Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 12645, for Nathan Potter, Rhode Island
Page 1

Service                              Number
R. I. Potter, Nathan Sarah W. 12645
Page 2

681
Rhode Island
Sarah Potter
widow of Nathan Potter
RI
who died on the 6th Sept 1831
of Kent Co in the State of R. Island
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Holden of the reg commanded
by Col. Varnum in the R. Island service
time for 13 months.

Subscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island
at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents, per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 31 day of March 1834 and sent to Benjs Cowell, Esq. Providence.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1837  $260.
Semi-amt. allowance ending 4 Sept 1837 21. 
$281.66

Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section 3

Recorded by Wm. Allison
Book   Vol 1     Page 115
Page 3

Sarah Potter
1004   3.su.

admitted
Pr 13 months
$43.   33/100
Page 4

State of Rhode Island & County of Kent. On this 19th day of November AD 1836 personally appeared before me Wm Carder one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas within of a said County. Sarah Potter a resident in the town of Coventry in said County aged 79 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the pension of the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836 that she is the widow of Nathan Potter formerly of Cranston in the County of Providence who was a soldier in the army of the revolution from the beginning to the end that in 1775 he entered as a private in Col. Jim Varnums regiment of Rhode Island troops near Bostin and served eight months then after that he performed various services in
Page 5

various companies in the months both before & after the marriage but she cannot specify them & therefore refer to the testimony of those who were knowing to them. And she further declares that she was married to the said Nathan on the 5th day of February AD 1778 in said Cranston as will appear by the records of said town that her husband the said Nathan died on the sixth day of  September AD 1831 and that she has remained unmarried ever since that period wherefore she requests that the pension  which [illegible] have belonged to her said husband under the act of June 7th 1832 may be granted to her. Sarah Potter her mark Kent Sc Sworn to and subscribed on the day and Year above written  according to Law before me. I further certify that from old age & her bodily infirmities she is quite unable to attest in Court. Wm. Carder Justice CC Pleas
Page 6

I Benjamin Swert of Coventry in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island & Being 82 years of age on Oath do testify and Say that I was well aquainted with Nathan Potter formerly of Cranston and the Husband of Sarah Potter now his widow who now resides in said Coventry. In the year 1775 I inlisted into Captain Edmond Johnsons Company & he the said Nathan Enlisted into Captain Thomas Holdens Company in Colonal Farnums Regiment as a Private Soldier for eight Months and we Both Served out our times and were dismissed we were stationed at Roxbury & Prospect Hill near Boston.  I also further aver that in the year 1776 the said Nathan Sirved three Monthly Tours on the Shores of the Narragansit Bay one of Which was in March one in May and the other month I cannot particularly name stationed in Captain Benidict Colvins Company at East Greenwich Warwick &  Quidnesset and In the year 1777 I was on to the west and in 1778 I further testify that the said Nathan Served in Sulivans Expedition in Captain Benidict Colvins Company one Moth on Rhode Island all the above services I well Remember.
               his
Benjamin X Swert
               mark

State of Rhode Island
Kent County sc
In Coventry 28 November 1836
Sworn to and Subscribed Bifore me and I Certify that the said Benjamin Swert is Entitled to Cridebility as a Witnsess I being well aquainted with him.
John Woos  J.C.C. Pleas
Page 7

I Samuel Eldred a resident of Sutuak in the County of Providence & State of Rhode Island being now 80 years of age on Oath do testify and say that I was well acquainted With Nathan Potter formerly of Cranston and the husband of Sarah Potter, now his widow who Now resides in Coventry. In the year 1775 I enlisted into Captain Jeremiah Olneys Company & he the said Nathan enlisted into Captain Thomas Holdens Company & Colonel Farnums Regimint as a Private for eight Months and we both of us served out our times & were dismissed .  we were Stationed at Roxbury & Prospect hill Near Boston.  And I further testify that in 1777 I well remember the said Nathan Served two Months One of Which was in May & One in August, in Captain Benidict Colvins Company Stationed at old Warwick.  And I further testify that in Sulivans Exposition in August 1778 I was enlisted in Captain Nathan Olneys Company & Colonal Crary Regimint and I remember of seeing said Pathan Potter, in Captain Benidict Colvins Company when he served for one month as a Private Solgiers on Rhode Island

State of Rhode Island
Kent County SC
at Coventry 28 November 1836
S. Samuel Eldred
Sworn to and Subscribed Before me & I Certify that the said Samuel Eldred is a Creditable Witness
John Wood J.C.C, Pleas
Page 8

State of Rhode Island and Providince Plantations.
Secretarys Office Decem 6. 17836.

