Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3708, for William Potts, South Carolina
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
S.C.

Potts, William

NUMBER
S 3708

carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

19030
West Tennefsee
========
William Potts
of Henry in the State of Tennefsee
who was a private in the compy commanded
by Captain Burgefs [Burgess] of the regt commanded
by Col Fare in the S Carolina
line for 17 months and 10 days
========
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennefsee
at the rate of 57 Dollars 77 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
========
Certificate of Pension ifsued the 26 day of July
1833 and sent to
John H Dunlop Paris
========
Arrears to the 4th of March 115.54
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 28.88
===
$144.42
===
[Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 7 Page 92
Page 3

Declaration of William Potts to obtain a pension under the act of Congrefs pafsed 1832
State of Tennefsee}
Henry County} September Sefsion 1832
On this 10th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court - before the Justices of said court the same being a court of record and now in Sefsion William Potts a resident of of said county - aged about sixty six years or sixty seven years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to entitle him to the benefit of the act of Congrefs pafsed June 7 1832 - that he entered the service of the United States about the age of sixteen years in the county of Union and State of South Carolina - at or near the close of the month year he dose not recollect - that he went as a draftsman under Capt Richard Burgefs [Richard Burgess] and Col William Fare and Col Benjamin Robuck - that he served a three months Tour that he marched from Union County to  Orangeburg in South Carolina - where he was stationed until his time of service expired - he returned home - and before a great while was again drafted and served about two months and two days - under Capt James Woodson and Col Thomas Brandan - during which time we were engaged a part of our time in guarding Brandan Black house -
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he again entered the service of the United States as a volunteer under Capt John Martindale and served about twelve months to the best of his recollection - that he was engaged during said Tour principily in tours after the Tories in various parts of the State - that he was in the army at the time peace made that he knows of no person in this state by whom he can prove services - he has precured the affidavit of one of his old fellow soldiers and a copy of his acquaintance who resides in South Carolina of his services - He states that his name is not on the pension agency of any state in the union and he hereby relinquishes all claims to a pension except the present
William Potts (his x mark)
Sworn to + subscribed in open court the 10th Sept 1832
Tho K Porter clk

We state that we are well acquainted with William Potts the present applicant for a pension - that he is understood + believed to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that he is an honest man
R S Holland
John Atkins
Elias Barnum
Sworn to + subscribed in open court Sept 10th 1832
Tho K Porter clk
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We John L Sims & Thomas Potts Clergyman of Henry County Tennefsee hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Potts and believe him to be an honest man and that he is understood to have been a soldier of the Revolution
John L Sims
Thos Potts

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after an investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a soldier of the revolution and served as he states - and the court further certify that it appears to them that John L Sims & Thos Potts - who has signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman residing in said county & State and that his statements are entitled to credit
John Shuddurt JP (Seal)
Ausman of Henry County Court

State of Tennefsee}
Henry County fs}
I Thomas K Porter Clerk of the county Court of said county do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of William Potts for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at office in the town of Paris September 14th AD 1832 & 57 year of American Independence
Tho K Porter Clk
by B C Brown DClk
Page 6

Wm Potts
owdm. f. 3708

Edward Pine
& Mary Bobois
Deposition
Page 7

State of South Carolina}
Union District} I John Rogers Clerk of the Court of Sefsions + Common Pleas, do Certify that John Norman Esqr before whom the within deposition was taken is an acting Justice of the Quorum in + for said District and his official acts as Such are entitled to full faith + Credit
Given under my hand + Seal of office at Union Court House this 5th December 1831.
J Rogers clk
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State of South Carolina}
Union District} Personally appeared before me John Norman one of the Justices of the Quorum for Said District Edward Prince Senr and being duly Sworn Saith on his oath that he was acquainted with William Potts who formerly lived in this State but now Said to be living in Tenesee and the Said William Potts Served a Tour of duty with him in time of the Revolutionary war at orange Burgh in the United States Service under the Command of Col or Major Farr dont Recollect which whither he was Col or Major at the time; Sworn to and Subscribed Before Me this 1st Day of December 1831
Jno Norman QU
Edward E Prince Senr (his x mark)
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South Carolina}
Union District} Personally appeared before me John Norman one of the Justices of the Quorum for said District Mary Bobi the wife of Solomon Bobi Senor and being duly Sworn Saith on oath that she Recollects that her Brother William Potts who formerly lived in this State (but at this time Said to be living in Tenesee) was gone from home a considerable time in the time of the Revolutionary War Said to be gone down the Country to Serve + Tower in the United States Service that Richard Burgefs was an officer in the Company he went with; and that She Recollects that he went another tour Said to be gone to the Black House Sworn to and Subscribed Before me this 24th Day of November 1831
Jno Norman QU Mary Bobo (Her x Mark0
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State of So Carolina}
Union District} I John Norman one of the Justices of the Quorum for Said District do Certify that the within Named Edward Prince and Mary Bobo is Persons of Creditability and that their oaths is Intitled to full Credit Given Under my hand and Seal this 14th Day of December 1831
Jno. Norman QUC (Seal)

