Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14195, for John Porter, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
conn. continental
Porter, John
S. 14195
CONTENTS
carded

5510
New Hampshire
John Porter
of Grafton in the State of N H who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col Ely in the N H line for 15 days
Conn. Continental
Records corrected Nov 5, 1906
Inscribed on the Roll of N H at the rate of 50 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of Feb 1833 and paid to H. Hubbard (H of Reps)
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $75- Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 March 1833 25-
$100-
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J H Blean Clerk Book D - Vol. 1 st Page 177.
A. H. Markland Aug 27/57

John Porter
18
18 months
H. H. Wood
4 B of M

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of New-Hampshire, } ss. County of Grafton
On this 24 th day of Aug. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Probate Court for said County, now sitting, John Porter a resident of Lyman in the County of Grafton and State of N. H. aged 78 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
to wit that he enlisted in the Revolution in Lebanon Conn in the month of July  Aug 1777 in Capt Bendalls company of artillery in Col. Vixons Regiment about the first of June 1777. He left James Dana's company & Col John D. Regiment of the Connecticut line for the term of six months joined his regiment at New London there marched to Little Hampton R. There returned to New London, there he was New York, there crossed to Long Island
There had a skirmish with the British there returned to New London where having served his six months out he received his discharge
That he again enlisted at said Lebanon in said war in the month of April 1778 in Capt Bendalls company of artillery in Col Vixons Regiment for the term of one year and served said year in said campaign

That he again enlisted at said Lebanon in said war in the month of April 1778 in Capt Mendenhall's company of artillery in Col. Vose's Regiment for the term of one year and served said year in said company as a team in said company - That this service was performed at White Plains Danbury Peeks Kill Fishkill & in travelling from one of those places to the other - That his winter quarters were at Fishkill & that in April 1779 having served his term of enlistment he was discharged - That he was born in Lebanon Connecticut 1761 That he knows of no record of his age - That he was living in Lebanon Conn. when called into service - that he enlisted - Can not call to mind any officers of troops where he served That Burroughs was the limit of Ely's company Jackson's limit of Mendenhall's company - never received any written discharge That he has no documentary evidence.
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 3
John Porter
Before me Edward Webb  year of our Lord Judge of Probate
We, Geo. Kimball residing in Canaan and Salmon Dow residing in Hanover 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 71 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 3
Geo. Kimball Salmon Dow
Before me Edward Webb year of our Lord Judge of Probate
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 certifies, that it appears to them that Geo. Kimball who has signed the preceding certificate, is a just Peace resident in the town of Canaan and that Salmon Dow, who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Hanover and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Edward Webber Judge of Probate Moses Dow Clerk of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Porter for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this twenty fourth day of August A.D. 1832.
Moses Dow

I know the within declaration to be the hand writing of the late Geo. Kinnaird Esq. of Canaan N.H. H. H. H.
John Water
18 months
H. H. H.
4 1/2 of 18/6

John Foster N. H. ad. 1832
A. H. Markland

State of New Hampshire - Grafton ss -
It is hereby certified that satisfactory proof has been exhibited before me H. S. Berry, Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire, by the Affidavits of Eddy Tenny and H. E. Stark, who are persons disinterested and entitled to credit, that John Porter late of Lyne in said County, a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States upon the Rolls of the New Hampshire Agency at the rate of fifty dollars per annum, died at said Lyne on the Seventh day of February A D 1844, leaving no Widow, but two Children only, whose names were Horace Porter and Susannah Stark - that said Horace Porter died at said Lyne on the Seventeenth day of April A D 1853 leaving no Widow or Child, and that said Susannah Stark Still Survives -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this 18 th day of August A D 1854
H. S. Berry Judge of Probate

John Porter
Prud -
15 Mo
on Role book
Nixon's Regt - for
9 Months
adm
15 Months
26 on $50~
26 Hubbard
26. R

