Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17023, for James Potter, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Potter, James
S. 17023
carded
CONTENTS

Missouri 25. 280 East Tennessee
James Potter
of Cocke Co., in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Evans of the regt commanded by Col G. R. Blake in the Virg a State line for 172 from 1779
Inscribed on the Roll of East Tennessee at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Dec r 1833 and sent to Hon. John Blair. H. R.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $ 100. — Semi-ant. allowance ending March 34 20. —
$ 120. —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Allison Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 56
6 in to Parage 23 April to Hon. J. Miller & Ba 1 April 1840.
Paid at the Treasury under Act of 10th April 1838 from 4th Sept 38 to 4th March 1839. age notified 210. April 1840 To Missour from 4th March 1839. 210 April 40. Notification to Hon. J. Miller. H. R. fs.
Paid as above from 4th March to Sept 1839. age Notified. Sept 1840
Date of check note 48

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
State of Tennessee } Cocke county court Cocke county } August sessions 1835
On this 28 th day of August 1835 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the court of pleas and Quarter Sessions for Cocke county the same being a court of record - James Potter aged twentyfour years - and made oath in due form of law that he is a citizen of the State of Tennessee Cocke county - And 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 and served as herein after stated.
That he was born in the State of Connecticut on the 6 th day of July 1759 - And entered the service of the United States as an Enlisted soldier under Capt Jesse Evans at the Long Islands of Holliston then North Carolina as he believes - and served in the — Regiment commanded by Col Clark Lieut Col John Montgomery - And rendezvoused sometime in September 1779 as near as he can recollect - and from the Long Islands they marched by water down the Holston to the Tennessee River and down said River to its junction with the Ohio and down the Ohio to the Mississippi and up the Mississippi to the Kaskaskia and Stationed about two months, from whence he marched by water down the Mississippi to the mouth of the Ohio and up the Ohio to Fort Vanzant - where they were Stationed during the winter of 1779 - And were marched from thence down to the mouth

Of the Ohio and from there to Fort Yellow Back On the Mississippi. During all which time they had no engagement except as they went down the Levee some Indians fired on them in their canoes in what is now called the creek in St. River but did no execution nor were they able to find them on pursuit - but some miles below they found six Indians and after a hard race caught them - kept them as prisoners. (And after being stationed at Fort Yellow Back during the summer of 80 they were ordered to Rock Island where he was honably discharged by Col. Montgomery some time in September as he believes - making a term of twelve months, being his term of enlistment.
Declarant does not now recollect the member of the Regiment to which he belonged nor does he know whether it was considered as belonging to the Virginia or North Carolina line. - as he was young and inexperienced - He states that the Regulars in company amounted to about 150 men - he also recollects that Capt Thomas Shelby - & Capt Quirk com- manded companies in the Regiment. During this campaign he messes with Leonard Shoemaker John Slaughter & others. He states that he kept his discharge many years - but finally lost it he knows not how nor where. Since the Revolutionary war he has resided part of the time in Virginia where he resided at the close of the war and a part of the time in the state of Tennessee for the last thirty years he has lived in Cocke county where he now resides.
He states that there is no clergy man in the neighborhood where he resides; but that John Henderson  Rev W. H. Hargrove & John Henderson are acquainted with him and can state as to his character for veracity.
He has no documentary evidence by which to substantiate

his claim nor does he now know of any person living by whom he can prove his service except such as he herewith transmits.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present. and states that his name is not on the rolls of the army of any state.
I warrant as a subscribed in Open Court James his Potter mark
29 th Augst. 1833 Geo. M. Porter clerk
Geo. M. Porter, whose attestation is to the foregoing claim, is genuine as I am acquainted with his hand writing John Blair Dec r 20 th 1833 — me
William W. Hancock We the undersigned a citizen residing in the county of Cocke & State of Tennessee and John Henderson a resident in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Potter who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy four years of age as he states that he is upstate and believes in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. W m W. Hancock
Sworn & subscribed John Henderson in Open Court 29 August 1833
Geo. M. Porter clerk

