Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11262, for Levi Potter, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
bonn continental.
Potter, Levi
S. 11262
carded
CONTENTS

9083 - Connecticut
Sevi Potter
E t Haven in the State of Conn t who was a Pri t of Arty in the Conn t commanded by Captain Bradley of the Reg t commanded by Col l Waterbury in the Conn t * line for State Troops — D p
Conn. + Continental.
Record completed Apr. 3/05
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn t at the rate of 100 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23. day of March 1833 - and sent Ino Beach N. Haven Ct
Arrears to the 4th of March: 33: $100.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. 33: 50.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. S. Bullock Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 3 — Page 34

Levi Nathan
26/7/79
P.6

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of Connecticut, } ss.
County of New-Haven, }
On this 7 th day of August 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before the County Court of New Haven County now sitting, Levi Potter a resident of East Haven in the County of New-Haven, and State of Connecticut, aged 75 1 years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832:—That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:—
That I enlisted into the service of the State in the war of the United States as a private under the command of Capt. William Douglass of Branford in the month of April 1775 for the term of seven months - joined the company and went to New York and attached to Genl. Wooster's division remained there some time - after which was attached to Col. Waterbury's Regiment went up the river to Albany and from thence to St. Johns. on Lake Champlain encamped near the Fort St. Johns and had several engagements with the Indians - made attempts to take the Fort under the command of Genl. Montgomery and continued until the arrival of Genl. Wooster - with more troops - succeeded in capturing the Fort - after which I was employed in raising a Schooner that was sunk near the Fort continued in service the term of seven months was discharged the last of November came down the Lake by water and arrived home after being absent about eight months. Doct. James Patten and Levi Tves were - Surgeons - Rev. Benjamin Trumbull - Chaplain -
Enes Hemenway and Ephraim Childrey now living in this Town belonged to said company
I enlisted as a private under Capt. Phinehas Bradley of New Haven on the 5 th day of February 1779 and continued until the 4 th day of February 1780 when I was discharged - enlisted again under Capt. Phinehas Bradley April 27 th 1780 and continued eight months and four days and discharged - was employed during both of said enlistments - in keeping guard at the Fort on the east side of New Haven harbor and on the adjoining Coast - Stephen Bradley, Jeps. Ludington and several others now living in this Town belonged in said company. The two last enlistments were copied from the pay rolls of

Capt Phineas Bradley was in the hands of William Storer of New Haven - Stephen Bradley - John Thompson and others now living in this Town belonged in said company
In the early part of the year 1782 I entered as a private under the command of Lieut Samuel Bird of New Haven for one year and continued at the Fort on the east side of New Haven harbor and on the the Shore to keep Guard the whole time and was discharged in 1783 - Jacob Mallory - Joseph Pardoe and others now living in this Town were with me -
In the month of September 1777 was drafted in the Militia Company under the command of Capt Josiah Bradley of East Haven, went to Fishkill and Redhook in New York and returned in November following - Josiah Bradley was Lieut of said Company - and James Housley and Elijah Bradley were with me -
In the month of July 1778 volunteered as a Private on board of the armed Brig called the New Broom of sixteen guns commanded by Capt Israel Bishop of New Haven. Sailed on a cruise for four months on the twentyeth of October was taken as Prisoners of war by the British Ship Arnold of twenty guns - put on board of the Ship Grafton of seventy four guns - detained as prisoners of war about seven weeks, and exchanged at New Port Rhode Island in December following - Elijah Bradley now living in this Town was with me -
I was Born in East Haven Jan'y 1 st 1757, and resided in said Town, where I lived at the time of entering the Service - where I have ever since and still continue to live -
I entered the service by voluntary enlistment and by Draft never received any written discharge -
I William Storer, of the City & County of New Haven, & State of Connecticut, before and say, that according to the Pay Rolls of Capt Phineas Bradleys Company, Stationed at New Haven in the State of Connecticut, since, in the years 1779, & 1780, it appears that, Levi Nott did Enlist, and serve under Capt Phineas Bradley, in those two years, the term of service which he has set forth, or stated, in his Declaration. - And that the whole term of sd Notts service for those two years, as returned on sd Capt Bradleys Pay Rolls for 1779, & 1780, is, one year, eight months, and four days. - I was myself an enlisted soldier under sd Capt Bradley, in the year 1780, & served as his Waiter, and well remember that sd Levi Nott, was in the Company that year, as appears by the the Copies of the Pay Rolls, alluded to, I received of a surviving Daughter of sd Capt Bradley, now residing in this City, and kindly believe them to be Copies, and in the hand writing of Capt Bradley with which I was well acquainted at, & after the period of their date, as I lived in her family. Sice years, from that after the spring of the year 1780, I have also seen in my Garrison writings of his of that period, with which they will compare. - I am now in the 68 th year of my age. William Storer Given above said Attest. In 1780 each Clause
Sworn to & subscribed this day

