This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: therock6250 Surnames: Jacob Harmon, Gideon Harmon, Greer, Crook Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.tennessee.counties.bedford/1408/mb.ashx Message Board Post: My research has centered on the Bedford, Lincoln Co., Tennessee area of which I first found my ancestor, Gideon Harmon, in the 1812 Bedford Co., TN Tax list. During the same year, he joined the army in Shelbyville, Bedford Co., Tennessee and fought in the War of 1812. This is a list of Harmon's listed in the 1812 Tax List from Bedford Co., Tennessee: Isaiah (Esaiah), Gideon, Henry, John, Jonathan, Lewis, & Lewis. This is a partial transcript of his military pension records. State of Tennessee Bedford County July 11, 1814 I James L Armstrong, late surgeon to the Regiment of Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry commanded by Col. John Alcorn under Major Genl. Andrew Jackson, do hereby certify that Gideon Harmon, a private in Capt. John B. Dempsey's company of mounted gun-men under the command of Col. Newton Cannon, was wounded through the right hand in the Battle of Tallasseehatchie when Brigadeer Genl. John Coffee commanded on the third Nov, 1813 - that I dressed the (?) Harmon soon after the battle; and that I have this day examined the wound and find that his right hand is in a great measure rendered useless in consequence thereof. And in all probability will ever remain so - Given under my hand the date above. James L Armstrong Surgeon R.T.V. Cav. Note: Gideon wounded on Nov 3, 1813. There are several letters asking for an increase in Gideon's pension and/or transfers from one office to another. Gideon's return and timing of such is important as I believe he returned to Tennessee to claim his rights in the estate of Jacob Harmon. Please read on.... Gideon moved back to Lincoln Co., Tennessee where he drew a pension from the West Tennessee office in Nashville from September 1822 to September 1832. He apparently had moved back to Mississippi by 1830 as he is in the 1830 Monroe Co., Mississippi Census. In 1830, there is a letter asking that he receive his pension from the Nashville office instead of Natchez, but in 1835, an application for transfer to collect it in the Territory of Mississippi in Natchez since he has moved there. It says that he removed from Lincoln Co TN to Monroe Co, MS: "That he could better promote the interest of his large family by removing to a new country suitable for the cultivation of cotton - and where land could be more easily obtained than where he formerly resided." Records show that he drew a Pension then from the Natchez , MS office from September 1832 until 1858. His tombstone at Bethlehem Cemetery, Oak Hill Community in Monroe County has a date of 1871 that we originally thought wa! s his death year. We now believe that he died in 1858; the year in which his pension ceased. Gideon and Mary had a LEAST nine children as indicated from the 1820, 1830 and 1840 Monroe Co., Mississippi Census records. I have identified six, James N., Jane, Newton Cannon, Rhoda, Alexander and John T.Harmon. He named one of his sons John T., being a major clue to Gideon's origins. My research also has centered on Harmons in the Bedford Co., Tennessee area who have origins in Virginia. In the 1850 Monroe Co., Mississippi Census, Gideon is listed born in Virginia and his wife Mary listed as born in North Carolina. This is consistent with his children in later Census records as to his state of birth. The descendants of Jacob Harmon of Bullitt Co., Kentucky are the only group I have found in the area of Bedford with origins in Virginia. Gideon joined the army in Shelbyville , TN as a member of the 2 Mtd Gunmen, West Tennessee Vols. JOHN T. HARMON was also a member of this same regiment. This John Harmon received a pension from the East Tennessee office of Jonesboro from 1835 to Sept 1838. He married in Rutherford Co., Tennessee (Rutherford boards Bedford County on the North) to Nancy Wilson on 30 Oct 1817. He moved to Arkansas but by 1850 was living in Lamar Co., Texas. John had a sister named Margaret who married John Crook. He is also named as one of Margaret's brothers in the land grant law suit of 1833 in Bedford County between the Crooks/Harmons/Greers heirs of old father Jacob Harmon's 1,000 acres in Bullitt County, Kentucky . . . and his deposition re: his two shares (bought a sister's-right in 1813), is also of record in Bullitt County, Kentucky. Lewis Harmon listed as a brother in said lawsuit. I have found references to twelve children of old Jacob Harmon but I have only identified three of them, John Troxel, Lewis and Margaret. I have not been able to find a transcript of the lawsuit but it seems the a possible reason that Gideon moved back to Lincoln Co., Tennessee during this same period and then returned to Mississippi after the lawsuit was settled. I wonder if he was litigator in the lawsuit and his return to Lincoln was to secure his rights. I am beginning to think that someone in the Harmon family found Gideon under a hollow log and adopted him into the family or that he was an illegitimate son of one of Jacob's daughters. My handicap is that I have not been able to visit the Bedford and Lincoln County Courthouses to search records. I would appreciate any help with my Harmon family line and of course anyone who can name the twelve children of Jacob of Bullitt Co., KY. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. 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