Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26,333, for William Porter, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Porter, William Rebecca
N 26,333 B.L. Mt. 31,561-160-55
CONTENTS

15. 6455
Massachusetts
William Porter
of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts who was a pirate in the Company commanded by Captain Blood of the Fleet commanded by Col. Putnam in the Mass line for 10 to 14 days
Cash & Mch
71 Plymo
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of $4 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2nd day of July 1833 and sent to Richard Plymouth Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $107.76 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 17.44 $125.20
Revolutionary Claim, } for June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. W. Lasey Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 65

No 22.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth ss. On this eighth day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate for the said County of Plymouth now sitting, present Wilkes Wood Judge, William Porter a resident of the Town of Middleborough in the County aforesaid in the Commonwealth aforesaid, aged sixty nine 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 the fifth day in the year eighteen hundred thirty two, that he entered into the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated, viz. — In the year seventeen hundred & seventy eight, the day or month he cannot now recollect or ascertain but it was in the summer season of that year, he enlisted into a military company commanded by Captain Abrahm Washburne then of Bridgewater in the same County, for six months, and thereupon marched with Debedee Hacket then of this town and several others who are now dead, to Boston; that he enlisted for the term of six months and served that time out at Boston, at Castle William in Boston Harbour and on board a guardship, that during the said term he was sick, had a furlow and came home to be cured, and afterwards returned to Boston and about the end of the year was dismissed; that he did not have any discharge; that he knows of no persons except Moses Thompson & Gideon Sampson whom testimony he can now get of the aforesaid service.

That afterwards in the year seventeen hundred & seventy nine, he enlisted into a military company commanded by Nathaniel Wood then of Middleborough aforesaid for the term of six weeks to serve at Tiverton in the in the State of Rhode Island; He thereupon marched and serv'd the time out there. This was in the summer season, but the day on which he marched or returned he cannot state; that he knows of but one person living who was there with him during the last mentioned term, and that is Elazar Wood in the state of Vermont
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity whatever & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any state
That afterwards in year the, seventeen hundred & eighty one he enlisted into a military company commanded by Luke Bicknell of Hington of this county; and William LeBaron of this town was Lieutenant in Col. Putnam's Regiment, for the term of three months, that he marched with Stephen Bennett of this town to West-Point in the state of New-York served the time out and was dis discharged dismissed on or about the first day of December in the year aforesaid, but had no written discharge. That he was born in the town of Farmton in Massachusetts, but at the times of enlisting as aforesaid he resided in Middleborough aforesaid and has since generally resided in & Middleborough where he now lives. He has no record of his age.

In the last campaign, Col. John Brooks and Lieut. Col. Ebenezer Sproat both of this State, and the latter of this town, commanded Regiments there. But that he has no documentary evidence of the services above mentioned, that he was born as he always understood from his parents in the year 1763. W m Porter
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid Attest J. H. Lord Register
We William Eaton a Clergyman residing in the town of Middleborough & Thomas Sturtevant a Physician resident in the same town of Middleborough hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Porter who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration & that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age; that he is reputed & believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. William Eaton Thos. Sturtevant
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named William Porter was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the said Court do further certify that Rev William Eaton who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Middleborough and that Dr. Thomas Sturtevant who has also signed the same is an aged & venerable physician

resident in the same town & a credible person & that their statement is entitled to full credit.
By the Court Attest
Jacob H. Lord Register
I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for the County of Plymouth do hereby certify that the foregoing con- tains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of William Porter for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this eighth day of August in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Jacob H. Lord
William Porter
218 40

30 Jan 1852
4909 New York Albany Rebecca Patten widow of William Patten who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 34 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of June 1849 and sent to
G. S. Balfour Boston
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under February 2, 1848, Page 167 Vol. 4
4909

No 13,890, act 439656. Rebecca Porter 1792-1873 widow of William. H.W.
Act 7 a July 1838.
Married 1792
Husband died Dec 28. 1840
Adm o 10 mo 14 days pri $34.88 per annum fr 28 Dec 1840
Adm Acct 43844 '48
G. S. Bulfinch, Boston, Mass

