Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3709, for William Potts, New Jersey
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Service
New Jersey

Name
Potts, William

Number
S.3709

carded
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Left Side Page

17998
New Jersey
William Potts
of Monmouth in the state of N.J.
who was a Pri in the Comp commanded
by Captain Thomas i the Regt commanded
by Col. Shreve in the N.J. line for 10 mo. + 13 days

Inscribed on the roll of N.J. at the rate of 34 dollars 77 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Oct 1833 and sent to Fort New Egypt, N.J.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept '33 $86.92
Semi-anl allowance ending Mar 4 '34 $17.38
$104.30

{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by E.D. Bullock - Clerk
Book E Vol 3 Page 125

Right Side Page

See letter W.N. Shinn
21st Dec 1833
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15714
Declaration 
of 
William Potts
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7th, 1832

State of New Jersey
County of Monmouth

On this sixteenth day of October in the year eighteen hundred and thirty-two personally appeared in open court before the Judges and Justices of the court of the county of Monmouth & state of New Jersey now sitting, William Potts now a resident of the township of Upper Freehold County and state aforesaid aged about seventy-three years (being born in Mansfield Township, Burlington County in said state the 18th of October AD 1759 and there lived when the revolutionary war commenced) 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 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States in the eighteenth year of his age as a volunteer in the militia of New Jersey under the following named officers viz - Colonel William Shreve, Major Caleb Shreve, Capt. Edward Thomas, Lieut. Henry Dillentach, and Ensign John Kirlin - that on the evening of the 2d day of January AD 1777 he under the officers above named joined the army of General Washington at Trenton and marched that night with the army to Princeton and was present at the engagement early next morning between General Washington's army and the enemy; and on the first onset the militia gave way but on seeing the example of General Washington who rode before his own troops and face the enemy they rallied and finally routed the enemy and gained a complete victory. That his regiment marched on with the continental army and the prisoners of war to Somerset Courthouse and from thence returned to their homes. And that in the month of May following, he with his company under Captain Thomas, again joined the army at Morristown and then performed a month's duty as militia men during the prevalence of the smallpox amount the troops at which time he saw and new Col. Israel Shreve, Capt. Richard Cox and one William Magee a private belonging to the continental army in the Jury line. He then at the expiration of his month returned home and was shortly after called out to guard a brigade of wagons under Capt. Van Dyke to Easton in Pennsylvania at the fork of the Delaware with sick and wounded soldiers: this was a long and fatiguing march of about three weeks. He was next called to go against a band of Tories and Robbers that infested the seashore in the county of Burlington and Monmouth; At a place called Cedar Creek in Monmouth County, we were attacked by the Tories on a long open causeway with a deep morass on each side. The enemy was posted in thick woods and
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brush at the farthest end of the causeway. They fired on us and shot down two young men who were mounted one dead and the other mortally wounded. We brought them off and retired on account of the disadvantages of our position leaving them (the enemy) in possession of the ground they occupied. In about one week afterwards we returned with a strong re-enforcement and scoured the woods and swamps from Egg Harbor in Burlington County to Toms River in Monmouth but could find no trace of them - We took about twenty of the disaffected (not in arms) prisoners and lodged them in Burlington Jail for trial. The succeeding winter we was called out to assist in repelling a party of British from Philadelphia who came up to Bordentown in Burlington County and destroyed four store houses and burned a quantity of shipping. A party of them landed at White Hill for the purpose of plunder but were prevented from committing their depredation by our timely aid. The next summer in the month of June 1778 I was engaged with the army at the battle of Monmouth having joined the main army under Gen Washington at Cranbury in Middlesex County and the next day reached the field of action. We with a large body of militia were ordered to take part on the rear of General Poor's command who with ourselves did not come into action on account of the approach of night but lay on our arms all night expecting to engage in the morning, but the enemy moved off in the night leaving a number of their wounded behind them. Soon after this battle I returned home but continued doing my monthly tour of duty as a volunteer militia man (which was every other month during the continuance of the revolutionary war; with the exception of 9 months part of which time he was at sea on board a privateer engaged in hostile operations against the enemy and part of the time sick). Besides going out regularly every other month, (with the exception stated) he also attended to every call of emergency and went out when his services were particularly required. In June 1780 his regiment then commanded by Col. Oakey Hoagland was called to go on the lines of the enemy they being in Elizabethtown. We continued there and at Springfield seven miles from Elizabethtown a month. When on the line we could hear the enemy relieve their sentinels distinctly and on the day Springfield was burnt, we were stationed on the left of the continental troops commanded by Gen Greene. Our troops on that day made a gallant resistance but were at last obliged to give way and retreat to the Heights on the road to Morristown. The British army then marched in and set fire to the town. This was a direful day; the women and children who had fled with our army were crying around us and seeing their houses and property in flames was truly distressing. I then continued to do my monthly tour of duty in the army till the close of the war.
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in my own state and frequently suffered sever hardships from fatigue, sickness and hunger.  As to any living witness to testify to these services, it is impossible to procure any.  I was young when I entered the army and am now about seventy three years old.  I believe no one of my fellow soldiers who know me is now alive, and is was not customary to give discharges to the militia.  I believe all the circumstances detailed are strictly true, to the best of my recollection.  And I am confident that I served as a volunteer militia man two full years during the revolutionary war and do claim a pension for that period accordingly.  He hereby relinquished 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.
(signed) William Potts
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, in open court.
John Patterson
We, James M. Challiss, a clergyman, residing in the township of Upper Freehold, in the neighborhood of the above named William Potts, and William West in residing in the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Potts, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about seventy three 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.
James M. Challiss
William West (His Mark)
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
John Patterson 
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 applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as the states.  And the court further certifies that it appears to them that the Rev. James M. Challiss, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the neighborhood of the applicant, and that William West who has signed the same is a resident in the township and neighborhood of the applicant, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Signed  John Petterson
John Hull
Benj. Oliphant   Judges

