Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8,373, for Joseph Potter, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Potter, Joseph
R. 8373
CONTENTS
Blank lined area for contents entry
Blank lined area for contents entry

Original case filed May 06
N 37615 Joseph Potter Q act 7 June 1832
Q.W. & No 493

1 Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. B The State of Ohio, Delaware County ss
On this first tenth day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty eight, personally appeared Joseph Potter a resident of Brown Township, in the County of Delaware and State of Ohio, aged ninety years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That he was called out with the Militia of the State of New Jersey soon after the commencement of hostilities, was then about fourteen years of age, was commanded by Capt. John Peat and served under that officer near two years. The next officer he served under was Capt. Peter Paine, served under that officer and acted as orderly sergeant near a year. The next served under Capt. Set for a short time. The next he served under was Capt. James Vooros, served under him nearly one year. He then went into Washington service as a piece company of Forage. In such service more than 2 years. Peter Gordon was a assistant Deputy Quartermaster was in this service certainly two years and was in the service at different times full six years. General Dickerson commanded the troops some part of the time. Was in a skirmish on Staten Island, was a piece company at the battle of Monmouth, and from that time until 1781.
— served from Middlesex and Essex Counties, New Jersey. He is now upwards of ninety years of age, and needs some pay for the service and fatigue experienced during our Revolutionary War. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension, or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. That he lived between Middlesex and Essex Counties, but entered the service generally in Middlesex County.

Sworn to and subscribed the day _____ and year aforesaid _____
Joseph his X Patter mark
Almon Stark Associate
J. C. G. We B MINN JINKS
a clergyman residing in the County of Delaware and State of Ohio — and John Heaslett residing in said county and State, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Potter who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be ninety years of age, that he is respected and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to and subscribed the day _____ and year aforesaid _____
B MINN JINKS John Heaslett
Almon Stark Assoc J. C. G. D
And I Almond Stark one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for Delaware County, do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrog- atories prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states, and I further certify that the said Almon Stark who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the county of Delaware, and that John Heaslett who has signed the same is a resident in the county of Delaware and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit — And I further certify that from the appearance of the said Joseph Potter he is not able to attend the regular term of the court for Delaware county, owing to the infirmity of old age, and feebleness of bodily health
Almon Stark Assoc J. C. G.

The State of Ohio Delaware County ss I Geo W Stark Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that Aaron Stark Esquire before whom the foregoing acknowledgment affidavit and deposition was taken was on the 26 th day of February A D 1848 an Special Judge of said Court duly Commissioned and qualified to take depositions affidavits and acknowledgments by the Laws of this State, and also that his Signature is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Delaware this 18 th Feby 1848
Geo W Stark Clerk

Joseph Potter, a Revolutionary Soldier of the N. J. line, sent his claim about a year ago for Pension He wants to know the situation of the claim
Please address answer to John W. Jones, Present
A. L. C.
Mr. Ames.

Ohio
8373

N 37615- Joseph Potter
Q
Lot 6 Wm. J. D. Cummings
June 20th 1848
Set to Edward Mason Esq.
July 12. 49
Set to Hon. W. Evans, March 24
J. Ewing Jr.
26/3
Act of Innu

REJECTED
8373
P. O. _____
Joseph Potter
Service: _____
1st Inf
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges; _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contr
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Washington D.C. Sept 1857
Sir,
I enclose you herewith a power of atty from Joseph Potter giving me authority to prosecute his claims for pension under the Act of 1832. the papers relating to which are now in the Ohio suspended file -
I am unable to establish the higher grade of service which he claims to have performed, but among the papers will be found evidence of a payment having been made to him of about $600 for service as a private of militia which entitles him to a pension of about $300 per annum -
When in Ohio last Spring I visited the claimant, who is a highly respectable resident of Delaware County - He is now 97 years of age; and an hours conversation satisfied me, as it would any one, that he performed service as a soldier and wagon master in the Revolutionary war -
Very Resp'tfully Yours obed'tly
James E. Heath Esq Comm'r of Pensions
Thos: Ewing Secy

Joseph Potter
Rev: Pension —
Mr Ewen

The Com t of Pensions will please permit Mr T. Ewing Jr. to examine the papers on file in his office in support of the claim of Joseph Patten to a Revolutionary Pension -
Washington D.C. Dec 14. 1830.
L. V. Jones Attorney

