Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17477, for John Porter, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Porter, John Mabel
W 17477
CONTENTS

20. Feb New York
John Porter of Columbia in the State of New York who was a private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Dodge of the Regt. commanded by Col. Little in the Mears line for 12 Mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 56 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Sept. 1831 N 93 and to the H. H. Tobi New Lebanon
Arrears to the 4th of Mar '32 $13.32 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 32 28.33 $141.66 4th Mar '34 28.33 $141.66 $169.99
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by G. Little Clerk, Book 6. Vol. 1. Page 78.

John Porter 23280
In the matter of the Application of John Porter - for a Pension
Admitted Private 17 months
Wm H Sobey
Wm Libman. Columbia county. New York
Agent

State of New York Columbia County } ss
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace of the county of Columbia aforesaid John Porter 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 period mentioned below and in the following grades - For eight months I served as a private - For three months I served as a private For two months I served as a private - For four months I served as a private; and for such service I claim a pension - John Porter
Sworn and subscribed before me This fifteenth day of June 1833 Ira Hand Justice of the Peace
State of New York } ss Columbia County } ss Richard Carrigine Deputy Clerk in the absence of Joseph D. Monell Clerk of the said County do Certify, that Ira Hand Esq. before whom the Affiant hereunto to have been sworn was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County. And that I am acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe his name subscribed to said Affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature.
Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 7th day of June 1833.
Richard Carrigine Deputy Clerk.

State of New York } County of Columbia }
On this Seventh day of August one thousand eight hundred & thirty two personally appeared before me Walter Patterson a judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Columbia in the State of New York a resident of the town of New Lebanon in the County & State aforesaid John Porter aged seventy eight years. who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated viz - In the latter part of April 1775 immediately after the battle at Lexington & while he resided in the town of Ipswich County of Essex & State of Massachusetts he enlisted as a private under Captain Abraham Dodge - Lieutenant Hotchkiss in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Little or Goddard of the troops raised by the State of Massachusetts - he is not positive as to the name but thinks it was Little - He enlisted for eight or nine months is not positive which was marched to Cambridge near Boston & for a while was stationed in one of the college buildings - was afterwards ordered to a place in the neighbourhood called Prospect Hill that he was in the battle of Bunker Hill on the 17 th June 1775 - Reminds that General Putnam was there - also General Putnam of

80.9.100 Northampton & also General Mann who was killed - was taken sick while in the army & left it on a furlough being carried home by his father - he received a discharge after the term of his service had expired and received pay for the whole term of his engagement being eight or nine months - that he was discharged in December or January following the day of his enlistment & served as a private not more than eight months And the said John Porter further declares that on the last of November or the first of Decem- ber 1776 - the precise day he cannot recollect he enrolled himself as a volunteer in the service of the United States - under Captain Benjamin Phillips in the Regiment command- ed by Colonel - Robinson of the Militia of Massachusetts - he volunteered for three months - he received at the time of his enlistment pay when he entered the service, at Ashfield - County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts - after the organization of the company to which he was attached they were ordered to Northampton where they marched - from thence they were ordered to Albany in the State of New York and from thence to Fort Edward up the Hudson River to Ticonderoga where he remained until his term of service had expired - after having served three months

he was discharged on or about the first of March 1777 - Thinks he recollects that General Schuyler and General Gates were there - never received a written discharge
That in the month of April 1777 while he resided at Ashfield aforesaid - he again volunteered enlisted himself as a private under the command of Captain Benjamin Phillips in a Regiment commanded by Colonel Robinson - and engaged for the term of two months - immediately after his enlistment he was marched with his company through Burlington in Vermont - through Boosick in the State of New York to the river Hudson near Fort Miller & from thence to Fort Edward where he remained until sometime in June the day he does not recollect when he was discharged having served two months. He returned to his residence in Ashfield and after remaining there three days he again in the latter part of June or first part of July 1777 at Ashfield volunteered as a private in the service of the United States in the company commanded by Captain Cranston & in which - - Sumner was Lieutenant and was attached to a Regiment of Massachusetts Militia commanded by Colonel Wells - immediately after his enlistment he was marched to the Hudson River where he marched with his company not far from Stillwater - from thence they

