Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8,378, for Olney Potter, Rhode Island

SERVICE
Volunteer R.I.
Potter, Olney
NUMBER
R. 8378
CONTENTS
Blank lined area for contents entry
Blank lined area for contents entry

Olney Potter 32.670

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations, County of Providence.
On this 11 th day of November A.D. 1834 personally appeared in open Court, being the Municipal Court of the City of Providence Nuey Pottic now resident in Gloucester in said County aged 74 years who being duly engaged according to law doth on his oath make the following decla- -ration in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 viz He entered the War of the Revolution and served as herein stated. In answer to the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department he answers and says: — to 1 st He was born in Warwick in the County of Kent in said State March 21 1760

2. His birth is recorded in a family Bible, no where else as he knows.
3. He lived in said Wardwick when he was first called into service during the War In 1785 he removed to Smithfield where he resided nine years. From thence he removed to Franklin in the State of Massachusetts where he resided seven years from thence he removed back to Rhode Island to Cumberland, where resided about two years From thence he removed again to Smithfield where he resided about three years From thence he removed to Bellingham in Massachusetts where he resided about four years From thence he removed to Pelham in said State where he has resided until about two months ago when he removed to said Gloucester where he now resides with his son having no family of his own but his wife —

4 th He was drafted
5 - General Hovey General Sullivan Col John Waterman he received from the office under whom
6. He never had any Commission but a Warrant from the Colonel which is now lost -
7. Dr Samuel Hudson William Ballou Stephen Chase & Wm Potter can testify in his behalf
And the said Huey further declares in relation to his services that in December AD 1776 he was appointed Surgeons Mate in Col John Watermans regiment, by a Warrant from The Colonel, Warwick. Said Regiment was of the Metetia, in said Warwick where he then resided & he was ordered to march to join said Regiment which was then stationed at a place called "Warwick old Town" and he declares that he did serve a month at that time & place in said capacity. The Warrant above mentioned,

was signed by said Colonel Waterman but is now lost. Dr Gorton Jerauld was the Surgeon & he was the Surgeons mate And he further states, that in the year 1777. the militia was divided into three classes under the authority of the State, to guard against the incursions of the enemy who then had possession of Newports, he avers that during the Spring & Summer of said year, he served one month in said capacity at least, in said Regiment when sections of it was stationed at Warwick but he cannot now remember the particular months. In October or November the whole regiment was called out to join General Spencer's expedition & he avers that he then again served a month in said capacity in said Regiment we were then stationed at Tiverton. In December the following according to his best recollection the Regiment was again called to go to East Greenwich & he avers that he again served another month as Surgeons mate as aforementioned. said Colonel had command of the Regiment during all the above services.

And this applicant further declares that in the year 1778. the whole regiment was called out to join in General Sullivan's Expedition in August & he avers that he again served another month in said Regiment in said capacity. Colonel Waterman then also had the command we were part of the time during this expedition on the Island of Rhode Island. After this expedition between September & December of said year he served another month at least in said Regiment under said Colonel Waterman when said Regiment was then stationed at Warwick. or a section of it. but he cannot now remember the particular month — He this applicant declares that he served 24 months at least during the War of the Revolution for which he claims a pension. In 1776 he served one month. In 1777. Three Months,

In 1778 two months, as Surgeon mate to said Colonel Watmoughs Regiment. He thinks he served more, but he cannot remember distinctly enough to state with certainty In 1780 he served as Surgeon mate on board the the Marquis but this was a private armed vessel. Therefore he is not entitled to any thing for that service as he is informed
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the Agency of any State
Olney Potter
Sworn before me the City of Providence November 11 th 1824
Subscribed & sworn to by Olney Potter in open Court. Albert Greene clerk

I Stephen Chase of Cranberland in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island being now 77 years of age on oath do testify and say that I am well acquainted with Doct. Olney Father now of Gloucester an Applicant for a Pension he was a neighbour to me soon after the Revolutionary war and was a practising Physician and the General Report was that he served as a Surgeons mate in Colonel Walenmans Regiment of Rhode Island militia &c in the Revolution and I have know doubts but that he served as he states in his declaration he sustains a good character for truth and veracity
Stephen his X Chase mark
Providence to Smithfield November 3 rd D 1834
Personally appeared before me the above named Stephen Chase and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him signed in my presence and I further testify that the said Stephen Chase is known to me and is a credible witness in the premises.
George Aldrich 3
Justice of the Peace.

