Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8967, for Joseph Porter, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Porter, Joseph
S 8967
Carded
CONTENTS

See letter 9 Jan 1836 to L. Johnson, Dover, Ohio. Do. to Wells Porter Apr 22 d 1836. Do. to Matron Usha Oct. 22. 1836 - to Joseph Porter 14 June 1834 do. to same 1 Sept. 1834 - to Wells Porter 21 Feb. 1835 - to same 30 April 1835 - to same 11 May 1839.
29.946 Ohio, (Pittsburgh Ag) 29.946 Joseph Porter - Burghgoals in the State of Ohio was a private in the company com Captain _____ of the reg t co. Col. Woodbridge the M a p t for one year.
on the Roll of Ohio. Pittsburgh, rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of May 35 and sent to Wells Porter Esq. Dover -
Arrears to the 4th of March 1835 120. - Females allowance ending 4 Sept 35 20. -
$ 140. -
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Apr June 7, 1832. }
Attested by Wm Allison Clerk, 8. 2 Vol. 5 Page 152

Jury Verdict

Jan'y. 23 d A 1836
Personally appeared Wells Porter and filed his complaint of the insanity of his Father Joseph Porter. Jan'y 26 th Jury of seven impaneled and sworn to hear and determine cause and bring in their verdict according to Law
Verdict of the Jury we the under signed having been impaneled and duly sworn as Jurors to enquire into the sanity or insanity of Joseph Porter on examination do render our verdict as follows to wit we say in our opinion that the said Joseph Porter is insane by reason of Old age to that degree that there is danger of his destroying his Property and endangering his health by his present course of Conduct but that Confinement is not necessary
Jan'y 26 th 1836 signed the Jurors Names
Leveret Johnson Joseph Stocking Levi Lilly Andrew Ford Austin Lilly Homer M. Cross Asher Pooling
Of True Copy attest { Aaron Aldrich C. Clerk
at when none are present

15 Although Col. Thompson is now in my twentieth year I was drafted as a prisoner order to go to New London to be gone six weeks & I served there under Capt. Lawrence of Connecticut & Lieut. Chaplin of Connecticut in New London where I was assigned by Col. Porter as the quar- ter to the Connecticut Provost Marshal. In March 1862 I entered in New Haven as a substitute for a volunteer unit of Connecticut Infantry (Guards) & three months & went to West Point & entered there on Feb. 2 before Richmond. I was assigned to the fifth Reg. Union Artillery, Col. C. Marshall commanding as until just down the river to Washington point on road & did duty under Genl. Burnside & in the fall returned to West Point & there to Washington near Washington for a while & did duty there till the fall of 1862 when order to New Market & there I received an order from Genl. Burnside for the year & three months & then took a discharge which discharged me from service for all time. After that I went to New York the Prisoner of War Department & I received a discharge from the Department & I received six dollars a year & drew the same at New & then was drawn off of the Pension Roll & I received a letter from the Bureau of Pensions not being entitled to a pension & I received a letter from the Department to the Bureau of Pensions with my application & received a letter from the level & made both to the Department & have my papers returned & had to be to great expense to get a pension & sent on my papers again

[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]
The state of Ohio } Cuyahoga County } ss
See 2
This 23 d day of Aug. 1834 Personally appeared Joseph Porter who signed the foregoing instrument
& he having been duly sworn doth on his oath say that the matters & things therein mentioned are substan- tially true as therein set forth
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the day & year above written
Wells Porter Justice of the Peace

State of Ohio
Cuyahoga County ss:
On this tenth day of March A.D. 1837 personally appeared in open court being a court of record for Cuyahoga County in Ohio aforesaid, Joseph Porter resident in this County aged Seventy Seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the act of Congress of the 18 th March, 1818 and the 1 st May, 1820, that he said Joseph Porter enlisted for the term of Two years and three months in March in the year 1782 in the State of Massachusetts in the company commanded by Captain Joseph Hillin in the regiment commanded by Colonel Newell in the line of the State of Massachusetts on the fifth regiment continental establishment. Mark Holland Paymaster one Mr Marble Adjutant of the said 5 th regiment. That he continued to serve in the said Corps until March 1783 when he was discharged from the Service having lived an able bodied man upon the ground to serve out the remainder of the term for which he enlisted as aforesaid That he was discharged as aforesaid at New Windsor in the State of New York, That his name has been placed on the pension list, and dropped therefrom on account of his property, and that his certificate as he verily believes is now in the office for $96.00.
And in pursuance of the act of the first of May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March, 1818 and that I have not, since that time by gift sale or in any manner, disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land

and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed on the 18 th day of March, 1818, and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in a Schedule heretofore sent by me to the pension office and by me subscribed and sworn to, and I now solemnly declare that such schedule sent as aforesaid is to the best of my knowledge exactly correct. That I am unable now to make one better than that is, That my occupation is that of a Farmer that I am not able to labor much, and that I am too old to support myself by my labor, that no one resides with me in my family with me, but my wife, who is 70 years old as aforesaid and who is unable to contribute materially to my support. And that I am in such indigent circumstances that I am unable to support myself without the assistance of my Country, except by private or public charity. That the only property which I have except necessary bedding and wearing apparel, is a few of the necessary cooking utensils and one cow. That since the exhibition of my first schedule, I have made no other changes in my property than to pay some debts which I had become obligated to pay for land, which debts were paid as I before stated in a letter sent to the pension office out of money which came to me from my father. That said land is now out of my control.
Sworn to and declared on the Joseph Porter  tenth day of March A.D. 1837 before Hamey Rice Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Cuyahoga County. aforesaid
I Hamey Rice Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Cuyahoga County aforesaid do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court that the said Joseph Porter did serve in the Revolutionary War as

stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy for the term therein mentioned, on the continental establishment
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this tenth — day of March A.D. 1837 H Rice Clerk

Let to Pension Nov. 21. 1839 let 1 Aug 1840 to Asa Blood Jr.

Transcript of Jury's Verdict Which a Reversal of a Sanity question Verdict

State of Ohio } Rockport October 4 1836 Cuyahoga County } by the application of a friend of Joseph Porter of Dover Township for the reversal of a verdict verdict unrighteously obtained against him of sanity. Now be it remembered that on the above application a jury of seven was called & duly sworn & returned the following verdict
We the jury having considered the question of sanity of Joseph Porter of Dover Township do find that said Joseph Porter in our opinions is fully qualified to manage and control his own business and is a person of sound mind Given under our hands this 4 th day of October 1836
Signed.
Price French
James Nicholson
Warren Fuller
C. Little
J. A. Sexton
H. B. Sexton
Collins French
Rockport Oct 4 th 1836
I do certify the above
To be a true copy of the
W. D. Beall justice of the peace

MS. A. 9. 2. 20
...to the ... ...the ... ...engaged ... ...for ... Andrew ...
Transcript of Jury's Verdict being a Reversal of a Sanity question Verdict

oliver crop first Jury. not a Freeholder illegal Selling the oxen, illegal Wells opposing the Justice when he had promised to reverse it. illegal After it was reversed by order of court. Wells renewed his application for a new Jury. illegal The Jury set at my. (Porter's) house while illegal J. D. Porter was at the neighbors Wells Porter. pettifogging with Judge Motler on parade before the Court House. illegal The overseers of the Poor petitioning after they were summoned to the court illegal Wells Porter. after he was Summons Pettifogged Judge Motler again illegal Wells Porter is Complainant and Leader of all his conduct. illegal

