Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5,942, for Stephen Potter, Rhode Island
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(3-1776)

SERVICE                                                  NUMBER

R. I.             Potter, Stephen                     S. 5,942

                                                                carded

CONTENTS
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New York
Stephen Potter
[illegible] in the State of NY. [illegible] a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Thruston of the Regiment commanded by Col. Noyes in the line for 
1.  6 private
4. months Corporal
2.      "        Sergeant

Inscribed on the Roll of N.Y.
at the rate of 28. Dollars 65 Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 22. day of Sept
1834 and sent to Stephen Potter Petersburgh, N.Y.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1834    $85.95
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th  " Sep " 14.33
                                                      _____________
                                                       $100.28

[section sign] Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832 [section sign]

Recorded by George Taylor Clerk,
Book 6  Vol 4  Page 175

This certificate is issued in lieu of one dated 16th May 1833 [illegible] pension reduced from $30.62 to 22.65

[written on right side]
sent to pensioner 2 June 1835
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State of New York
                       [section sign]
Rensselaer, City of Troy

Js.  On this third day of April, A.D. 1833
personally appeared in open court, before the Mayor's Court of said city, now sitting, Stephen Potter, a resident of the town of Petersburgh in the County of Rensselaer & State of New York, aged seventy four 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 enters the service of the United Stated, under the following named officers, & served as herein stated.  That he was born in the town of Richmond in the State of Rhode Island, on the 8th of February 1759.  He has a record of his birth in his family bible, at home.  When he first entered the service he lived at  Hopkinton (R.I.).  In the fall of 1770 was called out as a militiaman in Capt George Thurston's Company, Lt Matthew Randall, -under Col. Joseph Noyes:  He joined the company at Hopkinton, marched to Charleston, then to South Kingston, & remained in that town, at Boston Neck & Point Judith; he was all this period, a corporal, & was in this service three months, when he was discharged at Boston Neck.  In June 1777 was called out in same company, then commanded by Randall Wells as Capt, joined company at Hopkinton, & marched to Point Judith, served there one month, & was during that time a corporal.  In fall of same year was called out in same company, & marched to South kingston, & served one month during which time he was sergeant; was discharged & went home; & about two or three months, went out as a substitute for his father Stephen Potter, in Capt Thomas Well's Company in the same Regiment; went to Boston Neck, served there 
one half month; was discharged; & went home.  In summer of 1778 was called out in the Company first mentioned, marched to Providence, then to Pawtucket, then to Rehoboth, & then crossed, at Bristol ferry, to the island of Rhode Island; & was at Butt's hill; this was called Sullivan's expedition; at this time he was a Sergeant, & served three weeks.  In July 1780 was called out in same Company, then commanded by Ensign Joseph Maxson, under C's ol Jesse Maxson; at this time was Sergeant; marched to Obdike's Fentons, and served there one month.  He never received a written discharge; & has no documentary evidence to produce except the Roll of his company hereto annexed:  H eknows of no living witness of his service, except Joshua Randall, whose affidavit is annexed, & who cannot, from age & infirmity attend in open court.  In 1789, he removed to where he was living & has resided there ever since.  Zebulon Lewis, & Randall Maxson, both
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of Petersburgh, are well acquainted with him, & can testify to his character, & reputation of service.  He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.                                       
                                                   Stephen Potter

Sworn & subscribed the day
                                            [section sign]
and year aforesaid before
me Henry R. Bristol Clerk

We Zebulon Lewis, a clergyman residing in the town of Petersburgh, & Randall Maxson, residing in the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Stephen Potter, who has subscribed & sworn to, to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 74 years of age; that he is reputed & believe, in the neighborhood, where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution; that we concur in that opinion affirmed subscribed the day of 
                                                [section sign]
year aforesaid before me
Henry R. Bristol Clerk 

Z. Lewis                   Randall Maxson

And the said Court does hereby declare its opinion; after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the interrogatories Forescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was revolutionary soldier & served as he states.  And the court farther certified that it appears to it that Zebulon Lewis, who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in Petersburgh, & that Randall Maxson, who has also signed the same is a resident in the same & is a credible person, & that Joshua Randall who has sworn to the annexed affidavit, is a credible person; & that the statements of all of them are entitled to full credit.
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WAR DEPARTMENT, 
                                               Pension Office,
                                                                     183

