is Cincinatti, Washington Co., AR and I live in Washington Co., AR. Signed John Harding Witnesses: Johnathan Elms and J. O. Bradley both residing the Washington Co., AR, persons to be respectible and entitled to Circuit and who being by me duly sworn say they were present and saw John Hardin, the claimant, sign his name to the foregoing declaration and that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of claimant and their aquaintance with him that he is the identical person he represents himself to be. Signed: Johnathan Elms & J. O. Bradley P. R. Smith, Clerk County Court 22 May 1875, Washington Co., AR appeared John Harding, aged 80 yrs. a resident of Washington Co., AR declares he is the identical John Harding who was a Quarter Gunner and Corporal in the Co. of Sea Fencibles stationed at Long Island Block House No. 3 commanded by Capt. Muzzy's in the Navy's Dept. Commanded by Maj. Fowler in the War of 1812 and that he enlisted at New York City on or about _________ 1812 for 3 mos. and continued in actual service in said war for the term of 14 days and was honorably discharged at Block House No. 3 near New Utica on or about _________ 1813. He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which he may be entitled under the act approved March 3rd, 1855. He also declares he has not received a Warrant for Bounty Land. Signed John Harding. Witnessed by: Samuel Gilbert and John Jacob Harding, residents of Washington Co., AR. Also signed by: P. R. Smith, Clerk and witnessed by Jonathan Elms, Deputy Clerk 24 Jun 1875, Washington Co., AR. John Harding declares that sometime in the year 1871 he (John Harding) employed Wm. W. Moore of Fayetteville, Washington Co., AR to make application for him for pension as a soldier of the War of 1812. I declare that I have no recollection of having any conversation with him about making application for bounty land. He wrote to me he could not get me a pension. I, declare that I have never employed any person to get bounty land for me, only recently I employed G. W. M. Reed of Fayetteville, Washington Co., my agent to obtain bounty land for me is the only application I have any recollection of ever making. I have never at any time received any bounty land nor sold my claim to bounty lands or received any profit. Signed John Harding Transcribed from actual Widow's pension records: mgp Service Pension No. 38,235, Jane Harden, Cincinatti, Washington Co., AR, U. S. Navy, Died Dec 29, 1879, Rec'd Oct 28, 1879; (there are some notes on this piece of paper but I can't read it) 23 Jan 1880; War of 1812 Pension, Washington Co., AR comes forward Jane HARDEN aged 75 yrs. resident of Washington Co., AR, wido of John HARDEN, dec'd, who served as a Quarter Gun Merchant Corporal, in the Company Commanded by Muzzy's in the New York Sea Fencibles Regiment commanded by _______ in the War of 1812 who volunteered in New York City, NY on ________ for 3 mos. and was honorably discharged in NYC. He is described as about 5 feet 10 inches tall, complex fair, eyes blue, hair dark brown, birth place: City of NY, Occupation: Farmer. She states she was married to John Harden in Jasper Co., MO on 26th May 1866 by John Willaby who was a Probate Judge and her name before marriage was Jane Gilbert. She stated she was a widow and said soldier was a widower, her former husband's name was Obed Gilbert, who died 28 May 1863 in Umsted Co., MN and that her husband John Harden died in Washington Co., AR on 29th Dec 1875. Places of residences with husband are...we lived in Jasper Co., MO the first 3 yrs. that Mr. Harden and her married, they then moved to Washington Co., AR where they lived for 6 yrs. then her husband died. John Harden received bounty land warrant No. 114008 dated Aug 5, 1875. His Pension No. 21431. Jane Harden's P.O. address is Rheas Mill, Washington Co., AR. Signed: Jane "her x mark" Harden 24 Jan 1880, Washington Co., AR; Jane Harden, widow of John Harden, dec'd, for pension; oath of John J. Harden, aged 55 yrs and Harrison Woodley aged 35 yrs., both of P.O. Cincinatti, Washington Co. John J. Harden declares that he has been acquainted with Mrs. Jane Harden since the year 1866 and that he has been acquainted with Mr. John Harden from his earliest recollection until his death which accured in Washington Co. AR the 29th Dec 1875 since which time his widow Mrs. Jane Harden has not remarried and they lived together as husband and wife, so treating each other and being so treated by the neighbors from the year 1866 until