Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8,369, for Israel R Potter, Rhode Island
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(3-1776)

SERVICE                                             NUMBER

R.I              Potter, Israel R.                  R.8,369
R. I. Sea Service



CONTENTS
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Application of 
Israel R Potter
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United States of America
Rhode Island District
County of Providence District Court August Term AD 1823

On this 5th day of August AD 1823 personally appeared in open Court being a Court of record within said District Israel R. Potter residing in Cranston in said County  & District aged 78 years who being duly sworn doth make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions of the Acts of Congress of 18th March 1818, & May 1st 1820 viz, said Israel declares that on the breaking out of the Revolutionary was soon after the Battle of Lexington he enlisted as a private in Capt. Edmond Johnson's company & Col Varnum's regiment & marched to Boston then in the possession of British Troops, that he served in daid Corps untill [until] he had permission to enlist as a marine on board the Washington a public armed vessel in the service of the United States under the command of Scion Martindale Esq that he entered on board this vessel in the month of December AD 1775 that soon afterwards they sailed from Plymouth on a cruise, they had not cruised a great while before they were captured by the British Ship Troy & carried to Boston first, afterwards to England where he remained a prisoner of war untill [until
 the year 1783.  And I do solemnly swear, that I was a citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March, on thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, displaced 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, entitled "An act to provide for certain pensions engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war" papers on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen: that I have not , nor has
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any person in trust for one, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any reason other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, I by me subscribed.
                                           his
                               Israel R  X   Potter
                                            mark.

Attest Thos. Rivers.

Schedule of property and income, necessary clothing and bedding excepted of Israel R. Potter.
Said Israel declares that he has no property of any description except his wearing apparel-neither has he any trade except that of bottoming old chairs, and he can not pursue that business not to much advantage his eyes having so much failed him of late years-he has no family but one son aged 12 years who however does not live with him-thus in his impoverished circumstances he must depend on private charity unless assisted by his country.    
                                           his
                               Israel R  X   Potter
                                            mark.      

August 5th 1823 Sworn in open Court.
Witness B. Cowell Clk.
Rhode Island District's- Clerks office District Court U.S.

I Benjamin Cowell Clerk of the District Court
do hereby certify, that it appears, to the satisfaction of the Court, that the said Israel did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, under on engagement, on the continental establishment.  I also certify, that the foregoing oath, and the Schedule thereto annexed , and truly copied from the records of the said Court; and I do further
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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 nothing.  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto aet my hand, and affixed the seal of the seal of the said Court, on this 7th day of August 1823.
                                                Benjamin Cowell
                                                 Clerk of said court
And I the said Clerk do further certify that the deposition of John Neal hereunto annexed & sworn to before the Hon David Howell District Judge for said District is truly copied from the originals draw on file in this office duly confined by me.

Benjamin Cowell Clk
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I John Vial of North Providence in the County of Providence in the State of Rhode Island on oath certify and say that sometime in the latter part of November or the beginning of December AD 1775.  I entered as gunner's mate on board the Washington, a public armed vessel in the service of the United States & under the command of Sion Martindale Esq. said vessel was sent out by order of General Washington from Plymouth, Massachusetts) to cruise in Boston Harbour, to intercept supplies going to Boston, then in the possession of British Troops.  After we had been out a short time, we were captured by a British 20 gun ship called the "Troy and were carried to Boston where we remained about a week & were then put on board the frigate Tartar & sent to England as prisoners.  And I the said John further testify and say that I  well remember Israel R. Potter now residing in Cranston who was a mariner on board the Washington also- said Israel entered about the timed I did & was captured & carried to England with me.  We arrived in England in January 1776- we were then  put into the Hospital, the greater part of the crew being sick in consequence of the confinement during the voyage where many died.  I remained a prisoner about sixteen months when I made my escape, what became of said Potter afterward I do not know, but I have not the last doubt he remained a prisoner, untill [until] the peace 1783 as he has stated in the application for a pension.  I have no doubt he suffered a great deal during his captivity-according to my best recollection nearly one third of the crew died in the Hospital.  I do remember one affair which took place during our voyage to England which caused Potter to suffer a great deal more than perhaps otherwise he would  A number of the crew of the Washington formed a plan to rise and take the Frigate.
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Frigate but were defeated in their purpose among whom I believe Potter was one & in consequence was put into irons for the remaining part of the voyage with a number of others  And I the said John do further testify that I do not know of any of the said crew of the Washington now being alive except said Potter and myself-and that I do not believe it to be in the power of said Potter to presume any other testimony of the above mentioned facts except mine.

