Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2852, for Nathaniel Porter, Massachusetts
Page 1

(3—1776)

Porter, Nathaniel
Sarah

SERVICE
Mass.

NUMBER
W2852

CONTENTS
Page 2

107694

New Hampshire

Nathaniel Porter
of Coos in the State of N H
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain — of the regt commanded
by Col Tupper in the Mass
line for 8 Mos.

Inscribed on the Roll of N H
at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of Apl
1833 and sent — Jonshory
Vincent P M Randolph N H

Arrears to the 4th of [illegible] 1833    $53.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep "       13.33
                                                                 --------
                                                                  $6665
{ Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832. }

Recorded by J H McBlain Clerk
Book E. Vol. 1 Page 110.


Dead

Paid at the Treasury under
the Act b. April 1838, from
4 Sep 1824 to 5 Feby 1842.
Agt Notified 21 Oct. 1844
Page 3

Nathanl. Porter

18699
Page 5

[continued]

In May or June 1780 the said Nathaniel Porter enlisted into the Continental service at Andover Massachusetts & [illegible] at Springfield Mass then marched to West Point in the State of New York where he was attached to Captain Stephen Abbots Company in Colonel Tuppers Regiment General Poors Brigade of light infantry & after a short time said company was attached to Colonel Gemant's Regiment in General La Fayette Division, which Division soon marched to a station near New York City which was then in the possession of the British when  Gen Washington & Gen La Fayette were contemplating an expedition against Staten Island which failed — soon afterward he marched back to West Point & on his way saw Gen Andre under gard before his execution but did not attend his execution as many of the soldiers did — after arriving at West Point he was discharged by Major Rapp in September or December which discharged them long [illegible] last know faithfully served the full term of six months — He further stats that he has no documentary evidence by which he can prove his service & that he knows of no person whose testimony herein provine who can testify to his service — He was born in Ipsich Mass where his age is recorded — He has resided in Conway & Shelbourne N.H. since the war

[continued]
Page 6

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.

Nathaniel Porter

Sworn to and subscribed, the 6th
day of September 1832 }


We, Robert Ingalls, residing in New Shelbourne and Barker Burbank residing in said Shelbourne hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Nathaniel Porter, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 80 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.

Robert Ingalls
Barker Burbank
Benja Hurshing Judge Probate


Sworn and subscribed the 6th
day of November A 1832 }

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 certifies, that it appears to them that the above named Robert Ingalls Esquire who has signed the preceding certificate, is now a resident in the Town of said Shelbourne and that Barker Burbank Esquire, who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of said Shelburne and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

Benja Hurshing Judge Probate


I, Jared W Williams Clerk & Register of the Court of Probate for the said County of Coos do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Nathaniel Porter of Said Shelbourne for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this 6th day of November AD 1832

Jared W Williams Register of Probate
Page 7

C Let to SP Anderson
18 June 52


915 

New Hampshire

Sarah Porter
widow of Nathaniel Porter
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private.
Mass, Mass Line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
26 Dollars 66
Cents per annum, to commence
the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension iss[ued]
12th day of [illegible]
and sent to

Hon Chas. Andrew
Ho of Rep

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under
July 29, 1848, Page 20 Vol. A
Page 8

March 10th 51

No 1.061

Claim of Mrs. Sarah
Porter wid: of Nathaniel


Act 29 July 1848.

Saml P. Anderson - 

Otisfield
Maine
NH Act of 32

Let Saml. P. Anderson

June 6th, 1851.

Married 1894
Has died 1842

adn 8 mos for $26:66
Her anni. cony 4dich

Hon Chas Andrews
H of R
Page 9

I James M. Rix, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the County of Coos, State of New Hampshire, do hereby certify that Robert Ingalls is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.

[seal and ribbon affixed]

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this twenty first day of February, Anno Domini 1851. 

