Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

William Harper
MSA SC 3520-16857

Biography:

Born: Unknown.

Married: Bethula Wallace, c. 1793. She was born c. 1764-1765 and died 5 October 1855; at least one son (possibly Zebediee Harper, who served as administrator of her estate). She was granted a pension from the State of Maryland for William's military service in 1846, receiving a lifetime grant of half of his salary as private. She was also awarded a 160 acre land grant as a widow of a Revolutionary War veteran. 

Resided: Dorchester County, Maryland. Purchased a 10.25 acre plot of land in 1787.

Military Service: Private, Lower Battalion, Dorchester County Militia, 11 July 1781; Enlisted (as substitute), Maryland Line (possibly 4th Maryland Regiment), 26 August 1781; in 5th Regiment, 13 October 1781; discharged 29 November 1783. Bethula Harper's widow's pension application said that William served in the 2nd Maryland Regiment from August 1780 until November 1783. 

A William Harper enlisted as a private in Eccleston's Company, 2nd Regiment, 1777. He reenlisted in the 2nd, 19 March 1778 and died 9 January 1779, while the army was at winter quarters in Morristown, New Jersey. U.S. Army service records indicate that he was present until January, 1778, and that he enlisted for a three year term.

Died: 17 February 1814, in Dorchester County, Maryland.

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