I Daniel H. Ellis, Clerk of the Court of Common Please of the County of Monmouth, in the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of William Potts for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Sixteenth day of October A. D. 1832
D. H. Ellis, Clk
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Wm. Potts
Rev. Pension
N. Jersey
Act 1832
Power Atty to
see papers and 
in favor g S. B. True

W. Cole

Presented Nov 10/27
Jan 19-52
Page 8

Know all men by these presents, that I, Juhania Mc Clary of the City of Philadelphia, daugher of Wm. Potts, dec. who died in the County of Monmouth, State of New Jersey, do authorize Samuel W. Stafford of the City of Trenton, in the State of New Jersey, and L. Blancard Tree, of the City of Washington D. C. or either of them to examine all papers filed in the Pension office upon which my father, Wm. Potts obtained a pension from the United States for his Revolutionary service, and to examine for me, if there is back pay, or arrearages, or other money due him.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 29th day of October 1851. 
Juliana McClary
State of Pennsylvania
City of County of Philadelphia
On this twenty nineth day of October 1851, before  me the undersigned Alderman in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Juliania McClary daughter of Wm. Potts dec. late a United States Revolutionary pensioner
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and acknowledge the above Power of Attorney to the her act and deed for the purposes therein contained.
Wm. H. Hubbert
one of the Alderman in and for the County of Philadelphia

Wm. Potts
Rev. Pensioner
N. Jersey
see papers ILLEGIBLE in favor ILLEGIBLE S. B. True

W. Cole

Presented Nov 10/27
Jan 19-52
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No. 15714
William Potts Monmouth county
New Jersey