marched to Fort Edward where he remained until that post was evacuated by the Ameri- cans on the approach of General Burgoyne; he retreated with the American Army to Still- water - was in the battle at place - was pres- ent at the surrender of Burgoyne & remained with the army until the last of October or the first of November but thinks it was sometime in the early part of Novem- ber that he was discharged or returned home - He did not receive a written discharge Recollects General Gates commanded at the battle in which Burgoyne was defeated - that General Arnold also was there & saw him - That the whole period of his last service was four months or there about - it may have been a little more than that time - The discharge he received after his first term of service he thinks was signed by his captain but is not positive - he never received any other and that has been lost for many years - He has no docu- mentary evidence by which he can estab- lish his service - and knows of no persons by whom testimony he can procure who can testify to his service except Julius LeRay whose deposition he has procured - and Josi- ah Paine and Jonathan Taylor

That he was born in the Town of Springfield, County of Essex and State of Massachusetts in the year 1754 - He has no record of his age except one made some years ago by himself and which is now in his possession - He does not now recollect with certainty the names of any regu- lar officers who were with the troops when he served - nor of any other continental or militia regiments than those above stated Since the revolutionary war he has lived in the Town of Ashfield aforesaid until about twenty years ago when he removed into the town of New Lebanon above men- tioned where he has ever since resided - That he is known to John King - Elam Davenport the Reverend Silas Church - the former is the present member of Congress from the district in which the applicant lives & the second is the Post master in the town last men- tioned - all of whom reside in the imme- diate neighbourhood of the applicant to whom he is known & who can testify to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution if required -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present

and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me —
For John Porter
W Patterson one of the Judges
We Silas Churchill a clergyman residing in the Town of New Lebanon in the County of Columbia & State of New York and Elam Fildes and John King residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Porter who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be ninety eight years of age; that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion —
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
W Patterson
Silas Churchill Elam Fildes John King
And I the said Walter Patterson Judge of the the said Court of Common Pleas for the County aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Depart- ment that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states

And I the said Judge do further certify that it appears to me that Elias Churchill who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the Town of New Lebanon in the County of Columbia and State of New York And that Elam Judson who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Town of New Lebanon and is a Postmaster therein and is a credible person - And that John King who has also signed the same is also a resident of the same Town of New Lebanon is a credi- ble person and is the member of Congress for the district in which he lives and that this statement is entitled to credit - And I do further certify that the above - And I do further certify that the above named applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the court And also that the two persons whose certificate is required pursuant to the instructions from the War Department cannot be produced in court without too much inconvenience and expense to the applicant - above named
W Patterson one of the Judges

At a Court of Common Pleas held at the Court House in the City of Hudson in & for the County of Columbia in the State of New York before the Judges of the same Court of the term of September one Thousand eight hundred & thirty two —
The said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named John Porter was a revolu- tionary soldier & served as he states — and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Silas Churchill who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of New Lebanon in the County of Columbia & State of New York & that John King who has also signed the same is a resident of the same town of New Lebanon & is a credible person. And that Elam Gilden who has also signed the same is a resident of the said town of New Lebanon & is likewise a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit. And the said Court do further certify that in their opin- ion, the two persons whose certificate is required pursuant to the instructions from the war department cannot be produced in court without too much inconvenience & expense to the said applicant —
J. M c Monnell
6th

Columbia County ss. I Joseph D. Monell Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Columbia do certify that the within contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Porter for a pension: I further certify that Walter Patterson Esquire before whom the within affidavit & declaration purports to have been made and who has executed the within certifi- cate, was at the time a Judge of said Court; that I am acquainted with his hand writing & that his name subscribed to said affidavit & certifi- cate is his proper hand writing & signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed the seal of said Court the 12 th day of October 1832.
J. D. Monell Clerk

