Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14208, for Samuel Porter, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Porter, Samuel
S. 14208
carded
CONTENTS

9319
Connecticut
Samuel Porter
Berlin in the State of Conn
who was a boy in the Conn comm
by Captain _____ of the Reg comm
by Col Ward in the Conn
for State Troops 2 mo
Ser 7 mo & 2 weeks
Comm Service Continental Line Interest  Reserve corrected
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of $2 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 nd day of May 1833 and sent S. H.
Parent Hartford Ct
Arrears to the 4th of March 33 $84.66
Semi-ant. allowance ending Sep 4. 33 211
$105.62
{ Revolutionary War Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by E. D. Bullock Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 34
9319 25/2541/18 B

Declaration of Samuel Porter of Berlin  Hartford  1832 in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, June
State of Connecticut } ss. Hartford County of Hartford }
On this first day of August 1832 before the Probate Court for the District of Hartford in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut being a Court of Record, having by law a Clerk and Seal, personally appeared Samuel Porter a resident of Berlin in said County of Hartford aged eighty two years, who being first duly sworn, ac- cording to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States as a served as a corporal private in a company commanded by Oziel Pettibone, Lieutenant George Griswold, 2 d Lieutenant Uriah Holmes of Hartford, and Captain Silvanus Gaine of Manchester, at Poquonock in the County of Hartford & State of Connecticut on or about the latter part of April or beginning of May 1776; that said company belonged to a Regiment of State troops (or Continentals) commanded by Colonel Andrew Ward - Lieutenant Colonel  Johnson, Major, Isaac Cook; That he the deponent was enlisted for one year for 12 months; and continued to serve in the said Corps until on or about the 24 th day of December 1776, when he was discharged from the service at or near a place called Crooks Ferry in the State of Pennsylvania about 10 miles above Newtown, New- Jersey. That when he entered the service he resided in at Poquonock in the County of Windsor in the County of Hartford & was marched to New York and was there about a few weeks, from New York he moved to near Fort Lee, opposite Hoboken the Cumberland upon Fort Lee we recrossed the river & moved to West Chester and was stationed at Verplank's Hill , which hill was covered with old cannon drawn out of New York some years before that time - from West Chester he was ordered to Norwalk. About to take charge of a sick soldier in the same company by the name of Oliver Phelps about November 1776. remained there for two weeks, & then returned to the Army at North Castle, above the White Plains, State of New York. from thence, about 24 th November he was ordered to join General Washington

near Philadelphia and arrived there a day or two before he was discharged on about the 22 nd day of December 1776.
That he was discharged the 24 th day of December 1776 about 3 months before the expiration of his term of enlistment, in consequence of severe illness and was unable to rejoin the army by reason of continued ill health, which illness was occasioned by extraordinary exposure to the severity of the weather.
That a short time previous to his discharge he received a warrant as a sergeant for the Highlandtown Ward, which is herewith forwarded. That about a month before receiving this warrant he performed the duty of a Quarter Master in the same regiment, for about a month in the place of One Stone of Guilford, who had left the service - One Griswold succeeded Stone & the deponent succeeded Griswold.
Oliver Phelps served at the same time with the deponent until he was carried to Norwalk from cause of his ill health.
And the deponent in reply to certain interrogatories propounded by the Court further declares:
1 st That he was born at Windsor Jan y 14 th day of June 1750. 2 nd That the day of his birth is recorded at Berlin in his "Dictionary", which he has owned 50 years - 3 rd That when called into service he resided in Windsor, Ct and lived there until 1784, when he removed to Berlin - where he always lived since that time - 4 th That he was called into service by enlistment - 5 th In his regiment he knew Captain Dana - Captain Pryor & Phelps & Pettibone, Cutter - Allen - Dorman - Meech - Colonels Andrew Ward - Putnam  Putnam in other regiments he knew Colonel's Wyllys, Gay, Huntington & Generals Lee & Sullivan. Lee was the oldest General - etc. 6 th That he rec d a written discharge from Col Andrew Ward but lost it many years since - 7 th That he is known to Samuel Goodrich the Clergyman in Berlin also to Samuel Dunbar & many other respectable men who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief as to his services in the revolutionary war.
That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, except the present and

declares that his name is not on the roll of the Agency of any State -
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Samuel Porter
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 Oliver Phelps whose affidavit is here to annexed is a credible person, and that his Statement is entitled to credit.
I William Whitman Clerk of the Probate Court for the District of Hartford in the County of Hartford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the applica- tion of Samuel Porter for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this first day of August 1832.
W m Whitman, Clk of Court of Probate for district of Hartford

In reply to your request of August , received 6 inst. for a statement of the military history of Samuel Porter a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Last of Apr or early in May 1776 9 mos. Copls. Sergt. In. M. Ozias Pettibone Andrew Ward Conn.                                                                 
Battles engaged in, ✓ Residence of soldier at enlistment, Porismuck, Parish of Windsor, Hartford Co., Conn. Date of application for pension, Aug. 1, 1832. His claim was all'd. Residence at date of application, Berlin, Hartford Co. Conn. Age at date of application, June 14, 1750, Windsor, Conn. Remarks: No family data He died Jan 28, 1838 *
+ From R.B.

