Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22445, for David Potter, Rhode Island
Page 1

R.I. 
Potter, David
S.22445
Page 2

8508
Vermont
David Potter
of Rutland Co in the State of Vermont
who was a private in the _ commanded
by Captain _ of the Regt: commanded
by Col. Crary in the R.I. ma:
for 9 1/2 mo.s.

Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of Apl
1833 and Sent to
R. [illegible] Rutland

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $63.32
Semi-anl, allowance ending 4 Sept 1833 $15.83

$79.15

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by W. L. William Clerk
Book B vol. 3. Page 83
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David Potter
9 1/2 months

23874

R. [illegible]

aom d

9 1/2 mo pri
$31.66
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State of Vermont
Rutland County, ss.}

On this 26th day of Feb. A.D. 1833
personally appeared before the Probate Court of the County of Rutland
David Potter a resident of the County of Rutland and the state of
Vermont, aged year 70 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 provision
made my the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army
of the United States, in the year 1778 and served in Col. Crary:
Regiment of Rhode Island line under the following
named officers. Col Crary he thinks Capt. Gibbs, Rice, and
Gen.l Sullivan - he does not remember the names of his
other officers. He lived in Scituate, R. Island when he entered
the service and about the 10th of June agreeable to his best
recollection, he engaged as a relestitiute for an Andrew
Young, and served five months, and was discharged about the
middle of November as [illegible], as he thinks - he served
most of the time at [illegible] and the coast guarding
the [illegible] and when Genl. Sullivan collected his [illegible] to river
the enemy from Newport, he marched to Harland: ferry, [illegible]
not in the action. he the following year, in the spring he
thinks, but does not remember the months, he volunteered
and served three months in Capt Bailey : company, he does
not remember the names of his other officers _ he marched
to New London, Connecticut and served his three months there
and along the [illegible], guarding the [illegible], and was disunified he
thinks in August. In the two following years he was called
out there on alarm, and served half a month each
time / one of the times he recollects was 17 days/ but he
cannot recollect the dates - one of the times he went to
Greenwich, R. Island in the fall of the year - another time he [illegible]
Greenwich in the summer when the enemy: skipping [illegible]
near - the other time he went to the [illegible] beyond New
London - his services were so that he has forgotten the
name of his officers, but he is confident he served at
least one and a half months in these three alarms
making his whole services nine months and a half. He had
a discharge from his first service, but it was burned with
his house about ten years ago. He has no documentary
evidence and knows of no person whose testimony he can
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procure who can testify to his services. He knew Genl.
Sullivan, Washington, Spencer, Lafayette, and four others
whose names he has forgotten, but he does not remember
other troops in service with him except the R. Island
black Reg.t under Col. Greene. He [illegible] as Glocester,
T. Island the 30th of March 1763, but knows of no record of
his age. [illegible] after the Revolution he came to Bennington
where he lived a few years, and for forty years past he has
lived in Clarendon where he now lives. He is known to elder
Peck and most of the inhabitants of Clarendon.

Rutland ss.
The John a clergyman residing in Clarendon
afores.d and Daniel J Ewing residing in Clarendon do certify and
say, that we are well acquainted with David Potter
who made this declaration - that we believe him to be
69 years old - and 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 the opinion
[illegible] and subscribed this
day and year afores.d

FW Hopkins Reg.

John Peck
Daniel S. Ewing

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the
present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of 
any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid}
FW Hopkins REq.

David Potter

After investigating the matter and [illegible] the [illegible] prescribed by the war Dept.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion and the court further certifies the
John Peck is a clergyman residing in Clarendon afores.d and David S. Ewing who [illegible]
the preceding certificate resides in Clarendon and is a credible person, and that their
statement is [illegible] to credit
that the above named applicant
was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.

I Frederick W. Hopkins Clerk of the Court of Probate
do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the said Court in the matter of the application of David Potter
for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto to set my hand and
seal of office, at Rutland this
14 day of March A.D. 1833
FW Hopkins, Register
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Daniel Potter
[illegible]

adm.d

R. Temple 
Rutland VT.
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War Department,
Pension Office

183

Sir, 
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is
necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when
you return your papers to his Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim. 

