Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5,941, for Joseph Potter, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Potter, Joseph
S. 5,941
carded
CONTENTS

14315 15032 New York
Joseph Potter of Linton Co. in the State of New York who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Tyler of the Regt. commanded by Col. Reed in the Mass. m c line for York.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 23. Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of May 1833 and sent to applicant Clinton
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $46.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept - 11.66 $58.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, Book C Vol. 4 Page 70

18032 In the matter of Joseph Potter Application for a pension —

State of New York
County of Livingston ss On this twenty fifth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the judges of the Court of Common pleas for Livingston County now sitting Joseph Potter a resident of the town of Mount Morris in the County of Livingston & State of New York aged Seventy eight 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 7 th 1832—
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated—
That in December 1775 troops were raised in the place where he then lived for two months to go to Roxbury near Boston & defend the lines until permanent troops could be raised. He then enlisted two months & went to Roxbury & staid until the two months expired & returned. In June 1776 he enlisted for five months to go to New York. The company to which he belonged marched through Pomfret, Douglass & Killingsley. Crossed the Connecticut River at Wetherfield, & thence went to New Haven & there embarked for New York where they arrived about the last of June & joined their Regiment. After remaining three or four days at New York the Regiment marched to a place called Chelsea three miles up the River & there staid until the American Army Evacuated New York about the middle of September. They then went up to a place near Fort Washington thence they crossed King's Bridge to Harlem heights—thence to a place near White Plains after remaining there a short time they went to Croton Manor where they remained until the five months

expired on the first day of December 1776— The names of the officers under whom the said Joseph Potter served during the first two months which he now recollects were General Spencer Colonel Reed— Captain Tyler & Lieutenant Farrow —during the five months service— General Fellows Colonel Smith Captain Foster Lieutenant Warren Lieutenant Robert Taft & Ensign Madison— He was born in Upton Worcester County Massachusetts December 19 th 1753.
He has no correct record of his age.
He lived in Upton aforesaid at the time of the Revolutionary war, & lived in the same place after the close of the war, about five years— when he removed to the town of Ashfield— Hampshire County Massachusetts— lived there about six years & moved to Sempronius Cayuga County New York & there lived about thirty years when he removed to Mount Morris where he has since resided—
The names of the only Regular Officers whom he now recollects were Colonel Ward & General Putnam the latter of whom he saw at New York
He never received any written discharge from service—
The names of some persons who can testify to his character are Nathan Forbes— Zelina Potter
And he hereby relinquishes all claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any State— He knows of no surviving witness whose testimony of his actual service he can procure without great expense & trouble—
Sworn to & subscribed, the day & year aforesaid in open Court. S. G. Haver clk. Joseph Potter

I Jotham Forbes of York in the County of Livingston & State of New York do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Joseph Potter residing in Mount Morris in the County aforesaid for more than fifty years; that I was acquainted with him during the Revolutionary war & resided in his vicinity during that time. That said Potter has always been esteemed as a man of good moral Character & of unimpeachable veracity according to my best knowledge & belief. That I well recollect that troops were raised during the winter of 1775-6 to go to Roxbury to defend the lines at that place & that several persons went from the town of Upton where the said Potter & myself then resided. & that during the summer volunteers were again raised in the same town for five months to go to New York. And from what I then knew of the said Potter & have since known of him, (although I did not actually serve with him) I have no doubt that he did serve during both of the above mentioned times.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open court
J. G. Haven Def. clk
Jotham Forbes
We Debina Potter & James Van Deventer residing in the town of Mount Morris, County of Livingston & State of New York do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Potter who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age & of good moral Char

acter & of unimpeachable veracity - we do believe him to have been a soldier of the Revolution - And I, the said Zebina Potter do certify that the said Joseph Potter was reputed in the neighbour- hood where he resided in the State of Massachu- setts to have been a soldier of the Revolutionary war
Sworn & subscribed this twenty seventh day of September 1832 in open court
J. G. Haven Dep Clk
James R. Deventer Zebina Potter
And the said court do hereby declare their Opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war de- partment, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Sotham Hobes, James Van Deventer, & Zebina Potter, who have signed the preceding certificates are residents - the said Hobes of the town of Gosh & the said Van Deventer & Zebina Potter of the town of Mount Morris in the County of Living- ston & State of New York, & are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit -
I Chauncy R Bond Clerk of the court of Common pleas of Livingston County do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Joseph Potter for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 28 th day of September 1832 -
Chauncy R. Bond Clerk by. J. G. Haven Dep Clk

