Daniel Harless
State of Virginia
Giles County
On this 22d day of March 1834 personly appeared before me Robert M. Hutchinson a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Giles and State aforesaid
Daniel Harless aged Seventy Six 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 ade by the Act of
Congress posted June 7th 1832.
That in the Spring of 1777 he volunteered under the command of Captain Floyd to serve against the Indians and served in a garrison situated in that part of
Bottetourt County Virginia that is now the county of Montgomery at a place then called
Smithfield or Prestons Station on the waters of New River that he served in this garrison from the
1st of April untill the first of October.
That again in the Spring of 1778 he volunteered and served from the first of April untill the first of October in the same garrison and under the command of
Capt. Floyd. That the nature of his service was to remain in garrison for it defence in case it was
attacked by the Indians and to hold themselves in readiness to go to the aid of any garrison that
might be attacked by the Indians - as there was several garrisons in the same neighbourhood - and
to go out on spying parties to watch the approach of the Indians - to prevent them from
advancing into the settlements that they was frequently known to be lurking about through the
country stealing and carrying away horses - and commiting and commiting murders and
depredations upon the inhabitants - that he served as above stated under the command of Capt.
Floyd with an embodied corps without following any civil persuit.
That in the spring of 1779 the Indians early commenced committing their depredations on the Inhabitants along the new
settlements lower down New River - and in this Spring 1779 he Volunteered under the command
of Captain John Lucas and served from the 1st of April untill the first of October and was
stationed in a garrison situated on Sinking Creek a tributary stream of New River then in the
county of Bottetourt in that part that is now the county of Giles - Virginia.
That he again in the spring of 1780 and 81 volunteered and served under the command of Captain Lucas from the 1st
of April untill the first of October in each year and was stationed and served each year in the
above named garrison on Sinking Creek - with an embodied corps without following any civil
pursuit (that is from the 1st of April untill the first of October) that the company to which he
belonged was divided some remained with him some was stationed in a garrison situated at the
mouth of Sinking Creek and others at the Mouth of Stoney Creek - both stations on New River
that he recollects of men being drafted and brought from some of the ajoining counties and
stationed with them from what counties they was brought he does not recollect - that he never
was in any engagement nor neither was the garrison ever attacked - he believes that the Indians
was apprised of the number of men that was stationed in Garrison as they were frequently known
to be lurking about through the country and killing those who might by chance be caught from the
Fort.
That he witnessed and endured much of the Indian hostilities that was (prevalent?) in them
days That he can prove his services by Ferdenen & Philip Harless and John Lucas that served in
garrison with him.
(Interrogatories Answered)
1st I was Born in that part of Bottetourt county Virginia that is now Montgomery - in the year 1753
2d My father had my age recorded in a Bible but I have not seen it for a number of years.
3d I was living in that part of Bottetourt county that is now Montgomery and since the year 1778 I have lived in that part of Bottetourt county
Virginia that is now Giles County - 4th I volunteered - 5th in the yeas 1777 & 78 Col. Preston and
Captain Lucas after 1778 - Captain John Lucas
6th I never received a written discharge
7th the Rev. Isaac Scott and Robert W Dennis can testify as to my character and their belief of my
services
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or war annuity except the present and
declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state sworn to and suscribed
the day
and year aforesaid
his
Daniel X Harless
mark
And I Robert M Hutchinson justice of the peace in and for the county of Giles do hereby declare
my opinion that the above named applicant served against the Indians during the revolutionary
war as he states. [signed] Robert M. Hutchinson JP
We Isaac Scott a clergyman residing in the county of Giles and Robert W. Dennis residing in the
same herby certify that we are well acquainted with Daniel Harless who has subscribed and sworn
to the above declaration that we believe him to be Seventy Six years of age that he is reputed and
believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been against the Indians during the
revolutionary war and served as he states.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and
year first above written
[signed] Isaac Scott
Robert W. Dennis
and I Robert M Hutchison a Justice of the peace in and for the county of Giles do hereby declare
my opinion after the investagation of the matter and after putting the the interrogations prescribed
by the War Dept that the above named applicant was a soldier against the Indians during the
revolutionary War and served as he states and I further certify that it appears to me that Isaac
Scott who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman residing in the county of Giles and
that Robert W Dennis who has also signed the same is a resident of said county and is a credible
person and that their statement is intitled to credit and I do further certify that oweing to bodily
Infirmities the applicant cannot attend court Given under my hand the day and year aforesaid
[signed] Robert M Hutchinson JP
State of Virginia
Giles County
On this 24th day of March 1834 personly appeared before me
Robert M Hutchinson Justice of the peace in and for the county of Giles and State aforesaid,
Ferdenen and Philip Harless and after being first duly sworn according to law doth on their oath
State that they are well acquainted with Daniel Harless who has subscribed and sworn to the
foregoing declaration and and (sic) __ him and served with him against the Indians in a Garrisan
in that part of Bottetourt county Virginia that is now Montgomery under the command of Captain
Floyd - from the 1st of April until the first of October in the years of 1777 and 78
and in the years of 1779-80-81 served with him in a garrison in that part of Bottetourt county that is now Giles
under the command of Capt John Lucas
Given under my hand the day and year aforesaid
[signed] Robert M Hutchinson
Virginia
Clerks office Giles County Court. March the 26, 1834
I Rufus A French clerk of the County Court aforesaid do hereby certify that Robert M
Hutchison whose certificates are annexed to the foregoing Declaration of Daniel Harless is an
acting Justice of the peace in & for the County aforesaid & that the Signatures purporting to be
his are genuine & that due faith & credit is & ought to be given to all of his official acts as well in
as out of court.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office The 26th
day of March 1834 & of the Commonwealth the 58th Year
[signed] R A French CC
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