Wells Porter Pettifogger with Heard & Parrish Offegal
Wells Porter Pettifogger with Andrews & Scott and  and  and and a mosterry Lanyer in town Wells Porter Pettifogger with the Clark off the cost inable above

Dover Township, Wayne Co. Ohio We the subscribers being near neighbours to Joseph Porter of said Township being well acquainted with said Joseph Porter do jointly and severally agree with the said that the said Joseph Porter is a person of sound mind and reason and fully qualified to manage command and control his own business better than any son he has
Joel Dill
Ansel Dill
Daniel Elliott
Jonas Christy
Dr. Bradley is a near neighbour at Dover

War Department,
Pension Office.
December 8, 1830
Sir,
The papers sent to this Department by Mr C. B. Skinner have been examined, and they are herewith returned, being insufficient to authorise the Secretary of War to renew your pension. These papers are not only defective in not shewing satisfactorily how you disposed of your property but they are not authenticated as the regulations direct, nor have you taken the oath prescribed by the act of May 1. 1820, which is indispensable in all cases like yours. If any person or persons to whom you have paid money, or to whom you have disposed of property, be dead, you should swear to the fact, giving their names, the places where they died, the time of their decease, and other particulars respecting them, and get affidavits from disinterested persons in corroboration of your statement. You should

be particular in stating the amount of your debts; how they originated; at what time; to whom they were due; and when and how they were cancelled.
I am, respectfully,
Your Obk. Servt.
J. L. Edwards
M c Joseph Porter. late of Massachusetts, Cleveland, Ohio.

I Justice Smith of Ashfield in the County of Franklin & Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify that I Paid to Mr. Steadman about three hundred dollars for about three hundred dollars in small notes not for the mentioned in this Certificate for the said Joseph Porter (claiming a continuance on the Petition Roll this morning I Paid for him in the years 26 & 27 in 1800-26-27 & Further saith not Justice Smith

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss Ashfield October 11 th 1828 Personally appeared Capt. Justus Smith and made solemn Oath that the facts stated in the within Instrument by him subscribed was just and true
Before me Ephraim Williams / justice of the peace
Justus Smith Ephraim Williams

L. Williams Affidavit
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]

I Ephraim Williams of Ashfield in the County of Franklin & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being of lawfull age, Do testify and say that I Sold Land to Joseph Porter (then of Ashfield aforesaid) Several years before the year eighteen hundred & eighteen; and took his Obligations for the same - and for part of them demand, I had said Porter's Land Sett off to me on an Execution I had against said Porter. and that Henry P. Billings was the Deputy Sheriff that Did the service in setting off said Land, because the debt & cost was 179:32 reference must be had to Henry P. Billings & certificate and further Saith not Ephraim Williams Ashfield October 9 th 1828
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin Oct. 9 - 1828 personally appeared Ephraim Williams signor to the above Affidavit and made solemn Oath, the same in True Before me Elijah Paine Justice of the Peace

H. Billings
croftfield

This may certify that the several Executions hereafter named were put into my hands for collection against Joseph Porter in favor of the following named persons and satisfied out of his real estate
Abel Williams vs. said Porter $529.92 the whole amount satisfied Equity of Redemption.
The same vs the same. $113.37 and my fees: 4.99 Lots of Land alleged 16 1821
Ebenezer Williams vs Joseph Porter 173. 14 Lots of Land 6:18 Lots of Land August 20 1821.
Conesq. October 7 1825
Henry O'Callaghan Deputy Sheriff

Sketch of, Conus , certificate.

This may certify that Ephraim Williams recovered judgment against Joseph Porter at the Aug Term 1821 - for - $161.51 debt - and $11.38 - cost. exon ssd Aug 20 1821 And that John Hopkins also recovered Judgment against Joseph Porter at same term for Dam 98.92 cost 13.64. exon issd Aug 20 1821, and also that Abel Williams recovered judgment against said Joseph Porter at the Apr Term 1821 for 504.76 Damages and 15.03 Costs. exon issd Apr 9 1821
For E. Alvah Olcott B. E. Draper

Rev. man
8967
INVALID.
Rev.
File No. 8967
Joseph Porter Briv. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: Vol. 16 , Page 299
[Arrangement of 1870.]

13-949 R
see letters to O. B. Skinner Oct. 26. 1826 and 2 d Dec. 1828. do. to J. Porter, 8 th Dec. 1830.
Massachusetts
Joseph Porter
Ashfield in the state of Massachusetts who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Woodbridge of the Massachusetts line, for the term of one year
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 14 th of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th of June 1819 and sent to Elijah Daine, Esq r Ashfield Massachusetts
  Arrears to 4th of  Mar. 1819.  85. 50    Semi-ann. all'ce ending  Sep. 1819.  48. 00    10 Mo. \frac{17}{30} \frac{4}{31}   $133. 50  
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }

Onset July 20 th 1832
Wesleyan Ministers Esq
Dr Lin
In host and at the request of Mrs Dortha - I give to him and you and all others that in my opinion he the Dr Porter hath as good a Rights to manage his own concerns as what he the Dr Porter ever had not withstanding what hath been done or taken with him as insane under the pauper Law - and hath an undoubted Rights to defend his Life and property by Law against the rest of our fellow Citizens
W Wheeler

Wells Porter Do to his Father Joseph Porter By fraud & violence and repeated forgery without Bondsman Damage. $16,000.00 accuisioned by Wells Porters writing to L. S. Edwars Ex Commissioner of Pensions that his Father Joseph Porter was Insane and had a Guardian. Another lie Wells Porter is so untruthful so ungodly and willful a son that he will not let his Father see the letter that you write to him last Dover O May 11 1840
Joseph Porter

Certificate of Elijah Paine Esq Ephraim Williams Esq In all his aliases
whereas on the night of the 14th day of the month of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty one the undersigned was present at the house of the late Ephraim Williams Esq and did not at any time during the said night leave the house of the said Ephraim Williams Esq nor did he at any time during the said night leave the house of the said Ephraim Williams Esq nor did he at any time during the said night leave the house of the said Ephraim Williams Esq
Given under my hand this 15th day of January 1831
Sumner M. [unclear]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss.
Clerks Office, Greenfield, July 12. 1830
I Elijah Alvord clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the said Commonwealth for the said County of Franklin do certify that Elijah Alvord Elijah Paine Esq and Ephraim Williams Esq both of Ashfield in said county were, during the year of one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight and for some years before, and ever since have been justices of the Peace for the said county of Franklin and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to the acts and attestations of each of them as such.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court the day and year aforesaid
E. Alvord. Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Elijah Paine of Ashfield in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Mass of Lawful age do testify & say that I am an Attorney at Law, that at the April Term of the Court of Common Pleas for 1821 I brought a suit Abel Williams vs Joseph Porter both of Ashfield and recovered Judgment agt the said Porter debt & cost for $520.04 and at the August Term 1821 I brought a suit John Hopkins of Boston against the said Porter and recovered Judgment for debt & cost - $112.08 and at the same Term I brought an Action Ephraim Williams of Ashfield agt the said Porter and recovered Judgment Debt & cost for $173.14 Execution issued for on the above judgments and were satisfied out of the estate real & personal of the said Porter I further say at the November Term of the same Court I brought an Action agt the said Porter in favor of Charles Williams, and recovered Judgt for the sum of eighty nine dollars and eighty six cents, the execution never went into the hands of an Officer; but the amount of the execution was paid to me in money and by me paid over to the Plaintiff. Ashfield Oct 8 - 1824. Elijah Paine