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed.  The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, for you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and it in you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of Stephen Potter Rensselaer Co., City of Troy N. York
Period when the service was rendered. | Duration of the claimant's service. | Rank of the claimant. | Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. | Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. | Battles in which the applicant was engaged. | Country through which he marched. | Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. | Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
[under Duration of the claimant's service.]
Years. | Months. | Days. |
[Under whom he served.] Capt
Call. 1776| "| 3 | | Corporal | Thurston | Col |Noyes | Hopkinton/Charleston/ South Hopkinton  | 4 Years | Documentary Evidence
" 1777 | " | 1 | Corporal | Wells | d | " | Kingston State of Rhode Island
" 1777 | " | 1 | " | Sergt | Same | d | " | Boston Neck/Rhode Island | 1 Living witness for the first town
Sub | " |  | 15 | pri | Wells | d | " | Point Judith Rhode Island  |  | 
Call 1778 | " |  | 21 | [{Sergt} crossed out] | Thruston | private | " |  |  | 
" 1780 | " | 1 | " | Sergt | Same | Maxon |  |  |  |
1.6 pri
4 Corporal
2 Sergt

I am respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 
J. L. Edwards, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers, all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first in stance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of County of

On this day of personally appeared (a) before
A.B. a resident (b) of ______in the county of
and State, Territory or District of ___________ aged (c) _________ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)
_____with ____________and served in the (e) regiment of the _________ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____________.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.}
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.

I __________of the Court of _____________________
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of ____________for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this __________day of__________
& c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the ________
and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____________who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood 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.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _________and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, ___________Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of ____________for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _______________________
day if __________________& c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
AVF/eel
Rev

February 18, 1929

Mrs. Charlotte Taylor Luckhurst
156 Western Avenue
Albany, New York

Madam:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary
pension claim, S. 5942, it appears that Stephen Potter was born, February 8, 1759, in Richmond, Rhode Island.
While residing in Hopkinton, Rhode Island, he
listed and served with the Rhode Island Troops as follows:
From in the fall of 1776, three months as corporal
in Captain George Thurston's Company, Colonel Joseph Noyes' Regiment; from in June, 1777, one month as corporal under Captain Randall Wells; in the fall of the same year, one month as sergeant in the same company two or three months later, he served as a substitute for his father, Stephen Potter, three and one-half months in Captain
Thomas Wells' Company, Colonel Joseph Noyes' Regiment; in the summer of 1778, three weeks as a private in Captain George Thurston's Company, and was in General Sullivan's Expedition, from in July 1780, one month as ser-
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geant under Ensign Joseph Maxson, and Colonel Jesse Maxon.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
April 3, 1833, while a resident of Petersburgh, Rensselaer County, New York.
It is not stated whether soldier was married.
Respectfully,


WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
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MRS. CHARLOTTE TAYLOR LUCKHURST
REGISTERED GENEALOGIST
188 WESTERN AVENUE
ALBANY, NEW YORK

May 30. 1928

Bureau of Pensions,
Washington D. C.

Gentlemen -

From the Census of Pensioners 1840.
find that Ebenezer Chapman was a pensioner,
then living in Hebron, Washington Co, N.Y.

May I have abstract of his application for
pension showing his service and any genealogical information that may appear,

- - -
And also the same of Stephen Potter who
was a pensioner and lived in Petersburg
in 1840,

Very truly yours,
Charlotte Luckhurst
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5.  A list of the 2d Company in Hopkinton (Rhode Island)
Taken from the claim of Stephen potter, File No 5942
To War Dept. 
Oct 19
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U.S.
OLD WAR & NAVY
MAR 26 1904
Files
P.S.

Antigo, Wis.
March 21, 1904

Pension Bureau
Washington D.C.