Return e mi

10ni 13 days
ILLEGIBLE

George F. Fort M. D. New Egypt, New Jersey
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War Department
Pension Office
21st May 1833
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, you will find marked in the margin with a brace (thus: }).  You will, when you return your paper to this department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the service of William Potts, Monmouth County New Jersey.
Period when the service was rendered:  Vol 2 Jan 1777
Duration of the claimant's service: Not stated
Rank of the claimant:  Private
Names and rank of the Field Officers under whom he served:  Gen. Washington, Col. Shreve, Major Shreve, Cap Thomas
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service:  73 years, Mansfield Burlington County, New Jersey
Proof by which the declaration is supported: Traditionary evidence, clergyman certificate and witness certified credible
Period when the service was rendered:  ILLEGIBLE May 1777
Duration of the claimant's service: 1 month
Rank of the Claimant:  Private
Names and rank of the Field Officers under whom he served:  As stated above
Period when the service was rendered:  Called
Duration of the claimant's service:  21 days
Names and rank of the Field Officer under whom he served:  As state above
Period when the service was rendered: Not Stated
Names and rank of the Field Officers under whom he served:  As stated above
Period when the service was rendered:  Called Muster
Duration of the Claimant's service:  Note Stated
Names and Rank of Field Officers under whom he served:  As stated Above
Period when the service was rendered:  ILLEGIBLE 1778
Duration of the claimant's service:  Not Stated
Monmouth
Period when the service was rendered:  Serive June 1780
Duration of the Claimant's service:  1 month
Names and rank of Field Officers under whom he served:  Col. Hoagland
Springfield
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Regulations under the Act of June 7, 1832
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Regulations under the Act of June 7, 1832
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Memorandum
Trenton, N. J. Oct 25 1894
from:  W. Ogden Britton
To:  Commisioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C. 
Dear Sir: will you kindly furnish me with the information in the possession of your department concerning William Potts, a native of Monmouth County, New Jersey, and a soldier of the Continential Army during the war of the revolution and a pensioner of the United States.
By so doing you will greatly oblige
Yours respectfully
W. Ogden Britton
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Stamped:
Pension U. S. Office
Oct 29, 1894