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss October 9 th 1828 Personally appeared Elijah Paine Esq. Signer to the within testimony & Declaration by him made. & he the said Elijah made Solemn Oath that the facts therein stated stated was just & true
Before me Ephraim Williams justice of the peace
E. Paine's Affidavit

Payable semi-annually. The first payment on this Certificate will be made on the 4th of Sept next, in Boston Mass. at the U.S. Branch Bank
W. A. Hall

War Department.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th of March, 1818,
Joseph Porter
late a Private
in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Eight dollars per month, to commence on the Fourteenth day of April one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this Twenty eight day of June one thousand eight hundred and Nineteen
J. C. Calhoun
Secretary of War.

Mrs Joseph Dartin Downey, California

Olmstead August 25 - 1834
Mrs Joseph Porter In an agreeable to your Request and my promise I called on Judge Barker and we both called on Woodhull and Foot you as I always told you informed us that we as a Court had nothing to do with your concerns But that you had a right to manage your own concerns as you pleased to sell by or give a way your property if you pleased to eat drink and enjoy the few more days allotted you in the way that you could enjoy life the best - as to your having a guardian you have none as to your property no one hath a lawful control over it but your self - as to your insanity we cannot but think that you and all your family are not clothed in your rights minds
Yours Respectfully
Watrous Austin

Aug 30.
Ms. Park of Ohio Furness, Ohio Aug 30 1858
War Department Pension Office Washington City

Ohio Joseph Potter
FREE
War Department Pension Office
Washington City D.C.
Ms. B. 1. 6 v. 11 Oct 11

to Washng DC Oct 3 1838 To the War department, Pensions Office To S r P. P. P. (commissioner of pensions) Sir
I would inform you that M c lellan Porter wrote you a lie he tells me that he wrote to you that I was insane (and that I had no other guardian) there never was a guardian appointed like he insulted me in making himself one (and he has been partially dischar- ged once before now) and sentenced to the prison limits for telling a lie for the town to swear to be so kind sir as to renew my Certificate and send it to Devil's Bay at least town who draw my pension money I expect you to reach S. Whittle your out since 18 M ch 8 & I expect he will send you my forth Certificate attest Joseph Porter
S. L. M c lellan who resides in the H ts He is from home

29.940 Mar 20
Jos Porter Ohio Vll 6. 1832
1172 15 5860 11 1280
1172.80 175.20 996.20 17.20 17.20 17.20 17.20 854.48
FREE
J. L. Edwards Esqr Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Nov 20.
Act Hannon
free
Indian Affairs
War Department Washington D.C.

Glencoe Nov. 10 th 1839
To the War Department Pension Office.
To S r J. Edwards Comr of Pensions.
Sir
I have wrote to thee a number of times and have had no return - I am willing to be put under oath by the Clerk of the Court to any letter that I have sent you - It was nothing but a lie that the jury sworn to, and it was with -ing but a lie that they wrote to you - I wish sir for you to procure and renew my certif- -icate of $96 and send it to (turn over)

Me at least by much -
I wish you to proceed as if Wells Porter had not wrote to you at all about it and you may apply to Mr John N Allen of the house of Representation if you think worth your while from
Your Humble Servant in the fear of God who pronounces the Heart I write to you
My Son Wells Porter is a great Sinner which I lament bitterly - he is guilty of repeated forgery Joseph Porter

Los Potos Jan 9.
L. L. Edwards  FREE
Com tee of Pensions
War Dept te
Washington City D C

War Department Pension Office Oct. 22. 1836
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 12 th inst. I have to inform you that the paper you allude to appears to have been received here; but it is not satisfactory. Mr. Joseph Porter has been several times informed by letters from this Office, that in order to get restored to the pension list at his former rate of pension, he must proceed according to the instructions contained in the regulations adopted under the act of March 1. 1823. Enclosed is a copy of the regulations for his guidance. An adherence to these rules is indispensably necessary to a favorable decision in his case.
I am respectfully
Your Obdt. Servt.
J. L. Edwards
Hon. Watson Usher Cleveland Ohio

To My W m Edwards the commissioner pintiope Sir
My Son. Will Porter has informed me that he has forbid you of drawn my certificate which is a very unjust work and a hainous sin and excelling Aggrevation by his many false Reports he is share with by county clerk
of Cuyahoga Co I wish you Sir to Renew my certificate and send it to the county clerk of Cuyahoga Co and if there is any objection please to send it to me immediately by Letter
Cleveland Febr 3/38
Joseph Porter

FREE.
Hon. J. G. Edwards
Comt of Pensions Washington D.C.
for Polk Ohio 1832

Cleveland Ohio 12 Oct. 1836
Sir
I am requested by Mr Joseph Porter of Dover, Linn County, Ohio, to address to you an enquiry whether you have received an authenticated copy of an enlistment, or perhaps the paper might be a declaration, forwarded to you by him in June 1833 or 1834 the same having been sworn to before the Court of C.P. of this place - Mr Porter was on the Pension Roll of 1818, from Ashfield, Franklin Co. Mass. &

was stricken from the roll for not bringing himself within a subsequent law relating to property - He is now poor enough, being supported by the Township - And he thinks that he ought to be replaced on the old list - He was unable to apply for restoration soon after the law required him to do so, because his father's estate which he held by will was unsettled & he could not make the oath required, but that objection is removed & he wishes to know whether he can do any thing & if so, what he must do to exchange

his present pension ($40, under the law of 1832) for his old one. Please to direct your answer to me at Olmstead, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
Very Respectfully Yr. Obt. Servt.
Watson W. Hume
Hon. J. S. Edwards } Judge of the Commr. of Pensions } Court Cuyahoga Co.
N.B. If Mr. Porter's last letters regd. his oath he will make it to them.
N.B. In plus to make Return as soon as possible