18032
Joseph Potter Livingston co N.Y.
admitted. 7 mo Private
Clarmant Clinton New York

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 subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those 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 this 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 Joseph Potter County of Livingston State of New York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Dec 1775 2 Private Capt Pyler Lieut Farrow Genl Spencer Col Reed New York to Massachusetts Upton County of Worcester   June 1776 5 do Capt Foster Lieut Warren Genl Fellows Col Smith None Amoy Ponpet Douglass Muhlenberg Harlem heights to Croton Manor Seventy Eight. Traditionary  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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 actual military service.
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, musicians 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 } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the 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 his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
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 of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[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 of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (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 and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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 the day 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 above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then 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 throw 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

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 one 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 a 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 the 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 persons 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 of 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 traditional 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 of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by 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 the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act 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.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Rev. & 1812 War Section
MS Am
March 25, 1925
Mrs. Chester H. Brush Danbury, Box 265 Conn.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.5941 , it appears that Joseph Potter was born December 19, 1753, at Upton, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
While a resident of said place he enlisted in December, 1775, and served two months as private in Captain Tyler's Company, Colonel Read's Massachusetts Regiment.
He enlisted in June, 1776, and served five months in Captain Foster's Company, Colonel Smith's Massachusetts Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 25, 1832, while a resident of Mount Morris, Livingston County, New York.
There is no data on file relative to his family.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
N. Y. 5-941
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Joseph Potter a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (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. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Dec. 1775 2 mos. Pvt. Tyler Read Mass.   June 1776 5 mos. Foster Smith        
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Upton, Worcester Co. Mass.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 25, 1832 His cl. was al
Residence at date of application, Mount Morris Livingston Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, at Upton, Worcester Co. Mass. Dec. 19, 1753
Remarks: No data as to family.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

J.B.M. Rev. War Section.
June 25, 1914.
Mrs. Louise Kelsey Ward, 391 Ashland Avenue, Buffalo, New York.
Madam:
In response to your letter dated the 22" instant, you are advised that the record of Joseph Potter. Sur. File No. 5,941. Rev. War. was sent to you August 12, 1913.
It is not the practice of this Bureau to furnish more than one such statement to the same person.
Very respectfully,
J. M. Daugherty Commissioner.

Joseph Potter, S. 5941
Send to Mrs. Chester H. Brush Danbury, Conn., Box 265.
Personal inquiry.

Buffalo, N.Y.
June 22. 14
Pension Dept.
Gentlemen: -
Can you send me copy of the Pension of Joseph Potter.
He was a private in the War of the Revolution and was granted a pension of $3.33 per annum.
Given at the War Office May 18, 1833.
J. L. Edrards. Commr. of Pensions
I think he served from the State of Mass.

Record in Pension Office Book E. Vol. 4 Page 70.
He was born Dec. 19. 1755 died Feb. 26 - 1845
Respectfully
Louise Kelsey Ward
291 Ashland Ave.

Rev War
5941
INVALID.
File No. 5941
Joseph Potta Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index: Vol. m , Page 299
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Upson Mass
1913 Aug. 12 - Heir. to Mrs. Louise K. Ward. L. letter in S.F. 1905-6 - Georg Fols 1914 June 25 - Mrs. Louise K. Ward that she has been furnished one record etc. W.L.M. 1925 Mar. 25 - Heir. to Mrs. Chester H. Bruns. Wed.