State of New York County of Rensselaer
Personally appeared before me the 28 th day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred & thirty two Julius C. Tracy of the town of Schadack of the county of Rensselaer & State aforesaid who being duly sworn upon oath & said the is acquainted with John Porter who now resides in the town of New Lebanon in the county of Columbia & State aforesaid & that he has been acquainted with him since he was a boy & when he resided in the town of Ashfield in the State of Massachusetts & has been acquainted with him ever since & this deponent further says that the said John Porter in the year one thousand eight hundred & twenty five enlisted in the American Army during the Revolutionary War in a company commanded by Abraham Dodge attached to a Regiment commanded by one Colonel Doolittle or Little & that he served in said company nine months & was at the ex- piration of said term honorably discharged & this deponent further says that in the following year he enlisted in a company commanded by Captain Benjamin Philips attached to the Regt commanded by Colonel Rohrison & that he went to Ticonderoga & kept fort under the command of Colonel Maysne till General St. Clair took command & then again saw the said John Porter at Fort Edward on the retreat & saw him repeatedly in the retreat until the army reached the water & returned with the army to the place where the Battle was fought in which General Burgoyne was taken & that said Porter was engaged in said Battle & that that he saw said Porter at the surrender of Burgoyne when this deponent was called to the southern & did not see him in the Army any more & that the of the above named companies were raised in & about the in the State of Massachusetts
Subscribed before me this 28 th day of June 1832 -
Spencer Whitney Justice of the Peace

State of New York Rensselaer County
to Spencer Whiting the Justice before whom the foregoing affidavit was made Do Certify that the said Rufus C. Frary who has Sworn and subscribed to the same - was by general information a credible person That he is now dead - and that his Statement is entitled to Credit Rensselaer County 28 th December 1832
Spencer Whiting Justice
State of New York Rensselaer County
Henry A. Bristol Clerk of the said County Do hereby certify that Spencer Whiting Esqr. before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was on the day of the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County. And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and ver- ily believe his signature within subscribed to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 2 nd day of January 1833.
Henry A. Bristol Clerk
Endorsement: Subscribed to the foregoing affidavit before me this 28 th day of December 1832 Spencer Whiting Justice

I Josiah Pierce of Buckland in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say that I am acquainted with John Bates formerly of Ashfield in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid and now of Hudson in the County of Columbia and State of New York and some time in the summer of the year of our Lord 1775 I knew of his being a soldier of the Revolution in the eight months service at Cambridge near Boston in the State of Massachusetts and that he was sick in the Hospital and that I watched with him a number of times and I do further testify that the said John Bates has ever sustained a fair character for truth and veracity.
Josiah Pierce
Buckland Nov 5 1832
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss Nov 5 1832 The above named Josiah Pierce personally appeared and made Oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true he being known to me as a person of reputed truth and veracity.
Before me Joseph Griswold Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss I Elijah Alvord, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the County of Franklin do certify that the above named Joseph Griswold Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been verified is a Justice of the Peace for the said County.
And I believe his name above subscribed to be his true and proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Greenfield on the sixth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
E. Alvord Clerk

Jonathan Taylor of Ashfield in the county of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy five years do testify and say, that I am well acquainted with John Porter formerly of said Ashfield now of New Lebanon in the county of Columbia and State of New York, and that some time in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven I enlisted as a private soldier in the service of the United States in a company of militia commanded by Capt. Benjamin Phillips and marched from said Ashfield where I enlisted, to Fort Nether and from thence to near Fort Edward and having served one month and an half was discharged, and that during the whole time of my  my service said Porter was a private soldier in the same company and did duty during the whole period that I was in the company, and that some time in the said summer of the said year one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven I enlisted as a private soldier in the service of the United States in a company of militia commanded by Capt. Elisha Granson and marched from said Ashfield where I enlisted to near Stillwater and having served two months was then dismissed and I know that the said Porter was in said company and did duty as a soldier the whole time I was in it. - and I further testify and say that in the month of August one thousand seven hundred and seventy five said John Porter was brought to his father's house in Ashfield sick and it was reported and believed at the time in his neighborhood that he was a soldier in the American army enlisted for eight months and that said army was at that time stationed near Boston and said Porter came home on account of sickness, and further said deponent saith not Jonathan Taylor
Franklin ss. Feb y the 3 rd 1833 then Jonathan Taylor above named personally appeared and made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true
before me Henry Bapsell, justice of the peace.