Will yo please inform one, if the Stephen Potter who was born in Richmond R. I. Feb. 8 1759 and died in N. Y. 1846 fought in the Revolutionary War and drew a pension.
And oblige
Mrs. Geo. W. Latta,
708 Clermont St.
Antigo, Wisconsin.
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Stamp

PENSION OFFICE
US
MAR 25 1904
Page 13

[Left Side]

Rev War                   5942
               INVALID.
File No.  5942
Stephen Potter
Sergt-Rev War

Act : June 7th 32
Index:--Vol. M,  Page 299


[Arrangement of 1870.]

[Right Side]

1893-May 10. Hist
Warren S. Banks
New York. NY

Apr. 2, 1904-His
Mrs. Geo W. Latta
Antigo, Wis

1924-Aug. 6. Hist to Ora L.
Brown. Aug.

1929- Feb. 18. Hist to Mrs Charlotte J. Luckhurst Aug
Page 14

Certificate cancelled
another issued-22 Aug
reducing pension to  $28.65

Sent to Claimant 26 July '34

14277
New York
Stephen Potter
Renselar [Rensselaer in the State of NY who was a Sergeant in the County commanded by Captain Thruston of the Regt commanded by Col Noyes in the R. I. line for 
4 months corporal
3.   " 16 days Sergeant


Inscribed on the Roll of N York at the rate of $30. Dollars 62 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March  1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 16. day of May 1833. . and Sent to George Gould Troy N.Y

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833.             $61.24
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4' Sep 1833 . . 15.31
                                                                 ________ 
                                                                   $76.55

[section sign {Revolutionary Claim,  Act June 7, 1832}]

Recorded by George Taylor   Clerk
Book  E.  Vol.  4  Page 70.

titles not found
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318
ection.

August 6, 1924.

Ora L. Brown,
Boy River,
Minn.

Madam;

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 5942, it appears that Stephen Potter was born February 8, 1759 in Richmond, Rhode Island.

While residing in Hopkinton, Rhode Island, he
enlisted in the fall of 1776 and served three months as a Corporal in Captain George Thurston's Company, Colonel Joseph Noyes' Rhode Island Regiment.
He enlisted in June 1777 and served one month as Corporal under Captain Randall falls in the Rhode Island Troops.

He enlisted in the fall of same year and served one month as Sergeant in same company.

Two or three months later, he served as a substitute for his father, Stephen Potter, three and one half months in Captain Thomas Wells' Company, Colonel Joseph Noyes'
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Rhode Island Regiment.
He enlisted in the summer of 1778 and served three weeks as a private in Captain George Thurston's Rhode Island Company, and was in General Sullivan's Expedition.
He enlisted in July 1780 and served one month as a Sergeant under Ensign Joseph Maxson, Colonel Jesse Maxon in the Rhode Island Troops.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 3, 1833, while a resident of Petersburgh, Rensselaer County, New York.
It is not stated whether soldier was married.

Respectfully,

Commissioner.
Page 17

Cabin Camp

Boy River, Minn July 3, 1924

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions

Will you kindly send me the Revolutionary War record of my ancestor
Stephen Potter, Jr. b. Richmond, R.I. (son of Stephen and Sarah Sheldon Potter) b. February 8, 1759 died 1846.
Mar. November 29, 1780 Sarah Coon (1759*1846, daughter of Elder. William Coon). He lived in Hopkinton, R.I. and later in Petersburg, N. Y.

Very truly yours,
Ora L. Brown


[Stamp {PENSION OFFICE July 7 1824 U.S.}]
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The Indemnity Mutual Marine Assurance Company Limited
New York Agency No, [{10 Wall St.} crossed out]
16 & 18 Exchange Place

New York, March 31, 1893
Cable Address:
"Indemnify, New York"

