Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 21993, for Rouse Potter, Rhode Island
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SERVICE |  | NUMBER
R.I. | Potter, Rouse | W 21993
 | Anna |

CONTENTS
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Date of details not [illegible] A B

Rhode Island 1072
Anna Potter
widow of Rouse Potter R. I.
who died on the 5th Decr. 1831 of Providence Co in the State of R. Island who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Sheldon of the regt. commanded by Col Barton in the R. I. Mila. [Militia] for one year.

Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island
at the rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum.
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of June
1837. and sent to Josiah Titus Esq
South Scituate.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1837 $240.
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 37 20.-
$260.

Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836, 
Section the 3.

[cut off: Re]corded by Wm. Allison Clerk,
Vol. 1 page 115
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A. Potter  1873
Anna Potter
R. Island

admitted for
1 yr.  $40

died 5 Dec 1831

Jonah Titus
South Scituate
R. I.
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Declaration 

In order to obtain the benefit of the 3d Section of the act of Congress of the 4th of July 1836 – 

State of Rhode Island County of Providence ss. 

on this Eighteenth day of October ___ Eighteen hundred and thirty six personally appeared before me Daniel Howard ___ one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas in the County of Providence, Anna Potter, a resident of the town of Scituate in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island, aged Eighty years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress July 4, 1836, that she is the widow of Rouse Potter late of said Scituate, deceased, who was a private in army of the revolution, and served in the Rhode Island Militia - that said Rouse was actually gone from home, and as he then said to her was guarding the shores of the Narragansett Bay in said Militia on alarms and drafts and as a substitute for others - in the course of said war as many as sixteen whole months: that in 1775 he did some duty: In November and December of 1776 he served a term of one month stationed at Warwick in Capt Saml. Williams Company, that in 1777 he served on alarm and drafts as many as four monthly tours, that in 1778 he served on alarms and drafts as many as four monthly tours - that in 1779 he served as many as four monthly tours on alarms and drafts – that in 1780 he served a tour of one month on
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on Draft in Capt Isaac Hopkins Company, and was stationed at Warwick - that in 1781 he served a tour of one month stationed at Warwick, she think in Capt Samuel Williams Company - that she has heard him speak of being stationed at the following places on monthly tours, of service in said Militia in said war; Two tour at Trinton [Trenton], three tours at Warwick, two tours at Bristol, one to at Warren, two tours on Rhode Island, two at Providence, and of going first to Providence and from them to Warwick at other times - that he has spoken of being under Colonel West, Lippet, Chad Brown, Barton, Cornell, and Waterman, and in the companies of Captain Simeon Harrington, Samuel Williams, Jonathan Knight, Isaac Hopkins, Stephen Sheldon, and that at one time Thomas Field was an officer over him - that he often in his time has stated to her and in her hearing that that he was on duty on Rhode Island at the time of the great Storm - that said Rouse lived in said Situate when called into said service in R. I. that the foregoing is according to her best knowledge and belief, that she old, weak, and sick , and her memory fails with her sickness -  that she his documentary evidence of said service - She further declares, that she was married to the said Rouse Potter on the sixth day of August 1775 Seventeen hundred and seventy five, which marriage she expects is recorded in Smithfield records, that her aforesaid husband, Rouse Potter, died on the fifth day
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of December in the year 1831 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. 

her Anna Potter mark 

Sworn to and Subscribed before me on the day and year above written. And I the said Justice do also Certify that said Anna Potter, is a credible person, as to me it doth fully appear, that by reason of age, sickness, and bodily infirmity she is unable to go out to attend a court to make this declaration. I also certify that two overments were interlined on the opposite page before the [illegible]  hereof, and that she made her cross to subscribed the foregoing declaration in my presence --- 

Daniel Howard Justice of the Court of Common Pleas
County of Providence

State of Rhode Island & Providence. I Dexter Randall Clerk the Court of Common Pleas for said County being a Court of Record do hereby Certify that Daniel Howard before whom the aforegoing affidavit was sworn is a Justice of said Court: That he is, by Law duly authorized & empowered to administer oaths & take depositions, and that his signature above written is Genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereto Set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Providence this thirtieth day of November AD 1835 
Dexter Randall [illegible]
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James Howard
for
Rouse Potter
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I James Howard [illegible] of Foster in the County of Providence aged 77 years do Say on oath that I was well acquainted with the Late Rouse Potter of Scituate in the Revolutionary war. In December 1775 he went on a Draft in Capt Simeon Harringtons Company to Bristol and stayed a month in Col Wests Redgt. In November 1776 he went to Warrick on a Draft in Capt Stephen Sheldons Company he went to Bristol twice and twice to Warrick a month at each time he Served three months a minute man under Capt Stephen Sheldon in the fore part of the war But do not recollect the particular months nor the year I See Said Potter I think in the Summer of 1777 Stationed near Howlands ferry under Capt Stephen Sheldon and served twenty Days in Spencers Expedition in Col Bartons Regt. I also see him on Newport in 1778 in Sullivans Expedition I think under Capt Hopkins and Served one month he Served a tour of one month Stationed at gardners neck in Newport under Capt Benjamin Wood in 1779 in Col Burtons Red.gt in 1780 he was in Capt Sheldons Company Stationed at Portsmouth and Served about a month in 1781 he went to Bristol in the French Alarm and Served a Tour of one month under Capt Wilbur I think in Col Knights Reagt. All of the Said Service was done in the Rhode Island Militia. He also went on all the alarms during the whole war. I Served with him a number of tours and I know he was on duty at Different times all thow [through] the war he was allways Called a good Soldier and ready to turn out in the alarms and Drafts when Called upon