State of New York Wayne County ss
On this 20th day of February 1849 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Rebecca Porter a resident of Arcadia in the County of Wayne aforesaid aged seventy six years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 2 d February 1848 granting Pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of William Porter who was a resident of Middleborough in Massachusetts and who was a private in the war of the Revolution and is the identical person who has applied for a pension under the Act of 7 th of July 1838 the 3 d March 1843 and under the Act of 17 th June 1844, on account of the Revolutionary service of her late husband aforesaid, at the rate of thirty four dollars and eighty eight cents per annum.
She further declares that she is still a widow. She desires to be placed on the Pension Roll at the Massachusetts Agency in presence of Rebecca P Van Dusen      Rebecca Porter Mark

Sworn to and subscribed on this day and year above written, } Before me In presence of Rebecca Van Deusen John M. Harney Justice of the Peace
I Certify, That the declarant is person- -ally known to me a widow of a deceas- -ed pensioner as she declares
John M. Harney Justice of the Peace
State of New York Wayne County ss Alexander B. Williams Clerk of the said County and of the Courts of therein and therein the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that John M. Harney Esq. is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commis- -sioned and qualified; and that his sig- -nature above written is genuine as verily believe.
Given under my hand, and the Seal of said Courts this 21st day of February 1849.
S. B. S. & D. Clerk Wayne County (Attest)

I Jacob B Shaw Town Clerk of the Town of Middleborough Mass with hereby testify that in the record of Marriages in said Town the Marriage of William Porter and Rebecca Wood is recorded as follows Viz:
Dec r Thirteenth Seventeen hundred Sixty two I Married William Porter & Rebecca Wood both of Middleborough
Joseph Barker
I Jacob B. Shaw Depose and say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk of the Town of Middleborough Mass and that the foregoing is a true extract from the record of Marriages in said Town with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows Viz, Dec r 13 th 1792
Jacob B Shaw Town Clerk of Middleborough
Middleborough June 19 1848
I Jacob B Shaw above named depose and say, that I hold the office of Town Clerk of the Town of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Town of Middleborough

in the county of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that the foregoing is a true extract from the Records of said Town of Middleborough, with the exception above named, as certified by me.
Sworn to before me this Eighth (Jacob B Shaw) day of December 1848
William King - Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston June 14 th 1849
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Nathan King and Eliab Ward were Justices of the Peace for the County of Plym- outh,
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
M. G. Hall
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Plymouth —
Personally appeared before me Edward Sparrow of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, & made oath that he has been acquainted with Rebecca Porter the widow of William Porter late of Middleborough deceased It was acquainted with her previous to her marriage & since that time have lived not more than two miles from them up to the time of his death — He the said William received a pension for several years previous to his death as a soldier of the Revolutionary War — & his Widow Rebecca lived with him till his death & since then has lived with a daughter in Wayne County — State of New York Have not known any other person bearing his Williams name in the town of Middleborough (except his son who left town at the age of 18 or 20 years) I am Eighty years of age & of sound mind & memory,
Edward Sparrow
November December 1848 Subscribed & Sworn to before me Elisha Ward
Justice of Peace

174.097 - act 8. mar
21. June 55
Rebecca Porter wid of William Porter
Exer. Priv.
Capt _____
Col _____
_____
Enf _____
Dis _____
Revolutionary War
Receives Pension
N.Y. Feb 48-4909
Ed: 160 Ac June 21/56.
Boyle
Handwritten initials
Mason Newark N.J.
Vol P. page 116.

State of New York } ss:
Wayne County } On this fifteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty five, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the county & State aforesaid Rebecca Porter aged eighty three years, a resident of the town of Arcadia in the County of Wayne and State of New York, who, being duly sworn according to Law, declares that she is the widow of William Porter deceased, who was a private, in the revolutionary War, And for the time he enlisted into the service, the place where and how long he continued therein she does not now recollect, or where or when discharged, But would refer the matter to the records now on file in the department at Washington, her said husband having been a pensioner the requisite evidence must be on file in the proper department.
She further states that she was married to the said William Porter in the town of Middleboro, Plymouth County & State of Massachusetts, by Rev Joseph Barker of Middleboro aforesaid, and that her name before her said marriage was Rebecca Woods, that her said husband died at Middleboro aforesaid on the 28 th day of December 1840, and that she is now a widow.
And for further evidence

Particulars relation to the proof of her marriage to said William Porter deceased, she refers to the evidence now on file in the department. She having obtained a pension since her husband's decease, which she now draws semi annually.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3 rd 1855
her Rebecca Porter mark
We Peter Vandusen & William Vandusen residents of the town of Arcadia Wayne County & State of New York upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed & acknowledged by said Rebecca Porter in our presence and that we believe, from the appearance & statements of the affiant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be
Peter Vandusen Wm J Vandusen

The foregoing declaration & affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this
State of New York, } ss. Wayne County Clerk's Office, }
I, Clerk of the County Court, in and for the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that Clark Mason whose genuine signature appears to the annexed swat r c. is and was at the time of signing the same, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid; duly elected and sworn, that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit; and that the aforesaid County Court is a Court of record, having general jurisdiction.
Given under my Hand and Seal of Office (the seal of said Court and County,) at Lyons, this 18th day of June , 1855.
Seymour Lyon Dep. Clerk.