Commonwealth of Massachusetts I John Porter of Ashfield in the County of Franklin and State of Massachusetts, of lawful age do Testify & Say that I was well acquainted with Joseph Porter in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighteen & have been acquaint- ed with him ever since, & acquainted with his Circumstances & Debts, He had an Aged Father to wait upon, who lived to one hundred years of age wanting thirty days, a Sick wife & large expensive Family which were one Season all Sick for which the Dost Bill was one hundred dollars, and forty twenty dollars a year for a number of years since I further, I Say the said Porter owned one hundred acres of land, which, in one thousand eight hundred & eighteen, was worth Seventeen hundred Dollars & further I Say, Some of his land which was under mortgage, was sold at Vendue, to the amount of Seven hundred dollars as near as I recollect. & the Cost of many Suits, & besides a number of pieces of land Set of upon executions, & further I Say what land he had left I took a deed of, likewise his Personal Property, Cont: 188 Cows 128 Rye 28 wheat 38 oats 48 Cider 28 Ribs 38 Oats 68 Cows 348 Swine 88 Horses 108 Steans 208 & his Farming Tools to the amount of 808 for which I promise to pay such Debts as are yet unpaid

and further I say I have already paid Nathaniel Hubbard & Joshua Stow five hundred dollars and have yet to pay said hundred more to the said Hubbard & Stow as soon as I can make sale of the land & property that is in my hands, & further I say I have already paid Mr. Guitford one hundred and two dollars and Seventyfive cts to Seth Church seventyfour dollars, and many other small debts too numerous to mention
Nov 21st 1828
John Porter
The State of Ohio } Be it known that on the 21 st Day of Cuyahoga County } November A.D. 1828 personally appeared before me the above named John Porter & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing Affidavit Given under my hand at Dover in said County on the Date last above written — Seal Everett Johnson Justice of the Peace
John Porter Seal

March 25 th Dear Col. Edwards Joseph H. Edwards Joseph H. Edwards
Genl
Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Pension Office Washington City DC

Dover Laya Ohio Feb 6th March 22 d 1888 J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Sir I would informe you that Wells Porter has put me to a great deal of trouble for two years past but I have got him discharged and sentenced to the Prison limits for one month and his discharge is signed by order of the Court I therefore wish you to send me them papers that I sent to you together with my new Certificate and direct it to Asa Blood Jr Post Master of Dover Layaborg County Ohio
Joseph Porter
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Dear Sir
By what Mr Porter has written above it is his wish that his papers should be sent to me to that I have no objections his old Certificate be expected to give up or receiving the new one please write your Pleasure respecting the business Judge Wister who has formerly written to you in Mr Porters behalf is no longer Associate Judge his term of service has expired. This I write in behalf of Joseph Porter I am your Obedt servant Asa Blood Jr P.M.
N. B. Mr Porter wishes the papers sent as soon as possible as the Court of Common Pleas in Layaborg County will be in session the fore part of April and he will

Joseph Portu Application for a Pension

The declaration of Joseph Porter a revolutionary pensioner who makes application to be restored to the pension list pursuant to the act of Congress of the United States passed on the 1st. of March 1833.
I, Joseph Porter aged sixty six and upwards, placed on the pension list on the 28th. day of June A.D. 1819 do solemnly swear that I am in such indigent circumstances as to be unable to support myself without the assistance of my country, and that I have not disposed of or transferred my property, or any portion thereof with a view to obtain a pension, and that the following is a schedule of all the property, or evidence of property of any value whatsoever, that I possess.
1st. one bed & bedding worth — $20.00
2 d . My wearing apparel worth perhaps 50.00
I have no wife — I have eight sons all struggling with the evils of poverty — and unable to maintain me — I have three daughters, one under age, and unmarried who lives with and keeps house for me — and two married, but both in indigent circumstances —
My property, what I did possess when placed on the pension list, I have lost by entering bail for other persons, and in paying costs, when I became bound as such bail, and in paying the expenses of the sickness and medical attendance of my distressed and afflicted family — I removed from Massachusetts into the state of Ohio in June last — poor and distressed and am unable to labor much by reason of age and bodily infirmity — and further this deponent saith not.
Sworn to in open court — Joseph Porter.
Court of Common pleas Canby County
County, Ohio, Oct. 3. 1826.
Hosea Perry Clerk.

The State of Ohio Cuyahoga County p33
I, Orville B Skinner Deputy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath and the Schedule thereto attached are truly copied from the Records of said Court. and I do further that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is seventy dollars — In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, at Cleveland the twenty first day of November Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight. O B Skinner Dep. Clerk.
March 22. 1837
Property disposed of since the 18. March 1838. No. mit; One yoke of Oxen, One horse — One Wagon of Stags. One hundred acres of land —
All said property was sold on execution, or turned out to creditors, claiming under execution, and in satis- faction thereof, excepting a few acres of said land were con- veyed by me in satisfaction of debts then due and owing from me —
Reason for not making earlier application is this — that my creditors waited on me, on my paying interest to them, the payment of which I became unable to make and support myself, and family — whereupon my creditors levied on all my property, which was disposed of in payment of their claims —
Given to in open Court
Joseph Porter —
Before me Horace Perry Clerk of the Court of Com. Pleas of Cuyahoga County being a Court of Record Joseph Porter who was in open Court this the day of Joseph Porter who was placed on the pension list

as by the enclosed certificate N o 13. q u o will appear - on the 28th. day of June 1819 - and that the above contains a list of all the property he has possessed since March 18. 1818 except as stated in the within schedule and that the same was disposed of as therein stated and in no other way.
Joseph Porter.
Sworn to in open court March 22, 1827 -
Horace Perry Clerk
The State of Ohio Cuyahoga County ss.
I Orville B. Skinner Deputy Clerk of the court of common pleas in and for said county do hereby certify that the foregoing is truly copied from the records of said court.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Cleveland the 21st. day of Nov. 1838.
O. B. Skinner Dep. Clerk.

Cleveland Ohio, March 9 th 1837
Dear Sir
I will inform you to the best of my remembrance what papers are on file in your office. First my certificate for 8 Dollars per month which I wish to have renewed, also Elijah Paine's certificate, also Ephraim Williams certificate, also Col. Abel Williams certificate, also Mr Biling's certificate the Sheriff of Franklin County Massachusetts, and the Clerk's certificate of Franklin County, also Bethuel Lilly's certificate of one months service at New London. together with my affidavit of enlistment for two years and three months made in Cleveland, also a statement of the situation of my family, and an exact schedule of my property. And now the town and my sons are contending at law about my maintenance. consequently I need the money which I should have received, and I am strongly desirous that my certificate should be renewed in order that I may be placed in circumstances tolerably comfortable, and also enabled to purchase the small house and piece of land which I alluded to in a former letter. Then if I should die before my second wife with whom I now live. who is seventy years of age. She will draw my pension, and therefore will not be burdensome to my children or the town, and thus that both myself and my wife may go to the grave at our appointed time, without being harassed by pressing wants and perplexing worldly cares in our old age.
This from your humble Petitioner Joseph Porter
H. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner etc

For (Grevilleo Edgar) Thompson of pintiguo Sir. I am now in court and can not gratuitously Mr. South but he wishes to pay to me a great sum of money and you ought to receive his last forty dollars.
J. L. Simmons Esq. Commission of Pensions due
I am now in court & can not gratify Mr Joseph Porter in writing a letter to you concerning his affairs but you will see to send me his new certificate when received
Thursday March 10 th 1827 —
Dear Sir I erect your certificate to Mr Watrous Ashmun

Testimony

Dover Township Lapeer county and state of Ohio Sept 13 th 1837 We the subscribers being well acquainted with Joseph Porter of the above said township for a number of years past do hereby and severally agree with the Doctors and the disinterested Jury at Mackport that Joseph Porter of the above said Township of Dover is a person of sound mind and reason and never was insane in our opinion
Samuel Hoffman
Henry Mearney
John Mearney
Henry Taylor
Phineas Alexander
Amos Sperry
Phila Beach
John Marston
Isaac Wright David Brock His mark
John Callan
P. P. Medall
A. Clark Secy Clk of Cuy. Co. Ohio - in the 64 th year of the Independence of the U. S. of America - Hon. Mr. Edwards will please direct it to the County Clarke