Franklin ss. Feb y the 3 rd 1833 The subscriber do, hereby certify that I have for more than twenty years last past lived near the said Jonathan Taylor and been well acquainted with him and that he has ever borne a fair character as a person of truth and veracity Henry Basset, justice of the peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. I Elijah Alvord Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that Henry Bas- sett Esq. before whom the within affidavit purports to have been made and sworn to is a Justice of the Peace for the said county - And that the signature of his name to the two certificates thereunto appended appears to me to be genuine -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court this ninth day of February A.D. 1833.
E. Alvord Clerk

Albany 2,465
Sec. E. Tieszen, Aug. 12
Mabel Porter
widow of John Porter
who died on the 27. January 1838 of Columbia Co. in the State of N. York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Dodge of the Regt. commanded by Col. Doolittle in the Mass. line for 17. months Mass
Enscribed on the Roll of Albany the rate of 56 Dollars 66 2/3 Cents per an- numence on the 4th day of March, 1834. 28 th January 1838
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 st day of Dec. 1838 and sent to Hon. R. H. Clellan M. P.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 38 33.67 Semi-annual allowance ending 4. Mar. 39 28.33 $ 62.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 rd & 4 th and Act of July 7, 1838 }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book A - Vol. 2 Page 122

4161
Admitted Private 17 months
Act in July 1836.
Hon. R. McClellan H.R.
Payments to be made at New York by Geo. W. Smith. Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of
New York
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E. Vol. 1, Page 12 by G. C. Stiles Clerk.

State of New York Columbia County Clerks Office
By William Miller Clerk of the County of Columbia
As hereby Certify that John Bull Clinton Esquire whose name is subscribed to the annexed Anti- fiesty was on the day of the Attes of the same was a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid which said Court is also a Court of Record & further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Bull and that verily believe that the signature purporting to be his are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said County this Nineteenth day of December Eighteen hundred and thirty Eight
William Miller

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the 4 th July 1836.
State of New York ss:
County of Columbia ss -
On this 14 th day of December 1838 personally appeared before the Subordinate John Bull Esq: one of the Judges of the court of Common Pleas in said County, Mabel Porter a resident of New Lebanon, County of Columbia and State of New York, aged eighty seven years the 5 th of March 1838 who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4. 1836; That she is the widow of John Porter who was a private in the revolutionary Army as will appear from the pension certificate of the said John Porter deceased hereto annexed and from the testimony & application of the said John Porter deceased without doubt on file in the War Department but which cannot be stated by the affiant.
She further declares that she was married to the said John Porter deceased on the twenty ninth day of May, in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy seven; that her husband, the aforesaid John Porter died on the twenty seventh  seventh day of January Eighteen hundred and thirty eight; and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to proof hereto annexed.
Sworn to, and subscribed on the day and year above written (vis) The 14 th day of December 1838
Mabel her X Porter Mark
John Bull Esq: Judge of
County Courts in & for Columbia County
State of New York Columbia County ss:
I certify that Mabel Porter is a person of credibility, and on account of her advanced age and bodily infirmity is unable to attend said court of Common Pleas.
John Bull Esq: Judge of County Courts in & for Columbia County