James M Rix Clerk.
Page 10

York ss

The above named Mr. Nathaniel Porter and Miss Sarah Ingalls were joined in Marriage Decemr ye Seventh, one thousand seven hundred ninety four by me B Russell Justice Peace

I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows Decm ye 7th 1794

James Walker


I James Walker above named depose and say that about thirty years ago I was in trade in the Town of Bethel in the County of Oxford State of Maine and about this time a persen called on me wishing to sell me some of his goods I went to his container and looking over things, I discovered a small pamphlet [illegible] in with his paper rags. I took it up & found it to be the Records of Marriages solemenized by Benjamin Russell Esquire of Sudbury Canada now called Bethel in said County. Believing these Records to be of importance I asked the peddler if he would not give them to me. he said that he would I asked him how he came by them he said that he bought some paper rags of the widow Russell and this pamphlet was a part of the purchase, and I have carefully preserved them to the present day

James Walker
Page 11

State of Maine
County of Oxford ss }

Bethel January 11 1851

Then personally appeared James Walker the deponent above named who subscribed to and made oath in due form of law the above affidavit is true before me

and I further certify that the Deponent James Walker is a person well known to me and that his statements are to be believed

O'Neil W Robinson Jr Justice of the Peace



State of Maine
Oxford ss

I the Subscriber Clerk of the Judicial Courts within and for said County hereby certify that O Neil W Robinson is an admig Justice of the Peace within and for said County. duly appointed and qualified, and that His foregoing Signature purporting to be his is genuine = and that he was such on the day of the date thereof - 

[seal affixed]

In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State this First day of February AD. 1851

Wm K Kimball Clerk
Page 12

Declaration of Sarah Porter

State of New Hampshire
County of Coos } ss

on this tenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty one personally appeared before me Robert Ingalls one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas held within and for said County, Sarah Porter, a resident of Milan in said County of Coos aged eighty two the [illegible] Monthly who upon oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Acts of Congress passed July 29th  1818 and also July 1st 1848 as widow of Nathaniel Porter of Shelburn in said County and State aforesaid to obtain the Pension due her as widow of said Nathaniel Porter

And this declarent saith upon oath that she was married to said Nathaniel Porter in the year of our Lord 1794 in December of said year at a place in the then District of Maine called Sudbury-Canada but since Bethel by Benjamin Russell Esquire and that she lived with him the said Nathaniel Porter as his wife until Feb 5th AD. 1842. when he died

She further states that said Nathaniel Porter was a native of Andover Massachusetts and 

[continued]
Page 13

[continued]

enlisted from that town for six months in the year 1780 as a private and she has heard him say that he performed one other term of service, the length of said service, she does not  remember, the Captain, Colonel or Regiment to whom  he was attached she does not remember but she wanted respectfully refer the Commissioner to the proof on file in the Pension Office or Department, upon which my husband obtained his Pension amounting to twenty-six dollars per annum and that he was placed on the Pension list under the act of Congress of June 7th 1832 and drew said Pension to Sept 6th not previous to his death

Sarah Porter
X
her mark

Signed in presence of 
Robert Ingalls
Ellen A. Chandlor



State of New Hampshire
County of Coos } ss

Signed and sworn to before me this 10th day of February AD. 1851 and I further certify that the before named Sarah Porter made the above declaration at her dwelling in Milan in said County she not being able to atten open Court by reason of bodily infirmity and that it has been proved to my satisfaction that said Nathaniel Porter died as has been set forth in the preceeding declaration

Robert Ingalls
{Judge of the Court of Common Pleas
Page 14

I Robert Ingalls of Shellburn in the County of Coos in the State of New Hampshire, depose and say that I was fifty six years old on the 2d day of April 1850 and have been acquainted with Nathaniel Porter and Sarah Porter his wife from the time of my earliest recollection to the time said Nathaniel Porter died, which was in February AD. 1842 at which time I attended his funeral — They lived together as husband and wife to the time said Nathaniel Porter died and had children apparently near my age — said Nathaniel Porter drew a pension of twenty six dollars per annum — I assisted in making out his Declaration of Service in the Revolutionary War and frequently made out his power of attorney to draw the same — I do not recollect the length of service in declared on but have heard him say that he served one tour of six months and another of three months in the Revolutionary service

Robert Ingalls



State of New Hampshire
County of Coos, ss. }

Shelburne February 11. 1851

Then personally appeared Robert Ingalls the deponent above  named who subscribed to and made oath in due form of law that the above affidavit is true before me,

and I further certify that the deponent Robert Ingalls is a person well known to me and that his statements are to be believed,

