Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8,354, for Moses Porter, Connecticut
Page 1

(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Porter, Moses
Sarah

NUMBER
R. 8.354

CONTENTS
Page 2

V2888
Sarah Porter

Declaration
Vermont

G. W. Harman
Agent
Pawlet Ver't
Page 3

State of Vermont }
Rutland County } ss.
Fairhaven Probate District. }
On this 30th day of
October AD. 1837, personally appeared before the
Probate Court, for the district of Fairhaven, aforesaid,
Sarah Porter, a resident of Pawlet, in the district,
County and State aforesaid, aged ninety five
years, who, being first duly sworn according to law,
doth, on her oath, make the following declaration,
in order to obtain the benefit of the provision
made by the act of Congress, passed July 4th
1836: That she is the widow Moses Porter,
who was a soldier in the war of the revolution, and,
as such, was engaged in the Service of his country.

2 mos. In April, 1775, a day or two after the battle of
Lexington, upon receiving news of that affair, the said
Moses left his home in Norwich, in Connecticut, &
marched under Col. Putnam to Lexington, and
from thence to Boston, where he remained until
after the battle of Bunker Hill, and took part
in that engagement, as he informed me upon
his return, soon after - and I have no distinct
recollection of the period he was in service, &
can only state as above, except, that I have no
recollection, that he returned home, after he
first left, until after the battle of Bunker Hill.
I remember none of the officers, except Col. Putnam,
& have no documentary evidence.

6 mos. In June 1776, as I believe, the said Moses enlisted
into the army and went to New York, and was
engaged in the orchard fight, as he called it,
on Long or York Island -- the army, as I understood,
was commanded by Genl Washington, in
person, but I do not remember any other
officers. The Americans retreated before the enemy
and threw away their equipage and arms,
and the said Moses returned home to obtain
clothing for the soldiery, they having
lost theirs in the discomfiture -- by what
Page 4

authority he came home, I cannot tell; having
remained at home a day or two, and having
obtained, from the voluntary contributions
of individuals, a one horse wagon load of clothing
for his fellow soldiers, and neighbours,
who were then in the army, destitute of that
article, he returned to the army - and as
near as I can recollect, was absent in the
whole, during that campaign, six months -
that being the period of his enlistment, he
returned home, as I think, in December. I
remember no other officers, and have no
documentary evidence.

Subsequent to the services above mentioned, the
said Moses was engaged in the service of his
County, a number of times, when different
alarms were given, but I cannot particularise
the times and places, except, that he once
went to Rhode Island and over to Stonnington [Stonington],
as a soldier.

On the 25th Sept 1777, the said Moses received | 1 1/2 mos.
from the Governor of Connecticut, a 2d Lieutenants
commission in Col. McLellan's battallion, [battalion]
but I do not recollect the other officers and should
not remember the Colonel, were it not for the
commission. It is my belief that the said
Moses was engaged in the military service, for
some time posterior to the date of said
commission - and I distinctly recollect, that when
Genl Burgoyne was captured, the said Moses
was present in the engagement, which resulted
in that event, and that he was absent
from his home, in said Norwich, at that
period, six weeks, at least, and I think,
a much longer time, during which, he was
in the military service, as he informed me.
I refer to said commission, in support of this
portion of said Moses' service.
Page 5

She further declares, that she was married to the
said Moses Porter, on the 12th day of May, 1765;
that her husband, the aforesaid Moses Porter,
died on the 17th day of February AD. 1803, and that
she has remained a widow ever since that
period, as will more fully appear, by reference
to the proof hereto annexed. She was
married to the said Moses Porter, at Preston,
in New London County, Connecticut, by the Rev.
Mr. Rossiter.
[signed] Sarah Porter her X mark
In presence of G. W. Harman.

I S. H. Merrill Register of the Probate Court for the district of
Fairhaven aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the
application of Sarah Porter for a pension.

[office seal]
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and Seal of office at Castleton this
1. day of November 1837
[signed] S. H. Merrill
Page 6

The End of the OLD TESTAMENT.

John Griswold

Sarah Porter
Family Record
Page 7

Moses Porter was Born Sept 30th 1738
Sarah Killam Born May 1st 1742
Moses Porter & Sarah Killam Married May 12th 1765

Sons and Daughters of Moses & Sarah Porter
Abigail Porter Born April 27th 1768
Sarah Porter Born March 20th 1770
Elijah Porter Born November 16th 1773
Joseph Porter Born Sept 7th 1775
Solomon Porter Born August 27th 1777
Moses Porter Jr Born July 6th 1779
Harvey Porter Born May 23rd 1786
Sarah Porter Married July 19th 1786
Abigail Porter Married March 19th 1787
Sarah Porter Died December 11th 1790
Solomon Porter Died November 8th 1791
Joseph Porter Married March 20th 1800
Elijah Porter Married March 12 1801
Moses Porter Junior Married October 24 1802
Moses Porter Senior Died Feby 17 1803
 aged Year 64 - Months 4 and 17 Days
Harvey Porter Married November 5th 1812
Abigail Hatch Died Nov 14th 1824 1824
Page 8

Blessings to those that fear God. CHAP IV. The study of the law recommended

[Bible verses 16-18]

CHAP. IV.

