This dark slate headstone for Thomas Harvey, who served for seven years in the Continental Army, stands near the east entrance to the Old North Cemetery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The headstone reads:
THOMAS HARVEY
a worthy
Soldier of the Revolution
Died
Jan. 18, 1837
Aged 84 years.
In the book, The soldiers' memorial. Portsmouth, N.H., 1893-1921, by Joseph Foster, Grand Army of the Republic. Dept. of New Hampshire Storer Post, No. 1 (Portsmouth), it relates the following about Thomas Harvey, beginning on page 32:
"Harvey, Thomas—Rev. War.
"Thomas Harvey, a worthy Soldier of the Revolution, Died Jan. 18, 183", Aged 84 years." Stone.
"Deaths.—1n this town, Mr. Thomas Harvey, aged 85 [See above]—a Revolutionary pensioner." Portsmouth Journal, January 21, 1837.
"We announced the death a week or two since of Thomas Harvey, a Revolutionary pensioner, at the age of 85 [See above]. The following incident is related in a Boston paper:
'When Lafayette visited Portsmouth in 1824 an interesting scene occurred in the hall of audience. Harvey was introduced to the General as a soldier who had fought under him. 'Do you recollect, Marquis (said Harvey), who bore you on his back, after being wounded at the battle of Brandywine, to the surgeon's quarters?' 'He was called Tom Harvey,' said the excellent Lafayette. What took place thereafter, if we know, it is not proper to relate.""
Portsmouth Journal, February 4,183J.
Thomas Harvey was born in Portsmouth in 1752 or 1753, and served gallantly in the Continental army during seven years Of the Revolutionary war. He crossed the Delaware with Washington, and was at the battle of Brandywine, Sept. 11, 1777. He died in Portsmouth, January 18, 1837.
When Lafayette visited Portsmouth, Wednesday, September 1, 1824, and was given a public reception in Franklin Hall, at least thirty soldiers of the Revolution, who had served under him, and many of whom had come from a great distance for the purpose of seeing him, were present.
Among those who pressed forward to shake hands with the illustrious visitor was Thomas Harvey. While retaining the General's hand the veteran asked him if he remembered who carried him off the field severely wounded at the battle of Brandywine?
"I do," instantly replied the General— "It was a New Hampshire soldier named Thomas Harvey, who rendered me that gallant service."
"Yes," said the soldier, "Itwas Thomas Harvey, and—with a military salute—I am the man."
The General recognized his friend of the battle-field, and manifested great pleasure at meeting him again after the iapse of so many eventful years, and greeted him with a cordiality and a warmth of manlier highly gratifying to the patriot soldier.
A newspaper of the time says: "Oar old friend Thomas Harvey found it difficult to restrain himself; the sight of Lafayette recalled all the scenes of the Revolution and well nigh overcame him."'
Harvey was always very patriotic and could ill brook a Tory, as was a citizen of Portsmouth, whoso hired man he was for a time. The story is told, that one morning he was with him at the old Spring Market, with his basket, when Governor Langdon came in with his hired man and basket. Mr. Harvey's employer said to him—"Why can I not have my shoes shine like Governor Langdon's?" The reply was — "Because he is a gentkmau!"—"And am I not a gentleman?"—The answer was—"No!"—with a capital N so forcibly given, that a sympathizing citizen, standing near, put half a dollar in Harvey's hand.
In his later years Harvey was not overburdened with this world's goods, and was bent nearly double, but he received a small pension, and was always hapiy and contented, and quick witted also, as the following incident will show.
The Benevolent Society of the then town of Portsmouth had a committee appointed to visit the poor one hard winter to ascertain their wants.
Among others Mr. Harvey was visited, and the gentleman apologized for his visit, by saying—"You look very comfortable here, I am a sort of a spy going around"—Harvey interrupted him excitedly by saying,—"I don't like spies, we hung one (Andre) in the Army, and a handsome man he was too! A good deal better looking than you are!"" (
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Another excerpt from the Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, Volume 26, page 15, relates the following:
"Sergeant Thomas Harvey, brother-in-law of Mark Green, whose gravestone will be found in the North cemetery, Portsmouth, near the entrance, "served over seven years in the Continental army," and "had a fine record." He died in Portsmouth, January 18, 1837, aged eightyfour years. "He was at the battle of Brandywine, where General Lafayette was wounded. He was at the reception to Lafayette in Portsmouth on September 1, 1824. when they renewed the acquaintance." (Communicated by Joseph Foster, Portsmouth, N. H.)" (
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