At the instigation of officers who knew of her heroic conduct she was persuaded to represent her case for a pension to the commander-in-chief. With the full support of the commander-in-chief her case was put forward for recommendation to the Secretary of State for War. The request was refused on the grounds of insufficient funds. James Reston died on the 24 th October 1834, and Agnes descended into poverty and destitution and found herself in the Glasgow Poorhouse where she occupied a position, not of a pauper but as a sick nurse when required. In 1845, the plight of the Heroine of Matagorda came to the public attention through a report in the local press and an appeal was raised on her behalf. The appeal raised enough funds to present an annuity of £30 a year to give Agnes the independence and financial security she richly deserved. With no family she spent the remainder of her life in comfort in the Town Hospital, where she paid for her board out of the annuity raised by a generous public. After setting aside funds for her funeral she generously made donations to charitable causes. Agnes Harkness passed away after a short illness on the 24th of December 1856, aged 85 years.
Jane Elliot
Ancestor of Agnes Harkness
Ancestor of Agnes Harkness