[Bible verses 1-6]

The End of the OLD TESTAMENT.

John Griswold

Sarah Porter
Family Record
Page 9

State of New York }
Saratoga County } SS. Elijah Porter of the
Town of Waterford in said County being
duly sworn says, that he is the son of Moses
Porter, late of the Town of Pawlet County
of Rutland & State of Vermont, that he this
Deponant [Deponent] was Sixty three years of age in
November last and this Deponant finds by
examination of the Family Records that
his Father was born in Connecticut 30th September
A.D. 1738 and was married to Sarah Killam,
who is this Deponants mother 12th of May 1765,
that this Deponants Father continued to reside
in the State of Connecticut until the year 1779
or there abouts, that during the time this Deponent
continued to reside in his Father's Family he
often heard his Father speak of his services in
the Revolution, it was often a subject of conversation
in his Father's Family and often heard
his Father converse with his Friends & Individuals
who were some of them acquained with the
facts in relation to his own services in the
Revolutionary War, the facts as this Deponant
then & now understands them, and which this
Deponant verily believes to be true, are as follows.

In the Spring of the year 1775 this
Deponants Father went to Lexington under the
command of Col. Putnam, but did not arive [arrive]
until after the battle -- that soon after the
State of Connecticut raised a Regiment of men
and this Deponants Father was chosen & commissioned
an Officer in one of the Companies of said
Regiment and soon after marched in said
Regiment to Boston and was on Bunkers or
Breeds Hill defending a Brest work until it
was carried by the British and continued to serve
Page 10

in said Regiment until the time of their
enlistment expired. The time for which this
Regiment was enlisted is not known to this Deponant.

That in the Summer of 1776 this Deponants
Father was in the service & if this Deponant
recollects aright his Captains name was Mix,
that the Captain was wounded the day the
American Army retreated over Kings Bridge and
from that time this Deponants Father commanded
the company until the close of the Compaign

That this Deponants Father was in the battle at White Plains,
was under General Washington in his retreat through
New Jersey, was with & in the army when the British
force was taken by Washington at Trenton and until
the army went into winter quarters at Morristown.

That in the Spring of 1777 a Company was raised
in New London County, Connecticut in which
my Father was chosen Lieutenant, they were
called mounted minute men or Rangers & were held in reading
to march at a minutes warning, they marched
on horse back & fought on foot -- in July or August
1777 my Father went to the north with this
Company, he was the oldest officer who went out
in the Company & had the command of the
Company, was under General Stark in the engagement
with the British near Bennington -- the next
day marched to the Hudson River in the State
of New York & joined General Gates & was
placed at Beemas Hights in the left wing
of the army under Colonel Morgan, was in
the battle in September and acted as adjudent
or aid to General Arnold, that he continued
in the Army until after the Surrender of
Burgoin [Burgoyne] and marched with the Prisoners
to near Boston -- that after his return home
he received a Captains Commission & shortly
Page 11

after moved with his Family to Worthington
in the State of Massachusetts & was never in
the service after he received his Captains
Commission to the recollection or knowledge
of this Deponant -- that on or about the
year 1782 my Father moved to Pawlet,
Rutland County, Vermont, where he continued
to reside until his death & died in February
AD 1803 -- That in the year 1799 this Deponant
resided at Beemas Hights in Stillwater,
Saratoga County, State of New York, that this
Deponants Father visited him there, that
during his stay there he walked onto the ground
with this Deponant & pointed out the position
of the Army under General Gates & the left
wing under Col. Morgan & mentioned his having
a horse killed under him at a certain Brestwork
then to be seen, which was taken and
retaken several times in the course of the
engagement -- That during the last War
General Wilkinson visited Waterford where
this Deponant then & now resides, at which
time Genl Wilkinson told this Deponant that he
was acquained with his Father and said that he
Gen. Wilkinson, was aid to Gen Gates & that
this Deponants Father was aid to Gen. Arnold
at the time & previous to the Surrender of Bergoine [Burgoyne]
and that Arnold would have been killed in
that engagement had it not been for the
timely relief rendered him by this Deponants
Father, for that Arnold acted like a madman.