Stamped:
Old War & Navy Files
Oct 31, 1894
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rev War
INVALID
File No. 3709
William Potts
Privt Rev War
Act:  June 7, 1832
Index::- Vol. A, Page 298
[Arrangement of 1870]
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1894 Nov 21  Hist. to W. Ogden Britton, Trenton, N. J.
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State of New Jersey
Monmouth County
On this nineteenth day of June A. D. 1833 personally appeared before me Benjamin Woodword Esquire one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said county of Monmouth William Potts, the above named declarant, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following amendment to the annexed declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.  That from the time he first joined the army of General Washington on the 2d of January 1777, to his return home from that tour he was twenty one days in actual service in the revolutionary army; that from the time he was "called to go against a band of tories and robbers that infested the sea shore etc" as mentionon the first page of his declaration to the time of his discharge from that service was three weeks and that he then served under Col. William Shreve, Major Caleb Shreve and Capt. Edward Thomas, who were duly authorized by the State to perform such duty: that he was out in service for one week while engaged in repelling the British when they landed at Bordentown, under Capt. Thomas in the winter of 1778; that in June 1778 while engaged at the Battle of Monmouth, he served for two weeks under Col. Shreve, Major shreve and Capt Thomas who were duly commissioned and authorized by the State to call lmen into service during the war.  That not deeming it essential to notice every particular of his service, in the revolutionary army he merely states in his declaration, after mentioning the most prominent circumstances, that he served further every other month during the war, with the exception therein stated, and which is strictly true but in order to satisfy the War Department of the validity of his claims he further states that in the fall of 1777 he was called to keep garrison on a ford on Rancocus Creek (which put into the Delaware river) in Burlington County, there being apprehensions of the British troops coming up from Philadelphia, 12 miles distant, he was there one month, under arms, commanded by Col. Shreve, Major Shreve and Capt Thomas and that in April 1778, as near as he can recollect
NEXT LINE IN LETTER ILLEGIBLE
month; and that in July or August 1778 he was engaged in gaurding the sea shore, about Eggharbor in the County of Burlington, from the depredations of the British Privateers, who came from New York and destroyed the salt work, and other property, he was called there under command of Col. Shreve, and was out there for two NEXT LINE FOLDED UNDER SCAN that in the fall of 1778 he was called to Middletown Point in Monmouth.
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month; and that in July or August 1778 he was engaged in qaurding the sea shore, about Eggharbor in the County of Burlington, from the depredations of the British Privateers, who came from New York and destroyed the Salt works and other property, he was called there under the command of Col. Shreve, and was out there for two months engaged in military servce; and that in the fall of 1778 he was called to Middletown Point in Monmouth County to repel the British and Refugees from New York under command of Col. Shreve, and was there one month under arms; and that in the spring of 1779 he was called to Somerset Court House to keep garrison while the British lay in New Brunswick and Amboy, under Col. John Van Emburgh, Major Robert Daugherty, and Capt. Marmaduke Curtis and was under arms one month; and that not long after this, he was called to keep gaurd at Pluckemin in somerset County, where there were military stores deposited under Capt. William Cook, officer of the company.  After our arrival thee we joined the regiment of Col. Thornton, as well as I can recollect and was there one month under arms; and that in September 1779 he was called again to Somerset court House, and was there one month under arms in garrison, under command of Col. Van Emburgh and Capt Curtis; and that in all case, he served as a private.
Wm. Potts
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written.
Benj. Woodward
and the said Benjamin Woodward does hereby declare his opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as the states. 
Signed Benjm. Woodward
I, Daniel H. Ellis, clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Monmouth and state of New Jersey do hereby certify that Benjamin Woodward Esquire  is a legally commissioned Justice of the Peace in and for said County and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
Given under my hand and seal of office at Freehold on the twenty sixth day of June A. D. 1833
D. H. Ellis, Clk
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The following are the replies of the declarant to the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department:
I was born in the township of Mansfield, Burlington County, New Jersey 18th October 1759.
There is a record of my age in possession of an older brother in New Your State.  I have a copy from the family Bible at my house.
I was called into service while in Mansfield, lived after the war in Burlington County, in Mansfield, Chesterfield, and Springfield and moved into Monmouth County about 30 years ago, and have lived in the Township of Freehold and Upper Freehold.
I was called by the officer of the company on the reguisition of the State authorities for troops (in general) tho sometimes I went out of my own accord and always willingly, whether called or not, I was never a substitute.
I knew General Washington, Gen. Lafayette, Lord Sterling, Gen. Green, Gen Poor, Col. Israel Shreve, Major Geo. Bloomfields, Maj. Richard Howell, and Capt Cox of the continental army and General Cadwallader and Dickinson of the Militia.  I know the names of the 1st and 2nd Regiment of the Jersey Line.  My own was the 3rd Reg of the Burlington Brigade.
The general circumstances of my service, as well as I can recollect, are as follows:  I joined Gen. Washington January 1777 at Trenton form thence went to Princeton, was at the Battle there, went to Somerset to guard prisoners, staid a few day and came home, was at Morristown a month, served against tories and robbers in Burlington and Monmouth, repelled the British at Bordentown, was at the Battle of Monmouth, on Rancocus Creek in Garrison; in garrison at Somerset Court House in the spring and fall of 1779, at Eggharbor two month on duty.  At Middletown Point; at Pluckemin in garrison and at Springfield when burnt.
I never received a discharge.  The following persons can testify to my character and service;  Enoch Coward, Wm. Est, Samuel ILLEGIBLE Esq, John G. ely, Esq, Judge Wm J. Emley, Thom Wallin Thom Brown, Duel. Edward Taylor, Sidney C. Woodward Esq, ILLEGIBLE
Signed Wm. Potts
I hereby certify that the above were the replies of the declarant, Wm. Potts, to the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, as ILLEGIBLE June 19th, 1833
Benj'n Woodward, Justice of the Peace
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On this nineteenth day of June A. D. 1832 personally appeared before me Benjamin Woodward Esq. Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Monmouth, William Potts, the within named declarant, who being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, affliction 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 that the period mentioned below and in the following grade:- for two years I served as a private and for such service I claim a pension.
Wm. Potts
Sworn to and subscribed before me to day and year above written.
Benj. Woodward
I the subscriber Clerk of the Inferior Court of common Please in and for the County of Monmouth in the State of New Jersey do hereby Certify that Benjamin Woodward Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit of Wm. Potts was taken was at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace duly enrolled and commissioned and that full faith and credit is due to all his official acts as such and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that name signed Benj. Woodward is the proper hand writing of the said Judge.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Freehold this twenty sixth day of June A. D Eighteen hundred and thirty three.
D. H. Ellis  Clk
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We the subscriber residents and Inhabitants of the County of Monmouth in the State of New Jersey do hereby Certify that we have for a number of years past been personally acquainted with William Potts Esquire and believe from his appearance that he is above Seventy years of Age and that he has been for a numbers of years past and now is a Magistrate in the County of Monmouth and that he is a Man of air character for truth and veracity and we believe his testimony entitled to full credit and that he is believe to have been a soldier in the War of the revolution.
July 30th, 1832
Barzillai Hendrickson
John M Perrine, Sheriff
J. C. Vanderhoef,  Surrogate
Addi Mount, Merchant
Hartshorn Tantam Jr.
George F. Fort, M. D.
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Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.