And the court after hearing the matter and after having pronounced the interrogations presented by the war department as clear then opinion that the applicant was a Revolutionary soldier served as he states. And the court further states that William M. Hancock who has signed the forgery Certificate and John Henderson who has also signed the same are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
John Kelley (seal) John D. Hancock (seal) John Swager (seal)
Attest Geo. M. Porter Clk
for Knoxville by my clerk J. M. Marshall J. M. Blair
James Potter Declaration
Interrogatories propounded by the court - 1 st Where and in what year was you born? Answer In the state of Connecticut on the 6 th day of July 1759 And have you any record of your age and if so where is it? -
Ans I have a record of my age in my possession.
2 nd How were you called into service. Ans I enlisted for 12 months under Capt. Jesse Evans.
3 rd Did you receive a discharge from the service by whom and what was the form of it? Answer I received a discharge from the service from Col. - Montgomery and afterwards lost it. Other questions answered on the body
Attest Geo. M. Porter Clk James Potter
I George M. Porter clerk of the court of Pleasants County do hereby certify that the above contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of James Potter for a pension. Given under my hand and private seal having no seal of office at office in present. This 28 th August 1833 Geo. M. Porter Clk

no return
Hon. J. O. Miller N. 2
Mar 30. 1840.

Application for a transfer of Pension to Missouri
State of Missouri County of Clay ss on this Seventh day of March 1840 before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace for the said County of Clay personally appeared James Potter who on his oath declared that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company Commanded by Captain Jesse Evans in the Regiment Commanded by Colonel John Montgomery that his name was placed on the Pension Roll of the State of Tennessee from whence he has lately removed, that he now resides in the County of Clay in the State of Missouri where he intends to remain and wishes his Pension to be there payable in future. The following are his reasons for removing from the State of Tennessee to the State of Missouri because all his children had emigrated from the State of Tennessee with the hope of bettering their pecuniary situation, and most of them had emigrated to Missouri and he was old and infirm and thought it more suitable and more agreeable to spend the remainder of his days in the enjoyment of their society.
James his Potter
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day and year aforesaid
Abraham Shaffer J.P. witness Ashby Peters

State of Missouri County of Clay ss On this 7 th day of March 1840 before the subscriber a Justice of the peace for the said County of Clay personally appeared James H. McMiller who on his oath declared that James Potter who has sworn to and subscribed the within and foregoing affidavit for the purpose of obtaining a Transfer of his Pension from the Agency of Tennessee to the Agency of Missouri is the same person described in said affidavit and that I have known him long and intimately, before he left Tennessee and since he came to Missouri sworn to and subscribed James H. his McMiller mark before me the day and year aforesaid
Abraham Shafer J.P. witness Ashley Peters
I Abraham Shafer a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Clay in the State of Missouri do hereby certify that James H. McMiller who has made the above affidavit is a person of veracity and worthy of belief and credit. Given under my hand at Liberty this 7 th day of March 1840 Abraham Shafer J.P.
State of Missouri County of Clay ss I Abraham Shafer clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Abraham Shafer is a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified, that his commission was

Dated on the 11 th day of April 1836 and will expire on the 11 th day of April 1840 and that his signature above written is genuine given under my hand and the seal of said County at Liberty this 11 th day of March 1840. A. Mahan Shaffer Clerk.

No 28.797 James Potter Servant
from 1779 prints 1773 State Roll #40.
on Roll as also
the names of these mentioned with whom he married.
Hon: John Blair H.R.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 rates, 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 shew 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 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 James Potter
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names 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.   Years. Months. Days.     1779 1 P. Capt. Jesse Evans Col. Clarke Lt. Col. John Montgomery Va State Line. 74 n. e. Traditionary on Roll.   " mapped with Leonard Shuemaker John Slaughter & others  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES 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 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 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 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 State of New York and that C. D. , who has also signed the same is a resident in the State of New York 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, (1) 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 inquiry 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.
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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