BRIEF in the case of  John Porter, of Lyne  County of Grafton  in the State of N. Hampshire  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 71  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. As a Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. Gen.     Enlisted about 1st June In 1777 — 11 — private Col. John Ely Capt. James Dana Concord line   Enlisted April 1778 1 — — — Col. Wilson Capt. Wendell "  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? not any  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Selma County  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witnesses & by traditional evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly attached 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas. B. Wilcox Examining Clerk.  31 Jan 1835

Reo 1905
✓ 14.195 INVALID.
File No. 14.195
John Porter his son and
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 100
[Arrangement of 1870.]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Porter which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes 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? Yes 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? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes 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? Yes

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 ? No XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ? No 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 ? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service ? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses ? Yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct ? Yes 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 ? Yes 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 ? Yes
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 each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†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 authenticates 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 ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

I Elisha Benton of Sheldahl's town in the County of Coos and State of New Hampshire of lawful age before and say that in May 1778 I was knowing to John Porter and Donaman Benton enlisting as team- ters in a company of Artillery then reen- listing at Dover in the State of Connecticut and I saw said Porter in service at Peasehill and at Fishkill and at other places until the latter part of December when I saw him in service in Capt Drowells Compa- ny in Cont Nison Regiment and General Huntington Brigade after which I was sent out to take care of the horses of Cont Elisha Sheldon who commanded the Regiment that I belonged to which was a part of said Huntington Brigade I understood that said Porter remained with us months  his Elisha X Benton mark
State of New Hampshire Hampshire ss Grafton ss
Time June 23 d 1820
Then Elisha Benton personally appeared and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth before me Nathl Southworth Justice
State of New Hampshire ss I certify that when Grafton ss Sept 3 d 1838 I took the foregoing deposition the above named deponent Elisha Benton with whom I was
not acquainted and lived a hundred miles from him but I have no doubt that he testified truly and from his appearance and conduct I should think he was a man of truth and veracity  Nathl Southworth Justice

State of New Hampshire
Grafton p I George Woodworth Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Grafton do certify that Nathaniel Southworth Esq r was a justice of the peace within &/or the county of Grafton on the 23 d June 1820 & also on the 3 d day of Sept. current & duly qualified on both said days to take affidavits & that I believe the within to be his genuine signatures
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court this 5 th day of Sept. 1832
Robt Woodworth Clerk

J. Porter's case Richmond Crandall Deposition

I Richmond Crandall of Thetford in the County of Orange & State of Vermont aged seventy eight years do testify & declare, that I am well acquainted with John Porter now of Lime in the County of Grafton & State of New Hampshire, formerly of Leb- anon in the County of Windham & State of Connect- icut. That in the year 1777 about the first of June he enlisted as a soldier in the service of the United States, with me, in Capt James Darias Company in the Regiment of Colonel John Ely of the Con- necticut line for the term of six months. That we were mustered in said Company together at New Lon- don in the month of June of said year. From whence we marched to Little Compton in Rhode Island thence we returned back to New London. Then we marched to Norwalk & in the month of December of the same year we crossed over to Long Island & engaged in a skirmish with the British at Southfield & immediately afterwards we returned back to New London where they honorably dis- charged. I am confident that said Porter served out the full term of six months. We were discharged the 1 st day of January A D 1778. Richard Crandall
State of Vermont } Thetford July 17 th A D 1832. Then personally Orange County } appeared Richmond Crandall, (whom I know to be a credible witness) & made solemn oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed, contains the whole truth & nothing but the truth relative to the matter for which it is taken. Before me. Simon Root Justice of Peace

State of Vermont. Orange County, ss.
September 18th A.D. 1832 I H. E. G. H. L. Laughlin Clerk
of Orange County Court herein certify that Simon
Short before whom the foregoing affidavit
was taken is a justice of the Peace for said
County, duly authorized to administer oaths
and that the signature thereto purporting to
be his are genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed my seal
of Office the day & year above written
H. E. G. H. L. Laughlin Clerk
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]