Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11258, for George Potter, Rhode Island
Page 1

R.I.
Potter, George
S. 11258

carded
Page 2

10.416
Rhode Island
George Potter
of Kent  in the State of R I
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain       of the regt commanded
by Col Colvin in the R I
time for 22 May.

Enscribed on the Roll of R. I.
at the rate of 73 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of April, 1833 and sent on the listing E. Greenwich Rd.
Swears to the 4th of Apr 1833  166.66
Semi-amt. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833  36.66
$153.32
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by J H McBlair, Clerk,
Book E.  Vol. 2  Page 124.
Page 3

George Patton
9366

Not properly 
authenticated
Page 4

State of Rhode Island
County of Kent sc
Court of Common Pleas August
Seven AD. 1832.

On this thirtieth day of August AD. 1832. personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges or Justices of the Court of Common Pleas, now sitting, George Potter, a resident of West Greenwich in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Isl and aged seventy two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.  That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.  That he was born at Coventry in the County of Kent & state aforesaid, on the Twenty Eighth day of March AD. 1760.  That he lived in said Coventry until he was about nineteen years of age and then removed to said West Greenwich, where he has lived ever since;  except four years of the time that he lived at said Coventry and that he has no Record of his age. That in the latter part of the year 1776 he was called out in the Militia on an alarm, and served one Month, at East Greenwich under Capt Benedict Colvin in Col. Brown's Regiment. And immediately after he was drafted and served one month at said East Greenwich under the same Captain.  That in the year 1777 he was drafted and served two months, a month at a time, under the said Colvin at Quidnesett [Quidnessett] neck in North Kingstown. and that he served a month in said year under him at East Greenwich aforesaid. And one Month on Rhode Island in the same year under the said Capt. Colvin.  That he was also called out with the Militia in the fall of the same year and served one Month at Tiverton under Capt. Samuel Hopkins in General Spencer's Expedition; and also served by being drafted, one month at Warwick neck in the same year under the said Capt. Hopkins.  That in the year
Page 5

1778 he served about six months, a month at a time, under different Captains at Warwick neck East Greenwich, Bristol and Tiverton. And that in the year 1779 he served four months, a month at a time, at Tiverton, East Greenwich and Warwick neck ("and Tiverton" is crossed out).  That in 1780 he served four months at Warwick neck, North Kingstown and East Greenwich, a month at each time (a crossed out sentence).  That besides the above he was frequently called out on alarms to the shore and served on these occasions during the war about two months or more.  Making in the whole upwards of two years. He has no documentary evidence of his Services.

We hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.

George Patton
Page 6

I Job Harrington of West Greenwich in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island do hereby certify that George Potter of said West Greenwich was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War in the Militia.  That he was often drafted; and I served fifteen months or there abouts in the same Company with him during the war.  That I have always been acquainted with him and can certify that his character for truth is good and have no doubt he served as he has stated in his Declaration.

Job Harrington

Print for Court of Common Pleas August Seven AD 1832

Sworn to in open Court, the   day of the Term-
Witness John Brown - Clk
Page 7

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that

who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the
and that Job Harrington
who also signed the same are residents in the Town of West Greenwich in our County
and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, JOHN BROWN, Clerk of said Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of George Potter for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this fifth day of September in the year 1832
John Brown

[seal is illegible]
Page 8

No. 9366
George Potter
Private 22 month

papers not
properly authenticated
Nov 13, 1832

$73.33

N. Whiting Esq.
E. Greenwich R. I.
Page 9

BRIEF in the case of George Potter of the County of Kent in the State of R. Island
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1.  Was the declaration made before a COurt or a Judge?  Court,

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

3.  How old is he? 72 years

4. State his service, as declared on the form annexed.

Period    Duration of Service.  Rank.
In 1716              2 Months       Drafted
1777                  6 Months       ditto
1778                  6 Months       do
1779                  4 Months       do
1780                  4 Months       do

Names of General and field Officers under whom he served.
(1776)  Col. Brown, Capt. Colvin
(1777)  Capts. Colvin & Hopkins
(1778)  several Captains

5. In what battles was he engaged?  none

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Conventry

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

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  no clergyman's certificate

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

Sevin Belt
Examining Clerk.
Page 10

Westerly, R.I.
Apr. 17/98

Your advice of 28th, ult., rec'd. and I have carefully noted its contents. Am sorry to find that you have informed me of a strange George Potter and not the me I wished for. George Potter was born at Potters Hill, R.I. and resided there after close of Revolution. During the first of the war, he was one of the shore guards in this locality and later was in the battle at Newport.
Page 11

His wife, Mary Stillman Potter drew a widow's pension after his death.  Mary Potter in or about 1821 married her 2d husband, Asa Maxson, and at that time her pension was discontinued. I realize that there must be several George Potters but if you will kindly search your records again, would be greatly indebted to you as I am exceedingly anxious to obtain this record.