John Vial

Rhode Island District
                               in Providence Aug 6th 1823

The said John Vial, who is well known to me, and is a credible witness, made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed in my presence.
David Howell
District Judge
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15 pp @ .50 = 7.50
   2 pp @ .50= 1.00

Estimate sent Willis
Thornton 2/16/49

CS
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18,937.           1818

Israel R. Potter.
Rhode Island
Act 18 March 1818

claim Rejected



See letter 30 August 1823
to Benj Cowell. Esqr

1875 Oct 26. E M Whitaker-Synopsis of service & evidence



8369
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Providence August 8,1823.

Sir

I herewith enclose the application of Israel R. Potter for a pension.

I am his respectfully
your obt servt
Benj Cowell

[at bottom]
J. L. Edwards Esq
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[{Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.} crossed out]

Rev war

8369

P. O. 

Israel R. Potter

Service:  Prvt & Mariner   Col Varnum RI

Enlisted:  REJECTED , 18
Discharged:             , 18

Application filed:     , 18

Alleges :

Re-enlisted:

Attorney:

P.O.

______ Recognised.       ____________Contract

_____Cert. of Dis.     Searched for ____, 18
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Recd. Aug. 12. 1823.

18,937
[stamp {PROVIDENCE RI AUG 12}]  
Israel R. Potter
Providence Co. R. I. 

Benjn Cowell
Providence , R.I.

Recd 12 Aug: 1823.
Rejected, Aug 30, 1823

This claimant has not stated that he was a resident citizen of the U. S. on 18 Mar: 1818

Rejected 
30 Aug. 1823

[written across the above]

James L. Edwards Esquire
Superintendent of the Pensions
Washington
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Petition of 
Israel R. Potter
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18 Cong
                js
1 Sep

Petition 
of Israel R. Potter of RI of Col Varnum R I Troops of Providence, Rhode Island praying to be placed on the role of Revolutionary Pensioners.

