Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 40276, for Elijah Porter, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Porter, Elijah

NUMBER
S.40276

CONTENTS
Page 2

3610.
To Ohio
From Massachusetts Roll

Elijah Porter
War
Conn Musician
S. B. Webb''s Regt. 1777 - 6 years
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 5 of May 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 14 of Octr 1818
and Sent to John Hooker Esq
Springfield Massachusetts

Arrears to 4th of Sept. - 1818  32.03
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4th Mar 1819  48.00
[Total] $ 80.03

Arrears 3 Mo - 27/31
4/30

Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.

Continued
Westfield, Hampden
Co
[Written vertically:]
Notification sent July 31st 1820 [Illegible]
John Ingersoll, Springfield, Masstts
Page 3

Elijah Porter of Westfield in the County of [illegible] commonwealth of Massachusetts, [illegible] under oath  makes the following declaration that he enlisted in the former first of the month of April 1777 into Capt. Joseph Walker's company of [illegible], in Col. Samuel B. Webb's regiment; it being the regiment in the Connecticut line, as a drummer for and during the term of the war's continuance- that he served faithfully in said capacity until the first of February 1790 and was then discharged honorably under the hand of Col. Grosvenor who was then in command at the Highlands in New York near Westpoint on account of a hectic fever- that he gave his discharge to one Elisha Colt of Hartford, Connecticut, more that twenty five years ago- that the said [illegible] might thereby receive the declarant's bounty land- that he has never seen it since, and is now utterly unable to find it- that he is sixty one years old- and hereby relinquishes his claim to every other pension heretofore [illegible] him by the laws of the United States - that he is in reduced circumstances in life and by reason thereof stands in need of his country's assistance for support.
Elijah Porter 
Signed [illegible] 5th day of May before me John Hooker
I David Loundsbury of Harwich Mass. do depose [illegible] that I was in the 2nd regiment of Col. Samuel B. Webb  and regiment at Peekskill New York July 1777 - [illegible] to the [illegible] to the revolutionary war and that I was well acquainted with Elijah Porter in said war and was knowing to his service as he has stated in his afore affidavit  and that he was discharged about a year before Peace was declared on account of sickness - that he was in said Regiment after I joined it nearly five years
David Loundsbury 
Signed [illegible] May 5, 1818 before me
John Hooker
Page 4

Hampden ss
On this 5th day of May 1818 personally appeared before me John Hooker Esquire Cheif Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Western Circuit in said Commonwealth including said County of Hampden, the within named Elijah Porter & in my presence subscribed & made oath to the before giving declaration by him made & it appearing to my satisfaction that the said Elijah Porter served for the term of more than 9 months - to wit from the 1st of May 1777 to the 1st of February 1782. At one period of the War of the Revolution, on the Continental establishment, against the Common Enemy 
I hereby certify the testimony in the Case & the proceedings had thereon to the Secretary of the War Department.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & the seal of the said Court this 5th. day of May A.D. 1818.

John Hooker

Elijah Porter

I John Hooker within named do hereby certify that from evidence now exhibited to me lawfully satisfied that said Elijah Porter is in reduced circumstances in life [Illegible] from his Country and do hereby certify that fact to the Secretary of War.
John Hooker
Springfd Septr 26th 1818

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Hampden  ss

I, John Ingersoll, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts of said Commonwealth for the County of Hampden do certify that John Hooker Esquire is Cheif Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas aforesaid - that the above signature is his proper hand writing, & that the seal hereto affixed is the seal of said Court.

Attest John Ingersoll Clerk

Elijah 5 May
correct
Page 5

Elijah Porter
3610   14 Oct 1818.

Con
May 1819
Westfield
Page 6

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY of Hampden SS.