I William Ballou of Cumberland in the County Providence & State of Rhode Island being now 77 years of age on oath do testify and say that I have been acquainted with Doct. Olney Potter the most of the time since the Revolutionary war also was well acquainted with Doct. William Whitaker who was a Surgeon in the Revolution on Rhode Island at Genl. Sullivan expedition and he told me that Doct. Olney Potter was a Surgeons mate in Colo. John Wattermons Regiment of Rhode Island Militia I was a Soldier on Rhode Island at that time in Colo. Matthewson Regiment I further testify that the said Doct. Whitaker has been dead about four years and I have often heard the said Doct. Whitaker recommend the said Potter as a Practising Physician I also testify that the said Doct. Potter Sustains a good Character for truth & veracity William Ballou

Personly appeared before me the within named William Ballou & made solemn oath to the truth of the within deposition by him Signed in my presence. and I further testify that the said W m Ballou is well known to me & is a credible witness in the premises Smithfield December 8 th 1834 George Harnett Justice of the Peace

I Samuel Hudson of Cranston in the County of Providence Physician, on oath do testify & say that I am now in the 74 th year of age, & that I am well acquainted with Olney Potter who is now present before me, & have been acquaint- ted with him for fifty years. During all time he has been a practicing Physician Altho' I do not know the fact. I have not the least doubt he was a Surgeon in the Col John Watermans regiment as he states, as I believe him to be a man of strict regard to truth & integrity. I knew he was a Surgeon in on board a Privateer sometime after the year 1780. commanded by Capt James Mearns I remember this from some circumstances This was about the first of my acquaintance with him, what services he performed

before this I do not know or remember. Dr Olney Potter was born in Warwick & studied with Dr Robert Wickett he has always sustained a good character & fair standing as a Physician & believe his statement entitled to full credit. Samuel W. D. Spru
Providence In Providence this Twenty third day of October 1834. Sworn to before me and I further certify that Samuel Hudson is a Credible Witness
Joseph Hoxie Justice of the Peace

I William Potter of Foster in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island, being in the Seventy first year of my age, and duly sworn according to law, do testify and say — That Olney Potter now residing in Gloucester in the County and State aforesaid, was in the Revolutionary Army, and that he was drafted, and went to Bristol, at the time of Spencer's expedition, and to Newport at the time of Sullivan's Expedition, and that he was then a Physician and I believe, and do not entertain a doubt, but that he served in those campaigns as a Surgeons Mate — and that his home was then in the Town of Warwick in said State, within about three miles of the Sea shore — and I further testify that he was frequently called upon in times of Alarms, and turned out and went a number of times —
Wm Potter
Providence at Foster November 3 rd A.D. 1834, Personally appeared before me Daniel Howard one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Providence William Potter and made Oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed, And I further certify that the said William Potter is a credible person with whom I am well acquainted, and is entitled to full credit as a Witness —
Daniel Howard J.C.C.Pleas

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Providence ss I DeWitt Randall Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said county, being a Court of Record do hereby certify that George March 3 d before whom the two first affidavits were sworn, is a Justice of the peace within & for the Town of Smithfield. Also that Joseph Hodges, upon whom the third affidavit was sworn is a Justice of the peace within & for the City of Providence, in said County, and that the said Aldrich & Hodges are by law authorized to administer oaths and take depositions, and that the signatures affixed to their certificates of engagements are genuine; I also certify that Daniel Howard, before whom the last affidavit preceding was sworn is a Justice of said Court of Common Pleas duly qualified to act as such; and that the signature affixed to his certificate of engage- ment is genuine and that all faith and credit are due to his official acts & utterances therein.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of the said Court at Providence this twelfth day of November A.D. 1834 DeWitt Randall Clk

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 Non-Commissioned Soldier, and served as he states; And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Stephen Chase and William Ballou who have signed the preceding certificates, are residents in the town of Cumberland; and that Samuel Hudson who has signed a preceding certificate is a resident in the town of Cranston; and that William Potter, who has signed a preceding certificate, is a resident in the town of Foster; and that said Chase, Ballou, Hudson and Potter are credible persons; and that their statements are entitled to credit.
And the said Court, do further certify, that from their own personal knowledge and acquaintance with the said applicant, the said Court are fully satisfied of his strict integrity, and that his foregoing declaration is entitled to full credit and belief.
I, Albert Greene, Clerk of said Court, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Henry Potter for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this twelfth eleventh day of November, A.D. 1874.
Albert Greene Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Wamphire ss.
At a Court of Probate held at Northampton in and for said County on the first Tuesday of April A.D. 1853 before the Hon. William Courtney Judge of Probate for said County. Satisfactory evidence was furnished that Olney Potter Surgeon in the Militia of the State of Rhode Island died at Seekonk in said County of Washington State of Massachusetts on the 29 th day of Mar. 1852 leaving no widow but two chil- dren and only two children whose names are as follows viz. Allen Potter resident in Blackstone in the County of Worcester State of Massachusetts and Lucia Gaylord resident in said Seekonk.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 5 th day of April A.D. 1853
Sam. P. Lyman Register of Probate.