March 27, 1939.
R. E. Seaton 3206 Highland Kansas City, Missouri.
BA-J/ILL Our James Potter S. 17023
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of James Potter, who was a pensioner of Missouri in 1840.
The data which follow are shown in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 17023, based upon service of James Potter in the Revolutionary War.
James Potter was born July 6, 1759 in the State of Connecticut; the exact place of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown.
James Potter enlisted at the Long Islands of the Holston River, then in North Carolina, rendezvoused in September 1779, served in Captain Jesse Evans' company, Colonel Clark's Virginia regiment, went by water down the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers and up the Mississippi to Kaskaskia, where he was stationed two months, then went to Fort Vanzant on the Ohio River, where he remained during the winter, returned to the Mississippi River in the spring and remained during the summer at Fort Yellow Bank on that river, returned then to Kaskaskia, where he was discharged in September of that year by Colonel John Montgomery.
The soldier resided in Virginia at the close of the Revolutionary War, then lived in Tennessee.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1833, at which time he resided in Cooke County, Tennessee; he had resided there about thirty years. About October 1, 1838, he moved to Clay County, Missouri, to be near his children, most of whom had moved to that state. The name of the wife of James Potter and the date and

place of their marriage are not shown, nor the names of said children.
In 1839, one Samuel Potter stated that he had been acquainted with the soldier, James Potter, in Cooke County, Tennessee, and moved with him to Clay County, Missouri, but did not state any relationship between them. There are no further data in regard to the family of this soldier.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Officer this city, and furnish the following data-
James Potter Certificate #25280 Issued December 20, 1833 Rate $40 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Missouri Agency, transferred from East Tennessee.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
September 9 th 1840.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," James Potter, _____ a Pensioner on the Roll of the Missouri Agency, at the rate of Forty — Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March, to the 4 th Sept. 1839.
Respectfully yours,
Almon S. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

May 17 9th Evan
TRA. PAID
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Agents Office E. Thompson Pineville May 8 th 1839.
Sir
on Examination of my Books at this agency I find that the last Payment made to James Patton was upto 4 day of September 1838. — and I agree able to instruc- tions I have closed his a/c to that date at this agency
I am Respectfully your obedt Servt, A. H. Lewis & Spacy
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
April 4 th , 1840.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," James Potter, _____ a Pensioner on the Roll of the Knoxville Ten: Agency, at the rate of Forty — Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1838, to the 4 th March, 1839.
Respectfully, yours,
William B. Parrish
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

December 9, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/ILL/CC James Potter S.17023
Mr. T.S. Burk 1515 North Street Logansport, Indiana.
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of James Potter, a pensioner of Missouri in 1840.
The data which follow are found in the papers on file in pension claim, S.17023, based upon service of James Potter in that War.
James Potter was born July 6, 1759 in the State of Connecticut; the exact place of his birth and the names of his parents are not given.
He enlisted at the Long Islands of the Holston River, then in North Carolina, rendezvoused in September 1779, served in Captain Jesse Evans' Company, Colonel Clark's Virginia regiment, went by water down the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers and up the Mississippi to Kaskaskia, where he was stationed for two months, then went to a fort called Fort Vanzant on the Ohio River, where he remained during the winter, returned to the Mississippi River in the spring and remained during the summer at Fort Yellow Bank on that river, and then returned to Kaskaskia, where he was discharged in September of that year by Colonel John Montgomery.
The soldier resided in Virginia at the close of the Revolutionary War, then lived in Tennessee.
James Potter was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1833, at which time he resided in Cocke County, Tennessee; he had resided there about thirty years. About October 1, 1838, he moved to Clay County, Missouri, to be near his children, most of whom had emigrated to that state. The name of the soldier's

wife and date and place of their marriage are not given, nor the names of said children.
In 1839, one Samuel Potter stated that he was acquainted with the soldier, James Potter, in Cocke County, Tennessee, and moved with him to Clay County, Missouri, but did not state any relationship between them. There are no further data in regard to the soldier's family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:
James Potter Certificate #25280 Issued December 20, 1833 Rate $40 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Missouri Agency, transferred from East Tennessee.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