Fletcher Odell - Justice of the Peace
Page 15

I James M. Rix, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the County of Coos, state of New Hampshire, do hereby certify, that Fletcher Odell is a Justice of the Peace within and for said county as within and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this twelfth day of February, Anno Domini 1851

James M. Rix Clerk
Page 16

Sir I present the claim Mrs Sarah Porter Widow of Nathaniel Porter a Revolutionary Pensioner for a Pension   She sets forth that she was married in December 1794 that she lived with her husband untill the 5th of Feb 1842 when he died; sine that time she has remained a widow

Please regard the little balance that was due her husband at the time of his death because she is exceedingly poor (viz from [illegible] of Sept. to the 5th of Feb amounting to Ten Dollars and 97/100) 

I am very respectfully
your obedient Servant
Samuel P Anderson

Otisfield March 3d 1851
State of Maine




James E Heath Esqr
Commissioner of 
Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 17

18699

Nathl Porter
NH

Private 8 Month


$2666


Anthony Vincent Esq PN
Randolph
NH
Page 18

BRIEF in the case of Nathaniel Porter
County of Coos in the State of New Hampshire
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court of a Judge? Open Court

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

3. How old is he? 70 years -

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

Period.
[A] June In 1777 or 1778
[B] Dec 1780

Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days.
[A] 2 [months]
[B] 6 [months]

Rank.
As a 
[A] Private
[B]      "

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen.
[A] J Green
[B] Conl Abbot  Col Tupper

5. In what battles was he engaged? None

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Andover Massachusetts

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

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
The papers are not attachd as requd

X Certify that the foregoing statement and t he answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Richard Cutter
Examining Clerk.
Page 20

[stamp text as follows:]

U.S.P.[illegible].

OLD WAR & NAVY
DEC 18 1885
FILES
Page 21

[stamp text as follows:]
CHIEF OF [illegible]
AUG. 31. 1895
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.




REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE
O. W. & N. DIV

MEMORANDA.

Please supply as much as possible of the
data called for below

Full name of soldier:
Nathaniel Porter

Place of residence before service:
(Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Andover, Essex,
Massachusetts.

Place of residence after service:
(Town, county, and State, if possible:)
Shelburne
New Hampshire

Date of death (as near as possible):
1842.

Christian name of widow:
Sarah Ingalls.

Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
He did.

Remarks:
His pension was sent to him at
Shelburne, N.H. It might
possibly have been sent to
Lancaster, N.H. or Portland,
Maine, and there forwarded
to him.

Your name and address:
Mrs. D.A. Green
1123 - 17th St., N. W.,
Washington, D.C.

6—870
Page 22

[black box, no text]
Page 24

Revy. WIDOW, &c.

File No. 2852
Sarah Porter
Widow
Nathaniel Porter
Pri. Rev. War

Act: July 29, 1848

Index:—Vol. M., Page 134.

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 25

Sept. 14/95 - Hist. to Mrs. D. A 
Green; 1123-17 st., N.W. Ceilz. -
M.E.L.

Jan. 24, 1896
Letrs sent George
W. Emery, Sea View, Mass/
[illegible]
Page 26

Sent to
Geo. W. Emery.
Sea View,
Plymouth Co. Mass
Jan. 24/96
Page 27

O. W. & N. Division
F.S. One

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C., 

September 14, 1995.


Madam:

In reply to your request for a statement of. the military history of + N A T H A N I E L  P O R T E R +  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. W. 2852

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
[A] 1777 or 1778
[B] May or June, 1780

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
[A] 2 mo.
[B] 6 mo.

RANK.
[A] Pri.
[B]  "

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
[A] Lieut. Green
[B] Stephen Abbott
COLONEL.
[A] None
[B] {Tupper
        Gammet

STATE.
[A] Mass.
[B]  "

Battles engaged in,
None.

Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Andover, Mass.

Date of application for pension,
November 8, 1832.

Residence at date of application,
Shelburne, N.H.

Age at date of application,
Seventy-seven years. Born at Ipswich, Mass.

Remarks: 
He married Sarah Ingalls Nov. 7, 1794, and died in February, 1842.

Very respectfully,
[no signature]
Commissioner.

Mrs. D. A. Green,
#1123 Seventeenth St., N.W.,
Washington, D.C.
Page 28

GIDEON, PRINTER



TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
Feb'y 22d, 1844.