[Sideways at bottom]
Wm Potts
owdm F. 3708

Edward Prince
& Mary Bobo
Deposition
Page 11

11157
William Potts, of
Henry County,
Tennefsee

from - private
7 months + 10 days
$57.77/100

John H Dunlop, Agent
Paris, Tennefsee
Page 12

BRIEF in the case of William Potts of Henry County, in the State of Tennefsee.
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? A court.

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

3. How old is he? About sixty six years.

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
=========
Period.
----------
In 17
Ent. Serv.
Drafted.
Vol.
=========
Duration of Service.
----------
Years, Months, Days.

-, 3., -
-, About 2., 10.
-, About 12., -
-----
--17.10
=========
Rank.
----------
As a

draughtsman
pr.
priv.
==========
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
----------
Gen.

Cap. Richard Burgefs, Col Wm Fare, & Col. Benjamin Robuck
Cap. James Woodson and Col Th Brandon.
Cap. John Martindale

5. In what battles was he engaged?

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Union County, S.C.

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

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?

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

Examining Clerk.
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Rev War INVALID

File No. 3708
William Potts
Pri. S.C. line

Act: June 7 / 32
Index: Vol. A, Page 298
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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11157
William Potts, of 
Henry County, Tennefsee

John H Dunlop, Agent,
Paris, Tennefsee
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Potts, which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? No.

V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No.

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?

XIV. [Cross symbol] If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI. [Cross with a bar at the bottom symbol] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, 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 than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For ___ year ___ months, and ___ days, I served as a ___ For ___ months and ___ days, I served as a ___; and for such service I claim a pension.
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3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three of four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the situation of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 
[Cross symbol] QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[Cross symbol with a bar at the bottom] QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
[Right pointing hand symbol] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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[Round stamp mark]
PARIS TEN.
MAY
8

free

Pension Agent
Washington
City

[Sideways on the left]
May
Tenn
Uto
Page 19

Dear Sir, Paris. Tenn May 6th 1833
William Potts herewith returns his pension claim and hopes that he has obviated all the objections or errors in his declaration in his affidavit made and enclosed. I should like to be informed and learn whether all the claims that have or may be sent back cannot before corrected before a Justice out of court accompanied with the Clerks certificate this would facilitate and save much time to the old soldier - The delay is sometimes great to wait from one court to another - yours
John H Dunlop
Page 20

State of Tennefsee}
Henry County} Personally appeared William Potts before me John L Hayler an acting Justice of the peace for said county and made oath, that by reason of old age and the consequent lofs 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 lefs than the periods mentioned below. - that he served as a draftsman three months - under Capt Richard Burgefs & Col Fare & Col Benjamin Robuck - that he served two months & ten days - under Capt James Woodson & Col Thomas Brandan - that he served twelve months under Capt John Martindale - the precise period at which I entered the service during each of said Tours - I am unable to state for the reasons above stated and for which service I claim a pension - I was a private during the whole of said service
William Potts (his x mark)
Sworn to before me on 6th day of May 1833
John L Hayler JP

State of Tennefsee}
Henry County} I Thomas K Porter Clerk of the County Court of said county do certify that John L Hagler whose signature appears to the foregoing certificate is now and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the peace for said county duly commifsioned & qualified according to law & that all due faith and credit is and ought to be given to his official acts as such
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office in the town of Paris the 6th day of May AD 1833 and fifty seventh year of American Independence
Tho K Porter Clk
J S C Brown DClk