May 11. 1840
War Department Pension office G. Edwards Esq. Commissioner Pensions Washington City. O. C.  affidavit of on roll of Ohio or other state

To L. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions
Sir please to have have the goodness to renew Mr Joseph Porter's Pension so that he may draw 96 dollars a year which I suppose he is justly entitled to in behalf of Joseph Porter Asa Blood & D. M.
Joseph Porter
War Department Pension office
L. L. Edwards Esq
Sir again will please to forward my certificate to Asa Blood at Port Huron at Doctor Cuyahoga Ohio and oblige your humble servant for I am in a state of starvation for the want of my Pension Done O May 4 th 1840
Joseph Porter

Jan 4. L. Edwards Com. of pensions War Departm.
Washington City -
Jo. S. ... Ohio ... 229.946 P.R.R. Oct 1876 Nov 1875
Dear Sir Dec 29 as H. ...

Dover Dec 24 th 1835
Mr. Edwards Dear Sir
Mr. Joseph Porter States to me that you could not find his name on the Ohio Rolls - also that he has not made the necessary oath as a pensioner - I well - recollect his going before the Court in the County of Guyapaga - 8 or 10 years since & making oath in relation to his property in view of getting a pension & I was sworn at the same time in relation to the same subject he says the reason why he did not apply sooner was that he held a right in his fathers Estate by will which right could not be ascertained while his father lived the amount of this right you will find in his affidavit in your office dated Dec. 1826 - to wit. a Bed $30.00 & a chest of clothes $50.00 (his father lived to see 100 years lacking 30 Days)
The reason he has not wrote to you on this subject sooner is that he has been absent the summer past to Massachusetts - & now requests you to take up his last application & his certificate & look on the Massachusetts Rolls & you will find that he did duty in Capt. Joseph Williams Company of Cape Ann & Lieut. Col. Knowl of Lynn Mass called Col. Putnam's Regt. which was the 5 th Mass. Regt. which was called the bloody 5 th the first in the field & the last out - & he wishes you to send him a certificate in accordance with the Act of March 18 th 1818 - restoring him the right of drawing a pension from which he has been cut off - he is now living in an old log house with with a 3 rd wife an elderly lady in some what a helpless condition & has an opportunity to purchase a comfortable framed house near by for 3 or 400 Dollars which would add essentially to the comfort of old age -
L. Edwards Comt of pensions
Levrett Johnson for Joseph Porter

21. over 0 } free 25 April 19 }
War Department Pension Office Washington City
To Porter Ohio Vol

Hon J. L. Williams
Dear Sir
A sense of duty prompts me to state for your information, that my Father Joseph Porter, who is in the receipt of a pension of Forty Dollars Per Annum under the act of June 7 th 1832, & who has heretofore been ineligible for a Pension under the act of June 18, 1818, is at present in such a deranged state of mind as to be incompetent to transact Business of much importance, & that the communications which are made to you respecting his claim under the act of 1818, are made without the approbation of his friends & as there is no probability of his being able under his present circumstances, to substantiate said claim. This statement is made, to relieve the department from the trouble of returning an answer to any communications which may come to it; as he is in the habit of going from home & procuring the aid of strangers to write on that subject
I Am Sir
Dover, Wayne County, Ohio April 8. 1836
Your Obt Servt
Wells Porter

Ap. 12.
Geo. Park
Ohio 7th
War Department
Pension Office
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
[Handwritten mark or signature]

Dover April 5 th 1836
War Department.
Pension Office
Mr J. L. Edwards
Sir, Mr Joseph Porter of Dover County of Cuyahoga County State of Ohio; - Pensioner by Congress Ninety Six dollars pr Year during Natural Life - Which Pension he has Received one Year, Which Certificate is Now in the office of the War Department. & depositions from Massachusetts. & together with the paper giving a description of my Family - a Bond Thirty dollars - list of Clothes etc My Sons under age to maintain me - Which is all come to pass - Said paper I took my oaths to - in the Court of Common Pleas in Cleveland Ohio County - Which Mr. Vincent Johnson declares to you in his Letter of December 24 th 1835 The paper bearing declaration of my Family is dated about June or July 1826 - according to my memory - & I doubt Not that the Clerk of the Court made declaration on Said paper bearing that date - & the fault is on Mr White for Not Examining those papers correctly which were Then in the office - Which Papers are first - a Deposition from Elijah Paine Esq r William. Abel Williams with the Seal of the County Clerk - That Elijah Paine & Esq r Williams were Justices of the Peace - & then Also the Sheriff Certificate. - all which Papers - it seems. Were neglected Careful Examination or Else Mr. White Would. have renewed my Certificate - & it seems so Sir, by your Letters of about One year since - That Communicate the Idea to me. That you could Not find my Name on the Ohio Role of Pensioners Now the Said Joseph Porter When he was Twenty One Years of Age did Enlist as a private Soldier in to the 5 th Massachusetts Regiment. for the term of Two Years. + 3 mo & Served One year & hired a Substitute for Which term of Enlistment. Congress - granted the Said Joseph Porter a Certificate. for Ninety Six dollars - during Life
(over)

Which Certificate Mr White has not received — & for want thereof I am flung upon the Town for maintenance Now Sir, be so kind as to hear the prayer of your Indigent Pensioner & look on your Rules & see if Mr White has not neglected his duty relating to me & my Certificate
There is a Mother's Certificate of Mr. Lillie's of Ashfield of Massachusetts of an Entitlement of One month which makes me Twenty Eight months — if you put me on the Act of 1832 — But I prefer the Act. March 18. 1818. — Because I have a promise of it from
Congress — Now Sir, I am obliged to him a substantial & go home — to wait upon my Father for continued money — was good for nothing — to support him — of which money — I have lost about Two Hundred Dollars — being Executor to my Father's Will — & have now lost a Bill of 35% Which Congress promised me the good Silver for
Now Sir, will you be so obliging as to examine the Massachusetts Rules — & see if I am not Entitled to my Pension of Twenty Six dollars per year during Life agreeable to an Act of Congress & if so please send me my Certificate as he lives in a Log house & needs the money to build or buy him a house large enough for himself & his younger son to reside with Him to take care of him in his old age I feel thankful to my heavenly Father that he has sent me $200.00  Twenty my son & children — till I recd said Certificate which I expect to be deducted with a whole year which I have received — which will make 3 years & 8 dollars — Please make a return of this to me as soon as — convenient. With a Certificate & oblige yours Respectfully L. L. Adams in who has sold his farm for his family — & help of Joseph Porter