That this Deponant has no precise knowledge
of the length of time his Father was in
the service, but has always understood it to
be a little short of three years -- that he was in
at least part of three Campaigns, and this
Page 12

Deponent thinks he was home during
some part of the winter ---
[signed] Elijah Porter

Sworn before me
this 5th day of August
A.D. 1837
[signed] N. B. Doe
Judge of Saratoga County Courts

State of New York }
Saratoga County Clerk's Office } ss: I Alpheus Goodrich Clerk of the County
of Saratoga do Certify that Nicholas B. Doe before whom the foregoing
Affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of
the same, one of the Judges of the County Court in & for said
County, and that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily
believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavit to be his proper
hand writing and Signature ---

Witness my hand and seal of Office the
fifth day of August 1837 ---
[signed] A Goodrich Clerk

Sarah Porter
Elijah Porter's
affidavits

I Nicholas B. Doe do certify that Elijah Porter
who is described in & who subscribed the within
Affidavit, has been well known to me for more than thirty
years last past, that he is highly respectable and is
a man of the strictest truth and veracity, and I do
not in the least doubt the truth of the facts stated
in said affidavit. --- August 5th 1837 ---
[signed] N. B. Doe
Judge of Saratoga County Courts
Page 13

State of Vermont }
Rutland County ss. } I, Joseph Porter, of Pawlet, in said County,
aged 62 years, being duly sworn, do depose and say,
that I am the son of Moses Porter late of said Pawlet
deceased, and of Sarah Porter of said Pawlet,
widow of said Moses. That the said Moses died
at Pawlet, on the 17th day of Feby, 1803 -- that I have
always lived in the same family with my parents,
that my said mother has never married since
my father's decease, and is now alive at Pawlet,
a widow.

And further, that while my father
was alive, I frequently heard him speak of his
services in the revolutionary war -- that he stated
he was at the battle of Bunker's Hill, and
performed other services of a military nature during
the spring and summer of 1775 -- that he was
in the military service during the year 1776, &
was engaged in the "orchard fight" as he
called it -- that he was at the battles at Stillwater,
or one of them, and present at the
Surrender of Burgoyne -- all these facts are
according to my recollection.

And further, that on the 25th day of Sept 1837
I showed the Rev. John Griswold, a bible, on
the blank leaf of which, was the record of the
said Moses Porter's family, as acknowledged
and acquiesced in by the said Moses and
his family - which said record, I have this day
cut from the said bible and have delivered
the same to the magistrate taking this
affidavit.
[signed] Joseph Porter

Subscribed and sworn
to by the said Joseph Porter,
whom I certify to be a credible person, this 7th
day of October, AD. 1837, before me
[signed] G. W. Harman Just Peace

And I certify, that the Family Record, delivered
me by the said Jo's Porter, is herewith transmitted
to the Pension Office.
[signed] G. W. Harman
Just Peace
Page 14

Rutland County ss.

John Griswold, of Pawlet, in said County,
of lawful age, to wit, Seventy two years, being duly
sworn, deposes and says, that he this deponent
came to reside in the town of Pawlet, aforesaid, in
the year 1793, and boarded for several years in the
family of Moses Porter, then of said Pawlet, now
deceased, with whom, as with his wife Sarah,
I was well acquainted - and continued the said
acquaintance with said Moses, until his death, and
with said Sarah, until the present time. That the
said Sarah has resided in said Pawlet, since my first
acquaintance with her, until the present time, and
since the death of her husband, (the said Moses)
she has never intermarried with any person,
and is now a widow.

I have to day, been shown a bible, by Joseph Porter,
son of said Moses, containing upon its blank leaf,
a record of the said Moses Porter's family; the
first fifteen lines of which record, are in my
hand writing - I have no recollection of making
the said record, but presume it was made
during the time that I resided in the family
of said Moses, as aforesaid, and at his request;
as I was there, and for more than thirty years
afterwards, the settled minister in said Pawlet -
and from my occupation very likely to be
called upon to perform such a service to my
friends. I have to day written my name on
the back of said record, to identify the same.

While I resided in the family of said Moses, I
understood, and it was a subject of conversation,
that the said Moses, had been a soldier
in the Army of the Revolution; and I now have
the impression very strong, that he was at the
battles of Bunker Hill and Bemus [Bemis] Heights.
[signed] John Griswold

Subscribed & sworn to }
by the said Griswold, whom }
I certify to be a credible person, this 25th day of Sept.
1837, before me, [signed] G. W. Harman Just. Peace.
Page 15

Moses R. Porter's
affidavit & power of Attorney.
Page 16

STATE OF Ohio }
County of Trumble } ss.

