Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,640, for Thomas Porter, Connecticut
Page 1

(3--1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Porter, Thomas

NUMBER
S.17.640

carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

7560
Indiana

Thomas Porter
of Switzerland in the State of Indiana
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Chapman of the --- commanded
by --- in the Conn
line for 9 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana
at the rate of 30 Dollars --- Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of April
1833 and Sent to W C Keene
Printers Retreat

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $60.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 15.00
$75.00

{ Revolutionary Claim, }
{ Act June 7, 1832. }

Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 7 Page 124

Death not on A. B.
Page 3

12.971
Thomas Porter

Direct to Wm C Keen
Printer's Retreat, Ia.

Recorded & Ex
Page 4

In the matter of }
Thomas Porter. }
An applicant for a pension, under the act of
Congress of June 7, 1832 -- Recorded in
book A 280 page Edward Patton clk.

WHEREAS, it has been represented to me, WILLIAM C. KEEN, Judge of
Switzerland Probate count [court], that Thomas Porter,
of said county, is a REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER -- that he resides in the
township of Cotton and is unable to appear at court, in consequence of
bodily infirmity; whereupon, I attended at the residence of said Thomas
Porter, and after examination, do certify that said Thomas
Porter is unable to, and cannot, appear at court, in consequence
of BODILY INFIRMITY, caused by a rupture on
both sides of the groin.

Given under my hand, this 21st day of August A.D. 1832
[signed] William C. Keen

The state of Indiana, Switzerland county, SS:
On this Twenty-first day of August A.D. 1832 personally
appeared, at his own house, in Cotton township, county
aforesaid, before William C. Keen Esq. Judge of the
Switzerland Probate court, Thomas Porter, aged Seventy
years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his said oath, make
the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by
the act of congress, passed the 7th of June, A. D. 1832 -- that he, the said
Thomas Porter entered the service of the United States, during
the AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR, under the following named
officers, and served as herein stated -- That he, served in A D.
1780 or 1781, in a company of Connecticut
militia, commanded by Capt Chapman in
the regiment commanded by Colonel
Beebe and served for the full term of
nine months,

And, that he hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity, except
the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency
of any state.
The Judge, then propounded the following interrogatories to the said Thomas
Porter.

1. Where, and in what year were you born? I was born on the 29th
of Nov. 1761, near New Haven, Connecticut,

2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? None, except
this, which I made myself and contains the names of
my own children

3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since
the Revolutionary war; and where do you now live? When called into the
service I lived in the Bethlehem society near Woodbury Conn.
Since the war I lived about five or six years in New York State, & then in Kentucky
about 10 years, about 20 years in Ohio = 13 in Indiana

4. How were you called into service; were you drafted -- did you volunteer,
or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom? I was enlisted

5. State the names of some of the Regular officers, who were with the troops
where you served; such Continental and Militia regiments as you can recollect,
and the general circumstances of your service. There were no regular

About the first day of April in 1780 or
1781, I enlisted in a company of Connecticut
Militia, commanded by the following
Page 5

6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was
it signed, and what has become of it? I never received a
written discharge

7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood,
and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief
of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. Allen Wiley,
David Lee, Charles Letherberry, John Tague
Hiram Peabody - Augustus A. Peabody, Jeremiah Thomas

8. Have you any documentary evidence of your services, and do you know of
any person now living whose testimony you can procure to testify
to your services?
I have none and know of no person
living by whom I can prove said service

[signed] Thomas Porter

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid }
[signed] William C. Keen Probate Judge. }

We Luther Gilmore a clergyman, residing in Switzerland
county and state of Indiana and Charles Letherberry
residing in Switzerland county, state of Indiana hereby
certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Porter, who
has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration -- that we believe him to be
Seventy years of age -- the [that] he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood
where he resides, to have been a soldier in the REVOLUTION, and that we concur
in that opinion
[signed] Luther Gilmore
[signed] Charley Leatherberry

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, }
[signed] William C. Keen Probate Judge. }

And the said Judge, does hereby declare his opinion, after the investigation of
the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War
Department, that the above named Thomas Porter, was a
REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER and served as he states. And the Judge further
certifies, that it appears to him that Luther Gilmore who has
signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in Switzerland
county and state of Indiana and that Charles Letherberry
who also signed the same, in [is] a resident in Switzerland county and state
of Indiana and is a credible person, and their statement is entitled to
credit.
[signed] William. C. Keen.