Bethuel Lillie Deposition

I Bethuel Lilly of Ashfield in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being seventy years of Age do testify and say that Joseph Porter of Dover in the County of Gayborge and State of Ohio formerly of Ashfield aforesaid, some time in the month of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine was with me a short campaign of one month in the service of the United States at New-London in the State of Connecticut, as a soldier, in a company commanded by Capt. Dinsmore in Col. Porter's regiment and he served in said company during one month, in New-London exercise of the time going and returning which was a fortnight and further the deponent saith not -
Sept 10- 1832
Bethuel Lilly
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss On this Tenth day of August in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared Bethuel Lilly signed to the above Affidavit, and being duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath say that the same is true and I hereby certify that the said Bethuel is known to me and is reputed to be a man of truth and veracity
Elijah Paine Justice of the Peace

R. Williams
Affidavit
1881

I Abel Williams of Ashfield in the County of Franklin & Commonwealth of Massachusetts being of Lawfull age, Do testify & say that I had a Demand against Joseph Porter (then of Ashfield aforesaid) and took a mortgage Deed of him of some of his land to secure the payment of said Demand; the said Deed was dated July 23 d 1817 and for that Demand I had an Execution against said Porter & gave it to Henry P. Billings Deputy Sheriff for him to collect & he paid a part in money & I had some of said Porter's land set off to pay me for the other part of said Demand and the said Henry P. Billings was the Deputy Sheriff that did the service in setting off said land, and for the costs reference must be had to Henry P. Billings's certificate and further saith not
Ashfield October 9 th 1828 Abel Williams
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. Oct r 9 - 1828 personally appeared Abel Williams signed to the above affidavit and made solemn oath, that the same is true Before me Elijah Prine Justice of the Peace

Reg d of Deeds Certificate.

Franklin Co. Registry of Deeds office Oct. 7. 1828.
I hereby certify that it appears by the records in this Office that five acres three fourths and 16 rods of land in Ashfield in said County were set off on execution in favor of Abel Williams v. Joseph Porter. Amount of said lev. $113.37. cost $7.85. Also another piece of land in said Ashfield containing 5 acres and 39 rods in said Ashfield. in favor of Ephraim Williams v. said Porter. Amount of Exec. $173.14. cost 12.30. both of the above levies were made Sept. 3. 1821. by Henry B. Billings Deputy Sheriff.
Hooker Leavitt, Reg t of Deeds for the County of Franklin, State of Mass.

Joseph Patten exh. 1823 June 24. 1834
FREE
Edward Egan Register of Public Office Washington
Free

Cleveland J. - Ohio June 18 th 1834
Sir —
Joseph Porten's Application for a pension was made I believe for the second time in 1828 — Last fall or Winter, fresh papers being sent to your Office — Upon the supposition that the enclosed document may be essential to the granting of the pension from 1828. I now forward it —
May Resp d
H. M c D o C
John W. Allen
Col d Edwards Esq r
Respectfully

Dover Pa July 31 1873
free
War Department Pension Office
Washington City
to President Hayes May 6 1878 Maf

DOVER, Cuyahoga County, Ohio Jan. 27. 1835 J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions, Dear Sir.
Yours of the 16. Inst. in answer to mine of the 29 th of Last Dec. Respecting the Case of Joseph Porter. I now have the Honor to Acknowledge in which you state that "it does not appear from the Records, that his Name was ever Inscribed on the Pension List of the Ohio Agency under the Act of March 18. 1818." I am Requested by Mr. Porter to state to you that his Name was inscribed on the Pension List of the Massachusetts Agency under the above named Act.
You further state in your letter that "in order to a full investigation of Mr. Porter's Case, his Pension Certificate should be transmitted to your Office together with a particular statement of his Case." In answer to the above I have been Requested by Mr. Porter to state that in the fall of the year 1824 in order to obtain a Pension he filed in the Common Court of Com. Pleas of Cuyahoga County a Schedule of his Property which Schedule was sworn to in Open Court & together with other Papers, Bonds & evidence necessary to substantiate his claim were forwarded to the Pension Office where he supposes they now remain on file. He further wishes me to state that through the carelessness of the Person to whom his papers were entrusted his Pension Certificate Remained behind, that this Omission did not come to his knowledge until Last fall when he immediately forwarded the same to your Office & if the above mentioned papers all not in your Office he considers them lost. Mr. Porter wishes me to Request that you will give a strict search for his papers, & if you should find among them sufficient evidence to entitle him to receive a Pension under the Act of March 18. 1818. He will be very happy to know that his claim are allowed; but should it be otherwise be so good as to inform me what papers belonging to him are in your Office & especially if you find his Pension Certificate.
I am, Dear Sir, Respectfully, Your Obedt Servt Wm Porter

Apr. 20
Post
map act 1836
Dear Sir: April 12 th (Enc. 3)
War Department
Pension Office
Washington City

1836 Dover Guyanoga County Ohio April 9
Dear Sir
In reply to yours of the 21. Feby. last relative to the case of Joseph Porter an Applicant for a Pension under the act of Congress of March 18. 1818. in which you state that the papers on file in your office are not sufficient to authorize the Department to restore his name to the Pension Roll" I have to state that it is now nine years since his present application has been Pending during which time the infirmities of old age have increased upon him to such a degree that to comply with the requisitions which the department make would now be utterly impossible as his memory is now entirely insufficient to present to the Department any thing of a connected statement respecting the disposition of his property of which he was possessed in 1818. He had hoped that the papers which at different times he had forwarded to the Department, would together furnish such evidence of the fairness of his claim as justify the Department in allowing it & restoring his name to the Pension Roll. Having failed however, he concludes to apply under the act of 1832 & sends enclosed the statement in such cases required by the Department. His pension certificate was forwarded to the Department last fall. Should it not have been Rec'd, the evidence of his having been in the possession of one, I conclude exists, in the fact that his name is inscribed on the Pension Roll of the Massachusetts Agency -
I am Respectfully Yours & S. Servt Wm Lloyd Porter
Hon. C. A. Edwards

over 03 PM May 16 J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Pension office Washington City D.C. In at May 22

Dover May 15 th 1838
Dear Sir
I wish you to have the goodness to forward my Certificate to me so that I may be enabled to draw my Pension as you will see by the papers previously sent that I am entitled too the County Clerk says he has done his duty and forward the necessary papers and Sir I wish you to comply with my request that I have heretofore sent I still stand in need of money to purchase the house I once wrote you about and also to pay 100 dollars to the Rev. John M. Crea and to line upon the next year and if there is any obstructions pls to signify it to me by letter as soon as possible
J. L. Edwards
I am your obedt Servant
Joseph Porter
Commissioner of Pension War Department Pension Office

Power O 3 March 22 3 New York
PM
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Pension Office Washington City D.C.

War Department } Dover O March 21 st 1889 Pension office }
To the Honorable L. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Sir I would inform you that there never was any Guardian appointed for Joseph Porter of Dover Township before Wells Porter took out a letter of Guardianship and refused to do his duty but wanted to starve his Father Joseph Porter to make him take Simeon Johnsons Bond for his support but the State has ordered his Bonds to be discharged and the township to pay the cost
Joseph Porter
Accordingly I wish you to renew my certificate that I may have money to pay those debts that I wrote to you about the Deed John McCreer 100 dollars and 130 dollars to Nathan Bassett and to buy some land for myself and some of my boys which have not got any and the rest for my maintenance in my old age which is at this time 79 and send it to Asa Blood Postmaster at Dover O as soon as possible if there should be any objections you will please signify it to him in writing I am the same person that Judge Usher wrote to you about my Pension a number of years ago
Joseph Porter

May 25
War Department Pension Office Washington City
Mr. Peter Grap
recd June 7. 1832 $40 per ann.