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin County ss
On this seventh day of November in the year of our Lord 1898 Wm Elijah Paine a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Franklin aforesaid, personally appeared Jared Bement of the Town of Ashfield in said County, who being duly sworn, by and before the said Justice according to law, doth on his oath depose and say that he is the clerk of the Congregational Church in said Town of Ashfield and that he performs the duties of such clerk at the present time, and has the records of said Church in his possession, and said records now remain in his custody, that he has recently searched the said records for the marriage of John Porter to Mabel Flower, and has taken the following transcript of said record in relation to said marriage (to wit) "John Porter and Mabel Flower both of Ashfield"
I certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair, legible figures as follows "1777 May 29"
Jared Bement Clerk of the Congregational Church in Ashfield
And I Jared Bement above named, do further de- pose and say that, I hold the Office of Clerk in the Congregational Church in the County, Town, and State aforesaid, as stated above, and that the above is a true ex- tract from the records of said Church with the ex- ception above named as certified by me
And I Jared Bement do further depose and say that, at the top of the page from which the above transcripts extracts were taken, is written in fair, legible

littens, words, and figures as follows (to wit)
A. Record of Marriages after the installment of Nehemiah Porter Dec. 21. 1774
And I further say that all the transcripts and extracts of record are in one and the same hand writing Jared Bement Clerk of the Congrega- tional Church of Ashfield
Sworn Subscribed and sworn to the day and year first mentioned in this Affidavit
Elijah Paine Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss Nov. 7 th 1838 I hereby certify that Jared Bement, the subscriber to the foregoing Affidavit is reputed to be a person of truth and veracity, and I well know, he may be depended on as a credible witness
Elijah Paine Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss
I Elijah Alvah Clerk of the Court of Com- mon Pleas for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that Elijah Paine and Thomas White are respectively Justices of the Peace in and for the said county - And that the above signature purporting to be the said Elijah Paine's is genuine - and that the signature to the caption of the deposition hereto annexed purporting to be the said Thomas White's is also genuine.
In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of said court this fourteenth day of Novem- ber A. D. 1838
E. Alvah Clerk

I Elijah Peine of the town of Ashfield in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being seventy seven years old do depose and say, that I was well acquainted with Nehemiah Porter of said Ashfield and know him to be the Pastor of the Congregational Church in said town of Ashfield, and also was well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Nehemiah Porter, and I testify and say, that I have examined the records from which all the transcripts and extracts were taken, in an affidavit of Israel Bement on the opposite page of this sheet, and have no doubt, but that the said Records are in the hand writing of the said Nehemiah Porter; for his hand writing is distinctly marked by a plain, legible, & round hand and I testify that the said Nehemiah Porter has been dead many years. Ashfield Nov. 7 th 1838
Elijah Peine
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss.
Nov. 7 th 1838 personally appeared Elijah Peine subscriber to the foregoing affidavit, and made oath, that the same is true, and I certify also that I know the said Elijah to be well reputed of, as a person of truth and veracity and as a credible witness.
Before me.
Thomas White Justice of the Peace

State of New York } Columbia County }
Rev. Silas Churchill being duly sworn deposes and says, that for a great number of years he has been acquainted with John Porter deceased and with his widow Mabel Porter; that this deponent was pastor over the Presbyterian Church and congregation in North Lebanon County and State aforesaid for upwards of forty years, and that the said John Porter and Mabel his wife were members of said Church. This deponent further says that the said John Porter is dead, and that he preached his funeral sermon. He has never heard, nor does he know that Mabel Porter has since been married.
Sworn and subscribed before the Subscribed the 14 th day Dec r 1838
Silas Churchill
John Bull Jur. Judge of County Courts in & for Columbia County
State of New York } Columbia County }
Sarah Pollard being duly sworn deposes and says that John Porter deceased, and Mabel Porter were her reputed father & mother both of whom have lived with her for many years. That she was present at the death of her said father John Porter, who died on the twenty seventh day of January eighteen hundred and eighteen  twenty eight. This deponent further says that her said mother Mabel Porter, has lived with her ever since the death of her said father, and still continues to live with her, being very aged and infirm, and has not been married since the death of the said John Porter.
Sworn and subscribed before the Subscribed the 14 th day of Dec r 1838 }
Sarah Pollard
John Bull Jur. Judge of County Courts in & for Columbia County

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, John Porter of the State of New York who was a Private in the Revolutionary
Army Fifty Six is entitled to receive Fifty Six dollars and Sixty Six cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this 28 day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty- three
John B. B. Lee Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.