Washington D.C. March 31 1857
Dear Sir,
I have authority on file among the papers of Joseph Potter a claimant for a revolutionary pension to act as Attorney in his behalf - I find it necessary to have copies of the papers on file in support of that claim, and conceive it to be my privilege under that authority to take them -
You will oblige me, as I am not well enough to take copies of them myself by permitting the bearer Mr Dietz to have the papers for that purpose - They are in your file case.
Very Truly
Yours
Thos. Ewing Jr.
M rs F. S. Ewing
Chf Clerk. Pen. O.
3

Washington 26th Feby 1850.
Col J L Edwards
Comm ee of Pensions
Permit me to enquire what is the situation of the application of Joseph Potten a Revolutionary Soldier for a pension -
Mr Potten has discontinued the Agency of Mr. Lane who has been attending to the matter -
Please advise me as early as convenient
Yours off Servt N Evans

Delaware October 24th 1881
J. M. Long Esq.:
Dr Sir—
Enclosed I send you some affidavits that I wish you to lay before the Commission of pensions to be used in the case of Joseph Potter of this County an Applicant for a pension on account of service performed in the Revolutionary War. You are doubtless acquainted with old Mr Potter and also with the persons whose affidavits you have enclosed if so and you feel justifiable in doing so you may bear testimony to the Commission of pensions of their credibility &c. Please have this matter attended to as soon as possible, Mr Potter wishes you to receive from the Com. in case the pension is granted his certificates &c. & forward to me or to him, If he (the Com.) has any doubt about the propriety of letting you have the certificate let them be directed to Joseph Potter in Eden Delaware County Ohio. A gentleman by the name of Linn has been attending to this matter for the old gentleman but he has reason to think from some particular circumstance that he will not do the right thing by him and does not wish to have the Cert. placed in his hands. Give this matter your immediate attention and much
Oblige Your Obed Servt Harry R. Houbell

Porter Township Delaware County, Ohio April 17 th 1849
J. S. Edwards
Chief Clerk of the Pension Office - } I am requested by Mr Joseph Potter a very aged revolutionary Soldier now upwards of ninety years of age, to write you if the papers relating to his application for a pension, has been filed, and examined by the Commissioner of Pensions, Mr Potter employed Mr Eviang B True of Washington City, to do the business for him, and last April 1848 Mr True sent on a declaration for Mr Potter to have executed, which was done agreeable to his Mr True's directions, since then Mr Potter for Mr Harry Beaslett, his attorney has not heard from him Mr True - Mr Beaslett has wrote twice to him, and received no answer, and thinks that he is dead, or removed from the city, now my dear Sir, this is a peculiar hard case, the old veteran is in want, and if there is any prospect of his obtaining any compensation from government, for his services in the revolutionary war, now is the time it will do him the most service, will you be pleased to write as soon as you can conveniently, and give me what information you can respecting this business - please to direct your answer as at foot
I am Sir with respect Your Obt servt
NB Please to direct thus Edward Mason Oliver Green Post Office Porter Township Delaware County, Ohio
Edward M Mason

The State of Ohio Delaware County ss.
Be it known that on this 19 th day of October 1849 personally appeared before me James R. Worrell a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid Daniel Maxwell personally known to me of the age of fifty nine years, - a credible witness who being duly sworn according to law upon his oath says that he has been personally acquainted with Joseph Potter of the County aforesaid for more than thirty years; and that said Potter has ever been known and reputed as a soldier of the War of the Revolution on all public occasions and so trusted especially on such occasions as the 4 th of July &c. Affiant further says that the whole community of his acquaintance have from their early knowledge of him, ever been impressed from his own recitals of the scenes he has witnessed in the service during that war that his knowledge was such that he must have been a soldier in said War and served in the New Jersey Militia; That he never heard it the fact contradicted, of his the said Joseph Potter having been a soldier of in the Revolutionary Army, and believes any number of witnesses Citizens of the community where he has been living it to testify to the same should they be called upon, Affiant further says that he has been well acquainted with said Potter in Ohio County Va previous to his moving to this State and also since he moved to this State and that he has always borne the reputation of being a man of strict integrity, And further affiant says not. Daniel Maxwell Sworn to and subscribed before me the day above written, J. R. Worrell J.P.