BE IT KNOWN, That before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County,
personally appeared Moses R. Porter of Franklin Ohio
aged 74 years, who, being duly cautioned and sworn in due form of law, states ...

that he is the son of Moses Porter { Deceased
who was a Sergent and 2d Lieutenant in the war of the
Revelution [Revolution] that his Father served in said war as he think
some three or four years cannot Give the officers Names that
he served under, he lived at the time that he entered service in the
State of Connecticut, and that his Father died Feb the 7th 1809 and that his mother
Sarah Porter for whome he claims pention died the 17 day of June 1843 and that some
15 or 20 years ago there was an application for pention by the widow and that he belieis [believes]
that the application is now on file at Washington and that he has but
one Brother living and lives in New Haven Oswego Court [County], and
State of New York and that his name is Harvey Porter and that there
are no other heirs living

... and that he believes that he is entitled to whatever is due, and that the United States are still indebted
to him under the laws of Congress, for the Pension that was due his said Mother
and that for the purpose of investigating and establishing his claims as aforesaid, he appointed JAMES
HATHAWAY, of Chardon, Geauga County Ohio, his true and lawful Attorney, with irrevocable powers,
to examine all papers on file, and my said Attorney is hereby fully authorized and empowered to constitute and
appoint one or more substitutes or attorneys under him, for the purpose above expressed.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have on this 1st day July A. D., 1853
hereunto signed my names and affixed my seals.

[signed] N. B. Porter  L. S.
WITNESS: [signed] James Morrow  L. S.
WITNESS: [signed] A Humiston  L. S.

Signed, sealed and acknowledged, and sworn to before me; and I further certify that Moses R. Porter
has always by the community been known as the son of Moses & Sarah
Porter { deceased  Dated on this 1st day of July 1853,
and I further certify that I have no interest in said claim whatever
[signed] Alan Humiston JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.

STATE OF Ohio }
County of Trumbull } to wit:

I hereby certify, That Alan Humiston Esq.;
before whom the foregoing power of attorney was made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the
time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that
his signature above written is genuine.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of
Common Pleas of said County, this 22nd day of October one thousand eight
[court seal]
hundred and fifty three.
[signed] [illegible] brathan Meyerall CLERK.

*State whether an applicant or a pensioner.
Page 17

2888 V Vt.
Sarah Porter
Vermont
Suspended

See let. 12th Jan '38
G. W. Harman

Letter to G W Harman
12 April 1838

To Hon. Edward Curtis 6. July '38,
Let. to G. W. Harman, Aug't 9 - '38

do. lt Same Nov. 1. 1838 -
J Nalkaway, Nov. 23/53
Page 18

New York City
Nov. 2nd 1895.

Received the Commission
of Lieut.
Moses Porter referred
to within.

John P. Hatch
Col. & Bvl; Brig. Genl
in A. Army

[round postmark] U S PENSION OFFICE. NOV 4 1895
Page 19

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., October 28, 1895.

O. W. & N. Div.
F. S.
[illegible] M. E. C. [illegible]
R.8354

Sir:

In response to the request contained in your letter of
October 21st, and in consideration of your sworn affidavit bearing
the same date, I enclose herewith the original commission of your
ancestor, Moses Porter, as a 2d Lieutenant in the Massachusetts troops,
Revolutionary war.

Please acknowledge its receipt upon the back of this letter,
which should be returned to the Bureau of Pensions in the enclosed
penalty envelope.

Very respectfully,
Wm Lochren
Commissioner.

Col. John Porter Hatch,
610 - 22" St.,
Washington, D. C.
Page 20

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., October 28, 1895.

O. W. & N. Div.
F. S.
M. E. C.

Sir:

In response to the request contained in your letter of
October 21st, and in consideration of your sworn affidavit bearing
the same date, I enclose herewith the original commission of your
ancestor, Moses Porter, as a 2d Lieutenant in the Massachusetts troops,
Revolutionary war.

Please acknowledge its receipt upon the back of this letter,
which should be returned to the Bureau of Pensions in the enclosed
penalty envelope.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Col. John Porter Hatch,
610 - 22" St.,
Washington, D. C.
Page 21

New York City,
October 21, 1895.

Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Sir:-

In the O. W. and N. Division of your Bureau is an application
for pension (Rej. W. 8354) made in 1837 by my great-grandmother,
Sarah Porter, and based on the service of her husband, Moses Porter,
in the War of the Revolution.

Among the papers filed in support of this application is the
Commission of my great-grandfather as 2nd Lieutenant in the
Connecticut State Troops.

Understanding that under certain circumstances papers of
family interest on file in your bureau are, on application, returned
to descendants, I have the honor to apply for this Commission,
and to file in support of my application the enclosed affidavit.

Very respectfully,
Jno. Porter Hatch
Colonel & Bvt. Brig. Gen'l,
U. S. Army.

My address is
610 - 22nd St.,
Washington, D. C.
Page 22

[round postmark] U S PENSION OFFICE OCT 22 1895
Page 23

[round postmark] U S PENSION OFFICE OCT 22 1895

New York City,
October 21, 1895.

In support of my application for the Commission of Moses
Porter as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Connecticut State Troops, now on
file in the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior, I wish
to make the following statement based upon copies of the record to
be found in the bibles of Moses Porter and Timothy Hatch:

That I am a lineal descendant of Moses Porter, late of Pawlet,
Vt., and of his wife, Sarah Porter. That their eldest child,
Abigail Porter, born April 27, 1768, married my grandfather,
Timothy Hatch, late of Le Roy, N. Y., March 22, 1787.