United States Branch
James H. Brewster, Manager
Scottish Union & National Insurance Company
Address all communications to the Company.
Hartford, Connecticut.
4th January, 1908.
Commissioner of Pensions, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
44 997 Will you kindly send abstract of pension applications of John Roberts (pensioner from Connecticut 1818) and Samuel Porter may 2, 33 def. 9319 (pensioner, Hartford County, Conn., 1832) and greatly oblige, sending bill for fees for same ?
Yours very truly,
Clarkson H. Howden P.O. Box 108 Hartford Conn

Mr. John Roberts, Senator, Hartford County, Connecticut Washington, D.C.
Jan. 10, 1908
Commissioner of Pensions, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly send me the bill for your services (Senator, Hartford County, Connecticut) John Roberts (Senator from Connecticut) and other items, so that I may pay the same? Bill for food for same?
Yours very truly,
John D. Sleeper 100 State Street Hartford, Conn.

Putnam Conn
Lockport FEB 23 1953
Sir -
My great grandfather Samuel Porter, of Conn. was a pensioner having served in Conn. troops during Rev. war.
Can I find out from your bureau - when this pension was stopped or in other words when or where he died. Any mention made of his service?

I am trying to find out something regarding this ancient gentleman. Can you assist me?
Respectfully —
Mrs Margaret Morgan Lockport N. Y. 532 One St —

Mar. 5, 1908 - Hist to Mrs. Maryann Morgan Lockport N.Y.
Jan. 13, '08. Hist. to Mr. Clarkson W. Fowler.
1922 Mar. 29. Tombstone data to Hon. G.P. McLean (see cor. in past issues Recd. W. D.H.)
Rev. W. Fowler
✓ 14,208 INVALID.
File No. 14,208
Samuel Porter Corp & Senate drafts Rev. W. Fowler
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: Vol. 1 , Page 300
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Samuel Porter
5. 11. 12. 16. 15
300 7.33 2m o corporal 35. 7m o serg d & quarters $42.33 master
S. H. Parsons Hartford Ct

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Samuel Porter 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? 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?

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 or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
no
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. ‡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?
 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.

Sam Porter Sargents Mtn
1862 N
Samuel Porter Conn. P. file 14208

Andrew Ward Esq r Col o of A Regiment of Foot raised by the Thirteen United States of North America To Samuel Porter Greeting —
Reposing especial Confidence in your Courage, skill and good Conduct I Do by these Presents Constitute and Appoint you the Said Samuel Porter to be the Fourth Sergeant in Capt t Ozias Pettibones Company in the Regiment. Now under my Command — You are therefore Faithfully and Diligently to exercise the several Acts And Duties of Said Office in a strict and Carefull Discharge of the Same and you are to observe and obey all such Orders as you may from time to time receive from me or other your Superior Officers — to instruct Said Company in the use of Armes and all necessary Duty Commanding them to obey you as their Sergeant for which this Shall be your Sufficient Warrant
Given under my hand this 1 st Day of December A D 1776
Andrew Ward

State of Connecticut } Sct. Hartford County of Hartford }
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the peace for said County, Samuel Porter of Berlin in the County aforesaid, who being duly sworn, deponeth 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 up than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades - being an aggregate of nine months actual service in the revolutionary war - viz -
For two months , I served as a corporal - for six months I served as a Sergeant - & one month I served as a Quarter Master in Oziar Pettibone's Company of Foot and Colonel Andrew Ward's regiment - and for such service I claim a pension -
Sworn to & subscribed this } Samuel Porter 19th day of April 1833 - Ez. Parsons Just. Peace

Thereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Samuel Porter the within named person & know him to be a gentleman of respecta- bility, and that his statements are entitled to credit.
En. Parsons. Just. Pa.

Oliver Phelps Affidavit

I Oliver Phelps of Canton County of Hartford and State of Connecticut of lawful age do testify and say that I am well acquainted with Samuel Porter of Berlin County and State aforesaid that I am knowing to said Porter, enlisting, serving in the Continental army in the revolutionary war in 1776 & 1777 that we were enlisted for one year and performed said years service together in the company commanded by Capt. Ozias Pitkin & in the regiment under the command of Col. Andrew Ward - said services were mostly performed in the vicinity of the city of New York and in the State of New Jersey Oliver Phelps
State of Connecticut Hartford County ss
Canton June 29 th 1832
Personally appeared the above named Oliver Phelps and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me
Ephraim Mills Justice of the Peace

WE, Samuel Goodrich a clergyman, residing in the town of Berlin in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut and Daniel Galfin residing in the same town hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Samuel Porter a resident of said Berlin who is an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832; that we believe him to be eighty two years years of age; that he is generally reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he now resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. and that he sustains a fair moral character as a gentleman of respectability in the the Community.
Samuel Goodrich Daniel Galfin
STATE OF Connecticut } ss. Berlin April 19 th 1833 COUNTY OF Hartford }
On this 19 day of April 1833 before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid, personally appeared The Rev d Samuel Goodrich who is a clergyman residing in the said town of Berlin and Daniel Galfin who is a credible person residing in the same town—and made oath that the preceding certificate by them subscribed is true, and I further certify that their statement is entitled to credit.
Daniel Dunbar Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut ss. Hartford County of Hartford
I, Isaac Griswold Clerk of the County Court for said County of Hartford do hereby certify Enoch Patrons Ephraim Mills & Daniel Dunbar Esquires before whom the annexed Affidavits of Samuel Porter, Oliver Phelps, Daniel Galspin and the Reverend Samuel Goodrich, were respectively taken, were at the time, the said Affidavits pur- port to have been sworn to, and still continue to be Justices of the Peace for said County of Hartford; and that the signatures of said Justices as respect- ively signed to the certificates of the Oaths of the said deponents appear to be in their handwriting - In testimony whereof I here set my hand and affix the Seal of said County Court this 19th day of April 1833.
Isaac Griswold, Clerk