Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 39025, for Holliman Potter, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Continental R.I.

Potter, Holliman

NUMBER
S. 39025

CONTENTS
Page 2

[Left Page]
Notification sent to Sept. 27th, 1820 to Benj.
Cowell. Providence R.I.

[Right Page]
4,705
Rhode Island
[illegible]man Potter Ensign
Capt Simonds 4 R.I.
1776 1 year
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island
at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 31st of March 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st of Decb. 1818
and Sent to David Howell Esq.
Judge, Providence R.I.
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818. 5 4/30 $102.00
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Mar 1819 48 "
$150.00
{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818}
Continued
Page 3

Holliman Potter,
Ensign,
Rhode - Island line,
31st, March 1818.
Adm.
The applicant must-
state the time and manner
of [inserted] his leaving the service. and
the testimony of two credible
witnesses as to his services
will be required - 
The judge must also certify
that the applicant is
in indigent circumstances
More proof obtained
[illegible] transmitted again
David Howell, Esq.
Judge,
Providence, R. Island.
rec'd 20, May 1818.
trans'd by Benj. Cowell, clk.
Page 4

To All whome this may concern be it known
That I Holliman Potter of Cranston in the County
of Providence did in the month of May in
the year AD 1775 Inlist in Capt Jeremiah Olney
Company in Col. Daniel Hitchcocks Regiment
and served in said company & regiment as orderly
Sargent & Sergent Major untill the first of
January 1776 when I was appointed Ensign
in Capt. Francis Simond's company in the
aforesaid Regiment in which I served one
year during [inserted] part of said time was stationed on Long
Island and was in the action & defeat but
escaped being taken prisoner and retreated off
said Island with the [illegible] Arney in which
retreat I lost the greater part of my
wering Apperial also a good [crossed out] and
equisage and other property for which I never
received any thing. I was also in the Battle
at Herlam Hights after which I was taken
sick with a feaver & carried to topan alias
[illegible]ing town put at a private house where
I remain'd for about eight weeks before I was
able to walk Much; at that time the Enemy
crossed the North river we (that is the sick)
and inverlead had order to retreat to clarkes
Town those that could walk to set out on
foot others to be conveyed in wagons I made
out to get there on foot but [inserted] a teadious jorney
I had I found no provision made for my
reception their; I thought I would indeavour
to join the Regiment which then was at
White Plains but got no further than enums
pond as it was then called there [inserted] I was taken [inserted] with a fever a second
time and was sick about four weeks
Page 5

In which time the Regiment was ordered to new Jersey as soon as I was able to walk I went
to Morris Town and chatham where I found
part of the Regiment whose time of inlistment
had expired but was pervailed on by General
Washinton to stay a short time - Col. Hitchcock
being so sick at that time [inserted] he could not be spake with and [inserted] my not being
able to due duty I was permitted to come home
From the time I was carried to Tappon untill
I arrived at home I payd my own expences
and never have received any compensation
for it - Now I am almost 63 years old in reduce
circumstances and neede my Countries assistance
- - - - - - - - - - - The whole time that
served as aforesaid was twenty months
Holliman Potter
Rhode Island District March 31, 1818.
Sworn to before David Howell with the
Court Seal affixed District Judge.
to
The Hon: John C. Calhoun Secretary at War.
he Providence this 31st day of March 1818
the signature of the Judge & the Seal of the
District Court of the United States for R.I.
District one hereto affixed
Witness Benjamin Cowell
Ak of said Court
Page 6

Holliman Potter
4.705
Continue (faint writing)
March 1819


SSD (faint writing)
Page 7

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
RHODE ISLAND DISTRICT.

Providence, sc. 
District Court, August Term,  A. D. 182

On this first day of August 1820, personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of Record, within and for said District Holliman Potter aged 65 years, residing in the town of Cranston in the County, District who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: that he served as an officer in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Hitchcock of the Rhode Island line about Eighteen months that he made a previous declaration on the thirty first day of March 1818, and that he has received a certificate for a pension, being No. 4.705.  And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitles "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the revolutionary war," passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen: that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.