That I am the eldest child of their son, Moses Porter Hatch.

That, though Moses Porter Hatch was not the eldest child of
said marriage of Timothy Hatch and Abigail Porter, he was named
for his grandfather, the said Moses Porter, and that I have no
record of the descendants of the elder children.

And further, that if at any time a claimant for said Commission
should appear, who in the judgment of the Commissioner of
Pensions has a better right to it, I will, on notification, return
it to the Bureau of Pensions.
[signed] Jno. Porter Hatch
Page 24

-2-

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 21st day of October,
A. D., 1895.

[signed] Thomas Ford
176 ) Notary Public.
New York Co
Page 25

[rectangle postmark] OLD WAR & NAVY FILES. OCT 3 1895

[round postmark] U S PENSION OFFICE OCT 22 1895
Page 26

Aztec Club.
Washington, D. C.
March 30, 1892

Genl Green B. Raum,
Commissioner of Pensions.

Dear Sir:

Will you
please direct that the
following information,
which is to be used for
purely historical purposes,
be furnished me from
the records in your bureau.
Record of Major Moses
Porter of the Revolutionary
Army, who was one of
Putnam's (Connecticut)
Volunteers, and in several
Page 27

of the leading engagements,
being commissioned Major
for conspicuous gallantry
at battle of Bemis's Heights,
Oct. 7. 1777. He died in
1803 and his widow, Sarah
Killam Porter, in 1843,
aged 101, at Pawlet,
Vt.

I am thus particular
as there was another of
the same name, an officer
in the war, but he lived
till 1821, as Colonel in
the regular Army.

Yours respectfully
Mark B. Hatch
Hyattsville
Prince George Co. Maryland
Page 28

[rectangle stamp] OLD WAR AND NAVY FILES. APR 5 1892

P

[round postmark] U S PENSION OFFICE A APR 1 1892
Page 29

1892 May 14
Hist to M B Hatch
Hyattsville Md
J.S.

Oct 28/95 Com. returned to Col.
John Porter Hatch, 610-22" St. City:
M.E.C.

8354.
P. O. Sarah Porter
Service: wid. of Moses
Enlisted: REJECTED , 18 .

Discharged: , 18 .
Application filed: , 18 .
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized. Contract.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for , 18 .
Page 30

Chardon Geauga Co. Ohio,
Nov. 11th 1853.

Sir

I herewith transmit to your office the affidavit
and power of Attorney of Moses R. Porter, son of Moses
& Sarah Porter, both deceased, wherein it appears that
his father was a Revolutionary Soldier, and died in 1803,
and that his mother died, in 1843, and that she made
application for a pension which was not rec'd and that
said Application is now on file in your office. affiant thinks
his father served some three years in the war of the Revolution
and served some in the capacity of Sergeant and some in the
capacity of Lieutenant, please inform me what proofs
are required in said claim

Most Respectfully yours
[signed] James Hathaway

P. S. The Soldier & his widow both died in Pollett [Pawlet] Vermont
and her application was made from Vermont.
J.H.

Hon S. P. Waldo,
Com'r of Pensions
Washington City,
D. C.
Page 31

Pawlet Vt
Oct 20
[postage] free

J. L. Edwards Esq
Com'r of Pen's
Washington City

Conn Oct 25
Sarah Porter
Page 32

Pawlet Vt Oct. 19" 1838.

Sir,

Your letter of the 9th Augt. last, came to
hand in due course. It is stated therein
that "the certificate of the Comptroller of
Connecticut in the case of Mrs Sarah Porter,
refers to a different person from her late
husband." This is doubtless the case with
regard to all the service which was performed
by the Moses Porter who served
in the Connecticut line; but not so, as to
the service performed after the Lexington
affair, in the year 1775.

On the 22d Augt I addressed the Comptroller
in pursuance of the direction contained
in your letter, stating to him the particulars
of each tour of Mr. Porters military service
and requesting his certificate in relation
thereto. In reply to which, I have received a
letter from the Comp'r in which he says
that he "has no pay rolls of any amount
after the year 1775. And as you are unable
to furnish the names of his officers after
that year, I cannot, of course even certify
the service of his officers." -- "You will
therefore perceive that the attempt must be
Page 33

"abandoned, unless you can give the officers
subsequent to 1775. in which case I can certify
their service"

But, notwithstanding, I do contend, that there
is already, sufficient evidence before the
Com'r of Pensions, to warrant the granting a
pension.

The first tour is established by the Comptroller's
certificate, to have been rendered as a sergeant,
16 days.

