A Document For Revolutionary War Service Signed By Benjamin Harrison V, Signer Of The Declaration Of Independence And Father And Great-Grandfather To Presidents

BENJAMIN HARRISON V (1726-1791). Harrison served as the 5th Governor of Virginia between 1781-1784 and was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. DS. June 29, 1784. Council-Chamber. A partly-printed document signed “Benj Harrison”: “I DO Certify, That Benjamin Smith XX of Edward Clark is entitled to the properties of land allowed a Sargeant of the Continental line, for three years service”. In addition to Harrison’s signature, “Tho Merriwether” signed the document. This document represents a land grant given to a veteran of the American Revolution. According to the Library of Virginia, the state offered bounty lands for Revolutionary War military service who had served at least three years continuously in the Continental or state forces. This land was in western Virginia, which is present-day Kentucky or Ohio. No bounty land was given by the state for militia service. After reviewing the claims and affidavits, the Governor’s office reviewed the claims and had final say. Once a claim was approved, the Governor's Office issued a military certificate that authorized the Land Office to issue a warrant for a specific amount of land based on the veteran's military rank and length of service, from 100 acres for a soldier or sailor to 15,000 acres for a Major General. Thus, this certificate notes that Smith was a Sargeant. In total, the Governor's Office issued 9,926 certificates between 1782 and 1876, as veterans’ heirs continued to make claims. These land certificates, rather than direct payment, were the most prominent reward granted to veterans of the American Revolution, and therefore this document is a key reminder of the practice. The document is cut into black cardstock and placed below an engraving Governor Harrison, whose distinguished political service before, during, and after the Revolution was overshadowed by the political success of his son and great-grandson. Both items are placed into a black and gold wooden frame, which is in fine condition.