The foregoing declaration & affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this
ed- Clark M c Donald w. Justice of the Peace in & for Wayne County

21540
William Porten
Map
33.33 1.56 34.89
Photo 10 Mrs. 14 days
14 140 14
14 154
J. H. Lord
Wymount Map

BRIEF in the case of  William Porter  60 of Plymouth  Mass  in the State of  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 69  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.     Summer In 1778. enlisted 6 Private Gen. Capt. Washburn   1779. " 1 14 " Capt Wood   1781. " 3 " Capt. Pishnall Col. Putnam  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Plymouth Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional two living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Taylor
Examining Clerk.

Revy  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 26.333
Rebecca Porter wid. of William Porter Div. Prob. case.
Act: Feb. 7 th 1848
Index:—Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

8577. New York, Albany Rebecca Porter widow of William who was a Private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 34. Dollars 88. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of June 1849 and sent to G. J. Rulfinch Boston Mass
[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 3 Page 82,

10.674.
New York, Albany
Rebecca Porter
Widow of William who was a pensioner under the Act of '32 and who died on the 28 Dec r 1840. of Plympton the State of Masschts who was a Sp ce i, in the Comp y commanded by Captain Wood of the Regt. commanded by Col. Pitcairn in the Mass line for 10 Mos. 14 Ds
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 34 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 28 th day of March, 1836. 28 Dec r 1840.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of June 1849 and sent to G. S. Rulifson Boston
Total amount,
$
Map
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Book D
Stephens
Clerk,
Vol. 1
Page 203.

2 31 561
} Newbury

FREE
174.097
Hon: S. P. Hildreth Commissioner of Pensions Pension Office Washington D. C.

Rebecca Parton
Set to G. S. Balfour June 18. 1849

174. 097

Wewalk June 18 th 1855 Hon: E. P. Waldo
Sir
Enclosed Please find the application & de- -claration of Mrs Rebecca Porter for Bounty Land - Should she be successful you can forward her warrant to me at this Office -
John D. Fox has left a special disbursement with under the impression that he is entitled to Bounty Land - I however see nothing in Acts passed which make him entitled under them to any bounty Land, he however seems

disinclined to be satisfied till the department shall have decided that he cannot obtain Bounty Bonds. I therefore hope his discharge that he may obtain a decision from the department in the matter? Hope
Special Discharge From the United States Corps of Marines.
To all whom it may concern This is to certify, that John D Fox a private of Marines, being about 30 years of age, 5 feet 4 3 / 4 inches high, having blue eyes, Brown hair, fresh complexion; and by occupation a Black Smith says he was born in New York is hereby discharged from the service

1823 1823 of the United States, At the request of his friends
Registered Signed Park G. Howe Arch d Henderson Adj t : & Inspector Lieut Col. Commt: of Marines Head Quarters of the Marine Corps, Washington 8 th January 1823
Endorsed
Marine Barracks January 8 th 1823 I, John D Fox hereby acknowledge to have received all my pay, clothing, and emoluments of every description whatsoever from the commencement of my enlistment in the Marine Corps, to the day of my discharge
Witness Signed John D Fox N.B. Hovey -
Respectfully Yours &c C. Mason

21540 William Porter

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 Porter which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yy 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? yy 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? yy VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yy VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yy VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy 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? yy

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? yy
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. † 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? yy
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yy
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? yy
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yy
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yy
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 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 or 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 duration 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.
†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 authenticates 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 ends 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.
¶ 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.

Jas. L. Edwards Esq re Commission of Pensions

Merchants Bank
Boston 14 June 1849
Sir,
Enclosed is the Declaration of Mrs Rebecca Porter for the benefit of the Acts of 17 July 1838, 3 d March 1843 and 17 June 1844, also another Declaration made by her for the benefit of the Act of 2 d Feb. 1848, with ac- companying papers. She wishes that her Pension Certificates may be sent to my care.
Very Respectfully Your obed t Servt G. T. Bulfinch
J. L. Edwards Esq.