Very Sincerely,
Harold R. Maxson
20 Spruce st.
Westerly, R.I.
Page 12

[postmark]

U S
PENSION OFFICE.
APR 19, 1898
Page 13

Apr. 28/98  H.R
Maxson, Westerly, R.I.

Rev War

11258
INVALID.
File No. 11258
George Potter
Priv. Rev. War

Act:  June 7th 1832

Index:    Vol. a.  Page 300

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 14

No. 9366
George Potter

N. Whiting Eq.
E. Greenwich, R.I.
Page 15

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of George Potter which require further proof or explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides:  yes

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

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?  yes

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?  yes

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  yes in two cases, no in three cases

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

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?  yes

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?  yes

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?  yes.
Page 16

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?  no

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  no

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.  If the applicant has produced a witness as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?  yes

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?  yes

XVI.  Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  no

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

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 follow 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 that the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:  For______year________ months and___________days, I served as a _________.  For______year________ months and___________days, I served as a _________; and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 17

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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 or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.

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.
Page 18

Testimony of Benedict
Colvin of County
Page 19

I Benedict Colvin of the Town of Coventry in the county of Kent and State of Rhode Island testify and say that I was a captain in the Militia in the said town of Coventry and that I was called on occasionally to guard our shores of the Narragansett Bay. We was called on an alarm and served one month at East Greenwich, after which, we had a draft, one half of my company was drafted, and I served one other month at East Greenwich, which makes two months running. George Potter Esq. now of East Greenwich was at that time a number of my company and lived in our town of Coventry and I feel very sure that said Potter was with me both months at East Greenwich. this was at the commencement of the revolutionary war, and I supose [suppose] was in the year 1776.  after this I was at North Kingstown two months, and said Potter, I feel very sure was with me both times at North Kingstown. this I believe was in the year 1777 - but this last two months, did not follow in rotation. The months I cannot tell but I believe one Month was in mowing time. The other I do not recollect the season.  After this I was at Newport Rhode Island one month, and said Potter was with me at this time, this I believe was in 1777. it is possible that he was with me yet more, but I cannot remember for a certainty.
Benedict Colvin

Kurt Jr. at Coventry Rhode Island.  August 14th 1832
taken, subscribed, and sworn to, before me this day
Anthony Tarbox Just. peace

I further certify that said Benedict Colvin character for truth is good
Anthon Tarbox Just. peace
Page 20

Kent Co. The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerk's Office Court of Common Pleas

I certify that Anthony Tarbox is a Justice of the peace for the Town of Coventry in our county of Kent, that the within is his proper signature in his own hand writing - that full faith & credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts.

In Witness thereof I have hereunto set me name & seal of Office at East Greenwich the Thirty-first day of August in the year 1832.

John Brown  Clk
Page 21

Deposition of
Isaac Sweet.
Page 22

I Isaac Sweet of Schuyler in the County of Herkimer & State of New York, being duly sworn, do testify and say, that my age is Seventy seven years, that I lived in Coventry in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island in the time of the Revolutionary War, and lived there until about forty years ago when I moved to the state of New York. That I was frequently drafted in the Militia and did duty as a soldier during the War.  That in the Month of December 1776 I was drafted & served one month under Capt. Colvin at East Greenwich, and that George Potter then of Coventry, was drafted and served with me the same term of time in the same Company, the Regiment was commanded by Col. Brown.  About two months after as near as I can recollect I was drafted again, and served under the same Captain one Month at East Greenwich and the said Potter was also drafted & served the same time.  East Greenwich was our headquarters; but we used to pass over the Cove onto Potowomut Neck a distance of about one Mile to guard the shore a nights; the enemy having a warlike vessel then lying in the River, near said neck.  I also well remember that I served with the said Potter several other times in the war, as much as four months or more besides the above; at other places, but I have lost the recollection of the names of the places and also the names of the Captains that we were under.  But he was with me one Month in the Summer or fall of 1777 in General Spencer's Expeditions and we were at Tiverton the most of the time.

Isaac Sweet
Mate
Page 23

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Kent Co At East Greenwich August 16th 1832.  I certify that the within Deposition was sworn to and subscribed before me; and also that I have had some acquaintance with the Deponent and believe his character for truth and veracity is Good.