ON this tenth day of July 1820, personally appeared, in open court, before the Circuit Court of Common Pleas the same being a Court of Record and so established by a Statute of said Commonwealth, said Court being now in session at Springfield within and for said county of Hampden

Elijah Porter aged sixty four years, resident in Westfield in sd county who being
first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on this oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: In the Service of the State of Connecticut six months, in the year '75 in the winter of '76 he served two months in the same service & was on Dorchester Point - in the same year he served six months in the State service of Connecticut at Groton & helped build Fort Griswold in the winter of '77 he enlisted in Coln Samuel B. Webbs Regt a Drummer which was the 9th Connecticut Regt on the Continental establishment & was annexed to Capt Joseph Walkers Company - I served in said Regt. untill the Spring of '82 when I received an honorable discharge on account of Inability to serve as I was in a Sortie on account of hard service &c. &c. - I made my Application under the Law of 18th March 1818 on the fifth of May of the same year - my Certificate is dated on the 14th of October 1818 & is numbered 3610 - I am by occupation a Farmer but have not been able to do but little work for nearly four years on Account of a  severe incision in my foot by an Ax which Cost me every thing but my Life - to give a Circumstantial detail of my long illness would be unavailing - I am myself 64 years of age in Decr next my wife is 53 & infirm her Name is Pamela She has a son by a former marriage who lives with us, that is always ill with the Phthisis and is nothing but a bill of expenses his name is William Stannard aged 16 - I have one son of my own by the name of Elijah Porter Jnr who is Nine years old & was left with me by my 2d wife when he was six days old the rest of our Children are out work for a subsistance

Elijah Porter
Page 7

dule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.

SCHEDULE.

6. Windsor Chairs $1.80 - one table $1. one [Illegible] 75ct  one [Illegible] 80.65 - 
[Total] $4.35

1. dish[Illegible] 50.ct - 1. Tea kettle 50.cs - 1 frying pan 30.ct pair Andirons $1. - [Total] 2.30

1. fire shovel 25 - 1. pr tongs 33.ct - Grid Iron 30.ct [Illegible] Iron 33.ct - [Total] $1.21

1. pr Bellows 20.ct - 1. pair [Illegible] $0.50 - 1 pr shears 10.ct - [Total] .80

1. Sett Blue edged plates Large 34.ct - 1. Sett small blue edged plates 16.ct - [Total] 50

1. Sett Tea Cups & Saucers 28. ct - 1. Quart mug 8.ct - 1 pint [Illegible] 4.ct - [Total] 40

3. deep plates 25.ct - 7. Cream Coloured plates $0.28 - 1 tea pot .15 ct - [Total] .68

3. pewter plates 75 ct - 2 - half pt Tumblers 12 1/2 ct - 1 C[Illegible] 8.ct - [Total] 95 1/2

2. [Illegible] bowls 12 ct - 1. Creamer 4.ct - 1. Sugar bowl. 6.ct - [Total] 22

1. Tea Canister 17.ct - 1. Sett knives & forks 60ct - 2. [Illegible] 12.cts - [Total] 89

1. [Illegible] looking Glass small 17.cts - 1 high Chest $1. - [Total] 1.17

1. Low Chest - $1. -.1. Meat barrel 75 cts - 1. Cider Barrel 50cts - [Total] 2.25

1. Dutch [Illegible] $1.50 - 2. Wash Tubs - 50cts - one pail 17 cts - [Total] 2.17

1. Corn Narrow $1.50 - 2. hoes 50ct - one Ax $1. -.1. Dung fork 50ct - [Total] 3.50

Final Total $21.39 1/2

Elijah Porter

Sworn to and declared on the tenth day of July 1820 before the Circuit Court of Common Pleas
Attest John Ingersoll Clerk

I John Ingersoll Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for sd County do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is Twenty  One Dollars and thirty nine Cents. [Illegible] mills

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, on this Eleventh day of July 1820.

John Ingersoll 
Clerk of the Court for the County
of Hampden
Page 8

Elijah Porter  transfd
from Massachusetts to
Ohio 20 June 1822 from
the 4 March 1822

Mar 19

[Written vertically up the right margin:]
This fourteenth day of day of March Anno Domini 1822.

John Freese  Clerk
Page 9

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER

County of Medina SS

On this fourteenth day of August 1821, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Medina personally appeared Elijah Porter who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Joseph Walker in the regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel B Webb in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the state of Massachusetts from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the state (district, or territory) of Ohio where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future.

John Smith Justice

Sworn and subscribed to, before me, the day and year aforesaid.


WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office, August 13, 1818. The oath to be taken before a duly qualified magistrate, whose official character and signature must be properly authenticated.