In reply to your request of _____, received for a statement of the military history of John Porter , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his and (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. N. F. 17477.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Last of Apr. 1775. 8 mos. Pri. Abraham Dodge. Doolittle. Mass.   Nov. or Dec. 1776 3 " Benjamin Phillips. Robinson.   Apr. 1777. 2 " Benjamin Phillips. Robinson.   July, 1777. 4 " Elisha Cranston. Wells.  
Battles engaged in, Bunker Hill, capture of Burgoyne,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Ipswich, Essex Co., Mass.
Date of application for pension, June 13, 1827.
Residence at date of application, New Lebanon, Columbia Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, B. 1754, Ipswich, Mass.
Remarks: Soldier mar. at Ashfield, Franklin Co. Mass.
May 29, 1777, Mabel Flower who was born Mch. 5, 1751.  He died Jan. 27, 1838 and she was allowed pension on an  application executed Dec. 14, 1838, while a resident of New Lebanon, N.Y.  In 1828 soldier referred to five daughters and one son (names not stated.)
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
5 f + 1 son in 1828,

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
8345?
P. O.
John Porter
Service: See widow Mabel admitted 17.477
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: REJECTED _____, 18
Application filed: ok _____, 18
Alleges: _____ 17.477 Mabel
Re-enlisted: _____
(14195)
Attorney: _____

John Porter, N. York. Revo.
Supp? See letter 30 July 1828 to A. A. Van Buren, Kinderhook. N. Y.
Rejected. See letter to A. A. Van Buren, 22 d August 1828, and Sept. 9. 1828.
8325

Rev 17-444
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 17477
Mabel Porter
Wid. of
John Porter
Priv. Rev. War
Act: July 4, 1836
Index:—Vol. M , Page 134
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Dec 16/97 To Mrs. Mary, a Southwick - Boston Mass (see Mid. 21-999)
1912, Nov. 8. History to Mrs. G. Ernest Newman, Jr.

Oct. 30-1912
J. L. Davenport, -
Dear Sir;
Pension record of Ezekiel Kinnman received and Thank you very much.
John Porter enlisted under Capt. Dodge and Col. Little, served three years, was at battle of Lexington and Bunker Hill.
His wife's name was Maritable Flounr.
He was born 1754.
That is all the data I have. Respectfully
Mrs. G. Ernest Kinnman Canton Pa

New Lebanon 7 th June 1833
Hon. Lewis Cass. Secretary of War
Sir
Enclosed are the papers relating to the application of John Porter for a Pension which were returned to me as objectionable — I saw but one defect noted — viz — that the time of service was not stated with sufficient certainty — The declaration has been amenable to the instructions of the War Department — and the supplementary affidavit of the applicant is attached to the other papers relating to the claim
Respectfully your obed. Servt Wm H. Tobey

Underhook N.Y. 6 Augt. 1828.
Sir
The John Porter whose papers I forwarded to the war office for the purpose of obtaining a pension has never applied from Steuben County to my knowledge or belief - I have this moment seen two respectable neighbors of Porter who informed me that he has lived in New Lebanon for the last fifteen or twenty years to their knowledge and they did not believe that he had ever been in Steuben County - I state the above in answer to yours of the 30 th ult. which I have had the honor to receive
I am very respectfully
Yrs. very Hble Servt
Servant
H. H. Van Buren
James L. Edwards Esq.
War Dept. Pension Off.
Washington

Jr.
Rev. War Section.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON      October 26, 1912.
Mrs. G. Ernest Newman, Canton, Pa.
Madam:
In response to your letter dated the 21" and received the 24" instant, you are herewith furnished the history of Ezekiel Newman, Sur. File No. 19,407, Rev. War, and advised that in order to identify a claim, if filed for John Porter, some of the following data is essential: names of some officers under whom he served, places of residence at enlistment and after discharge, approximate dates of birth and death, given name of his widow.
Very respectfully,
J. L. Dawson Commissioner.