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir

Will you inform me if John Ormsby of Petersburg NY or New Bedford Mass drew a pension for services done in the War of the Revolution" if so, will you kindly give me some particulars that are on his papers as for instance what battle he was wounded in, his rank and place of birth and date of same if you cannot give me all these particulars would be very much oblige for any that you could give me.  Also would like same information about Stephen Potter of Petersburg, NY.  I have been told that both of these persons fought in the war of the Revolution were wounded and drew pensions, and I am very anxious to verify it. H
Page 19

you would give this matter your kind attention you would very much oblige

Yours truly
Warren S. Banks
16 and 18 Exchange Place 
New York City



NO

[stamp {PENSION OFFICE April 1 1893}]
Page 20

Petersburgh August 8th 1834

Dear Sir

I received yours of the 26th ult in answer to mine of the 8th last evening and agreable [agreeable] to its contents I send you have enclosed the Certificate I received of your honour for you to correct and fix as it should be and send it back to me if you please
most respectfully your obt
Stephen Potter

PS I am or was not acquainted enough with the pension office business to know your rules with regard to the allowance of wages where one has served in several Stations or grades but I think I have heard of Some receiving wages agreable [agreeable] to the last or highest Station they Served in and that was one reason I wrote as I did with regard to that one single word Sergeant making any odds but perceive from your writing that is not the case so I expect you will Correct and regulate the business in your own and usual way and send me your proceedings.    I hope you will excuse my poor terabling as well as all other mistakes as the hand that wrote is is almost 76 years old.
I don't want to weary your patience with my poor terabling but would inform you that is I did the duty of a private at the tie that 21 days on R.I it was more than all the time I ever have done it before or since the reason to  mentioning this because  I wrote you I think that it was a mistery [mystery] that I should not serve in my usual place and the most that 
 [{onude} illegible] m remember it was I Stood Centery [sentry] on or near the lower lines and they fired at me and the balls whistled by me several times before I was taken off and that was all the time I was on guard that I can remember. [Not scanned] of writing to much hope you will pardon my 
[Not scanned] I am your most humble
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I, Henry R. Bristol, clerk of the Mayor's Court of the city of Troy, do hereby certify that the annexed contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Stephen Potter for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereinto I have hereunto set my hand & seal of my office this third day of April 1833.

Henry R. Bristol Clerk
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Stephen Potter of the State of New York 
who was a sergeant in the Army of the 
Revolution 
is entitled Thirty dollars and 62 cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March,  and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 16th day of May____ one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three
Lewis Cass
Secretary of War.

Examined and 
                      [section sign]
Countersigned.

J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
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Rensselaer County NY
Petersburg June the 8th 1832

To Lewis Cass Secretary of War

Dear Sir I received a pension Certificate from your honour dated the 16th of May 1833 for thirty Dollars sixtytwo cents for Service done in the militia in the State of Rhode Island in the revolutionary war as Sergeant and if I have received to much by my mistake I should be glad to have it righted for I cannot remember doing Sergeants duty on Rhode Island in your Sullivans expedition and I think the word Sergeant by mistake was in the return sent to you for three weeks in that town which has gave me some uneasiness of mind for fear that a single word made some alteration in the sum above and if it has I wish you would be so good as to write to me and let me know os it can be done as I wish to have no more than my due and if you wish any alteration I will endorse just as much on the Certificate as you will order me to and refund back what I have received too much or any other way you shall say.  The reason the word Sergeant was in that place was I thought I was one at home if I was not there and had done the duty before I began the Service with being a Corporal and ended a Sergeant and how I could be there and not have the birth I had at home as I had before I cannot tel [tell] so you may do what you please in the premises.

I should have written before  (as you might expect) but I thought I would go this spring and see you myself but have been much disapointed [disappointed] in my or Providence prevented Calculations so I have wrote as I have wishing you to write to me as soon as you receive this and you will Confer a favour on a poor old 76
Yours Stephen Potter
Page 24

In the matter of 
Stephen Potter
applicant for Pension

23969
Page 25

State of New York
Rensselaer County ss [section sign]

