Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8910, for William Potter, North Carolina
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
N.C.
Potter, William
NUMBER S. 8910
Carded
born in Va.
CONTENTS
[blank]
Page 2

13030
North Carolina

William Potter
of Lincoln in the State of North Car: 
who was a pri & crop. in the company commanded
by Captain Ransom of the Reg't commanded by Col. Lewell in the North Carolina line for 7 months

Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 24 Dollars 83 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of June '33 and sent to D. Reinhardt Lincolnton N. C. 

Arrerars to the 4th of March '33 - 49.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 12.41 1/2 =
$62.07
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Wm. Miller Clerk
Book E. Vol. 6 Page 51
Page 3

18558
William Potters
Declaration




William Potter
Declaration
Page 4

State of North Carolina} Court of Pleas & 
Lincoln County} Quarter Sessions October Term 1882
On this first day of November in said year, personally appeared in open court William Potter a resident of said county & state aged Eighty Two years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following name officers and served as herein stated That he was drafted in Franklin County this state by Captain Ransom who marched him to Charleston he does not remember the exact date his papers having been lost, Before he was attached to Gen'l Lincolns army he thinks it was some time about the first of February 1780 that he was drafted he remembers getting his discharge in Chaleston shortly before Gen'l Lincoln surrendered having served three months - he also states that he was drafted again in Franklin County for three months and put under the command of General Jones and marched against the Tories in Iredill County this State - he again received his discharge but has lost it - he states in this tour he was appointed Corporal he also states that he was drafted the third time by Col. Sowell or Seawell that he was marched to Halifax in this state in pursuit of Cornwallis that he served there past of the the three months for which he was drafted when he preand a substitute named Burton that he was drafted for twelve months when he and his brother John Potter to given his place who served until peace was declared -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever 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 
Sworn to and subscribed the day
Page 5

and year abovementioned.
[Signature]
William Potter X his mark

We Oliver W. Holland residing in said county and Isaac Holland residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Potter who has subscribed to the above declaration that we believe him to be Eighty Two years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[Signatures]
Oliver H. Holland
Isaac Holland
Test Pardry McBee
Clerk of said Court


Ques's Where were you born & in what year? 
A I was born in Virgina near Lunenburg in the year 1750

2nd Have you any record of your age A.  I have not the record was burnt when I lost my [aschange?]

3rd Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the revolution & where do you now live A. I lived in Franklin County this state when called into service and moved to this county shortly after the revolution & have lived here since -

4th How were you called into service A I was drafted

5th State the names of some of the regular officers where you served & you recollectA I knew Gen'l Lincoln & sw the regulars that were with him - 

6th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and where is it? A I receive a discharge each time I served but they are lost.

7th State the names of some of the neighbors that know you A I know Col. Holland Sig Hoyle &c
Sworn to in open court
[Signatures]
Wm. Potter X his mark
Test Vardry McBee Clerk of Said Court
Page 6

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states 

I Vardry McBee Clerk of the County Court do herebe certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeedings of the said Court in the mtter of the application of William Portter for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 5th day of Nov. 1832
[Signature]
Vardry McBee


On the 30th day of April 1833 came the forenamed William Potter of the county & state aforesaid after being duly sworn according to Law  in open court doth on his oath make a further declaration & sayeth that in the two first tours he served three months each & acted as a Corporal four months & a half in said tours & further that he served one month in the third tour before he hired a substitute. That is to say seven months at least in all & in said time four months & a half as a Corporal & the ballance of the time as a private soldier - And said William Potter further sayeth that he could not obtain a Clergyman as he knew of none that he could obtain that was acquainted with his age & carrector as a revolutionary soldier - He further sayeth that he has no knowledge at this time of any other witness that he can procure to prove his service in the revolutionary war Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above written
[Signatures] 
William Potter X his mark
Sworn to in open Court 
Witness
Vardry McBee
Clerk of Lincoln County Court
Page 7

Wm. Potter's Deposition
Page 8

State of North Carolina}
Lincoln County} Personally came William Potter before me (Isaac Holland one of the acting Justices of the peace for said county and after being duly sworn on the Holy evengle of Almighty God, deposeth and saith that the said William Potter did serve as a militia soldier in the service of the United States for the full term of three seperate towers (three months each) two of those terms in his own person & part of the third one, and then hired a substitute by the name of Burtin the remainder of the time and that he got "Honorable Discharges but they are all lost long ago (to the best of his knowledge) that he served the first tower in Charlestown South Carolina and the second tower in Iredel North Carolina under Gen'l Jones & the third tower under Col. Sewel persuing Gen'l Wallis - and farther saith that he said William Potter did at another time hire a substitute (his brother John Potter) to go a twelve months tower in his place, (under Gen'l Jones to the best of his recollection) - and that his brother John did serve the most of the time but was dismisssed in consequence of the peace being concluded.
[Signature]
William Potter [seal]
Sworn to and Subscribed the 25th day of July 1832 before -
[Signature]
I. Holland J. P. [seal]

