Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,560, for Asa Porter, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass.
Porter, Asa
NUMBER
S. 15560
carded.
CONTENTS

Q1 29 New Hampshire
Asa Porter
of Nashua Co in the State of N Hampshire who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Lawrence of the Regt commanded by Col Prescott in the New Hampshire line for 10 mos Service Mass.
3 " Sergeant The duplicate is given in full if not dated Feb 25. 1803. Cancelled
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of $48 - Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st day of Jan y 1834 and sent Hon. W. N. Hubbard Hensey Secy of War
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $120.83 Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar 31 - 24.17 $145.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by John G. Johnson Clerk, Book 1 Vol. 1 Page 177

9265 Declaration of Asa Porter MacVooro Cheth bo N.H.

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, COUNTY OF CHESHIRE.
On this sixth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court. Before the Hon Aaron Matson Judge of probate for said County of Cheshire.
now sitting, Asa Porter a resident of Marlborough in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged 75 years last Nov: 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.
1 st 1775 - Started the day the British went to Concord; enlisted as a private in Capt. Asa Lawrence  for 8 months  Light Spaulding Col. Pennetts Regt. stationed at Cambridge in front of Old Meetinghouse stayed there till the eight months were out - Decr. 30 th was dismissed. 2 d 1776 enlisted in August for 2 months in Capt. Warren's Com y 6 th  Brooks Regt. 1 st  Infy marched to White Plains, the British had entered a few days before. was in the Battle of White Plains our Reg t and a New York Reg t called the Hass  Casner engaged with the enemy a number of men were killed in our Reg t & some in our Com y dismissed near White Plains at the expiration of our term. 3 d 1777 enlisted for three months and served as a sergeant in Capt. Minots Com y 1 st  Brig a  Lawrence don't know the Co y name, stationed in Boston at what was called the barracks left by the British, don't know the name of the Regimental officers, The Reg t except our Company was stationed at Dorchester, at the expiration of the 3 months was dismissed at Boston, - all in Massachusetts Militia service. - born in Weymouth Mass - in 1756 - He has a record of his age in my family records - Lived at Groton Mass. when called into service - and in Marlborough aforesaid over fifty years - last pass - volunteered in all the wars - Genl. Putnam Genl. Greene and afterwards Genl. Washington I saw in my first service - Genl. Washington at White Plains - no troops at Boston in my third service except our Company. - never rec d any written discharge - There is no clergyman in the town in which I live - Levi Gates and Jacob Woodward my townsmen & neighbors can testify as to my veracity & their belief of my services. -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Asa Porter before me Aaron Matson Judge of Probate

We, Levi Gates and Jacob Woodward both of Marlborough in the County of Ope- and State of New Hampshire
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Asa Porter who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be twenty five 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.
Levi Gates Jacob Woodward
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
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 certi- fies, that it appears to them that Levi Gates and Jacob Woodward who have signed the preceding certificate are resident of the town of Marlborough aforesaid and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
I, Asa Parker Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Cheshire do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Asa Porter for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this ninth day of August A.D. 1862
Asa Parker { Register of said Court of Probate

9205
Asa Pater
The credit of the lost. not called Nov 23 1832 W.C.E
Supt - 3 Months Pmt 10 Do 13
adm $38.33
Hon: H Halibut HR
Wm M. Edwards Reem Cheshire Co AK

9205-
BRIEF in the case of
Asa Porter of Marlborough, of Cheshire by in the State of New Hampshire (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? 75  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     1775 — In 17 — 8 — Private Capt. Lawrence Col. Prescott   1776 Augt. — — 2 — " — Capt. Warner Col. Brooks   1777 — — 3 — Sergeant Capt. Minott — Don't know the Col.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? White Plains  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Groton Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living Witnesses — Tradition  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.
M. G. Easton
Examining Clerk.

6129 New Hampshire
Asa Porter
of Nashua in the State of NH who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Laurens of the Regt. commanded by Col. Prescott in the Mass. Militia line for 13 mo. from 1775-
Allow 3 mos. Sergeants 53.33 " 10 " Privates 34.85
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 38 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Febry 1833 and sent Tho. W. Edwards
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 57.49 Semi-ant. allowance ending March 1833 19.16
# Wm H. Hubbard $ 76.65 NPK
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. H. Sylvester Clerk, Book D. Vol. 1 Page 177

P
15560
INVALID.
per
File No. 15560
Asa Porter
Sergt Prov Mar
Act: June 7" 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 300
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Dec 11/98 E.W. Hathaway Pueblo Colo.