Joshua Randall of the town of Petersburg in the County of Rensselaer and State of New York being duly sworn before the undernamed a justice of the peace of the town & county of aforesaid Deposeth and saith that in the fall of the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six he saw Stephen Potter then of Hopkinton in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island now of the town of Petersburg in County of Rensselaer and State of New York that the said Detohen Potter was at that time in the town of South Kingstown in the said State of Rhode Island at a place called Boston Neck in the army of the United States in a company of MIlitia under command of Captain George Thurston Jr.  but at that time commanded by Lieutenant Matthew Randall said company belonged to a Regiment commanded by Colonel Joseph Noys [Noyes] the said Joshua Randall further said that he has seen a List of the names of the Persons Composing the aforesaid company and that the said Stephen Potters nam was Entered then in as a Corporal and the said Joshua Randall further Deposeth and saith that he saw the said Stephen Potter at diverse other places in the company and Regiment of aforesaid saw him at Point Judith & at Judge Watsons foes not know how long tho said Stephen potter stayed in the service knows he saw him there in said company in the fall of the year aforesaid and the winter following Deponent said he belonged to the Regiment and company aforesaid was himself in the service at at hat time four months

Subscribed and Sworn to before me this second day of April in the year of and land 1833
Isaac Saunders Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Rensselaer County sp [section sign]  
I Henry R. Bristol clerk of said County, hereby certify that Isaac Saunders before whom the above affidavit purports to have been taken, was at the date of the same a Justice of the peace in & for said county; & that I am acquainted with his handwriting, & believe his name annexed to said affidavit to be his proper signature.  In testimony whereof I have hereto annexed my hand & the seal of said county this third day of April. 1833.

Henry R. Bristol Clerk
Page 26

Stephen Potter
admd


James L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.


NY May 29

[stamp  { 26 N.Y.}]
Page 27

Petersburgh March 26, 1835

To J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir  I hope you will not be offended with me for writing you a few lines again and I will try to inform you of the reason I went the other Day to send for my pension and I saw a man there have a Certificate for eighty Dollars and I asked him how long he served he said three years and it put me to thinking (as small as mine was) whether there posibly [possibly] might not be some small mistake in my sending more than I thought for as the whole time was not a [ illegible ] after read over but the time that I expect I sent was six months and three weeks, but I am not Certain that all terms was exactly at the same time specified for it was so long ago and I forgetful but had to give it in according to my best knowledge and belief which was all that induced me to send on as I was thinking that the three months lower was not the first as I think was sent but Mr Randals [Randall's] Affidavit made me put it as I did but I have thought more of it since and I cant help thinking but that the three months tower [tour] was the second or third where there was but one sent but I dont know as misplacing them will or thought make any odds in justice between than and man  I don't know but there was half a month too much sent forward but don't know as there was but I thought if there was there was one month that I might be entitled too I think it was the first tower [tour ] on Point Judith I served a week or ten Day or so and being out in a Storm took Cold and was Carried home sick and found my own Docter [Doctor] and nurse  and served out a month or more in that way
Page 28

so on the whole I thought I felt satisfied that I had not Sent too much but there was that word in the tour on Rhode Island that caused one as well as your honour some trouble which was a mystery to me and is yet as I began with Corporal as you saw in the Musterrond [Muster Roll] sent you and ended as I thought with Sergeant for I always was one or the other from the first time I trained [{until I has a Commission} crossed out]  until I had a Commission  I hope you will forgive my forgetfulness orcarelessness when I tell you I can not ascertain what was sent you about Sergeant except that on Rhode Island that has made so much trouble but recollect that I did Sergeants Duty some I think in the first or second tour that I went   Now dear sir I hope you will forgive my broken scrabling [scribbling] as I Did not think of writing to much when I began but hope you will understand me and it you think I am wrong and want any alteration I wish you be so good as to let me know whether I am right or wrong in my calculations or observations I have made and write me accordingly as I think if I know my own heart I want no more than what is right let me miss it as much as I have, but perhaps your honour may think otherwise but I mean to give it up into your hand for you to Do as you see fit and be satisfied with your Decision  I am yours respectfully
Stephen Potter

PS I have had some time mof Consideration since the above was wrote and have thought of the old maxim that it is better to suffer wrong than do rong [wrong] and have  though on the whole I Should feel as well without that half month above mentioned as I Should with it if you Could fix it without much trouble but I am not certain about it so you may do as you please
S Potter