The State of Ohio Delaware County ss.
Be it known that on this 29 th day of October A.D. 1849 personally appeared before me James R. Newhall a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid William Finley of said County well known to me Age Sixty one years who being duly sworn according to law upon his oath deposes and says that he is now and for more than forty years last past has been acquainted with Joseph Potter of Delaware County aforesaid an applicant for a pension on account of services in the War of the Revolution and that in the circle of his (affiant's) acquaintance (Potter) he has always been reported and acknowledged to have been a soldier of the Revolutionary War and that Affiant has no doubt but that any number of witnesses that have been acquainted with him for a considerable period of time could be procured to testify the same with reference to the services of said Potter in said War. Affiant further says that during the long period of his acquaintance with said Potter, to wit: forty years or more said Potter has sustained the reputation of being an honest man and a man of strict integrity for truth and veracity, further affiant says not.
William Finley
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day and year above written James R. Newhall J.P.

The State of Ohio Delaware County ss.
Be it known that on this 29 th day of October 1849 personally appeared before me J. R. Hembell a justice of the peace in and for the County of Delaware James Abramso well known to me who being duly sworn according to law deposes and says that he is now and for more than fifty years past has been, intimately acquainted with Joseph Potter of said County and that during the period of said acquaintance said Potter has always been reputed and acknowledged in the community where he has resided to have been a soldier of the Revolutionary War and affiant has no doubt from what has been told him but that said Potter and others but that he was a soldier in said War and served in the New Jersey Militia Affiant thinks that the entire circle of his (Potter's) acquaintance would if called upon testify the same. Affiant further says that during his long and intimate acquaintance with said Potter he has sustained the reputation of being a man of unspotted integrity for truth and veracity. Affiant is now sixty seven years of age. James Abramso Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written J. R. Hembell J.P.
I hereby certify that David Maxwell Wm Finley & James Abramso, affiants in the foregoing Affidavits are well known to me and that they are all men of good moral character and stand high for truth and veracity. (October 29 th 1849) J. R. Hembell J.P.

The State of Ohio & I, Brock Stuart, clerk Delaware county ss. To all the courts of Common pleas in and for said county hereby certify that James R. Mitchell Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits were made and taken was on the several days and dates of the taking and subscribing the same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified and that his signature afore- aid are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at the Hall of said Court at Delaware this 30th day of August 1849 Brock Stuart Clerk

Porter Township, June 19. th 1849 —
W. John W Jones
Sir, Being in want of some information from Washington City, I enquired of Thomas W Porell Esq of Delaware who advised me to write to you, The case is thus, W. Joseph Potter of Brown Township Del, Co, called on me in January 1847 to write to S. B. True of Washington City, asking information of the prospect of his getting compensation or a pension for Revolutionary services in the Revolutionary War, in the New Jersey line, W. True wrote an answer, and also a power of Attorney for Mr. Potter to execute which he did and agreed to give him Mr. True the one half for obtaining his pension, Mr. True found record of the services of Mr. Potter as he stated as orderly sergeant and Dy. Q. M., and proof to establish the same, in April 1848, Mr. True forwarded the Declaration for Mr. Potter to execute and sign which he did, also a certificate of a number of men who was an acquaintance with Mr. Potter as to his moral character situation &c all which was forwarded, and since that time have not heard anything from Mr. True although he has been written two or three times by Mr. Henry Henslett the son in law of Mr. Potter, and also has a Power of Attorney from Mr. Potter, I have done all the writing for Mr. Henslett to Mr. True, also in taking the legal acknowledgements on the papers sent to Mr. Potter, in April 1849, Mr. Henslett requested me to write to the pension office, to enquire if the pension had ever been granted on application of Mr. True, accordingly I wrote and directed to J. B. Bova as chief clerk, and paid the postage, to which have rec d no answer — I have given you a brief sketch of the business which I want some information, if Mr. True is living and residing in Washington City, all the requisite enquiries can be made of him, what has been done and what progress has been made, and whether the papers has been filed in the Pension Office, and if there is any prospect of getting any pension or compensation for the aged veteran —

Mr. Potter is now upwards of ninety years of age, and needs as he thinks some compensation for his services rendered in the Revolutionary war - he has flatly asserted himself that in a short time after he executed a disavowal to Mr. True the Declaration, he would receive some decisive reply to his application to the Pension Office, which time has been 14 months - Now Sir will you be so good as to make some enquiries to obtain the desired information, and write me soon, and direct to me or Mr. Henry Weaslett to be left at Olive Green Post Office Delaware County Ohio, and the compensation for your trouble shall be forwarded to you - From the continued silence of Mr. True, I have been induced to think that he has removed or disavowed Mr. Potter was induced to address him Mr. True on the subject from the contents of his advertisements, in which was stated the superior facilities he had in obtaining pensions and claims for Military services - Mr. J. W. Powell informed me when I was in Delaware yesterday that Mr. J. S. Edwards was the commissioner of pensions, consequently I directed my letter wrong, and perhaps did not reach him, shall be pleased to receive an answer to this, to communicate to the aged veteran and soldier -
Please to direct to me I am Sir with respect or Mr. Henry Weaslett then your Obedt Servant Edwards Mason
Edwards Mason Porter Township, Delaware County Ohio Olive Green, Post Office
Dear J. S. Edwards -
Commission of Pensions & Will you be kind enough to send to Mr. Masons address yr opinion upon the case above presented and oblige
With Great respect
Robert Lewis
Mr. Lewis Jr.