Tadoussac N.Y.
22. July 1828.
Honble D o B. Porter Sec y of War
Sir - The inclosed application has been already before your Predecessor who refused it on grounds communicated to the applicant. The application is now renewed on the inclosed documents modified & supplied agreeable to the suggestions of the Department. In the former declaration the applicant did not fully explain the different circumstances attending his services in consequence of which it did not appear conclusively that he was in the establishment entitled to Pension. The applicant is very poor & perfectly respectable in his sphere of life & if proper it is very desirable that he should be placed on the pension list. I have the to remain
Very respectfully
Yr. Mo. Obedt. Servt.
A. A. Van Buren

20686 State of N. York City of New York Exemplification of John Poston Declaration Re the

State of New York
Columbia County ss. I Julius C. Frary of the town of Ghent in the county of Columbia & State of New York aforesaid being duly sworn depose & say that I am well acquainted with John Porter now of the town of New Lisbon county & State aforesaid & formerly of Ipswich county of Essex & State of Massachusetts that the said John Porter enlisted in the company of Capt. Philip in the month of December 1776. & served under said enlistment till about the first day of November in the year 1777. following. This deponent further says at the time of said enlistment he & said John Porter were neighbors & were well acquainted with each other , & he this deponent was well knowing at the time of the fact of said enlistment - This deponent further says that said Porter was with others marched to Secondogoga soon after said enlistment & he this deponent then understood & was informed was one of the garrison of that Fort during the winter - This deponent further says that after said enlistment he again saw said John Porter for the first time with the American Army serving as a private in the same on its retreat from Secondogoga.

to Stillwater - that he repeatedly & almost daily saw him there in said service performing his duty as a private soldier as aforesaid & also saw him in said service at the taking of Burgoyne - the company in which said Porter then served belonged to Col. Robinson's Regiment as this deponent was then informed & well knew - this deponent well recollects that it was after the surrender of Burgoyne that said Porter was discharged from his said enlistment - this deponent was also an enlisted soldier in the same army at the times above spoken of above in the year 1777. and further this deponent says not. Sworn before me this 18 th day of April 1828 Julius C. Truacy
J. A. VAN BUREN
a Commissioner to take affidavits &c
State of New York } ss
Columbia County } ss
I, James Barton a justice of the Peace in the City of Hudson and County aforesaid, do hereby certify that I have been well acquainted with Julius C. Truacy for several years - and know the above affidavit is signed in his own proper hand writing, and that he is a credible and disinterested witness - Dated Hudson June 13 th 1828 -
James Barton a justice of the Peace -

Columbia County
Clerk's Office
So I certify that Abraham A Van Buren was on the day of the date of the within affidavit a commissioner in & for said County authorized to take affidavits of that James Barton who signed the accompanying certificate was on the day of the date of said certificate a Justice of the Peace in & for the said county of that I am acquainted with the handwriting of them both & know the signatures of A A Van Buren & James Barton to be their proper handwriting In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County June 13 th 1823
Harmon Bay Clerk

This may Certify all persons, that I Jonathan Taylor of Ashfield in the County of Franklin & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Yeoman Being of Lawfull age do testify and say that I am well knowing that John Porter which now liveth in Newlebanon in State of New York was a Soldier in the Continental Warr and was then in the Company Capt Benjamin Phillips Commanded in June in the year Seventeen hundred & Seventy Seven: I the said Deponent being in the said Warr and being Stationed in New Jersey and did not See said John Porter untill June 1777 and I the said Deponent See the said John Porter in the army after the Surrender of General Burgoin as a Soldier in said Company. and further saith not Jonathan Taylor Ashfield May 2 d 1828
Franklin ss: on the Second Day of May in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred & twenty eight the above named Jonathan Taylor was examined & cautioned & sworn to the truth of the foregoing testimony by him subscribed taken at the request of said John Porter
Before me Ephraim Williams } Justice of the Peace I also certify that the said Jonathan Taylor is well known to me & is a Credable Witness Ephraim Williams | Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss -
I Elijah Alvord Clerk of the Judicial Courts holden within and for the said County do hereby certify that the above named Ephraim Williams is a Justice of the Peace duly qualified and commissioned and acting as such under the authority of this Commonwealth And I also certify that the foregoing caption of the deposition aforesaid is subscribed with him his own proper hand. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the Court of Common Pleas the sixth day of March A.D. 1827.
E. Alvord Clerk