The Official character & signature of the Magistrate before whom the above affidavit purports to have been made, must be properly authenticated.
Page 10

The State of Ohio
Medina County ss

I John Freese Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Medina do hereby Certify that the within named John Smith is now and was at the time of subscribing the within affidavit, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Medina, legally authorized to take depositions and administer Oaths

Given Under my hand and the Seal of my said Office at Medina this fourteenth day of March Anno Domini 1822.

John Freese  Clerk

[Seal at left]

[Written vertically along the left margin:]
Elijah Porter, transfr
from Massachusetts to
Ohio 20 June 1822 from
the 4 March 1822

Mar 19
Page 11

Inv. 40,276
Wid. 4,396
Inv. 17,938
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON D.C.
August 9, 1897

Sir,
Replying to your request for information concerning certain soldiers of the Revolutionary war you are advised as follows:
Elijah Porter made an application for pension on May 5, 1818, at which time he was residing at Westfield, Mass., and his pension was allowed for six years' actual service as a musician in the Connecticut troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Walker and Col. Webb. He enlisted at Westfield, Mass.
William Wilson made an application for pension on June 1, 1813, at which time he was sixty-six years of age and residing at Bristol, Ohio, and his pension was allowed for one year's actual service as a private in the Pennsylvania troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Talbot and Col. Irving.  He enlisted at Carlisle, Pa.  His widow, Jane, made application and received a pension for the service of her husband as above set forth.
Page 12

From papers on file in the claim for pension by the heirs of Ashbel Easton it appears that pension was allowed for his actual service as an artificer on the Connecticut troops, Revolutionary war, for the period of two  years; a part of the time he served under Capt. Patten and Col. Baldwin.  Place of his enlistment not stated.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner
Mr. W.G. Wilson,
356-358 The Arcade,
Cleveland, Ohio.
Page 13

40276

INVALID,
Revy

File No. 40,276
Elijah Porter

Musician Rev War

Act: 18th March 18

Index :-Vol. 3, Page 398

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 14

July 2/94 Mil. Hist. [Illegible]
Linn B. Porter  684 Main St
Cambridgeport. Mass.

Feb 23 - 95 to
E S Chittenden
St Paul
Minn
Hist

Aug. 9/97 W. G. Wilson
Cleveland, Ohio.
Page 15

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Elijah Porter, a solder of the Revolutionary war, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
Dates of enlistment or appointment  Apr. 1777
Length of Service 
Rank drummer 
Officers under whom service was rendered - Captain Jos. Walker Colonel Sam B. Webb 
State Conn.
Was discharged Feb. 1, 1782 near West Point N.Y. by Col. Grosvenor then in command of his regiment
Battles engaged in, none men.
Residence of solder at enlistment, Probably Westfield, Mass.
Date of application for pension, May 5, 1818
Age at date of application 62 yrs.
remarks: In 1821 he was residing in Medina Co. Ohio  Also sent to E.S. Chittenden, St. Paul Minn.Feb. 23, 95 by order of Con.
Linn B. Porter, Esq.
684 Main St.
Cambridge, Mass.
Page 16

Accident Department
Aetna Life Insurance Company of Hartford Conn.
W.G. Wilson manager for Northern Ohio 
354-356 The Arcade  Telephone 96 Cleveland
July 21, 1897
Hon. Commission of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Honorable Sir, For the purpose of completing my application for membership in "The Society of Sons of the American Revolution" I wish you would advise me what the records of your office show as to the Revolutionary services of Elijah Porter, who was born in Westfield, Mass., 1756, and killed by accident in Medina -co., O., 1821, being thrown from a horse while he was going to Medina, O., to get his pension money, which indicates that he must have been a pensioner.  Our family tradition is that he was in the battle of Bunker Hill and served throughout the war for a period of seven years.  Would also ask if either of the following are found on the pension rolls,
Ashbel Easton, born Sept. 15, 1757, in East Hartford, Conn., died Oct. 9, 1836, Southwick, Mass.
Wm Wilson who served either in Massachusetts or Connecticut troops, was taken prisoner in the battle of Brandywine, and served in other engagement, died at Bristolville, Trumbull-co., O., 1824.
Your early response will be much appreciated.
Yours truly,
W.G. Wilson
Page 17

[Circular stamp, which reads:]
PENSION 
U. S. 
OFFICE
JUL 
23 
1897

[Rectangular stamp, which reads:]
OLD WAR & NAVY
JUL 26 1897
FILES