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioner, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The widow of Nathaniel Porter, Decd., a Pensioner on the Roll of the Concord, N.H. Agency, at the rate of Twenty six — Dollars and 66 Cents per annum, under the law of the 844 and 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1841, to the 5th Feb'y 1842.

Respectfully, yours,
Albion H Parris
Comptroller.

To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.
Page 29

Sir yours of May 15th 1852 is receved in which you request the number of Mrs Porters Pension Certificate in order to aid you to turn to her papers

I have written to her in the north part of the State of New Hampshire and have received the number (915)

The favor asked of You is that you would return the little pamphlet book containing the Record of Mr Porter's marriage as there are a number of marriages recorded in that book that are recorded no where else. And in case the Pamphlet is mislaid that you would send me a copy of the marriage

I should be gratified if you would be so kind as to answer the following questions so a woman entitled for her Heirs to a Pension upon the services of the first husband where she drew a Pension upon the services of her Second husband

Under the services of both husbands she claims under the Act of 4th July 1836. The widow above is dead

[continued]
Page 30

[continued]

Very respectfully
Your obt Servant
Samuel H Anderson




J L Heath Esq 
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.



H.S. Please refer this letter to J J C Paplet
Pension Department
Page 31

Brief in the case of Rachel Porter,
Coos County and State of New Hampshire
act 29 July 1848

Claim, ("original,")

Proof exhibited, (if original)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, State the substance.

Husband was a pensioner
Recd proof of marriage

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filled since the admission of the claim? If so, what?



Names and residences of Agent
Hor Chas Andrews,
H of R

S. Cole
Examining Clerk.
Page 32

Sir I received your letter in the case of Sarah Porter of June 6th 1851 and returned an answer immediately: in which I informed you that it was impossible for me to prove the marriage as your directed in t he pages of Law which you sent me

The reason is plain. Esq Russell who solemnized the marriage never returned a record in the possession of his second wife and this second wife sold t he little Pamphlet book to the tin peddlar and Esq Walker obtained it of the peddlar as he states in his Deposition

Please reexamine the case and see if the proof is not sufficient

The character of all the witnesses in the case is good.

Please inform me if it is indispenceably necessary that I should appoint an Agent in Washington to attend to my casses in your Department

The reason why I enquire is, it costs the Claimant a pretty heavy feee; and if you do not need an Agent, I will not appoint one

Very respectfully your
obet servant
Samuel P Anderson

Certified October 6th 1851
Maine
J L Heath Esq
Washington
D.C.
Page 33

Sir I received your communication in the case of Sarah Porter dated June 6th 1851 in which you say that the proof of her Marriage is not fully proved to your Satisfaction

The Law which you enclosed in your letter states that the Claimant must produce the best evidence the nature of the case will admit; this I have done and I will recapilulate said evidence

Mrs Porter swears positively that in December 1794 she was married at what is now called Bethel in Oxford County State of Maine by Benjamin Russell Esq and that she lived with Nathaniel Porter as his Wife untill the 5th day of February 1842 when he died

Judge Ingalls who was born about the time she was married and who has always lived a neighbour to Mrs Porter  untill since the death of her husband swears positively that from his earliest recollections he has been acquainted with Mr Porter and his wife that they lived together as husband and wife and raised up a family of children some of which is as old as Judge Ingalls

I will now look at James Walkers statement he is no way interested and he is a man of the first standing in society and see how it corroberates the evidence of Mrs Porter   He says that about thirty years ago he was in Trade at Bethel and a man came and wanted to trade and he (Walker) upon going to his waggon discovered a Pamphlet Book and taking it up found that it was the Record of marriages

[continued]
Page 34

[continued]

solemnised by Benjamin Russell and this Record certifies that Nathaniel Porter and Mis Sarah Ingalls were Married December 7th 1794   Mrs Porter declares upon oath that she married in Decem 17994 and Judge Ingalls solemnly swearing that he has known Mr and Mrs Porter as husband and wife from his earliest recollections say fifty two or three years ago: Now considering these Persons to be of the first Standing in Society and the parts and circumstances so connected; can there remain one doubt as to the credibility and truth of these witnesses

One more thought if she had set up her claim that she was married in Decem 1793 so as to entend her Pension book to the Death of her husband there would have been more chance to criticise the evidence

There is no record of the Marriage of Mrs Porter on the Town Records   Mr Russell neglected to retain the marriages and the Record found in the Peddlar's wagon is the only record that we can produce.