I Certify that at the session of the General Assembly of said State on the first Wednesday of May last John Wood and William Carder were severally elected Justices of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Kent and William B. Spencer a Justice of the Peace for the town of Warwick in said County:
Benjamin Cowell Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Providence, and John Howard a Justice of the Peace for the town of Cranston in said County - each for one year and that they have been severally Commissioned accordingly as appears of record in this office.
Judge Corwells signature is genuine - with the others I am not acquainted.
Witness Henry Bowen Secry
Page 9

BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
John Brown Francis
Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
BE IT KNOWN, that the name, "HENRY BOWEN," to the afore-written attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, who at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law:  Wherefore unto his said attestation full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed at Providence, this sixth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six and of Independence the sixty-first
John Brown Francis

By His Excellency's Command.
Henry Bowen Secry

[illegible seal affixed]
Page 10

I Pardon Burlingame of Cranston in the County of Providence being now 80 years of age on oath do testify & say that I was well acquainted with Nathan Potter formerly of said Cranston & the husband of Sarah Potter now resident in Coventry I well remember that in 1775 we both enlisted into the same Company & regiment for eight months in Capt Thomas Holdens Company Col Hames M Varnum regiment & marched to Boston or near Boston & served out our time, I was a Sergeant & he was a private & served eight months or such.  After the above service we both served some in militia but in Sept 1776 I served three months in Col Cooks regiment.  I do not remember his serving. In the fall of 1777 I well remember he served a month at Warwick in Capt Edward Knight's company.  I also well remember he served a month in Sullivans Expedition in August 1778.  I was in said Knights company but I an not certain whose company he was in but, I
Page 11

well remember he was on the Island in the expedition & served a month as a private & I also remember he served a month at Bristol at the time we retreated from the Island after the enemy landed their army in Newport in December 1776. he was there in said Edward Knights Company
Pardon Burlingame
Providence Sc
In Cranston Nov 9th 1836 sworn to & subscribed before me and I further certify that said Pardon is a credible witness in the previous
Benja Cowell
J.C.C. Pleas
Page 12

I William Greene of Warwick in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island being now eighty two years of age on oath do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Nathan Potter formerly of Cranston and the Husband of Sarah Potter now his widow. In the year 1775 I enlisted into Captain Edmund Johnsons Company and he enlisted into Captain Holden's and Colonel Varnum's regiment as a private for eight months and we both of us served out our times and were discharged, we were stationed at Roxbury & Prospect Hill near Boston.
And I further testify that in Sullivans expedition in August 1778 I was enlisted soldier in Colonel Tophams Regiment but I remember of seeing said Potter in said expedition on duty as a soldier but do not remember in what company he was at the time but am confidant he was there and served a month at least as all the militia served a month and I think he was in the militia at the time but am not certain.
             his
William  X    Greene
             mark

Attest  Wm B Spencer
attest Isaac G Wearen

Kent Sc
In Warwick this 25th day Nov 1881 Sworn to and subscribed before me and I further certify said deponent is a creditable Witness
Before me W. B. Spencer  Justice Peace
Page 13

I James Potter of Coventry in the County of Kent being now fifty three years of age on oath do certify & say that Sarah Potter who has signed the precding declaration is my mother & the said Nathan Potter was my father. My father died on the sixth day of September AD 1831.  I was with him when he died. My mother has remained unmarried ever since his death & is now my fathers widow.

James Potter

State of Rhode Island Sc
Kent Sc
In Warwick this third day of Dec. AD 1831
Sworn to and subscribed before me and I further certify that said deponent is a creditable witness.
Wm B Spencer  Justice Peace
Page 14

I hereby certify, that Nathan Potter, of Cranston and Sarah Knight, daughter of Mr. Philip Knight, of said Cranston, were lawfully joined together in marriage on the 5th day of February 1778.
By me the subscriber.
N. Knight Justice of Peace

Recorded Feb 17th 1778
for me N. Knight Jr Clerk

Town Clerks Office Cranston
November 10th 1831
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy from the records of said town for recording marriages
Jesse Howard Town Clerk

The State of Rhode Island Sc. Providence Sc. In Cranston November 11. 1836
Personally appeared Jesse Howard and made oath to the truth of the above Certificate by him subscribed before me and I further certify that the said Jesse Howard was on the first morning in June last appointed Town Clerk of said town for the year then ensuing and that he is now duly authorized to act in that capacity.

John Howard
Justice of the Peace
Page 15

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Nathan Potter W.7.12645, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  1775
1776
Fall 1777
AUG 1778*

LENGTH OF SERVICE.  
8 mos
3mos
1mo
1mo

RANK.  
Pri.
Pri.
Pri.
Pri.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Thomas Holden
Benedict Colvin
Edward Knight
Benedict Colvin

COLONEL.
James Varnum

STATE.
R.I.
R.I.
R.I.
R.I.