Down Cuyahoga County Ohio May 13. 1835
Hon. J. L. Belcher
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir.
In Reply to yours of the 30 April Relative to the Application of Joseph Porter for a Pension I wish to state in answer to that Part of it which Refers to his Application under the Act of March 18. 1818 that his information incisive to the age together with the great distance at which he Resides from his former place of Residence in the State of Mass. Render it utterly impossible for him to comply with the Requisitions of the Department which have from time to time been forwarded to him He therefore wishes to be distinctly understood as entirely withdrawing the application Refered to
In Answer to that Part of your Letter which Refers to his Application under the Act of June 7. 1832 in which you say that there is proof in the department of One Year's Service & that he would be entitled to Receive on this Application Forty Dollars Per Annum. I am instructed to say that from a former communication from you on this Subject in which you say he could Receive a Pension of $40 he had been led to expect that sum. & agreeably to your suggestion in the close of your letter I have only to add that it is his wish to Receive a pension under the Act of June 7. 1832
Respectfully
Your Obed Servt
Wells Parker

Dec 27 1838 Jan 2 39
free
War Department Pension Office
Washington City
D.C.
M c weeney
W th

Dover Engham Co. A. B. J. L. Belwards Commissioner of Pensions Dear Sir
Joseph Porter a Revolutionary Pensioner having been adjudged Insane & a Guardian having been appointed by the Court of Common Pleas of said County, that his Guardian is desirous of being informed what bond it is necessary for him to take in order to enable him to draw the said pension for the benefit of the said Joseph Porter.
The object of this is to obtain from the Department the desired necessary information.
I am Sir
Very Respectfully Yours
Wells Porter

Joseph Porter a citizen of the United States, resident in the Town of Ashfield in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do on both declare that I belonged to the Army of the United States in the revolutionary war I enlisted into the Service of my Country about the middle of March in the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and eighty two at South Hadley in the Commonwealth I joined as a private Soldier and was mustered by Colonel Woodbridge, and then immediately moved to West Point and joined the company commanded by Capt Joseph Tilton or Tilton in the Fifth Regiment of the Massachusetts Line, commanded by Lieut Colonel Sturtevant Newhall for the Term of Two Years and three months and after I had served my country faithfully, for the Term of One Year against the common enemy I was relieved and discharged the service by hiring and procuring an able bodied man to take my place for the remainder of the Term. and at the expiration of the said One Year I received an honorable discharge at New Windsor or Newburgh in the State of New York which discharge is destroyed and is not in existence, and that I by reason of my reduced circumstances, stand in need of the Assistance of my Country for Support.
Dated at Ashfield in the County and Commonwealth of Massachusetts this fourteenth day of April in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighteen
Joseph Porter
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss April 14. 1818
The above named Joseph Porter subscribed to the foregoing Declaration personally appeared and made Oath, that the same is true Before me Elijah Paine a Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the County of Franklin

To the Secretary of the Department of War
I the Subscriber a Session Judge of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the County of Franklin in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify, that being acquainted with Joseph Porter the subscriber to the within Declaration and believing him to be a man of Truth and veracity, it appears to my satisfaction that the said Joseph served in the revolutionary War against the Common enemy according as he hath set forth in his Declaration by him subscribed within.
Given at Ashfield and Sealed with the Seal of said Court this fourteenth day of April in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighteen Elijah Paine Judge as of course
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss May 14 - 1819
I Timothy Warren of Ashfield of Lord's full age do hereby certify and say that while I was a soldier in the United States Army I was acquainted with Joseph Porter of Ashfield who was a soldier in the Massachusetts line and I saw him from time to time in the service of various regiments from the month of May seventeen hundred and eighty two to March in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and eighty three. And I further testify that I have no reason to doubt that the said Joseph should obtain a certificate for a pension. Attest Bethuel Lilly Timothy Warren
Franklin ss May 14 - 1819 Personally appeared Timothy Warren the above deponent and made solemn Oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is the truth and is known to me, & considered as a person of Truth and veracity. Before me Elijah Paine the Session Judge of the Circuit of Common Pleas for the County of Franklin

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin Co May 17 - 1819
I John Rogers of Williamstown of lawful age do hereby say, that I was a Soldier in the Army of the United States in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and eighty two, that about the first of April 1782 at West Point I then first saw Joseph Norton the within claimant who was then a Soldier and did duty as such, and I saw him from time to time from the then said first of April to the last day of December in the same year doing duty as a Soldier, and at that time I left the Army and I further declare that I have no interest in the Pension of the said Joseph
John Rogers
Franklin Co May 17 - 1819. The above named John Rogers (known to me as a person of truth and veracity) Personally appeared and made solemn Oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is the truth Before me Elijah Paine Judge as aforesaid

I Phinehas Bement of Ashfield in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify and say, that I was a private soldier in the revolutionary war in the fifth Massachusetts Regt in a company commanded by Capt Bicknell, that I served nine months in said company and at the end of said nine months it was relieved by Joseph Patten of Ashfield Jr, which was on the twenty seventh day of March in the year of our Lord One thousand hundred and Eighty Two. and the said Patten acted for the term of about two years and three three months and I left him in the service, and the said Patten returned to Ashfield Jrs same time in the month of April 1783 as I believe and then told me that he was relieved by one Benjamin  and I have no doubt Benjamin Barney in his place, procuring his Discharge May 24-1819 Phinehas Bement
Franklin May 24-1819 personally appeared Phinehas Bement, a person well known to me to be a man of truth and veracity, and made oath that the affidavit above by him subscribed is true Before me Elisha Paine a Session Judge of the Court Common Pleas for the County of Franklin

Joseph Porter's Declaration & Oath 82 1/2 Woodbridge Map to . overhall Pkg to
Admitted
I Joseph Porter the Claimant within mentioned do further declare on Oath, that I believe my Real Estate is not worth more than Two thousand Dollars; and about one half of said Estate is Mortgage for the sum of four hundred and twenty nine Dollars and I own about Twelve hundred Dollars more, besides what is contained in said Mortgage over and above what is due to me; and I fully believe that my Personal property is not worth more than four hundred Dollars and I was fifty nine years old last January Joseph Porter
Franklin Ja May 17 - 1819 Joseph Porter the sub- scribes to the above declaration personally appeared made Salem Oath that the above declaration is true. and I further certify that from the above and other testimony before me I fully believe that the said Porter was at the time of his first declaration in need circumstances and did then, and at this time stand in need of the assistance of his country for support. Before me Elisha Paine a Person Judge of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the County of Franklin