1824 Jany 23
Read & refd [referred] to Comr [Commissioner on Pensions.

Feby. 19. Discharged

T8/S
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To the Honorable the Senate & House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled
Humbly herewith
Israel R. Potter now resident of Providence in the County of Providence in the State of R-soon after which he Rhode Island, that early in the commencement of the Revolutionary Was,  in the year 1775 in the month of April he entered  the service of his Country-he enlisted in one of the Rhode Island Regiments in the Company commanded by Capt Johnson Lin the Regiment commanded by J. M. Varnum repaired to Boston then in possession of the British Troops & was shortly after in the bloody battle of Bunker hill- Your petitioner remained in the land service about eight months when orders came from General Washington to fit out a vessel of War to cruise in Boston harbour to intercept supplies from going to the enemy.  The Brig Washington, Sion Martindale, Commander, was accordingly fitted out & your petitioner entered on board her as a mariner in the month of December 1775.  Said vessel soon afterwards sailed from Plymouth on a cruise for the purpose aforementioned, but had not been out a great while before she was taken by a British Frigate, the Foy & your petitioner was carried to Boston first & afterwards to England.  Your petitioner was told that he must be sent to England for trial, having been taken in arms, he must be tried as a REbel.  Your petitioner with several others made an attempt to take the vessel in which they were during their voyage to England, but was unsuccessful, he was afterwards put in irons & so remained untill [until] his arrival in England.  After his arrival in England yor petitioner was put into the Hospital first & afterward was put on board a guard ship*he made his escape from the guard ship, but never found an opportunity to return to his natural country during the war.  Untill [until] the war was over he suffered every privation to which his friendship & impoverished situation exposed him.  After the war was over he made several attempts to return, but could never procure the means.  From the year 1775 untill [until] the year 1823 he has no other support than what he
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derived from bottoming old chairs in Winter & making brick in the summer- during this time he would state that he married & had a family of children, all of which however, are now dead except one Son who came to this County not long before he did and now lives in Boston.  In the last mentioned year he found an opportunity to return to his native country & he embraced it, and arrived in New York & afterwards came to Boston where he arrived in June last & from thence came to his native State after an absence of 68 years.  After your petitioner for home, he made an application for a Pension under the lows of Congress of 15th March 1818 & May 1st 1820 a copy of which is hereunto annexed together with his evidence of service- but was informed his name could not be placed on the pension list,  first, because his services were not on the " continental establishment" & secondly because he was not a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818  Now your petitioner avers that he never received any wages for his services wither while in Col Varnum's regiment or while on board the Washington, or any of the prize money for prizes captured & sent in, before the Washington was taken.  That he entered in this Country's service in the prime of his life & in consequence, has been obliged to pass a great part of his days in captivity & in a foreign Country-that he is now old & in very indigent circumstances, that in fact he is now a stranger in his native land- scarcely has he met with any who knows him since his return.  And your petitioner further avers that he has reason to think that his services were on the "continental establishment", in as much as the Washington ws fitted out by order of Gen. Washington & all its officers commissioned by Congress as will appear by [crossed out] refering referring] to  a resolution of of Congress [{(Vol 2 page)} crossed out] & to Gen. Washington's official letters respecting her-but in as much as he was not a citizen of the United States on 18th of March 1818 he cannot be placed on the Roll of Revolutionary pensioners.  Wherefore he humbly prays Congress to pass an Act authorizing his name to be placed on said Roll, ot to grant him such
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other relief as they may think proper as in duty bound will ever pray.
                                                 his
                                        Israel R. Potter
                                                  X
                                                mark

Attest Benjn Cowell
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United States of America
Rhode Island District

County of Providence, District Court- August Term AD 1823

On this 5th day of August AD 1823 personally appeared in open Court being a Court of record within said District Israel R. Potter residing in Cranston in said County & District aged 78 years  who being duly sworn doth make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions of the acts of Congress of 18th of March 1818 & May 1st 1820- viz, said Israel declares that on the breaking out of the Revolutionary war soon after the battle of Lexington in April 1775 he enlisted as a private in Captain Edmund Johnson's company & Col Varnum regiment & marched to Boston then inthe possession of British Troops.  That he served in said corps untill [until] he has permission to enlist as a marine on board the Washington a oublick armed vessel in the service of the United States under the command of Sion Martindale Esq-that he entered on board this vessel in the month of December AD 1775-that soon afterwards they sailed from Plymouth on a cruise, they had not cruised a great while before they were captured by the British Ship Foy & carried to Boston first, afterwards to England where he remained a prisoner of war untill [until] the year 1783. 
And I do solemnly swear that I was a citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred & eighteen, & 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, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war,"  passed on the eighteenth day of March one thousand eight-hundred & eighteen: that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, & by me subscribed.
                                          his
                              Israel R.  X  Potter
                                        mark
Attest-Thos. Rivers
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Schedule of property & income, necessary clothing & bedding excepted of Israel R. Potter.

Said Israel declares that the has no property of any description except his wearing apparel, neither has he any trade except that of bottoming old chairs & even he cannot pursue that business now to much advantage his eyes having so much failed him of late years-he has no family but one Son aged 12 years, who however does not live with him.  Thus in his impoverished circumstances he must depend on private charity unless assisted by his Country.