Receipts for Cash paid years' interest on Notes given by the Commissioners of the several Counties for Militia Services.
   No. of Voucher. No. of Certif. Date. SIGNED BY. PAYABLE TO. Amount. 1 y's int.     167 May 1784 Thomas Clark Joseph Potter 11. 8. 4   1406 " " Thomson Stelle Do 0. 15. 5   12. 3. 9  
STATE OF NEW JERSEY:
I, CHARLES G. McCHESNEY, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true abstract from a Book, headed as above, as taken from, and compared with the original, now remaining in my office.—And I do further certify, that Thomas Clark & Thomson Stelle  were  was , by an Act, passed by the Legislature of this State, December 20, 1783, entitled "An Act to procure an estimate of the sums due to the Militia and Troops who have been raised for the defence of the frontiers of the State, and to provide for the settlement of the same," appointed Commissioners for the Counties of Essex and Middlesex for the purpose of settling and adjusting the pay rolls of the Militia and Troops of this State, as aforesaid, and also for signing and delivering out to each and every person a note for the payment of what may be justly due.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, at Trenton, in said State, this fifteenth day of March A. D. one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
Charles G. McChesney Secretary of State.

State of Ohio Delaware County ss
Before me Edward Mason, a justice of the peace, for Portage Township Delaware County and State of Ohio, personally appeared Joseph Potter of Brown Township Delaware County and State of Ohio, of lawful age, who being sworn according to law deposeth and saith, That at the commencement of hostilities in the year 1776, he resided in Middlesex county in the State of New Jersey and was then about seventeen years of age, and immediately entered the service in the Revolutionary Army, and continued in that service and Wagggon Service until the close of the War, he served under several Officers, which are particularly stated to the best of his recollection, and which on file in the War department, and he has since then by industry and economy supported himself in tolerable circumstances, until the last eight or ten years - and from that time to the present, he has experienced many privations from the infirmities of old age, and the natural decay of his constitution, and is now in indigent circumstances, he has often thought he would apply for a pension previous to his application, but not having his regular discharge that being lost, he has deferred it from time to time, and he felt that he had done no more than his duty to fight for his country, and if possible gain her independence, and when the first Pension law was passed he lived about 800 miles from his former residence in the State of New Jersey, and not knowing how to make the application without his discharge and military evidence, as most if not all the Officers that he served under was dead, under all these discouraging circumstances, he has struggled along through life to the present time, and now having attained to upwards of Ninety years of age, and experiencing the pressure of pecuniary distress severely, then when he could labour and support himself and family, concludes to state his case honestly before the War department, and solicit some commutation for his hard services and losses while in the Army of the Revolution, he feels great consolation in the decline of life, that he responded to the call of his country, and confidently states, that he suffered much and lost a great deal of his property while in the service, he considers that it was his duty to defend his country while invaded by a foreign foe - he is now in a situation totally unable to labour and support himself and family - and humbly submits his case to the War department, fondly flattering himself, that his situation will be considered honestly and that they will grant him some relief to render his last few days that he

to remain on the stage of action comfortable and happy - and smooth his path to the grave, and some of the Pension laws was only for the relief of those who could not support themselves - he could not under those acts, make an application for relief, as long as he could by industry labour and economy provide for himself and family, now your petitioner has given in detail a plain recital of his former life and present situation, and now closes by saying that Justice though hitherto tardy, will be done him, and that he will have the great satisfaction of enjoying the few remaining days of his life in comfort and some happiness - further the deponent saith not Sworn to and subscribed before me this eighteenth day of March in the year A D 1848
Joseph his X Potter mark
Edward Mason, J. Peace for Portage Township Delaware County State of Ohio
The State of Ohio Delaware County ss I George W Stark Clerk of the Common Pleas for said County do hereby certify that Edward Mason before whom the foregoing depositions appear to have been taken was at the time of subscribing the same and now is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as such & his signature thereto is genuine
In testimony whereof I the clerk aforesaid have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County at Delaware in the said County this 21st day of March A D 1848
George W Stark Clerk