Holliman Potter

A SCHEDULE of property and Income (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) of Holliman Potter,

Said Holliman declares that he has no property of any description whatever except as above excepted.  That he now lives with his children on whom he must depend or on Public charity, unless his Pension is continued.  That he is in no business whatever and is unable to labour having lost the use of his right arm.  That he is also severely afflicted with the Rheumatism. That he has a wife aged 63 years last March who is also so much afflicted with the Rheumatism as to be unable to work at times.

Holliman Potter

Sworn to and declared in Open Court on the first day of August 1820 before Hon. D Howell U S District Judge
Witness B. Cowell Clk

RHODE-ISLAND DISTRICT.

Clerk's Office of the District Court, A. D. 182

I, Benjamin Cowell Clerk of said Court 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 amount of value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is nothing.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this third day of August 1820
Benjamin Colwell  Clerk of said Court.
Page 8

March 20. 1939.

BA-J/CC
Holliman Potter
S.39025

Mr. James V. Johnson, Jr.,
25 East Magnolia Street
St. Paul, Minnesota.

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Major Benjamin Potter born October 18, 1713, in Greenwich, Rhode Island and that of his son, Holliman Potter, born July 3, 1755, in Cranston, Rhode Island.

There is no claim for pension on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of the Benjamin Potter cited above.  The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim S.39025, based upon service in the Revolutionary War of Holliman Potter.

The date and place of birth of Holliman Potter and names of his parents are not shown.

Holliman Potter enlisted sometime in May 1775, served as orderly sergeant and sergeant major in Captain Jeremiah Olney's company, Colonel Daniel Hitchcock's Rhode Island regiment until January 1, 1776, when he was commissioned ensign, served one year in Captain Francis Symond's company, Colonel Daniel Hitchcock's regiment and was in the battles of Long Island and Harlem Heights.

He was allowed pension on his application executed March 31, 1818, at which time he was aged about sixty-three years and a resident of Cranston, Rhode Island.

In August 1820, Holliman Potter stated he was living with his children and that his wife was "aged sixty-three years last March". The names of his wife and children were not stated.
Page 9

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of Holliman Potter, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

Holliman Potter
Certificate #4705
Issued December 1, 188
Rate $20.00 per month
Commenced March 31, 1818
Act of March 18, 1818
Rhode Island Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D.  HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 10

left side
1939 - Mar. 20 Hist to James & Johnson

39025
Key INVALID
File NO. 39,025
Holliman Potter
Ensign Rev War

Act: 18 March 18
Index: - Vol. 3, Page 398
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 11

To the Hounorable David Howell Dis Judge
Sir you request me to state the time and manner of my leaving the service.  Sir I cannot recolect the day exactly but to the best of me recolection it was not far from the midle of January 1777. As to the manner of my leaving it was this - as I Stated in my Application Collo Hitchcock laying at the point of death could not give me a discharg. Major Isreal Angel on whom the command then revolved being absent on Comand at Bottle hill as I was informed I asked the advice of several of the officers then present whose names I cannot at present recolect as the Capt & offiers I served under was not there and no one authorized to give me a discharg - as I was very distitute of clothing and being an invilead they thought  I had better not go any further but returne home.  and on the next morning with Ensign Elipalet Potter and sergant Nathan Weaks who had ben sick at the same time that I was and came with me from Cramsand and left the service in the same situation that I did. We all took our leav of the fine companions we had there not one of which is not living as I know of.  Holliman Potter
SB I was infomed as I was on my Jorney home that Colo. Hitchcock died the day that I let our from Morristown home -
Page 12

Rhode Island District

I certify that on the twenty third day of November 1818. personally appeared before me the with named Holliman Potter & made a oath to the truth declaration by him subscribed.

Benjamin Cowell
Commos of Dis Court
Page 13

IN CONGRESS

The DELEGATES of the United Colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina to Holloman Potter Gentleman

WE reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, valour, conduct and fidelity, DO by these presents constitute and appoint you to be Ensign of Captain Francis Symonds Company in the eleventh Regiment of Foot
 commanded by Colonel Daniel Hitchcock in the army of the United Colonies, raised for the defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof.  You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Ensign by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging.  And we do strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as Ensign.  And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time as you shall receive from this or a further Congress of the United Colonies, or Committee of Congress, for that purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the time being of the army of the United Colonies, or any other your superior officer, according to the rules and discipline of war, in pursuance of the trust reposed to you.  This commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress.
The first of January
Albert 
Chas Thomson Jur
By Order of the Congress,
John Hancock President
Page 14

 25 East Magnolia St.,
St. Paul, Minnesota,
January 30, 1939.

Veteran's Administration,
Washington D.C.,
Dear Sirs:
This is to inquire of you concerning the record you may have of an ancestor of mine who we think served in the Continental Army during the War of the Revolution.