September 3, 1938.
Arland Udall St. George Utah.
BA-J/ILL James Potter S. 17023
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of James Potter, a pensioner of Missouri in 1840.
The data which follow are found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 17023, based upon service of James Potter in that war.
James Potter was born July 6, 1759 in the State of Connecticut; the exact place of his birth and the names of his parents are not given.
He enlisted at the Long Islands of the Holston River, then in North Carolina, rendezvoused in September 1779, served in Captain Jesse Evans' company, Colonel Clark's Virginia regiment, went by water down the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers and up the Mississippi to Kaskaskia, where he was stationed for two months, then went to a fort called Fort Vanzant on the Ohio River, where he remained during the winter, returned to the Mississippi River in the spring and remained during the summer at Fort Yellow Bank on that river, and then returned to Kaskaskia, where he was discharged in September of that year by Colonel John Montgomery.
The soldier resided in Virginia at the close of the Revolutionary War, then lived in Tennessee.
James Potter was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1833, at which time he resided in Cocke County, Tennessee; he had resided there about thirty years. About October 1, 1838, he moved to Clay County, Missouri, to be near his children, most of whom had emigrated to that state. The name of the soldier's wife, and date

and place of their marriage are not given, nor the names of said children.
In 1839, one Samuel Potter stated that he was acquainted with the soldier, James Potter, in Cooke County, Tennessee, and moved with him to Clay County, Missouri, but did not state any relationship between them. There are no further data in regard to the soldier's family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:
James Potter Certificate #25280 Issued December 20, 1833 Rate $40 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Missouri Agency, transferred from Tenn.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

February 11, 1932
BA-J/REL
Mrs. C.A.Reynolds 2939 Stratford Avenue Lincoln, Nebraska
Dear Madam:
The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S.17023, based upon the military service of James Potter in that war.
James Potter was born July 6, 1759, in the State of Connecticut.
He enlisted at the Long Islands of the Holston River, then in North Carolina, rendezvoused in September, 1779, served in Captain Jesse Evans' Company, Colonel Clark's Virginia Regiment, went by water down the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers and up the Mississippi to Kaskaskia, where he was stationed for two months; then went to a fort called Fort Vanzant on the Ohio River, where he remained during the winter; returned to the Mississippi River in the spring and remained during the summer at Fort Yellow Bank on that river, then returned to Kaskaskia, where he was discharged in September of that year by Colonel John Montgomery.
He was residing in Virginia at the close of the Revolutionary War; then lived in Tennessee.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1833, while residing in Cocke County, Tennessee, where he had then resided for about thirty years.
About October 1, 1838, he moved to Clay County, Missouri, to be near his children, the most of whom had emigrated to that state. Their names and the name of their mother with the date of her marriage to the soldier not shown.
In 1839, one Samuel Potter stated that he removed to Clay County, Missouri, with the soldier, James Potter; no relationship of said Samuel to James Potter shown, and there are no further family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.
Date of death not on QB

... THE ...  FORTNER HOTEL
A Home for You When Away From Home
R. T. BAIRD, PROPRIETOR.
WAVERLY, IOWA
193
Kansas City Mo.
Feb 12 1939.
Veterans Administration Washington D.C.
Gentlemen:
May I have the record of James Potter who was drawing a pension in 1890 in Platte Co Missouri, at that time he was living with Bentley Potter. Reported as having joined the army in Virginia but as to length of service and in what capacity we do not have any information was 80 in 1840. Yours truly 3206 Highland R.E. Seaton Kansas City Mo.

1515 North Street Logansport, Indiana Oct. 27, 1938
Veterans Administration Revolutionary War Department Washington, D.C.
My dear Honorable Director;—
Will you kindly ascertain and report to me the data you may have of one James Potter , a Revolutionary War pensioner. All I know of him is that he was living in Masonic in 1840. I am not sure of his Christian name.
Yours Truly
P. S. Burk

St. George, Utah, Aug. 5, 1938.
Revolutionary War Records, Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.
Please send abstract of Revolutionary War pension papers in the claim of.
James Potter , whose name appears on the 1840 List of Missouri pensioners, Platte County, aged 81 years. Residing with Bentley Potter at date of application. OK
Any family data would be much appreciated, also information as to how we may secure possible date of death and to whom any accrued pension was paid if his surviving children applied for same.
Respectfully,
Orland Udall