I Enos Hemingway of East Haven in New Haven County State of Connecticut aged 76 Depose and say that in April 1778 I enlisted in the State Service in the war of the revolution under Capt. William Douglass of Mansfield went to New York and from thence to St. Johns on Lake Champlain under Col. Waterbury in Genl. Montgomerys Division was present at the taking of Fort St. Johns continued in Service and returned and returned in the month of December following - And I am knowing that Levi Potter of East Haven was in said Company with me and continued in Service during said time - I furthermore certify that said Levi Potter is believed to be 78 years old and that the Declaration by him is true - Sworn to subscribe the day of year aforesaid attested J. Beach Clerk Enos Hemingway
I Jacob Mallory of East Haven in New Haven County State of Connecticut aged 66 Depose and say that in the year 1782 I enlisted in the State service under Capt. Lieut. Samuel Bird of New Haven and continued in service for one year - and I am knowing that Levi Potter of East Haven was in said Company and served said time at the Fort on the east side of New Haven and that the Declaration by him made is true Sworn to subscribe the day of year aforesaid attested J. Beach Clerk Jacob Mallory

The Declarant He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to any pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State, except that of the State of
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Attest J. Beach Clark Levi Potter
We, Stephen Dodd a Clergyman, residing in S t East Haven and Bela Farnham residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Levi Potter who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be 75 + years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Attest J. Beach Clark Stephen Dodd Bela Farnham
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 Stephen Dodd who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in East Haven and that Bela Farnham who has also signed the same, is a resident in East Haven and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, J. Beach Clark Clerk of the County Court of New Haven County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Levi Potter for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 7 th day of August 1832
Attest J. Beach Clark

Levi Potter
2 years private of Artillery $100 -
M c Beach
N Haven
Page 75.
14

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Levi Patten which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? no VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? The rolls of Capt Bradleys Company, and not the statement of a person who has seen them are proper evidence
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? No
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 5th
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
†QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
†QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Rev. War
11262
INVALID.
File No. 11,262
Levi Potter
Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. a , Page 800
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of Connecticut County of New Haven ss Be it remembered that as a County Court held at New Haven within & for New Haven County on the 4 th Tuesday of Nov. 1832 now in session on this 28 th day of Dec 1832, The said Court in addition to their certificate to the pension papers of Levi Potter of the 7 th of Aug t 1832 hereto annexed - hereby further certifies that the several deponents or witnesses whose affida- vits or depositions were taken & sworn to before said Court (which are thereto annexed annexed), to wit William Stone, Enos Hemenway & Jacob Mallory are respectively persons of cred- ibility - and declare that in our opinion their statements are entitled to full faith and credit - By order of court J W D Clerk
I J W D Clerk of the County Court of New Haven County, certify that the foregoing & annexed contain the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Levi Potter for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of office this 28 th day of Dec 1832
J W D Clerk

I Levi Patten of East Haven County of New Haven and State of Connecticut aged 78 that in order to obtain a Pension under the Act of Congress of June 7 th 1832 do make the following Declaration in addition and explanation of the one heretofore made as follows - That in the Service in the war of the revolution in the year 1778 the time of enlistment is seven months although the actual time of service was nearly eight months I cannot recollect any other officers except Col n - Ward who acted as Col n on our way to New York and until I was attached to Col n - Waterbury Regt t - as may appear by the former Declaration
In my enlistment as a private under Capt n Phinehas Bradley from the 8 th Feby 1779 to the 4 th Feby 1780 a term of one year and also the enlistment as a private under Capt n Phinehas Bradley from April 27 th 1780 to the last of December, following being eight months and four days - For further particulars relative to my service under Capt n Phinehas Bradley, reference may be had to the copy of the Pay Rolls of Capt n Bradley which were expected to be presented to the Department by Mr n Ingersoll Representative in Congress from Conn t - In the month of 1782 I enlisted as a private under Capt n John Warner of New Haven and was placed under the command of Lieut n Samuel Bird and En t John Shepherd and continued in service at the Fort on the east side of New Haven harbor until April 1783 when I was discharged - a term of one year - The companies under Capt n Phinehas Bradley and under Capt n Warner were raised by direction of the State of Connecticut and stationed at different posts for the particular of keeping Guard were attached to no Regiment and no higher grade of officers are known -
In September 1777 was drafted as a private from the Milicia Company in East Haven went under the command of Capt n Josiah Bradley - Lieut n Josiah Bradley En t James Thompson and continued in service two months
Sworn to & subscribed in open court this 28 th day of December 1832 Levi Patten Attest Geo th Beach Clerk