Dover August 22 1834
Dear Sir
Your Letter dated June 19 1834
Inform me that My Name cannot be first restored to the Pension Roll under the Act of March 18 1818 without such proof as your letter of the 8 th Dec r 1830 requires
Having sent you that Letter I have on hand no means of knowing what that proof is I therefore wish you to inform me by writing what proof is necessary to my obtaining my pension under that Act and I will satisfy you for it when I receive my pension in any sum not exceeding ten dollars
Having past my Seventyfourth year and my wife her seventieth I stand in great need of the grant offered by the Government in 1818 as I am unable to labor I therefore wish you to be particular in examining examining my papers with you and you will find that in 1828 that I in Open Court took oath that I was worth a Chest of Cloathes worth 50 dollars and a bed worth 30 dollars
And not an Acre of Land to work more on were I able to work
I am Sir
very respectfully
Your Ob t Ser t
Joseph Porter
J. L. Edwards
Comm te of Pensions
— —

Christed June 26 th 1836
Alvin Cross not a freeholder - illegal
Selling the oven illegal
Wells Porter opposed the Justice when he had promised to inuendo his own Judge - illegal
Wells Porter renewed his complaint after it was inuendo by order of Court when there was seven Dobbins had signed the order of Court
Wells Porter slandered the Jury at Rockport calling them dumbheads is Disrespectful language
Wells Porter Pettypoged Judge Fisher on Penalty before the court house illegal
the Anussecs of the Poor's Petition to the Court after they were Summons to Court themselves
Wells Porter Pettypoged Judge Fisher after he was Summons to Court himself illegal
Wells Porter is leader of all this Conduct which conduct is illegal.
The Devil is a lyer from the beginning
I asked Esq r Johnson what he had worked some of my character & he told me Wells Porter told him that he had an article of the whole of lot 10 years after he gave me peaceable possession of said lot by turgid & turgid before 2 witnesses to wit Ebenezer Porter Leonard G. Porter
Joseph Porter
State of Ohio } Before me E. Stearns Esq r Cuyahoga Co. } Joseph Porter and acknowledging the above to be true & correct Alphon to correct
Attest E. Stearns
E. Stearns Esq r

Porter's Pencil

State of Ohio Cuyahoga County } ss
This 20th day of March 1835
Personally appeared Joseph Porter who for the purpose of obtaining a Pension under the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 & being duly sworn, deposes his Oath say that that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army & that his name was placed on the Pension List of the old soldiers of the State of Ohio of the  State of Ohio & that his name was subsequently struck therefrom he further says that his military services were per- formed in the of the Massachusetts line Fifth Regt. that his term of enlistment was for two years & three months, that his discharge is lost & that his former Pension Certificate was forwarded to the War Department by mail in the month of Dec. 1834 & further this deponent saieth not Further that his former place of Residence was in the Town of Ashtabula, in the County of Franklin & State of Mass. & that he now resides in the Township of Dover in the County of Cuyahoga & State of Ohio & further this deponent saith not
Joseph Porter
Subscribed & sworn to in open court March 20. 1835
Referred to
The State of Ohio } ss Cuyahoga County } ss
W. Rice Clark
I hereby certify that Joseph Porter the subscriber of the above affidavit appeared personally before the Court of Common Pleas for said County and was duly sworn as to the truth of said affidavit In testimony whereof I hereunto sign my name and affix the seal of said Court at Cleveland this 20. day of March 1835.
W. Rice Clark

Not answered.
See letter to Wm. Porter Apr. 22. 1896
May 5. Mr. Porter Ohio Mr. Edwards War Department Pension Office Commission of Pensions City Washington

Dover April 26 - 1836 - Your Department Pension Office
L. G. Edwards Esq -
Dear Sir, You will find Sufficient papers in your Office to warrant you to - renew my Certificate Granted March 18 th 1818 - if the County Clerk has done his duty to my papers on your file if not please to send me that paper respecting the situation of my family interest - & I will go before the Court at Cleveland - & take my Oath again - for I declare I was sworn there in the Court at Cleveland - you must consider my place of residence is Ashfield Mass - in the County of Franklin - I have already sent you the reason why I did not make Application sooner. Because I held the Estate by will - & my Deceased Mother lived to the age of 100 years - a few days - & I have nothing left of all my Estate in Massachusetts but one note of $100.00 which is in Pown for a Debt that I owe - Sir - This from your Indulgent Petitioner - I know no reason why I should be kept out of it because it had been so long delayed
Joseph Porter

The state of Ohio } In order to obtain the Cuyahoga County } S. benefit of the acts of Congress of } March 3rd 1832
Personally this 30 th day of June, A.D. 1834. Joseph Porter, who being duly sworn, doth on his oath say that he was a soldier of the Amer- ican Revolution, that he was placed on the Pension Roll under the act of Congress of March 18, 1832. That his name was subsequently dropped there- from. He further says that he received as a pension in the 5 th Reg. Connecticut at the time of Lieut. Col. Marshall & further that he has since the time his name was first placed upon the Pension Roll in the town of Sheffield Franklin County & State of Mass. & that his present place of residence is in the Township of Dover, County of Cuyahoga & State of Ohio & further this deponent saith not
Joseph Porter his X Mark
Sworn to & subscribed this 30 th day of June A.D. 1834 before me
Wells Porter } Justice of the Peace
The State of Ohio Cuyahoga County
I Henry Weldon Deputy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that Wells Porter before whom the foregoing affidavit was made was on the date thereof and still is a justice of the peace within and for said County duly elected and qualified, and duly authorized by the laws of our said State to administer oaths &c and further that I am acquainted with the hand writing of said Wells Porter and believe his signature above to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I herewith sign my name and affix the Seal of our said Court at Cleveland this second day of July in the year eighteen hundred and thirty four. H. Weldon. Dept. Clerk.

War Department
Pension Office

Dover Cuyahoga Co. Ohio June 18 th 1834
The Hon. the Secretary of War,
Sir, by the enclosed Papers , you will perceive that on the Twentysixth day of June 1819. I was inscribed on the Pension List Roll in your Department That subsequently my Name was erased & that in the year A.D. 1826 I made application to your department to have my Pension Perceived under a law of Congress The Letter of Mr. Edwards contains the objections existing to granting my application & first he says that the Papers are defective in not showing the manner in which I dispose of my property To which objection I would respectfully answer that it will be impossible for me at my advanced age & infirm state of health to show to the Department the way in which the Dotts were all contracted for the payment of which my property has been because they were some of them of very long standing. Mr. Edwards likewise states that I have not taken the Oath Required by the Act of May 1 st 1820 to this I have to answer that at the Fall of 1826 I appeared before the Court of Common Pleas of Cuyahoga County & took the Oath Required by that Act a Certificate of which was forwarded to the department with my first application & that I suppose it to be now in the Department Mr. Edwards further directs that if any Person to whom I may have disposed of property be dead I should swear to the fact giving their names &c. Now I wish that it might be recollected that I am now living at a great distance from the scene of these transactions & that my age & infirmities utterly preclude the possibility of complying with these directions and yet feeling as I do that my circumstances entitle me to the

- Relief Proposed by the Socy. Act. of May 1. 1820 I cannot but flatter myself that upon a Reexamin- ation of these papers you will see fit to place my name again upon the Pension List Roll from the date of my application in 1826
Respectfully your obed. servt.
Joseph Porter
N.B. These papers have been in the Office of the War Department from 1828 to Dec. 1830 & from that time to the present they have lain in a Publick Office in Cleveland of which fact I was not apprized until the present time
Respectfully
Joseph Porter