I, EDWARD PATTON, Clerk of the Switzerland Probate Court, do certify
that the "Switzerland Probate court," is a court of record -- that William C
Keen is the judge thereof, duly elected, commissioned and sworn into office,
and the above signature is in the judge's own hand writing -- and I further
certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Judge, in
the matter of the application of Thomas Porter
for a pension, which is ordered of record by said Probate Judge.

[Court seal]
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, at Vevay,
this Twenty Seventh day of August
one thousand, eight hundred and thirty-two
[signed] Edward Patton Clk
Page 6

5. State the names of some of the Regular officers, who were with the troops
where you served; such Continental and Militia regiments as you can recollect,
and the general circumstances of your service. There were no regular

About the first day of April in 1780 or
1781, I enlisted in a company of Connecticut
Militia, Commanded by the following
officers, viz Captain Chapman, Lieutenant
John Hubbell and ensign Averill or Avery in the
regiment commanded by the following
officers viz Col Beebe & major Shipman and
served until the first day of January
following. After joining our company at
Bethlehem aforesaid we were marched
to a place called Horseneck and stationed
there pretty much during the whole term
of service and was on said 1st of January
dismissed or discharged. Another regiment
of Connecticut militia besides ours were stationed at the same place
commanded by Col Beebe, was a regiment
commanded by Col Wells = his major's name was
Peters. Captains Umstead, Bradley, and
Porter commanded companies in our
(Beebe's) regiment, we were dismissed
at Horseneck aforesaid.

The above named Col. Wells, suffered
himself to be surprised, in bed, and taken
prisoner =

In 1778, He the said Thomas Porter served for a short time = having
volunteered at Wyoming, in Penn. and served under a
man named Jenkins = this force went in pursuit of
the Savages who had massacreed [massacred] two white men
brothers named Harden = during the pursuit, we
Killed two Indians; one of them, while swimming
in the Susquehanna river = An officer was
with us, named Butler. ---
Page 7

No. 12.971.
Thomas Porter.

Switzerland
from 1780 private
9 months.
$30

Chapman

Conn line

Wm C. Kene Printers retreat Indiana
P
16th Feb. 1833
Page 8

BRIEF in the case of Thomas Porter --
of Switzerland County in the State of Indiana
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Judge.

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? yes.

3. How old is he? 70 years.

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period. In 1780 or 1781

Duration of Service. Years, Months 9, Days.
States that he served a
short time in 1778.
service not named.

Rank. As a private do.

Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen.
Capt Chapman
__ Jenkins.

5. In what battles was he engaged? ---

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Woodbury, Connecticut

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence.

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? No.

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.
[signed] B. F. Pleasants Examining Clerk.
Page 9

No record of children
found in this case
when opened by me.

L. Heisner.
Nov 18, 1909.
Page 10

17.640
INVALID. Own Rev War

File No. 17.640
Thomas Porter
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7th 32
Index: -- Vol. 1 , Page 301

[ Arrangement of 1870. ]
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Thomas Porter [Porters] which require
further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes.

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes.

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes.

V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension
he is entitled?
No.

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
yes.

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832?

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal? yes.
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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his
revolutionary service? Yes.

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not
obtaining it?

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
yes.

XIV. ** If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service? ---
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? ---
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct? ---

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI. *** Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes.

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes.

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recolelection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; Formonths
, and
days, I served as a -- For
months
days, I served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension.
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3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served,
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the
pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite
, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objection
able. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed
in any civil pursuit.

** QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must
prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of
the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the
regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate
must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

*** QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate
must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Porter, Thomas
GRADE Private
LINE Maryland

WARRANT NUMBER 11613
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED November 29, 1790
to George Fields, Admr

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800"" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.