Pension Application of William Happer (Hopper): S37995
Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris
State of Virginia. Henry County to wit,
At a Superior Court of Law held for the said County in the State aforesaid on Monday the 5th day of October 1818.
This day William Happer came into Court and made oath that he was enlisted as a Soldier in the Continental Army for the term of three years or during the war in the month of November 1775 by Capt Henry Dixon of Caswell County North Carolina, that he was commanded by said Dixon as Captain, that he was attached to the first North Carolina regiment of regulars which regiment was commanded by Thomas Clarke and attached to Gen’l. Nashes [sic: Francis Nash’s] Command, that he served upwards of twenty-one months, that he was discharged at Valley Forge by Thomas Clarke Colo., in consequence of the loss of his right eye by disease, that he lost his discharge, is 72 years of age and resides in the county of Henry Virginia and that he is poor and unable to procure the necessaries of life.
And William Norman being also sworn saith that he is a neighbour to the said William Happer, that he is a man of truth and good character, that he resides in the County of Henry Va and is poor and needy whereupon it appearing to the satisfaction of this Court that the said William Happer from the foregoing circumstances served as a Soldier upwards of 21 months against the Common enemy. It is ordered that this foregoing evidence and proceedings be certified to the war department.
State of Virginia Henry County Sct.
At a Court held for the said County at the Courthouse on Monday the 11th day of February 1822.
On this day and year aforesaid personally appeared in open Court William Happer aged seventy four years resident in Henry County Va. who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows To wit That he was inlisted in the Continental army for the term of three years, or during the war, in the month of November 1775 by Capt. Henry Dixon of Caswell County No. Carolina, that he was commanded by said Dixon as Captain, that he was attached to the 1st No. Carolina Regiment of Regulars which Regiment was commanded by Thomas Clarke, and attached to Gen’l Nashes Command, that he served upward of Twenty one months. That he was discharged at Valley Forge by Tho’s Clarke, Colo., in consequence of the loss of the sight of one of his eyes by disease. That he has lost his discharge That he is poor and unable to procure the necessarys of life, That he hath been allowed a pension for the above service, but that the same hath been suspended as he understands by a late act of Congress the No. of which he doth not now recollect That he was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818, and that he has not since that time by gift sale or in any manner, disposed of his property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring himself within the provisions of an act of Congress “Entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land & Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War” passed on the 18th day of March 1818., and that he has not nor has any person in Trust for him any property or securitys contracts or debts due to him nor has he any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by him subscribed To Wit. One Cow. One Bed & furniture, 1 Cubboard. 1 hogg, a small pantry Earthen ware & a few plantation Tools. William Happer