The second tour is proven by witnesses who
are entitled to almost as much credit as
persons who were eye witnesses of the service.
One of them was an inmate of the soldiers family
at the time, and knew of his absence and
was informed at the time by him and others
of the reason of his absence from home, and
of the nature of his operations abroad.
The other was an inhabitant of the same
town and was well informed of the facts.

The last tour is indeed supported only
by traditionary evidence; but I think the
declaration of the applicant is entitled
to great credit on that score, supported
as it is by the traditionary evidence --

On the whole, I cannot but think,
that a pension ought to be granted
Page 34

for something more than six months
service -- and hope the case will
receive an examination anew, and
that I may be informed of the result.

I remain,
Very respectfully
Yr. Obt. Sv.
[signed] G. W. Harman

J. L. Edwards Esq
Com'r of Pen's
Page 35

Pawlet, Rutland County Vt
June 25" 1838.

Sir,

Yours of the 12th Apl last, in relation to
the application of Mrs Sarah Porter, widow
of Moses Porter, came to hand in due course.
In obedience to your directions therein, a Statement
of the service of Mr. Porter was drawn
up by me, and forwarded to the present
Comptroller, at Hartford Ct. with a request,
that he would investigate the subject. I had
no reasonable hope or expectation, that a
compliance with my request would be attended
with any beneficial result, inasmuch as
two similar applications had formerly
been made to Wm Field Esq. the late
Comptroller, and answers from him received,
that upon full investigation no proof
of Mr. Porters services could be obtained.

But it rejoices me, exceedingly, and will doubtless,
be a source of satisfaction to yourself, that
the vigilant and attentive officer who now
presides over the public accounts, has
succeeded in finding the most plenary proof,
and of the highest order, to substantiate the
claim of Mrs Porter, for remuneration for
her former husbands services.
Page 36

The certificate of the Comptr which is herewith
transmitted to you, proves, that Mr. Porter was
engaged in the Revolutionary war, in the whole,
four years, eight months, and twenty five days.
This is a greater term than she specified in her
declaration - but when we take into account
her exceedingly advanced age, and her infirmities,
we are more surprised, that she should
be able to relate any thing, than that she
should omit a material portion of her
husbands services. The proof submitted
herewith also goes to corroborate the affidavit
of Elijah Porter, which accompanied the
original declaration.

Mrs Porter is, of course, entitled to a full pension.
Mr. Porter served as Sergt Corpl & private.
From 1st Jany 1781, to the close of that year, his
services were as a private, 5 mos. and as a
corporal, 7 mos. and his pay was L. 25" S. 8" d. 0 [25 pounds 8 shillings]
In 1775 he served as a sergt 16 days and his pay
was L. 1 - S. 5 - d. 4 which was at the rate of 19 d. per diem.
while his pay as private was but 16 d. per day. The difference
3 d. per day for 16 days amounts to S. 4 - d. 0.
So that the pension should be L. 25 - S. 12 - d. 0
in federal money $85.33
Page 37

I trust the the matter will receive your
early attention, and that I may forthwith,
receive a pension certificate.

I am sir,
Very respectfully
Yr. Obt. Sert.
[signed] G. W. Harman

J. L. Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions -
Page 38

I certify that the following proof of service of Moses Porter
in the War of the Revolution is found on the records in this Office
Pay roll headed as follows. "Marched from Norwich for the relief
of Boston & in the Lexington Alarm -- April 1775"

[name] | [rank] | ds of Service | Wages
Jedediah Huntington | Col | 28 | 14 . 0 . 0
John Perkins | Capt | 1 | 11 . 4 . 0
Nathan Bishop | Ditto | 23 | 4 . 10 . 8
Moses Porter | Sergt | 16 | 1 . 5 . 4

In Vol: first Connt line Page 121. Coln Samuel B. Webb Regt
Moses Porter. private. commenct pay Apl 22nd 1777. Time of this Settlement
Jany 1st 1780. Term of service yr 2. mos 8. ds 9. Amot of Wages L. 14 . S. 12 . d 0

Vol first Page 248 Moses Porter. private. Commt Service Jany 1st 1780
Time of this Settlement Jany 1st 1781 Term of Service 1 yr Amot of Wages L. 24 . S. 0 . d 0

Vol: Second page 49. Moses Porter private commenct Service Jany 1st 1781
expiration of service June 1st 1781. Term of Service 5 months

Moses Porter Corpl Commt service June 1st 1781 expiration of Service Decr Decr 31st
1781 Term of Service 7 months amot of Wages (for both terms of 12 mo.) L. 25 . S. 8 . d 0

[signed] Henry Kilbourn Compt

Comptrollers Office
Hartford June 14
1838
Page 39

Sarah Porter.

Pawlet Vt
Mar 25. / 38

[postage] [crossed out: 25]

Col. J. L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Washington City

Mar 28.
Mr ab
Vt
Page 40

Pawlet, Vermont
March 22, 1838.