Shinn
Page 24

New Egypt, N. J.  Decem. 7th. 1833
Sir:
As the agent of William Potts, a revolutionary soldier of Monmouth County, New Jersey, who claims a pension under the act of June 7, 1832, I beg leave to represent that the said claimant, though claiming a full pension for two years service has received a certificate from your department which entitles him to $34.77 per ann. only or pay for 8 months and 3 weeks service.  His certificate bear date the 28 of October 1833, and is recorded in the Pensions Office in Book E, Vol. 3, Page 125.  Not being satisfied with the decision of the Dept. in his case, he prays for a re-consideration of his claim, hoping the result will be more favorable.  By referance to his declarations and the amendment there to it will be perceived that he particularizes 13 month service, and makes oath to two years.  He regrets that the loss of his memory from age, infirmity (having had a stocks of the palsy about 10 years since, from which he has never fully recovered) is such that he could not detail the whole two years to the satisfaction of your honor, but he conceives that is such case he should be allowed for at least 18 1/2 months service, which would entitle him to $74.00
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per year.  If you cannot consistently with your views of his case allow him this, he conceives that he is fully and indisputably entitled to pensions for 13 months service, which would give him $52.00 per ann:
In his behalf permit me to say, that he is a man of the strictest integrity and honor, a professor of religion, an old democrat and Jacksonian, has been a major of militia, is at present a magistrate, thought so old and decrepit that he merely has the title with out doing any business scarcely.  He is poor, very poor, almost destitute, must soon end his days in an alms house, unless relieved by the County and Justice of the Government.  Those who have known him longest and best, thinks him entitled to full pay; indeed I do not believe there is a dissenting voice in the County. What makes his case worse he has a wife entirely infirm and unable to help him or herself.
For the truth of these statements, I appeal to the Hon. William N. Shinn, member of congress from his State, to whom my character is well known, and who will satisfy you that I am incapable of misrepresenting a case of this kind, or any other.  He will do me the honor of presenting this communication to you and inform me of the result of the application.
Very respectfully Yr. Obd. Svt.
George F. Fort

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.
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O. W. & N. Division
F. S.
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
November 21, 1894
Sir:-
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of William Potts 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.
He first enlisted in January 1777, and renderd service whenever occasion demanded, most in alternate monthly tours of duty, with the New Jersey troops, until the war closed.  The following are mentioned as officers under whom he served:  Capt. Edward Thomas,  Col. Wm. Shreve, Capt. Marmaduke Curtis. Col. John Vandenburgh, Capt. William Cook and Col. Thornton.
Battles engaged in,  Princeton and Burning of Springfield.
Residence of Soldier at enlistment:  Mansfield, N. J.
Date of Application for Pension:   October 18, 1832
Residence at date of application: Upper Freehold, N. J.
Age at date of application:  Born in Mansfield, N. J. Oct. 18, 1759
Remarks:  His pension was allowed for ten months and thirteen days actual service.
Very respectfully
Commissioner.

Mr. W. Odgen Britton,
Trenton, N. J.