his James + Howard mark

Attest Mary Ann Howard 

State of Rhode Island County of Providence } ss

on the 24th day of October AD 1836 James Howard Signer to the aforegoing Deposition made Solemn oath to the truth of the facts therein Stated
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I also Certify that he is a Cridable [credible] Person to me well known as Such and entitled to Credit as a witness in the premises
Before me David Phillips 3rd. Justice Peace
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I Samuel Eldried of Scituate in the County of Providence, aged 80 years on solemn oath do testify and say - that I was acquainted with Rouse Potter late of said Scituate, Decesd. [deceased], and we were near neighbours in the time of the revolution. I was not at home when the British took possession of Newport in 1776 but I got home in March 1777 I was then informed that said Potter went on the alarm and stayed a month for himself stationed at Warwick, in Capt. Williams company, he so served a tour of one month, stationed at said Warwick as a substitute, for one William Battey in the winter of 1777. this month was out about the time I got home, said Potter told me that he served those two months and no one ever dispute it. In the summer of 1777 I saw said Potter stationed at Bristol, I think in Capt Williams Company, & Col West Regt. saw Potter was in Spencers expedition in the fall of 1777 stationed at Tiverton, in Capt Simeon Herrenden [Harrington] company - said Potter continued to go in his tours when Drafted, in the Militia, he was never backward. I saw him in Sulivans [Sullivan’s] expedition in august 177[crossed out number] 1778 stationed at [illegible] hill, I think Isaac Hopkins was his Captain, in Col [illegible],  Regt. I am satisfied from general report and talk at the time, that he went in all his tours in the Militia in 1778 and 1779. and from the same report and from my knowledge of the number drafts and the number required in each Draft, that he went as many as four months in each of those years - he also went to Bristol in the French alarm in 1781 which time I was with him, Capt. William company I think Jo. Knight was Col-
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I also say, that I have often talked with the said Potter Service, since said was is over, as to the amount of his service; and he could reckon up by the diferent tours that he had served, as many as fifteen months. And I fully concur, now in opinion, that he served as much as that in said war.  And no person then or since pretend that he did less. And I ought to add that scarcely any of the ancient people of his ninety are now living. But the general opinion of his having been a soldier of the revolution has been handed down to the present time

Samuel Eldried

State of Rhode Island 
County of Providence } Ss

October 11th 1836 Then Samuel Eldried signer of the foregoing Deposition made oath to the truth of the facts therein Stated.  I also Certify that he is a credible witness in the premises 

Before me Jonah Titus Just. Peace
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I Josiah Harrington of Foster in the County of Providence aged 76 years do say on oath that I was acquainted with the late Rouse Potter of Scituate in the revolutionary war, In December 1775 he went on a Draft in Capt Simeon Harrintons [Harrington’s] company to Bristol, and stayed a month.  Col West Regt. In December 1776 he went on a Draft to Warwick in Capt Samuel Williams Company for a month. Col John Waterman. In January 1777 he served a month as a subsitute [substitute] for one William Battey of Pawtuxet, but cant say who was his captain. In April 1777 he served a time of one month on Draft stationed at Warwick in Capt Kimball company, Col Cornell. In August of 1777 he served a tour of one month on Draft stationed at Warwick, in Capt. Williams Company. In October & November of 1777 in Spencer expedition he served upon Draft [illegible] months and a half, in Capt Harrentons [Harrington’s] Company stationed a part of the time in Trenton and a part in Little Compton in Col Barton Regt. In 1778 he was gone upon Draft three tours, at least of a month each - I was with him in one of said tours only, he was stationed at Rhode Island, Col Cornell Regiment in Capt Isaac Hopkins company. he served a tour of one month upon Draft in 1779 stationed at Bristol in Capt Jon.n [Jonathan] Knights Company;  he was gone, as I think,  in 1779 two other tours of a month each on Draft, when I was not with him
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first it was said he was gone to guard the shores and the fact was generally believed -  he served tour of one month stationed at Warwick in 1780 in Capt Hopkins company - In 1781 he served a tour of one month upon Draft stationed at Warwick in Capt Williams Company all said service was done in the R. I Militia He also went on all the alarms and occassions [occasions] of danger, during said war, he went to my knowledge at least on six alarms, and they would take at least two days on each alarm.
Said Rouse always was called a good soldier, & was ready to turn out on the alarms, and when Drafted:

Josiah Herrinton 

State of Rhode Island 
County of Providence } Ss

on the 13th day of October 1834 Josiah Herrinton of the foregoing Deposition made oath to the truth of the facts therein Stated:  I also certify that he is a credible person to me well known as such, and entitled to credit as a witness in the premises

Before me Jonah Titus Just. Pear
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J Potter
[illegible]
R. P.
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I Ichabod Potter of Scituate in the County of Providence do say on oath, that I am the son of Rouse Potter late of Scituate, Deceased, that he died in December 1831 and that Anna Potter his widow has remained a widow ever since his decease. I further say that I have often heard my said father tell of being in this war of the revolution, stationed at various places, to wit, at, Warwick, Rhode Island, Trenton, Warren, Bristol, Providence. I am 45 years of age. I have heard him tell of his sufferings in the great storm, and of a bomb which was thrown by the British, and fell near to Richard Cornell, but did not hurt him.

Ichabod Potter 

State of Rhode Island 
County of Providence } ss.

October 10th 1836 

Then Ichabod Potter signer of the foregoing Deposition made oath to the truth of the same. I also certify that he is a credible person and is entitled to credit as a witness in the premises.

Before me Jonah Titus Just. Peace
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I hereby certify that Rouse Potter son of Christopher Potter of Situate [Scituate] and Anne Sheldon daughter of William Sheldon of Smithfield both in the County of Providence were lawfully together in marriage on the 6th day of August AD. 1775 by me the subscribed 

Danl. Moury Junr. Justice. 

Recorded August 11th 1775 
P. Danl. Moury Junr. Town Clk.

Town Clerks pr Office Smithfield December 5th AD 1836 

I certify that the above is a true copy from Smithfield Register of Marriage &c. Book No. 2 & Page 202 duly compared 

Witness Thomas Mann Town Clk 

Providence ss.  Smithfield Decemr. 5th 1836 

Then Personally appeared the above named Thomas Mann who is now Town Clerk of the Town of Smithfield and was duly sworn to the truth of the above certificate by him subscribed and I certify that the above signiture [signature] Thomas Mann " is in his propper handwriting and that full faith and credit are to be given to his Signature and attestations as Town Clerk as aforesaid 

Geo. H Moury Justice of the Peace
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State of Rhode Island &c 
Providence ss   I Dexter Randall Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within said County being a Court of Record, do hereby Certify that David Phillips 3d. and Sarah Jonah Titus Esqrs. and George H Mowry Esqr before whom the aforegoing Documents were sworn, are Justices of the peace, the two first of the Town of Scituate and the last of the Town of Smithfield in said County: That by Law they are duly authorized & empowered to administer oaths & take depositions and that their several signatures before written are Genuine. In testimony whereof have hereto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court at Providence this thirteenth day of December AD 1836 
Dexter Randall
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1
Hon Richard P. Freeman   August 27, 1931

BA-J/EEL 
[illegible]

It appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 21993, that Rouse Potter, the son of Christopher, while residing at Scituate, Rhode Island, enlisted and served at various times on short tours from December, 1775 until 1781, about sixteen months in all, as a private under Captains Simeon Harrington, Jonathan Knight, Samuel Williams, Benjamin Wood, Isaac Hopkins, Stephen Sheldon, Kimball, Thomas Field, and Wilbur, Colonels West, Lippett, Chad Brown, Barton, Cornell and Waterman in the Rhode Island Troops and was in Generals Spencer's and Sullivan's Rhode Island Expeditions. 

He died December 5, 1831, at Scituate, Rhode Island. The date and place of his birth are not stated. 

The soldier married August 6, 1775, Anna, the daughter of William Sheldon. Both were then of Providence County, Rhode Island, and their marriage was recorded on the Register of Marriages of Smithfield. 

Soldier's widow, Anna, was allowed pension on her application executed October 18, 1836, at which time she was aged eighty years and resided in Scituate, Rhode Island. 

In 1836, soldier's son, Ichabod, was aged forty-five years and resided in Scituate, Rhode Island. The names of no other children appear.
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1931 - Aug 27 - [?]eist. to Jean R. P. Freeman for Mrs M. B. Bishop. Letter in case Jedediah Darrow
W. 1570- EEL

Rev
WIDOW, *&c.

File No. 21.993
Anna Potter
Widow of Rouse Potter
Priv. Rev. War
Act July 4th1836
[Index] dex: Vol. M, Page 138
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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South Scituate R.I. May 1. 1837 

Dear Sir,

Enclosed are the papers of Anna Potter for a Pension. It was expected that the Deposition of Wm. Roberts would have been obtained before this, which would have added to the amount of service proved. 

But it is stated here that he is dead, having died not long ago-- therefore the papers one forwarded with less proof of actual service than was anticipated by the claimant - She hope you will therefore put as liberal a construction upon her case as your rules will admit.

Yours Respectfully 
Jonah Titus 

Hon J. L. Edwards Court of Pensions