Attest Thos. Rivers

              his
Israel R   X   Potter
           mark

August 5th 1823
Sworn to in open Court
Witness B. Cowell Clk

Deposition

I John Vial of North Providence in the County of Providence in the State of Rhode Island on oath certify & say, that sometime in the latter part of November or the beginning of December AD 1775 I entered as gunner's mate on board the Washington a publick armed vessel in the service of the United States & under the command of Sion Martindale Esq., said vessel was sent out by order of General Washington from Plymouth (Massachusetts) to cruise in Boston harbour, to intercept supplies going to Boston then in the possession of British Troops.  After we had been out a short time, we were captured by a British 20 gun ship called the "Foy," & were carried to Boston where we remained about a week & were then put on board the Frigate Tartar & sent to England as prisoner.  And I  the said John further testify & say that I well remember Israel R. Potter now residing in Cranston who was a mariner on board the Washington also- said Israel entered about the time I did & was captured & carried to England with me.  We arrived in England in January 1776, we were then put into the Hospital the greater part of the crew being sick in consequence of the confinement during the voyage where many died.  I remained a prisoner about sixteen
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months when I made my escape, what became of said Potter afterwards I do not know- but I have not the least doubt he remained a prisoner untill [until] the peace of 1783 as he has stated in his application for a pension.  I have no doubt he suffered a great deal during his captivity- according to my best recollection nearly one third of the crew died in the hospital.  I also remember one affair which took place during our voyage to England which caused Potter to suffer a great deal more than perhaps otherwise he would.  A number of the crew of the Washington formed a plan to rise & take the Frigate but were defeated in their purpose, among whom I believe Potter was one & in consequence was put into irons for the remaining part of the voyage with a number of others.  And I the said John do further testify, that I do not know of any of the said crew of the Washington now being alive except said Potter & myself, that I do not believe it to be in the power of said Potter to procure any other testimony of the above mentioned facts except mine.
John Vial

Rhode Island District  in Providence August 6th 1823.

The said John Vial, who is well known to me & is a credible witness, made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed in  my presence.
David Howell
District Judge

Rhode Island District
Clerk office US District Court
Providence Jany 15 1823
I certify the preceding to be true copies of the original application of Israel R. Potter & of the deposition of JOhn Vial was  on file in this office duly confined by me
Benjamin Cowell Clk
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Extracts from Gen Washington's Official Letters dated the "12th Oct 1775," "14th Dec. 1775, & 31st Dec 1775"

(Vol 1st, page 48)

Before I was honored with your favour of the fifths instant I had given orders for the equipment of some armed vessels, to intercept the enemy's supplies of provisions & ammunition.  One of them was on a cruise between Cape Anne & Cape Cod, when the express arrived.  The others will be fit for the sea in a few days, under the command of officers of the continental army, who one will recommended, as persons acquainted with the sea, & capable of such a service.  Two of these will be immediately dispatched on this duty, & every particular, mentioned in your favor of the fifth instant, literally complied with.

That the Honorable Congress may have a more complet [complete] idea of the plan on which their vessels are equipped, I enclose a copy of the instructions given to the Captains now out (No 4).  There, with the additional instructions directed, will be given to the Captains who go into the mouth of the St. Lawrence river.  As both officers & men most cheerfully engage in the service on the terms mentioned in their instructions, I fear that the proposed increase will create some difficulty, by making a difference between men engaged on similar service.  I have therefore not yet communicated this part of the plan, but reserved and extra bounty as a reward for extraordinary activity.  There are no armed vessels in this province; & Governor Cooke informs me the enterprise can receive no assistance from him, as one of the armed vessels of Rhode Island is on a long cruise, & the other unfit for the service.  Nothing shall be omitted to secure success.  A fortunate capture of an ordinance ship would give new life to the camp, & an immediate turn to the issue of this campaign."

(Vol 1st page 62.)
"I will make application to General How & propose an exchange for Mr. Ethan Allen.  I am much afraid I shall have a like proposal to make for Captains Martindale, of the armed brigantine Washington, and his men, which, it is reported, was taken a few days
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past by a man-of-war, & carried into Boston.  We cannot expect to be always successful"

(Vol 1st page 69.)

"Captains Semph & Harbison take under their care Mr Kirkland. ***Captain Matthews & Mr Robinson will accompany them.  The two latter were taken prisoners by Lord Dunmore, who was sending them to Boston, from whence there is little doubt but they would be forwarded to England, to which place I am credibly informed Captain Martindale & the crew of the Washington are sent also Colonel Allen, & the prisoners taken with him in Canada.  This may account for General Howe's silence on the subject of an exchange of prisoners in my letter to him."

Extract form a Resolution of Congress
"In Congress Dec 2d 1775.  "Resolved that Congress approve the General's fitting out armed vessels to intercept the enemy's supplies."