Nathan Whiting Just. Peace.

I David Strait of West Greenwich in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island being duly sworn, do Testify and say, that I have a recollection of George Potter's being in the service in the Militia in the Revolutionary War; and that he sometimes served with me: but I cannot recollect the places where we were in the service together.  I have always been well acquainted with the said Potter from his youth, and that he has borne the character of a credible person as a witness.  I believe him to be of the age he represents and have do Doubt that the statement he has made of his services is true.
         his
David  X  Strait
         mark

State of Rhode Island
Kent Co
The above Deposition was sworn and subscribed at West Greenwich August 24th A.D. 1832. before me; and I do certify that I am acquainted with the Deponent and that his character for truth is good.

Witness Nathan Whiting Just. Peace
Page 24

Kent sc.
The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas.

I certify that Nathan Whiting is a Justice of the peace for the Town of East Greenwich in our County of Kent, that the aforegoing is his proper Signature in his own hand writing, that full faith & credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts.

In testimony thereof I have hereunto set my had & seal of Office at East Greenwich that thirty first day of August in the year 1832
John Brown, Clk

[seal is illegible]
Page 25

I Augustus Ellis of West Greenwich in the County of Kent & State of Rhode Island (unknown) being twenty four years of age and under oath do Testify and say that I have been well acquainted with George Potter of said West Greenwich before and ever since the Revolutionary War and am knowing that the Potter did Military service at a number of time and places during said War.  the deponant were on duty guarding the shores at East Greenwich and Narragansett Bay in the year 1776 for two months or more.  after that we were station Warwick Neck. After that we were together in North Kingstown and served in the two last mentioned places for two months or more in the year 1777.  I saw the said Potter on Tiverton and did duty then for about two months in the 1778 this deponant and the said potter served at East Greenwich and other places guarding the shores of the Narragansett Bay during that year. I should think as much as Eight month but the particular times and places cannot state.

I further State I believe the said George Potter as about the age of seventy two and that his character for truth and varacity is good & further says not.

               his
Augustus  X  Ellis
               mark

Kent sc.
State of R. Island
West Greenwich  August 27, 1832

The personally appeared before me the above named Augustus Ellis and subscribed the aforegoing deposition in my presence by his mark and made solemn oath to the same. Said deposition was reduced to writing by me in his presence. The character of the deponant for truth & varacity is good.

Jos. J. Tillinghast
Just C C Pleas.
Page 26

Kent sc. The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Clks Office Court of Common Pleas

I certify that Joseph J. Tillinghast is a Justice of the Court of Common Please for our County of Kent. That the within is his proper signature, in his own hand writing. that full faith & credit is & ought to be given to all his official acts.  In witness thereof I have hereunto set my name & seal of office at East Greenwich the thirty first day of August in the year 1832

John Brown Clk.
Page 27

State of Rhode Island
Kent County sc.

On this Twenty Eighth Day of November AD. 1832. Personally appeared George Potter of West Greenwich in the County of Kent and State aforesaid before Joseph J. Tillinghast, as associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following statement in addition to his Declaration made before the Court of Common Pleas in said County on the Thirtieth day of August AD. 1832.  That the officers under whom he served in the year 1778 for six months, were Samuel Hopkin Captain, Joseph Niles Lieutenant and Joseph Dolliver Ensign, and that Samuel Hopkins was Captain and as he believes Joseph Niles Lieutenant and Joseph Dolliver Ensign the two succeeding terms of his service in the years 1779 & 1780.
George Potter

Kent sc. at Coventry
Sworn to and subscribed by the said George Potter the day and year above written
Before me Jos. J. Tillinghast
Just C.C. Pleas

I Pardon Tillinghast of East Greenwich in the County of Kent a Clergiman aged Sixty two years do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with George Potter who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that I believe him to be Seventy Two years of age that he is respected and believed in neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that I concur in that opinion.
Pardon Tillinghast

Kent Co at Greenwich this 30th day of Nov. 1832
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year above written. and I hereby certify that the said Pardon Tillinghast is a Clergiman at said East Greenwich and of good standing.
Witness Jos. J. Tillinghast
Just. C C Pleas
Page 28

Kent sc.  The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerk's Office Court of Common Pleas
I certify that Joseph J. Tillinghast is a Justice of said Court, that the within is his proper signature in his own hand writing.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name & seal of Office at East Greenwich this 30th day of November in the year 1832.
John Brown Clk.

[seal illegible]