A Statement, shewing the Service of David Potter [illegible]

Period when the service was rendered| Duration of Claimant's Service| Rank of Claimant| Name and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.| Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.|  Proof by which the declaration is supported.

Sub. June '78| 5 months| pr.| Col Crary_Gen Gullin| 70 Gittat. RI.| Frad Y.
Vol. Spring '79| 3 months| pr.| not recollected
two following years| 1 month, 15 days.| pr.| not recollected

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant, 
J.L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in the actual military.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. 

DECLARATION, 

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.

State, Territory, or District of County of }ss.

On this     day of    personally appeared (a) before [blank] A. B. a resident (b) of [blank]    in the county of  [blank]    and State, Territory or District of [blank]  aged (c)  [blank]  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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank], with [blank]    and served in the [blank]   (e) regiment of the [blank]  line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided in when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and country through which he marched.  [finger point symbol] This form is to be varied as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy &c.]

[bold] He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll or any Agency in the States, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid [blank] A. B. [/bold]

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of the applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in not (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers, or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 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. 
Sworn and subscribed they days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court; in the matter of the application of [blank] for pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither one of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will the procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to through light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if on be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. 
The court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State Troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you at substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. { To a Soldier { Did you ever receive a discharge from service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it.
{To an Officer { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of person to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the court, without too much expense, and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons-one whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such a person is a Judge or a Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
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October 8, 1929.

Mrs. Susan C. Sutton,
630 North Third Street,
Montrose, Colorado.

Dear Madam:
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 22445 [number underlined], it appears the David Potter [name underlined] was born March 30 pr 31, 1763 in Gloucester, Rhode Island.

While a resident of Scituate, Rhode Island, he enlisted and served as a private in the Rhode Island Troops as follows:

From June 10, 1778, five months in Captain Gibbs' Company, Colonel Carry's Regiment.

From the spring of 1779, three months in Captain Bailey's Company.

In 1780 and 1781, he was out on alarms one and one half months, no officers stated.

He was allowed pension on his application executed February 26, 1833, while a resident of Clarendon, Rutland County, Vermont.

There are no data as to his family.
[handwritten note]
not on A. B.

Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH,
Commissioner
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[written in top margin:
630 North 3 " S[illegible]

Montrose, Colorado
July 30, 1929

Pension Commissioner
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
Is there record of pensions
given the Revolutionary soldier, David
Potter, born Gloucester, R.I died Clarendon, 
Vermont. Thank you for this information.

Yours Truly
Mrs. Susan C. Sutton

[rubber stamp:
Pension
Aug 
2
1929
U.S.
Office]
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Montrose, Colorado
June 30, 1919
The Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir.
Will you kindly advise me if the name
of 
one George Rounds, who served in the Revolutionary
War,  Clarendon, Vermont; may be found on
the records in your office _ Also, the name of
David Potter (info. Phebe Potter) of Rhode Island

Thanking you for this information
Yours Resp.
Mrs. E.J. Braund

[rubber stamp:
Pension
K
Jul
7
1919
U.S.
Office]
Page 13

22445
INVALID.
 ['Revolution" written  perpendicular in the left margin}

File No. 22,445
David Potter
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7 32"
Index: -Vol. 2, Page 325
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[written opposite page and perpendicular: 
1919 July 16 History to E.J. Braund. au
1929 Oct. 8. Hist. to Mrs. Susan C. Sutton. A.D.Y.]
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Revolutionary War Records Section.

3-525
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions.
Washington, D.C.,..........., 19....

S22445

In reply to you request of..., received....
for a statement of the military history of David Potter
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his ([crossed out: or his widow's]) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. |  STATE.

June 10, 1778 | 5 mos | Pvt. | Gibbs | Crary | RI.
epg 1779 | 3 mos | Pvt. | Bailey | RI.
1780 - 1781 | 1 1/2 | Pvt. | officer not stated, out on alarms. | RI.

Battles engage in, ...
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Scituate RI
Date of application for pension, Feb 26, 1833 His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Clarendon, Rutland Co. Vt.
Age at date of application, born Mar. 30 or 31 1763 at Gloucester RI.
Remarks: There is no date on file as to his family

Respectfully,

d-285G
Commissioner.