North Carolina}
Lincoln County} Mary Massey being also sworn as above deposeth & saith that the above deposition is true so far as her knowledge can extend, that She was not along with her brother said William Potter, but that the said William did start from & come back to her fathers house, that it was aslways understood that said William & John Potter did serve as above, and that said John Potter is dead some years back, and that they did frequently say that they did serve as above & would recount the troubles and toiles which they underwent in the camps & else where - Sworn to and Subscribed this 24th day of July 1832 before me
[Signatures]
Mary Massey x her mark [seal]
J. Holland J. P. [seal]

I Isaac Holland one of the Justices of the peace of said county do hereby certify that I do not consider the above named
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Mary Massey able to attend or go to said county court and farther say that I am well acquainted with her & believe her to be a woman of truth certified by me this first day of November 1832 by me
J. Holland J. P. [seal]

State of North Carolina
Lincoln County

I Vardry McBee Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions in the State & County aforesiad certify by these presents that Isaac Holland Esq'r. before whom the foregoing affidaviats were taken was at the time & now an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly sworn & commissioned that his official attestaions are entitled to all due faith & credit as such In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office at Lincolntown the 5th day of November 1832
[Signature]
Vardry McBee  Clerk

I Isaac Holland one of the Justices of the peace of the County of Lincoln & State of North Carolina do hereby certify that Mary Massey the witness in the foregoing cases is a woman of crediiblity and good Character & that I have been acquainted with her for thirty years certified by me this 30th of April 1833
[Signature]
I. Holland J.P. [seal]

I Vardry McBee Clerk of the Court of Lincoln County North Carolina do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the amended & original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of William Potter for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office at Lincolnton this 8th day of May 1832.
[Signature]
Vardry McBee Clerk
Page 10

18558
William Potters
N.C.

Admit as 
Private 2 1/2 mos  6.66
......................................1.69
Corl. 4 1/2 ............ 16.50=
$24.83

5.11.12.14.
P 328

D. Reinhardt
Lincolnton 
N.C.
Page 11

BRIEF in the case of William Potter County of Lincoln in the State of  
(Act 7th June 1832.)

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

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

3. How old is he? 82

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

[Headings]
Period. | Duration of Service. | Rank. | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.

drafted in 1780 | 3 mos.| Private | Gen. Lincoln Capt. Ransom

drafted in [blank] | 3 mos. | Corporal | Gen'l. Jones

drafted hired Sub | does not state | Private | Col. Sowell


5. In what battles was she engaged? None

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Franklin Co. N. C. 

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

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

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[Signature]
Chs. W. Forrest
Examining Clerk.
Page 12

June 29, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

William Potter, S.8910
BA-J/MCS ow

Mrs. Edyths Whitley
2710 Belmont Blvd.
Nashville, Tenn

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request for information in regard to William Potter, a Revolutionary War soldier who served from North Carolina and was pensioned while living in Lincoln County, North Carolina.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 8910, based upon the military service of William
Potter.
This soldier was born in 1750 near Lunenburg, Virgina. The names of his parents were not given. While a resident of Franklin County, North Carolina, he enlisted about the first of February, 1780, and served three months as corporal in Captain Ransom's North Carolina company. He next enlisted and served
three months as private and corporal with the North Carolina troops, name of officers not given, and was engaged against the Tories in
Iredell County, North Carolina. He then enlisted and served one month as private in Colonel Seawell's North Carolina regiment. He 
was allowed pension on his application executed July 25, 1832, at which time he was living in Lincoln County, North Carolina, where he had moved shortly after the Revolution.
William Potter died September 5, 1835.
This soldier had a brother, John Potter, who was living during the Revolution, and his sister, Mary Massey, was living in 1833. The
papers in this claim contain no further data relative to the soldier's family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 13

January 24, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS
Adam Rainboult, 5,32466
Wm. Potter, S. 8910

Honorable W. K. Hopkins
Gonzalez
Texas

My dear Senator:

Reference is made to your letter of January 16, 1936, requesting the records of Revolutionary War soldiers, Adam Reinbault, S.22466, and
William Potter of North Carolina.
You are furnished herewith, the records of Adam Rainboult, S. 32466, and William Potter, S. 8910, as shown by papers on file in their pension
claims.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 14

January 24, 1936
XXX
BA-J/MCS
William Potter, S. 8910

Honorable W. K. Hopkins
Gonzales
Texas

My dear Senator:

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 8910, based upon the military service of William Potter, the only soldier of that name who served from North Carolina that is found in the Revolutionaroy War records of this office. 
William Potter was born in 1750 near Lunenburg, Virgina. The names of his parents were not given. While a resident of Franklin County, North Carolina, he enlisted about the first of February, 1780, and served three months as corporal in Captain Ransom's North Carolina company. He next enlisted and served three months as private and corporal with the North Carolina troops, name of officers not given, and was engaged against the Tories in Iredell County, North Carolina. He then enlisted and served one month as private in Colonel Seawell's North Carolina regiment. He was allowed pension on his application executed July 25, 1832, at which time he was living in Lincoln County, North Carolina, where he had moved shortly after the Revolution. William Potter died September 5, 1835. This soldier had a brother, John Potter, who was living during the Revolution, and his sister, Mary Massey, was living in 1833. The papers in this claim contain no further data relative to the soldier's family. 
Very truly yours
 A. D. HILLER 
Executive Asistant to the Administrator
Page 15

DIVISION 3-525
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION
S.F. 8910
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C. , 

In reply to your request of , received for a statement of the military history of  William Potter a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[Headings]

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | STATE.

About Feb'y 1 1780 | 3 mos. |Corp'l | Capt. Ransom | N.C.

[blank] | 3 mos. | Corp & Pvt. | in Iredell Co. against the Tories | N.C.

[blank] | 1 mos. | Pvt. | Col. Seawell | N.C.

Battles, engaged in, none stated

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Franklin County N.C.

Date of application for pension, July 25. 1832. His cl al.

Residence at date of application, Lincoln Couonty, N.C.

Age at date of application, born in 1750 near Lunenburg, Va. where we shortly after Rev. died Sept. 5.1835. (from Agency book)

Remarks: It is not stated whether he was married

Respectfully,

Commissioner.

brother John
sister Mary Massey
5--2856
Page 16

Nashville, Tennessee.
April 16, 1937.

Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

Kindly furnish me with report and information contained in the pension papers of William Potter a private in North Carolina militia.
Pensioned June 22, 1833 living in Lincoln North Carolina.
I shall appreciate your earliest convenient reply
Sincerely,
Edythe Whitley [Signature]
Mrs. Edythe Whitley
2710 Belmont Blvd.
Nashville, Tenn.

[stamp - RECEIVED APR. 19. 1937 MAIL SUB.-DIV. VETS. ADM. READER #21  3:15]
Page 17

W. A. HIDDLESON, GEN, MGR.

WATAUGA POWER COMPANY
BRISTOL, TENN.-VA.

Elizabethton, Tenn.
Oct. 16, 1923.

COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.

Dear Sir:

Will you please give me the Pension Record
of one William Potter who was a private and corporal from the State of North Carolina in the War of the Revolution. If your records show names and ages of witnesses in his pension claim, please give them also.

One Stephen Potter from the State of North Carolina served under John Walker in the year 1771, North Carolina Records, Vol. 22. Do you have any further record of this man? If so, I shall be glad for you to give it to me.

One John Potter from the State of North Carolina served in the Revolutionary. Do your records show whether he ever received or applied for any compensation for Military services?

One John Dugger, or John Dugging, or John Duggin served under Capt. Johnathan Kitwell, North Carolina Records,Vol. 22, page 164. Do you have any further record of this man?

I am seeking this information for family history,
and to prove my eligibility to the D.A.R.

Thanking you in advance for the above information, I am,
Yours very truly,
Mrs. W. M. Vaught, [Signature]
Mrs. W. M. Vaught.

[stamp - U.S. PENSION OFFICE N OCT 18 1923]
Page 18

Edward E. Adams
Attorney at Law
Taylorsville, Illinois

August 23, 1919.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Sir -

Please furnish me with a statement from the records of the data, if anything, that may appear concerning William Potter, a soldier and
pensioner of the Revolutionary war, from the State of North Carolina.
Very respectfully,
Edward E. Adams
[Signature]

[note - Rev Sec 1. EVS]
[stamp - U.S. PENSION OFFICE D SEP 3 1919]
Page 19

1919 Sept. 10 Hist. to Edward E. Adams
1923 Nov. 26 Hist to Ms. W. M. Vaught. aw
_____________________________________________
1936 Jan. 24 hist to Hon. W. K. Hopkins. see corres. in Adam Raiboult S. 32466
 M.C.S.

Rev. War 8910
INVALID.
____________
File No. 8910
William Potter
Corpol. Rev. War
____________
Act: June 7t 185? 
Index:-Vol. 1st, Page 299

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 20

Wm. Potters papers
to be certified
Page 21

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Potter 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 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 [amount] of pension he is entitled? No

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under who 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? Yes

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
Page 22

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? No

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No

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

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? No
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes

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? Yes

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 recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____year _____months, and _____days, I served as a ______ For ______months and _____days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.}
Page 23

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 objectionable.  It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; 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 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.
[hand pointing right] 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.