9205 Asa Porter
W. M. Edwards Keene Cheshire Co NH

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Asa Porter 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? [Signature] 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 VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under 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

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?
so
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
Yes
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?
[Handwritten flourish]
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? No
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
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?
Yes
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 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.”

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 official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
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.

Subject: Asa. Porter Revolutionary Service
Mr Hon. H. Clay Evans Com. Pensions Washington D.C.
OFFICE OF CITY ENGINEER OF PUEBLO.
OFFICE, CITY HALL.
E. W. HATHAWAY, CITY ENGINEER.
PUEBLO, COLO., 11/28 1898
Dear Sir:-
I want proof of revolutionary service of Asa. Porter born at Weymouth Mass. Nov. 3-1756 married Eunice Williams of Groton Mass. from which place he might have enlisted; (the Hon. Secty. of State of Mass. writes me that there are a number of Asa Porters that served in the Revolution from Mass. but note none from Weymouth) after the war he resided at Marlboro N.H. until the time of his death Dec. 1-1852.
My ancestors say that he was a Pensioner if so you can give me the proof of service which must be certified to.
I will send amount of fee if any is attached for this information.
Yours Truly
E. W. Hathaway Pueblo Colo.

OLD WAR & NAVY DEC 3 1898 ILLNS.
[Empty rectangular box]

No. 6129
Private Sgt.
$ 38.33.
25 th Feb, 33
Capt. Laurens Col. Prescott Maj. et al
Marlboro 50 men, Groton M p
Asa Porter
Marlboro
Indemnity
Payments to be made at Portsmouth V H by Miss A. S. Park Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of New Hampshire
Recorded by Henry L. Springer Clerk, in Book D Vol. 1 page 177

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832, Asa Porter of the State of New Hampshire, who was a private and sergeant in the Army of the Revolution,
is entitled to receive Thirty eight dollars and Thirty three cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this
Twenty fifth day of Feb y one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Levi Woodbury
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards

This may certify that I Jonathan Capron of Cavendish Vermont, county of Windsor do testify depose & say, that in the year 1775 I was known to Asa Porter of Marlborough N.H. joining the Army at Cambridge Mass. & that the said Asa Porter served with me eight months under the command of Col. William Prescott of Pepperell Mass. & then Lawrence commanded our company & in the year 1776. in the months of Sept. & October I was with the said Asa Porter in the Army stationed in New York. some of the time at White Plains Col. Brooks of Lincoln Mass commanded our regiment & Capt Warner of Townsend Mass was the captain of our company & the 2d. January & February following I was with the said Asa Porter at Boston Mass. The commander of our regiment I have forgotten the captain of our company was Minor of Westford Mass. & the Lieutenant Brig Lawrence at that time of Groton Mass Jonathan Capron & further I say not
State of Vermont Windsor County ss.
Cavendish July August 1 st 1832. Then don a Capron of Cavendish in the county of Windsor personally appearing & after being carefully examined & duly cautioned made solemn oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed contains the whole truth & nothing but the truth Before William Smith Justice Peace

State of Vermont Woodstock County Clerk's Office 2 August 1832 Windsor County ss I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court, Do hereby Certify that William Smith is one of the Justices of the Peace within y s for said County, and that the within is his Signature
In Testimony whereof I hereto affix the Seal of said Court, and subscribe my name the day y e ear above Benj. Swan
I hereby certify that Jonathan Capron the within opponent is a creditable credible person William Smith Justice Peace
State of Vermont Woodstock County Clerk's Office 31 st Decemr. 1832 Windsor County ss I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court Do hereby Certify, that William Smith is one of the Justices of the Peace within y s for said County, and that the above is his Signature
In Testimony whereof I hereto affix the Seal of said Court, and subscribe my name the day y e ear last above. Benj. Swan
(Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page) State of Vermont Woodstock County Clerk's Office 31 st Decemr. 1832 Windsor County ss I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court Do hereby Certify, that William Smith is one of the Justices of the Peace within y s for said County, and that the above is his Signature In Testimony whereof I hereto affix the Seal of said Court, and subscribe my name the day y e ear last above. Benj. Swan