his death. He declares he is the son of John Harden, dec'd, and he lived with his father up to his death. He was present at the wedding of John Harden and Mrs. Jane Gilbert married by John Wilaby, probate judge of Jasper Co., MO about 26th May 1866. Signed John J. Harding Mr. Harrison Woodley declares he has been acquainted with Mr. and Mrs. John Harden and Jane Harden since 1871 until his death which occured in Washington Co., AR about 29th Dec 1875. He was present and assisted in laying him out. Widow Jane Harden has not remarried. He has personal knowledge that John and Jane lived together as husband and wife until his death. Signed: Harrison "his x mark" Woodley Attest: John J. Harding and Henry Funkhousen 8 May 1880, General Affidavit, Washington Co., AR, Jane Harding, widow of John Harding for pension. Oath of Jane Harding, age 76, resident of Illinois Twp., Washington Co., AR. She declares the the bible record of her and John Harding's marriage is in the town of Carthage, Jasper Co., MO and that she is destitute of means and not physically able to attend in person to get a copy from the records. She declares the correct spelling of last name is Harding. She states she and Obed Gilbert married in June 1819 by Deacon Pratt, Orleans Co., NY. We lived together as man and wife until the death of of Mr. Gilbert which occurred 28 May 1863 in Umsted Co., Minnesota. She and John Harding were married by John Willaby, Probate Judge, 26th May 1867 in Jasper Co., MO and lived together as man and wife until John Harding died 29 Dec 1875 which occurred in Illinois Twp. Washington Co., AR. She declares she first agreed with Mr. H. Shields to prosecute her pension claim. I never was qualified to the application Mr. Shields laid in for my claim; she declares she never employed Wm. Conrad & Co. to attend to her pension claim. She declares G. W. M. Reed of Fayetteville, Washington Co., AR was her attorney to prosecute her pension claim. Signed Jane "her x mark" Harding Witnesses: V. Wise and Synthia Wise 10 May 1880, General Affidavit, Washington Co., AR, Jane widow of John Harding for pension, oath of John J. Harding, aged 56 yrs, resident of Illinois Twp., Washington Co., AR, P.O. address Cincinnati, Washington Co., AR. I declare in mutual agreement made and entered by H - P - Coe and John Harding the signature at the bottom of said agreement bares the date 25 day of Agt 1852. I declare that John Harding and Jane Harding was married 26 May 1867 by John Willaby, Probate Judge, Jasper Co., MO. I saw them married. I lived with John Harding who was my father from my birth until his death which occurred 29 Dec 1875. I declare that Jane Harding is the widow of John Harding and she has not remarried since his death. They lived together and man and wife. I declare my father signed his name John Harding. I declare that I examined my fathers papers and found his own signature signed to an agreement, which agreement will accompany this affavit, and that I am well acquainted with my father's hand writing and know his signature signed at the bottom of the agreement to be own and genuine. Signed John J. Harding [Note: The document which he refers too is not with these pension records] 18 Mar 1880, Claim of Widow for Service Pension, Washington Co., AR, Jane HARDEN aged 75 yrs. resident of Washington Co., AR, widow of John HARDEN, dec'd, who served as a Quarter Gunner and Corporal, in the Company Commanded by Muzzy's in the New York Sea Fencibles Regiment commanded by _______ in the War of 1812 who volunteered in New York City, NY on ________ for 3 mos. and was honorably discharged in NYC. He is described as about 5 feet 10 inches tall, complex fair, eyes blue, hair dark brown, birth place: City of NY, Occupation: Farmer. She states she was married to John Harden in Jasper Co., MO on 26th May 1866 by John Willaby who was a Probate Judge and her name before marriage was Jane Gilbert. She stated she was a widow and said soldier was a widower, her former husband's name was Obed Gilbert, who died 28 May 1863 in Umsted Co., MN and that her husband John Harden died in Washington Co., AR on 29th Dec 1875. Her husband received a land warrant in 1875. Places of residences with husband are...we lived in Jasper Co., MO the first 3 yrs. of marriage, they then moved to Washington Co., AR where they lived until his death. John Harden received bounty land warrant No. 114008 dated Aug 5, 1875. His Pension No. 21431. Jane Harden's P.O. address is Rheas Mill, Washington Co., AR. Signed: Jane "her x mark" Harden 7 Apr 1881, Washington Co., AR; Affidavit of John J. Harding, aged 57 yrs, P.O. address Cincinnatti, Washington Co., AR, declares Jane Harding is the widow of John Harding (his father), dec'd, and that he was a witness to their marriage. His father to Jane Gilbert were married by John Willably, Probate Judge, Jasper Co., MO. Both lived with me until his death which occurred Dec 29, 1875. He declares his mother Ophelia Harding was my fathers first wife who dec'd, 5 May 1867, aged 74 years; he also declares his fathers surname is Harding; his father applied for pension and his fathers attorney failed to get a pension certificate; his attorney lived at Fayetteville, Washington Co., AR. I believe his name is W. W. Moore. My father lived in the same county. His father filed a second pension with G. W. M. Reed of Fayettevile and he got my father his pension no. 21,431. Wm Reed also got my father bount land warrant for 160 acres issued 5th day Aug 1875. My father lived in Washington Co., AR and Jane Harding is his widow. Signed John J. Harding 7 Apr 1881, Washington Co., AR; Affidavit of Jane Harding, aged 76 yrs, P.O. address Cincinatti, Washington Co., AR, she declares her husband, John Harding, appled for pension in 1871 and his application was rejected but why she does not know. His attorney then was W. W. Moore of Fayetteville. John Harding lived in same county. John Harding sent his second application for pension with attorney G. W. M. Reed of Fayetteville, Washington Co., AR. John's surname was John Harding. She declares she is the identical widow of John Harding who rec'd his cert. no. 21,431 and my husband actually rec'd that certificate and land warrant No. 114008 issued 5 Aug 1875. She also states the family bible is in her possession and has the family record of her and Obed Gilbert departed this life May 28th, 1863 aged 63 years. Signed: Jane "her x mark" Harding Attest: A. S. Armstrong 29 Apr 1881, Summary of Proof, Marriage date: 21 May 1868 of John Harding to Jane Gilbert as preview by the record of Jasper Co., MO. Also by testimony of John J. Harding, eye witness. Proof as to capacity to marry: Death of Ophelia former wife in 1867 as preview by J. J. Harding, son. Death of Obed Gilbert 1st husband in 1863 proven by sworn family record. Death of soldier: 29 Dec 1875; as proven by John J. Harding, J. O. Bradley and W.S. Lawrence Widowhood: Continued widowhood proven by J. J. Harding and J. O. Bradley The surname is Harding "not" Harden. Client denies having employed Conard & Co. 29 Apr 1881, Service Pension for War of 1812, Widow's Brief, Jane Harding, widow of John Harding, Claim No. 38,235 Cert No. 31,634, Rank Private (Gunner), Capt. Benj A. Muzzy, Regiment: Sea Fencibles, State: NY, P.O. address Cincinatti, Washington Co., AR, application filed: Oct 28, 1879, alleged service: In Capt. Muzzy's Co. Sea Fenciibles, volunteered at NY City. Refers to her husband cert. pension # 21,431; Record Evidence of Service: The rolls of Capt Benj A Muzzy Co. of NY Sea Fencibles show that John Harding Gunner served from Sep 1st 1814 to Dec 7, 1814.3rd and Aprl 23, ____. Length of service: 98 days, Proof of identity: Names the Captain. Gives No. of NY City of Soldier. States he made two applications. first reflected on the ground of no service found. Gives name of soldier attorney in 2nd application. Proof of loyalty: Attested J. J. Harding, Romeo Green, J. D. Thomason & J. O. Bradley. Also gives No. of B L Wt?. Also similarity of signatures & P.M.? Admitted: 27 Apr 1881 to a pension of $8 per month from Mar 9, 1878 the date of the act. Signed and approved 29 Apr 1881 2 May 1881, Cincinatti, Washington Co., AR I have the family bible of former husband which has the proper record of the death of the former husband. Mr. J. J. harding, my step son has the family bible of my last husband John Harding which has the proper record of the death of former wife. I was married to Mr. John Harding in Jasper Co., MO in 1867 by John Willaby, Probate Judge, that state under their laws has no marriage license. I will say that I am old and indigent circumstances and have no means of support. Entirely at the charity of my good neighbors. If I believed that I was not entited to a pension then I wouldn't ask for it. But if any person needs assistance at the present I do. Please direct coorespondence to the care of the Rev. N. R. West (who wrote the letter) Respectfully, Jane Harding All pension's were approved. -- Melinda Pennington