Battles engaged in, * was in Sullivans Expedition (in R. I.)
Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Date of widow's application for pension, Nov. 19, 1836 Her claim was allowed.
Widows Residence at date of application, Coventry Kent Co. R.I.
Widows Age at date of application, 79 years.
Remarks:  He died September 6 1831. He married Sarah, daughter of Philip Knight at Cranston, Providence Co R.I. Feb 5 1778. Son James, 53 in 1836.  (No fur fam. data E.W. Nov. 28, 1922).  The above is the history of the only Nathan Potter pensioned for service in the Rev War.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner
Mrs Abby G. Baker
913 Rhode Island Ave
Washington D.C.
Page 16

3-871.
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS

Briefed by A. War D. 30/8'/10
Claim No.
Certificate No.
Claimant
Soldier  Nathaniel} Potter
             Nathan}
Service R.I.
Additional Service Rev.

REMARKS:
No (illegible) of any service
Wid.7.12,645 (R.I.)
No other Wid. of any service
No Rej. as above N.Y.  ("N.Y." added in pencil)
might try: Rej. 8,377 (N.Y.)
Page 17

Nov. 3.1905 - hist to Abby G. Baker [letter in claim Elephalet Steward T.6156] M.B.H.
1910 Sept. G. Hist. to Mr. Bromley Smith M.B.H.

1917. Apr. 9. History to Mrs. Nathaniel Buckmaster

1922, No. 28 hist. to Anabel Read Scott, En.

Revy
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 12,645
Sarah Potter
Wid of
Nathan Potter
Priv Rev. War
Act:  July 4" 1838
Index:  Vol. M, Page 136
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 18

Dept. Com'sr
O. W. AND N. DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Nov. 2, 1905.
Searched by F.F.R.
Original No.
Certificate No.
Claimant,
Soldier, Nathan Potter
Service, Rev. War,
Remarks:  No Rev. Inv,
No other REv, Wid
than FIle 12,645
No Rej, claim.
Page 19

BROMLEY SMITH, A. M.,
DEPARTMENT OF RHETORIC AND ORATORY
BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY

LEWISBURG, PA.  Aug. 26, 1910

Pension Bureau,
Washington D.C.

Gentlemen:
Was Lowry Chase of Rhode Island a pensioner of the Revolutionary War?
Was Nathaniel/Nathan Potter of Rhode Island a pensioner of the Revolutionary War?
Very truly yours,
Bromley Smith.

[post mark:
U. S. PENSION E OFFICE
AUG 27, 1910]
Page 20

stamped

RECORD DIVISION
AUG 29 1910

AUG 29  1910
Page 21

27.12.8

Encanto, California
Oct. 27 - 1922
The Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:  - Will you please send me a copy of Nathan Potter's pension paper.
3-525.  M.B.H. Widows File 12645 Revolutionary War.

Respectfully yours,
Anabel Read Scott
Encanto
San Diego Co.,
California

[stamped:
U. S. PENSION OFFICE
Nov 2  1922]
Page 22

Revo. Sea
m

#117 1/2 Broadway
Helena, Montana. 3/28/17.
Dept. of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions.-
Washington, D.C.

Sirs, -
I'm applying for membership in D.A.R.. I am (illegible) tonite to you for pension papers of Nathan Potter, from Rhode Island. M.B.H. Widow's File, 12645 - Revolutionary War. - Also Abel Gardner from Mass.  Soldiers and Sailors of Revolutionary War, Vol. 6. p-258- U.S. pension rolls.  1832 - Vol.1. N.H. p. 48. Hoping you will favor m, by sending same soon, I am Re'spt.-
Mrs Nathaniel Buckmaster.
Page 23

Buckmaster

[stamped
U.S. PENSION O OFFICE.
MAR 29 1917]
Page 24

Revo.
Sec.
M

Helena, Montana 4/12/17
#117 1/2 Boardway. -
Dept. of Interior,
Bureau of Pensions, Washington D.C.
Sirs,
I recently wrote for pension papers of Nathan Potter, from Rhode Island.  M.B.H. Widow's File 12645 - Rev. War. -
Able Gardner from Mass, Soldiers and Sailors of Rev. War. Vol. 6. p. 288. U.S. pension rolls. 1835. Vol 1. N.H. p. 48.
I have since been informed that it will save you much trouble if I give you the number of their records, which have already been verified. The number of D.A. R. (maternal) is No. 89.351. Shekillins Chaplin, Lewisburg, Pa.
Hoping to hear from you soon.
I am Maud S. Buckmaster
Page 25

[stamped]

U. S.
PENSION OFFICE
May 16, 1917