Important Papers in the case of Joseph Patten for Rev. Pension. Original case -
Please file this with original Papers filed in May 1840 by Hon. G. D. Cummings House Representatives & oblig. U. Remond

State of Ohio Delaware County ss
On this tenth day of April A D 1848. Before me Edmund Mason, a Justice of the peace, in and for Delaware County and the State of Ohio, personally appeared Joseph Potter of Brown Township, of said State and County, aged ninety years and upwards, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following statements in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed July 7. 1832 - granting pensions to those who served in the War of the Revolution, that he entered the War of the Revolution and so served in and from the State of New Jersey, as set forth in his Declaration of services made before Almond Stark, Judge of the Court of said County, on the 16 th day of February 1848. That among the reasons for not having applied before for a pension one was that in fighting for his country, he felt he had done only his duty, and was not disposed to ask for a reward for having done his duty, besides he had formerly learned that the pension laws provided only for such as were unable to provide for themselves, and that Providence had blessed him with tolerable means of support, till within a few years past, but now he is destitute of most of the comforts of life, that the infirmities of age the decay of body, and want of comforts of life, have for years led him to desire aid from Government, but living now so far from the place of his nativity and knowing of no one of his comrades in service now living, and having lost his discharge, he knew of no means of proving his services, and feared it would be of no use to apply - that having been encouraged now to do so, he prays Government to look favorably upon his claims, and grant him something to relieve his wants, and give him comfort in this Autumn of his earthly existence, that he may close his eyes in gratitude upon a Nation upon whose altar of Freedom he has devoted many of the best years of his youth, that he does hope the Officers of Government will not be illiberal in their allowance, because he has not Records of his services by which to prove the same especially of the higher grades of his services, in the Quarters Masters department, in which he served from two to three years, nor because his comrades have departed, but that they will consider well his circumstances, and do all they can in justice to relieve him -
Joseph his Potter marks

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day/year first before written — —
Edward Mason, Justice of the Peace —————

We the subscribers citizens of Delaware County and State of Ohio do hereby certify that we have been acquainted with Joseph Potter the applicant for a pension and the signer of the within affidavit for some years, and from that acquaintance we have always considered him a man of truth and veracity, and he is generally esteemed such in the neighbourhood where he resides, he is a professor of the Christian Religion, and a member of Methodist Presbyterian church, and is generally considered an honest man, and we further state from his frequent conversation on the subject of the Revolutionary War, and of his services, we do not doubt but he was a Soldier of the Revolutionary Army and should think him entitled to a pension -
Barzillai Matthews Ezekiel Longwell John Heaslett
Edward Mason
Samuel Williams
Jonathan Sheets
Robert Walters
Elijah Leonard
George Leonard
Mark M c Brat
Harry Whiteman
Ward A Perry
David Harris
Orlando Harris
The State of Ohio Delaware County ss. I James P. Hubbell a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid hereby certify that I am intimately acquainted with the foregoing persons residents and citizens of said County and take great pleasure in saying that they are all men of high respectability and stand high in the community in which they reside for probity and strict integrity; I also concur heartily with them in their statement in the above Certificate
James P. Hubbell J.P.

THE STATE OF OHIO, DELAWARE COUNTY, Ss.
I, GEORGE W. STARK, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County, do hereby certify, that Edw. Mann and Jas R. Stubbell Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit and Certificate appears to have been made  sworn  was at the time of subscribing the same, and now are acting Justices of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that full faith and credit are due to all their official acts as such. (and also that their signatures are genuine)
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I the Clerk aforesaid, have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court at Delaware, in the said County, this 11
day of April A. D. 184 1 . George W. Stark Clerk.

State of Ohio Delaware County 3
Know all men by these presents, That I Joseph Potter have constituted and appointed and by these presents do hereby constitute and appoint irrevocably, Thomas Ewing Esq. of Washington D.C. my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to apply to the Pension Office at Washington for the annuity which is due me under the act of 1832 granting pensions to soldiers of the revolutionary war - And to receive my pension certificate when issued - and to draw from the Pension Agency in Cincinnati the amount of pension which are due me - And generally to do all lawful acts and things in the premises -
Hereby guarantee to my said Attorney out of the amount of pension so received as aforesaid the fee or commission stipulated between us by my contract of even date with these presents -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at the County and State aforesaid this thirteenth day of June 1851.
Joseph Potter -
In presence of us Walter Potter Mary J. Crowston