State of New York County of Columbia City of Hudson ss
On the 13 th day of June 1837 Personally appeared in open Court being made and declared by the Act of the Legislature of the said State entitled an act to establish a Justice's Court in the City of Hudson passed April 16 th 1822 a Court of Record, and to have jurisdiction in the said State County of Columbia &c. John Porter resident in said County aged seventy four 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 Acts of the 18 th of March 1818 and the first May 1820, that he the said John Porter enlisted on the 5 th May 1775 in Capt. Dodge's Company of Col. Little's Regiment in the service of the United States and served under the said enlistment until the last day of December following, when he was honorably discharged, that he was in the battle of Bunker's Hill This deponent further says that he again enlisted on the 18 th of December 1776 for one year to fill the ranks of the Standing Army until such time as could be raised for three years or during the war that after said enlistment he was marched to Ticonderoga in the State of New York - that said last mentioned enlistment was in Capt. Phillips' Company who recruited it in Massachusetts, that when they came to Ticonderoga the Fort was then in command of one Col. Wayne from New Jersey in the Spring following Genl. St. Clair took the command of the Fort and Troops and Col. Wayne left there St. Clair brought with him some troops from New York some from N. H. and two Regiments from Vermont - Col. Robinson's & Col. Warner's Standing troops partly killed - that he this deponent together with the other men from Massachusetts were put in in said Regiment, to complete their complement - that this deponent was attached to Col. Robinson's Regiment and in it served the remainder of said term of enlistment that in June or thereabouts they retreated from Ticonderoga, that he was with the retreat to Stillwater and returned thence with Genl. Gates & was with & serving in the Army under said enlistment at the capture of Burgoyne & was honorably discharged the remainder of Robinson Regiment went to the Southward to take up quarters for the winter - that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present, that his name is not on the roll of any State except Massachusetts and that the following are the reasons for not making earlier application for a pension viz. that he was in hopes of procuring a livelihood without the assistance of the Government - that the trouble difficulty & expense

of procuring the necessary proofs & proceedings also operated to defer and delay his application as long as he was able to get a living by his own exertions. And in the pursuance of the Act of the 1 st May 1820. I do Solemnly swear that I am a resident citizen of the U.S. 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 thereby 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 U.S. in the Revolutionary War, passed on the 18 th 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 the statement hereafter made - and that no changes except in my wearing apparel have been made in my property since the 18 th March 1818 that I was on that day entirely destitute of property except my wearing apparel, have from that time to the present (and now continue to be) been entirely destitute Except as aforesaid this deponent further declares that his trade is that of a Carpenter but that in consequence of age and infirmity he is wholly unable to pursue the same and that he is also for the same reason unable to labor sufficient to support himself that his family consists of five daughters and one son, who have all families of their own & are in destitute circumstances, that he this deponent and his wife aged 77, live with one of the daughters in New Lebanon aforesaid
Sworn & subscribed to this 13 th day of June 1838
Edward Shurton Justice Court Clerk
State of New York
Columbia County City of Hudson ss
I Edward Shurton clerk of the Justice Court in the City of Hudson aforesaid do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the court that the said John Porter did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration, against the Common Enemy for the term of nine months under an engagement on the Continental establishment. I also certify that the foregoing oath is a true & correct

from the Records of the said Court And I do further Certify that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the foregoing Oath Contains a just and true account of the property of the said John Porter. — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Affixed the Seal of the said Court
Done at the City of Hudson aforesaid the Thirteenth Day of June one thousand Eight hundred and Twenty Eight
William S. Harrison, Clerk