I Moses Thompson, of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth, aged Twenty years, do testify & say that in the year 1778 I was two months in the army of the Revolution at Boston, in Capt. Abraham Woodhull's Company, which Company was stationed at Boston previous to my arrival - During the two months I was there I was well acquainted with William Porter, of Middleborough & have ever since been acquainted with him , & said Porter was a soldier in said Company when I joined it, & continued there until I was discharged, as I think - I have a distinct recollection of frequently seeing him on duty, but not a distinct recollection as to his being present when I was discharged. Nathaniel Gleadwin, was Maj. Commandant I left the last of Nov. or first of January - Moses Thompson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plaintiff vs. Defendant. August 8, 1832 Then the above named Moses Thompson made oath to the truth of the foregoing statement by him subscribed: & I certify that said Thompson is a man of truth & a credible witness.
Lucarius Eddy
Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Leah Loddy B. is a Justice of the Peace for said Coun- ty & that I believe the signature to the within certificate purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand & seal of Office this twenty eighth day of December A.D. 1832.
Jacob H. Lord

State of New York Wayne County fs
On this twentieth day of February 1849 personally appeared before the County Judge of the County of Wayne Rebecca Porter a resident of the town of Arcadia in the County of Wayne aged Seventy Six years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oaths make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Acts of Congress passed 7 th July 1835 & 3 rd of March 1843 & 87 th June 1844 & 2 nd Feb y 1848 - that she is the widow of William Porter who was a private in the War of the Revolution & served as set forth in his Declaration to obtain a Pension under the Act of 7 th June 1832 - Now on file in the War department & draw a Pension of Thirty four dollars & Eighty Eight Cents per annum under said act of 7 th June 1832 - She further declares that she was married to the said William Porter on the thirteenth thirteenth day of December Seventeen hundred & ninety two - that her husband the aforesaid William Porter died on the 28 th day of December in the year Eighteen hundred & forty - that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service - but the marriage took place - previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred & ninety four - at the time afterward & in the Town of Middleborough Massachusetts - She desires to be placed on the Pension Roll of the Massachusetts agency
over
Given this 16 th day of May A.D. 1849 A.B. Farnsworth Notary Public

Sworn to & Subscribed on the day & year above written Witness to the signature of Rebecca Patten } Rebecca P Van Dusen } Rebecca her Patten Mark
Before me George H. Middleton County Judge of Wayne County.
I certify that the above declaration is personally known to me, a widow of a deceased person as the declarant.
George H. Middleton County Judge of Wayne County.
State of New York Wayne County ss. I, Alexander B. Williams Clerk of said County and of the courts of Record therein do hereby certify that George H. Middleton Esquire, whose name is above written and who is whom the foregoing declaration purports to have been taken was at the time of taking the same the County Judge in and for said County, duly elected, qualified and authorized to act as such. In like such declarations etc. And further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verify below his name subscribed to the facts of such Declaration, also to the above Certificate on each but genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said County and of the courts of Record therein (my Office at Seal) at

Jas. L. Edwards Esq.

Merchants Bank
Boston 25 June 1849
Sir
In answer to your favor of the 18 th inst. respecting the case of Mrs Rebecca Porter, I learn from her son A. W. Porter Esq. of Monson, in this State that the reasons why it is wished that the pension be paid at the Boston Agency, are that he who has supported her for 30 years and on whom she could depend to do the business for her resides in Massachusetts and can more conveniently attend to the collection of the payments there , than at N. York.
If these reasons are sufficient please inform me, and they shall be put in the form of her Affidavit, if required; — but if the reasons are not sufficient she will take the Pension certificate payable in N. York.
Very Respectfully Your obed servt
G. S. Bulfinch.
Jas. L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions.

I Stephen Bennett of Middleborough County of Plymouth & Commonwealth of Massachussetts of lawful age to give evidence testify & say that in the year 1781. as I think I entered into a company commanded by Suke Bicknell of this County, a Lieut. Libbom of this Barn subaltern for three months we marched to West point in New York & were stationed there about; William Porter of said Middleborough entered into the same company at the same time that I did; marched & said with me the time and returned when I did.
Stephen Bennett
Sworn to.
Plymouth ss. August 8. 1832 Sworn to and subscribed in open Probate Court the day & year aforesaid, it appear- ing to the said Court that the above named Deponent is a credible person
Attest Jacob H. Lord Register