If you still doubt the credibility of these witnesses please ask Elbridge Gerry Esq. Member of Congress the last Session to certify as to the credibility of these witnesses

Very respectfully
your obet servant
Samuel P Anderson

Certified June 23d 1851
State of Maine


James E Heath Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington 
D.C.
Page 36

Sir

In The case of Sarah Porter you directed me to procure a Certificate from the Town Clerk of Bethel in respect to the Marriage of Mrs Porter   I here inclose it and also that I must send the pamphlet from which James Walker certified in his Deposition prooving the Marriage

I, in order to procure the Pamplet made a special agreement with Mr Walker, that the little Pamphlet should be returned to him without fail; for the reason that there are a number of Marriages solemnised  by Benj Russell and recorded in that book and no where else to be found

Please return the little pamphlet after you examine it

Very respectfully your
obedient servant
Samuel P Anderson

Certified March 5th 1852
State of Maine


J C Heath Esq Commissioner
Washington
D.C.

PS The record of Mrs Porter's marriage is found on page 5th
Page 37

(Copy)

I hereby certify that the intention of Marriage between Mr Nathaniel Porter, of Brownfield and Miss Sarah Ingalls, of Shebourn, State pf New Hampshire, hasth been entered with me fourteen days prior to the date hereof and published in the town of Fryeburg, as the law directs.

Given under my hand this ninth day of November A.D. 1794.

Joseph F. Swan Clerk of the Town
of Fryeburg.



York S.S  The above named Mr Nathaniel Porter, and Miss Sarah Ingalls, were joined in marriage December 7th, 1794, by me B Russell Justice Peace



I hereby certify that foregoing was this day truly copied by me from the original docket of the town clerk of Fryeburg, Maine.

A.H. Mackland
Clerk in Pension Office.

March 11th 1852
Page 38

Application for a transfer of my Pension Claim from the Newhampshire Agency for paying Pensions at Concord to the Maine Agency at Portland

State of New Hampshire
County of Coos } ss

On this ninteenth day of February one thousand eight hundred and fifty two before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Sarah Porter who on Oath declares that she is the same person who on the tenth day of February 1851 made Declaration for the purpose of obtaining a Pension which was my due under the Act of 2d February 1848 Before Robert Ingalls Esq one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas held within and for said County of Coos

And she hereby requests the Commissioner in case he finds the proof of my claim sufficient to grant my pension that he would Transfer the payment thereof from New Hampshire to the Maine Agency at Portland

And these are my reasons for requesting the alteration. Sss my pension is to be paid

[continued]
Page 39

[continued]

at Concord Newhampshire we being situated at almost the Northerly point of the State and Concord at almost the South and the conveyance between these extremes so seldom; that the pensioner in Coos have been under necessity of sending an Agent to obtain their Semi annual payments and this course has cost them from two to three Dollars each payment consequently I must pay out from four to six Dollars each year While on the other hand if it is paid at Portland I can send any day by Railroad for twenty five cents

Sarah Porter
X
her mark

Witness M. C. Frist


Sworn and subscribed the day and year first above written before me 

And I further certify that I am acquainted with the Deponent Sarah Porter and know her to be the identical person she represents herself to be

Abner Davis { Justice of the Peace
Page 41

I Golden A Hastings Town Clerk of Bethel in the County of Oxford State of Maine hereby certify that — I have made a diligent examination of the records of said Bethel for the record of the marrige of Mr Nathaniel Porter and Miss Sarah Ingalls and find no record thereof, and would further state that the records of said Bethel extend no further back than to eighteen hundred and one, in which year the early records of the town were destroyed,

GA Hastings {Town Clerk of Bethel




Oxford ss Feby 13th 1852

There personally appeared Gideon A Hastings Town Clerk of Bethel, and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed.

Before Me ONeil Robertson Jr Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that I am acquainted with the above named Gideon A Hastings and know him to be town clerk of said Town of Bethel,

ONeil W Robertson Jr.