MRS. C. AMEREL REYNOLDS 2939 STRATFORD AVE. LINCOLN, NEBR.
1832 80 175-2
REVOLUTIONARY & 1812 WAR SECTION JAN 13 1932 OFFICE OF PENSIONS jan. 10, 1932.
Pension Dept. Washington D.C. Rev. Dept.
Dear Sir. Would you please send me or any data you have, on James Potter a Rev. sol- dier living. in 1840 at Platt Co. Mo. He was 81 years old in 1840. Would like his service, place of enlistment and anything else you have con- cerning. This James Potter. from death date his birth must have been 1759.
Also would like Revolutionary Service of David fr. Rice . or his Father David Rice Sr. of Rutland Mass. David Rice fr. B. Feb 18 1757. Rutland D. Sept 2. 1825. m. Abigail Newton. David. Sr. B. 1717. D. 1801 wife Love Moore.
Thanks you very much for any information. concern- ing the above. The information. is wanted for gen- ealogical purposes.
Yours Very Sincerely. Mrs. C. A. Reynolds.

17.023 INVALID.
1932- Feb 11- Visit to Miss C. A. Reynolds. ECH 1938- Sept 3- Visit to Island Head- 1938- Dec 9 Visit to ECH/DAK- 1939- Mar 27- Visit to R E Seaton - all ECH
File No. 17.023
James Potter Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 357
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of Missouri; County of Cole ss
I James Patten a soldier of the Revolution a private in the American Army solemnly swear that I am the identical same James Patten to whom a Pension was allowed and that Lewis Cass secretary of war issued a Certificate in the following words & figures to wit:
" War Department Revolutionary Claim
I Certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June 1832 James Patten of the State of Tennessee who was a private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to Forty doll- ars and — Cents per annum du- -ring his natural life commencing on the 4th day of March 1831 and payable semiannually on the 4th day of March and 4th of September in every year
given at the war office of the United States this twentieth day of December one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three
Lewis Cass
secretary of war
Examined and Countersigned
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions, on the back of which Certificate is the following words & figures

to wit: Payments to be made at Knox- ville by R King Esqr agent for paying Pensioners in the Agency of Tennessee Recorded in the Pension Office in Book E vol. 7 Page 56 by Thomas Wilson Clerk. I further swear that I have uniformly drawn said Pension at Knoxville Tenness- -see until the 4 th of September 1838 when this affiant attended the last semi annual payment at said Agency - at which time I was a resident of Cocke County East Tennessee - but about the first of October 1838 I removed from said County to the County of Clay in the State of Missouri where I now res- -ide - That my reason for removing was that my children had all removed or were about removing to that County where they could secure homes at a more moderate price & of better quality - I further state that the said Certificate a copy of which is above set forth now is and always has been since it was issued in my possession - I there- -fore pray that my said pension may hereafter be made payable at the Agency for the payment of Pensions in the State of Missouri -
James his Lotter
Sworn & subscribed to before me mark Abraham Shaffer a Justice of the peace within & for Clay County in the State of Missouri This 5 th day of January A.D. 1839
Abraham Shaffer J.P.

State of Missouri County of Clay 385
We James H. Miller and Samuel Potten both of lawful age made oath and state that we have been acquainted with Samuel Potten a soldier of the Revolution who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit of several years last past - and we know him to be the identical individual to whom a pension was allowed by the Uni- ted States and to whom the said Certifi- cate was issued as set forth in his affidavit - that we knew him well in Cocke County East Tennessee and that we both removed from that County to the County of Clay in the State of Missouri with him - that he is seventy nine years of age by computation and we have no doubt that he is truly of that age. We further swear that we have repeatedly seen the Certificate which is now shown to us and which has been copied in his affidavit in the possession of the said Samuel Potten for & during the last three or four years - and have known him several times to draw his pension at Knoxville & Tennessee by virtue of said Certificate
James H. Miller mark
Samuel Potten
Sworn & subscribed to before me Abraham Shaper a Justice of the peace within & for

Clay County in the State Missouri this 5 th day of January A.D. 1839.
Abraham Shafer S.P.
State of Missouri County of Clay } ss I Abraham Shafer clerk of the County & State aforesaid do hereby certify that Abraham Shafer is a Justice of the peace in & for said County duly commissioned & qualified that his commission was dated on the 11 th day of April 1836 & will expire on the 11 th day of April 1840 & that his signature also written is genuine
Given under my hand and the seal of said County at Liberty this 18 th day of January A.D. 1839.
Abraham Shafer clerk