His name was Major Benjamin Potter who was  born in Greenwich Rhode Island Oct. 18, 1713.  We do not have the date of his death but he married a Jemina Williams on Dec. 25, 1735, and lived in Cranston, Rhode Island.  They had four sons and three daughters all born in Cranston.  The birth date of the youngest was April 8, 1740.  His name was Zuriel and was married to an Abagail King on Dec. 24, 1761 and died on November 18, 1796.

If you have no record of Major Benjamin Potter perhaps you have a record of his fourth son Holliman Potter who was born in Cranston Rhode Island July 3, 1755, married to Sarah Allen on September 12, 1778, and died in 1837.

Hopeing you can locate these records and will forward a copy to me I am,

Yours sincerely, 
James v. Johnson Jr.

James V. Johnson Jr.

[stamped:  RECEIVED Feb 2, 1939]
Page 15

Col Angell Depo(gr?)
Page 16

The Deposition of Israel Angell of Smithfield in the County of Providence & State of Rhode Island who being now 78 years old & engaged according to law testifies & says - that in the year 1775-1776 he was Major in Col. Daniel Hitchcock regiment in the revolutionary army.  This deponent also states that an amount of his revolutionary services & his present reduced circumstances he has said his certificate for a pension under the act of Congress of this 18th of March last.  This deponent further states that during the year aforesaid he was personally acquainted with Holliman Potter of Cranston in said state who in 1776 was an Ensign in said regiment. Said regiment was first stationed at Boston & from thence marched to the Westward as far as New Jersey.  Said Potter was in said regiment during all the campaign - except the latter end of it when an account of witness he was carried to the Hospital.  From the best of this deponents recollection said potter was in actual service before his sickness Seventeen months. One year of which he was an office. THis deponent further states that Ensign Potter was a faithful officer & a warrior friend to his country.

Israel Angell

Rhode Island District sc
I certify that Israel Angell made oath to the above deposition by him subscribed before me on the twenty first day of November 1818 & that said Israel is personally known to me is a credible witness.

Benjamin Cowell
Commiss of Dis Court
Page 17

Certificate of poverty
Page 18

To the Hon Judge Howell

We the subscribers certify & say that we are personally well acquainted with Holliman Potter of Cranston & with his circumstances & we now believe said Potter to be poor not possesing much property & incapable of supporting himself & family. having of late years experienced much sickness.  We also believe him to be a fair & honest man & well deserving the assistance of his country.
Jesee Knight
Christo Knight
Stephen Henry
Silvester Rhodes
Rueben S Bennet
George Waterman
Nathan Thornton
Joseph Howard
Samuel Budlong
George Field
Anson Potter

Rhode Island District. Providence 22 Nov __18.
I certify that I J. Knight and G. Field whose signatures are hereto annexed are representatives in the General assembly of this state for the town of Cranston - and that several others of the signers are well known to me (unknown) and (unknown) persons.

David Howell
District (unknown)  S.c.
Page 19

The Deposition of Stephen Olney of North Providence in the County of Providence & State of Rhode Island who being engaged according to Law testifies & says - that in the year 1775 he was an Ensign & in the year 1776 a Lieutenant in Col Daniel Hitchcocks regiment in the Revolutionary army,  This deponent further notes that during said years he was personally acquainted with Holliman Potter - now of Cranston - In 1775 said Potter was a sergeant &  in 1776 he rec'd an Ensigns commission in said regiment, according to the best of this deponents recollection said Potter served as an officer in said regiment, full ten months before he was taken sick.  after said Potter was carried to the Hospital he saw no more of him until after the war.

Stephen Olney

Rhode Island District
I certify that on the twenty first day of November 1818, personally appeared before me the above named Stephen Oleny & made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed.  I further certify that I am personally aquainted with the above deponent & that he is a man of truth & respectability & that full credit ought to be given to his testimony.
Benjamin Cowell
Commis of Dis Court