The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: PA/VA
Qualifying Service: Private
Birth: 02 Oct 1755 / Frederick / MD Death: 20 Sep 1843 Bowling Green Twp / Licking / OH
Qualifying Service Description:
1776, he served as a Private in the company of Captain Alexander Wells of the Virginia Militia
1776, he served in the company of Captain Joseph Tomlinson Jr. of the Virginia Militia
1777, he was drafted into the company of Captain Joseph Ogle
1778, he served as a substitute for Thomas Gerby in the company of Captain Robert Swearingen's company of the Virginia Militia Colonel Daniel Brodhead.as part of General Lachlan McIntosh’s Campaign. During this time, they were detached to Captain John Minter as part of the campaign of Colonel William Crawford
Additional References:
Revolutionary War Pension file S1843
Spouse: Martha Smith Children: William; John; Thomas; James; Warren;
Per Find-a-Grave - Mar 2025 - Burial Details Unknown. Specifically, buried on a family farm. Grave destroyed
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
Author: Mark Andrew Davis
The following biography was written by PRS staff with input from Mike Gunn.
William Harris was born on the 2 October 1755, in Frederick County, Maryland.
On 30 October 1832, William sat for a deposition in Licking County, Ohio. He was a resident of Bowling Green Township.
He stated he entered the service in 1776 as a substitute for one month under Captain Wall of the Virginia Militia. They were stationed in Ohio County, Virginia [now Marshall County, West Virginia]. There, they helped build a new fort.
At the expiration of his term, he reenlisted for another month under Captain Joseph Tomlinson and then volunteered one month more on his own account, making three months, although in all does not recollect the year but states that he was either 20 or 21 years of age that fall. after the expiration of said three months he returned home.
In the Spring following, he was drafted for one month to go against the Indians on the Beech Bottom flats, at the expiration of which time he volunteered for two months longer served under Captain Joseph Odle. He next entered the service in General Lachlan McIntosh’s campaign as a substitute and was out about three or four months.
On 11 June 1833, William Harris, a Licking County, Ohio resident, sat for a deposition related to his Military Pension claim. “…sayeth by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services, nor as to their commencement and termination, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned…”
He said he served for one month in the fall of 1776 as a substitute in a company of the Virginia Militia under the command of Captain Alexander Well. They marched to the flats of Grave Creek, Virginia, against Native American warriors. He recalled that his term expired on 25 October 1776.
Immediately after his discharge, he volunteered at the Grave Creek flats in Virginia to serve two months in the company of Captain Joseph Tomlinson Jr. of the Virginia Militia. The company was at the station at Grave Creek Fort. He served out his tour and was discharged by Captain Tomlinson, and he returned home near the mouth of the Buffalo Creek in Ohio County, Virginia.
In March 1777, he was drafted in Ohio County, Virginia, for a one-month term in the company of Captain Joseph Ogle. They were stationed at the Fort on the Beach Bottom in Ohio County, Virginia; said month expired the last of April 1777. He then volunteered shortly after his discharge for a tour of two months in the same company and remained at the Fort under said until the end of June 1777.
Having served a three-month term as a substitute for Thomas Gerby in the company of Captain Robert Swearingen's company of the Virginia Militia as part of General Lachlan McIntosh’s Campaign. He thought this tour started in the fall of 1778. The company rendezvoused at Pittsburg, went down the river, and assisted in building Fort McIntosh below the mouth of Big Beaver about 30 miles below Pittsburgh (present-day Beaver, Pennsylvania). After remaining at Fort McIntosh, they went with General McIntosh on to the Tuscarawas, where they built Fort Lawrence, or Laurens, on the bank of the Tuscarawas River [(present-day Bolivar Ohio). Here, he remained until his term of three months expired, but he did not return or leave the troops at that time. He remained until the expedition's return, which was no less than a month more. The company returned to Fort McIntosh, and he was discharged. During this time, he served under Captain Josiah Swearingen and then under Captain John Minter of the Infantry Company. Colonel William Crawford was our commander, and also Colonel Daniel Brodhead.
Not long after his last tour of duty, William married Martha Smith in about 1781 in Virginia. She was born in January 1754 and died in Bowling Green Township, Licking County, Ohio. Among their known children were:
John was born on 20 January 1782 and married Catherine Myers.
Thomas was born about 1785 and married Rachel Sutton.
James was born on 23 November 1788 and married Susannah McEnturf.
William Jr. was born about 1793 and married Mary Myers.
Warren was born on 10 May 1798 and married Elizabeth Sinnett.
The Patriot died on 20 September 1843 in Bowling Green Township, Licking County, Ohio.
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