Sir,

Your letter of the 12th Jany last arrived
in due course of mail. The utmost
exertions have been made, both before
sending to your department, the declaration
of Mrs Sarah Porter, widow of Moses Porter,
and since the reception of your letter, for
evidence of the military services of the said
Moses, but none, excepting what accompanied
the declaration, has been obtained.
Efforts have been made to procure
the testimony of Porters associates
in arms, but none can be found
alive -- and applications have been
made to the Comptroller and Secretary
of State, of Connecticut, but no service
appears upon the rolls and records in
those offices, owing probably to the applicant
being unable to state the names
of the officers --

It is hoped, that the commissioner
of pensions will give the case another
examination, as there is certainly, very
strong evidence contained in the papers
now in your office, of the services for
which the applicant claims a pension --

I shall be happy to be notified of the result.
Yr. Obt. Servant
[signed] G. W. Harman

J. L. Edwards
Comr of Pens -
Page 41

Sarah Porter

Synopsis -
July 4, '36

8354
Page 42

Sarah Porter applies for a pension on account of
services rendered by her former husband Moses
Porter, whose

1st term commenced about 20th Apl 1775 & expired
about 20th June, 1775, the battle of Lexington having
been fought on 19th Apl & that of Bunker Hill, on
17th June - Evidence - The declaration - John Griswold's,
Joseph Porter's & Elijah Porters afts.

2d term commenced in June, 1776, & expired six months
after in Dec. - Evidence - The declaration - Jos Porter's
Benajah Hill's, Rosannah Hill's, & Elijah Porter's afts.

3d term very vague, uncertain & unsatisfactory - Evidence -
The declaration -

4th turn commenced Sept 25th 1777 & expired six weeks
or more afterwards. Evidence - The declaration
John Griswold's, Joseph Porter's, & Elijah Porter's afts. &
his commission dated 25th Sept. 1777 -- It is
uncertain to my mind, however, whether he
performed his last service under the
commission, as an officer of the line - from the
aft. of E. Porter, it would seem, he served as
aid to Genl Arnold.

The Comrs Obt. Servt.
[signed] G. W. Harman.

No evidence of the marriage can be found in the town
Clerk's office, although search has been made, and
the minister has been long dead. We think that
fact is sufficiently evinced by the declaration, &
the affidavits of Griswold, J. Porter, B. Hill & R. Hill,
& by the Family Record, all of which evidence would
be admissible in a court of law, upon the question
of pedigree, & sufficient for the purpose -- G. W. H.
Page 43

JONATHAN TRUMBULL, ESQUIRE,
Captain-General and Commander in Chief, of the State of Connecticut
in America.

TO MOSES PORTER Gentleman GREETING

You being, by the Governor and Council of Safety, accepted and
appointed to be 2d Lieutenant of a Company in the battallion ordered
to be raised in this State by Inlistment to be Commanded by Samuel
McClellan Esq. Colonel; reposing special Trust and Confidence in your
Fidelity, Courage, and good Conduct, I DO, by virtue of the Laws of
this State, me thereunto enabling, appoint and empower you the said
Moses Porter to be 2d Lieutenant of said Company: You are therefore
carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a 2d Lieutenant in
leading, ordering, and exercising the said Company in Army, both
inferior Officers and Soldiers, and to keep them in goos [good] Order, and
see that they are armed and equipped, according to Law, for military
Service; hereby commanding them to obey you, as their 2d Lieutenant
and yourself to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as you
shall from Time to Time receive from me, or the Commander in Chief of
this State, for the Time being, or other your superior Officers,
according to the Rules and Discipline of War, ordained and established
by the Laws of the State aforesaid, pursuant to the Trust hereby
reposed in you.

GIVEN under my Hand and Seal, at Arms, at Lebanon this 25th Day
of September Anno Domini, 1777.

Jonth. Trumbull

By his Excellency's Command
Pr James Wadsworth Clerk.

I certify that the above is a correct copy of the commission in
the claim of Sarah, widow of Moses Porter, a soldier of the Revolutionary
war, (Rejt. No. 8354); original sent to Col. John Porter Hatch,
Washington D. C., October 28, 1895.
[signed] [illegible]
Chief O. W. & N. Division,
Bureau of Pensions.

Compared with
original by
F S.
M. E. C.
Page 44

Sarah Porter

John Griswold &
Joseph Porter's
Affidavits.
Page 45

State of Vermont }
Rutland County ss. } I, Robert Pierpoint, Clerk of the County
[court seal]
Court, for the County of Rutland,
do certify, that George W. Harman
is a Justice of the Peace in & for said
County, duly commissioned; that his
term of office will expire on the 30th
Nov. next; & that his signature, attached
to the foregoing affidavit, is genuine.

Given under my hand & the seal of said Court,
at Rutland, in said County, this 2? day of October,
AD. 1837.
[signed] R. Pierpoint
25C
Page 46

Sarah Porter:

Benajah Hill &
Rosannah Hill
Affidavits.

[postage] 10

George W Harman Esqr
Pawlet
Vermont
Page 47

State of New York }
Washington County ss. } I, Rosanna Hill, of Granville,
in said County, aged 81 years, being duly sworn,
depose and say, that in the year 1776, I resided
in the family of Moses Porter, who with
his reputed wife Sarah, lived and cohabited
as husband and wife, at Norwich,
in the State of Connecticut -- and I always
understood and believed the said Moses &
Sarah to have been married. In the spring
or Summer of the year 1776, the said Moses
enlisted as a soldier, or at least, went as a
Soldier in a company commanded, as I
think, by Capt Lathrop, and was absent
at Long or York Islands, or both, as near
as I can remember, six months. I heard
from several persons at the time, that the
said Moses was engaged in the "Orchard
fight," on York Island, which was fought
on Sunday. I resided at said Moses' house
through the Summer and until he
returned from the Army in the fall.
[signed] Rosanna Hill her X Mark

Sworn to before me
by the said Rosanna Hill,
whom I certify to be a credible
person, this 29th day
of September AD. 1837 ---
[signed] Martin Lee Justice of the Peace

State of New York }
Washington County } ss. I Edward Dodd Clerk of said county hereby certify that
Martin Lee Esquire is a Justice of the Peace as above and within and that the
foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine
[official seal]
Given under my hand and official seal
the 4th day of October 1837
[signed] Edward Dodd Clerk
Page 48

State of New York }
Washington County ss. } I, Benajah Hill, of Granville
in said County, aged 82 years, being duly sworn
depose and say, That during the year 1776, I lived
in the (then) town of Norwich, in the State of Connecticut,
in which town, Moses Porter and his wife
Sarah, then resided and cohabited as husband
& wife. In the spring of the year 1776, I resided
in the family of said Moses, as a hired man,
but left his service previous to his entering
the American Army. I never saw the said Moses
in the Army, but it was a subject of conversation
during that year, that he was there engaged
as a soldier - and that several young men
had enlisted, in consequence of the example
set by him. I have heard the said Moses say
that he was engaged in the "Orchard fight"
so called, which was fought on Sunday, on
York Island - and I have understood from
Cypican Cook, that both he and the said Moses
were in the military service in 1776, and engaged
in the orchard fights. Col. Huntington's
regiment of militia was severely injured on
Long Island; and as the Colonel was from
Norwich, the said Porter may have been
attached to that regiment.
[signed] Benajah Hill

Sworn to and subscribed
by the said Benajah Hill,
whom I certify to be a credible
person this 29th day of September
AD. 1837. before me
[signed] Martin Lee Justice of the Peace
Page 49

Report to the Hon
Edward Curtis
H. R.
Page 50

Pension --
Moses Porter - Dec'd

Sarah Porter
his Widow --

Edward Curtis
H. of R.
Page 51

Moses Porter Deceased at the commencement of the
Revolutionary war resided in the County of New London town
of Norwich east Parish - Connecticut

1775 That he was out a number of times the first at Concord then
Lexington that he became a member of a company of Rangers
as I understood held one office in s'd company that he was at
The Breads or Bunker hill battle was in service by frequent
calls at Boston when evacuated by the British served under Col
afterward General Israel Putman also under Washington dont
remember of hearing him name any other officers except a
Capt [illegible] Holton whether under him I do not recollect

1776 served under General Putman on Long Island was in the Orchard
Fight was at the evacuation of N York by the American Troops
at the White Plain battle have heard him name a Capt Mix
or Maxwell but whether under him I cannot say that he was
under General Washington in his retreat through New Jersey until
the army entered into winter quarters near Philadelphia that
in this time he was sent back to Connecticut to get clothing
for the soldiers that he procured a waggon load and returned

1777 That he went as Lieutenant to Saratoga State of N York
That in the first battle at Bemans Height [Bemis Heights] he was under
Col Morgan that he acted for the day as aid or Adjutant
That after the 2d Battle he accompanied with the Company
to which he belonged Burgoins Troops to Boston and then
returned home to Connecticut I understood he served under Three
Different Inlistments to Companies known as Connecticut
Rangers or minute men

My Brother has sent to Connecticut town of Lisbon received
for answer that the Papers relating to the services of the 3 past
years of the War that had not been lost had been sent to the City
of Washington that there was not one living in that town
Page 52

or neighborhood who served in either of those years in the
War and that Mr Hill who labored for him for [illegible] 8 Monthes
during his absence in 1776 was as good testimony as could be
obtained in that part of the Country when affidavit was sent on
with the Papers of his surviving Widow Sarah Porter

Waterford April 11th 1832
[signed] Elijah Porter