POWER OF ATTORNEY.
STATE OF Rhode Island COUNTY OF Providence
} ss: Smithfield
Be it known that before me, a Justice
of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared
* Allen Potter formerly of Gloucester R.I. now resident of Blackston of Massachusetts. in the county of Worcester in the State aforesaid , who being first duly sworn according
to law, states that he is † the son of Olney Patten late of Gloucester deceased of the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island
who was a revolutionary ‡ Surgeon in the Army and that he is directly interested as a claimant in the pension for which application was heretofore made by said Olney Patten
and constitutes and appoints ISAAC N. COFFIN, of Washington, D. C., his true and lawful attorney, with irrevocable power to examine into, investigate, and establish the claim for said pension, and do all acts necessary thereto.
In witness whereof, he the said Allen Potter has on this 26 th day of April 1853 hereunto signed his name, and affixed his seal.
Witness:
Allen Potter
at Smithfield
Signed, sealed, acknowledged, and sworn to before me, on this 26 th day of April 1853. - and I am not interested in the result of the abovementioned pension claim and am not concerned in its prosecution. Spencer Mowry Justice of the Peace J.P.
STATE OF Rhode Island COUNTY OF Providence
} to wit:
I, Amos S. Wettest clerk of the Common Pleas court, of the county and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, That Spencer Mowry before whom the foregoing power of attorney was acknowledged and affidavit made, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature above written is genui
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court this tenth day of May 1853. and I am not interested in the result of the above- mentioned pension claim and am not concerned in its prosecution. Amos S. Wettest Clerk!
* Here, if the soldier or officer is living, insert his name; if he is dead, and the widow is living, insert her name; if both dead, insert one of the living children's names; if the children are all dead, and either of them survived the former unsuccessful applicant, insert the name of the administrator of that former applicant.
† Here, if the soldier or officer is living, insert his name again; if the widow is living, insert the words, "widow of," and the name of her husband; if both dead, insert the words, "son or daughter of," and the name of the former LAST unsuccessful applicant.
‡ Here insert the word "soldier," or "officer," whichever he was.
NOTE.—When a female is the person who executes this paper, please put the letter s before the word he in every place where it occurs.

I John Potter of Scituate in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island in the Eighty Fifth year of my age on oath testify and say in reference to the Revolutionary services of my late Brother Dr Olney Potter formerly of Warwick in this State afterwards of Gloucester this State, To wit - Said Dr Potter was a Surgeon's Mate in the Revolutionary war as I stated in another Deposition a number of years ago in relation to his services and served as I then stated at Bristol, and Providence as near as I can recollect for the time therein specified I further recollect now in addition to what I then testified that in Sullivan's Expedition to Rhode Island in August 1778 My Father and my Brothers Sarden, Arnold and Olney were all down to Rhode Island in said service. Said Olney was a good many years older than myself and a regular Physician; and as the Militia were divided into classes in the early part of the War and as he did his tours regularly here therefore must have done a good deal of service. Auld's Borden Witness.
John Potter
Providence Sc.
In Scituate this 8 th day of January A.D. 1853. Personally appeared the above named John Potter and made Oath to the truth of the within Deposition by him signed and

I'm my presence and I certify that he is a credible witness.
Before me, Neldis Barden , Justice of the Peace.
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations.
I, Amasa G. Westcott Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said County being a Court of Record do hereby certify that
Rev. Neldis Barden before whom the foregoing deposition was taken is a Justice of the Peace for the town of Scituate in said County, that by law he is authorized to take depositions administer oaths &c. and that his signature thereto written is genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at the city of Providence this fifteenth day of January A.D. 1853.
Amasa G. Westcott Clerk.

Potter, Olney R.I. R8378
[Faint, mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]
Dear Olney Potter Cranston R.I.

In Cranston June 6 th 1782
as I have bin acquainted with you in the ship Marquis Mathe- w's to Wright to you and offer you the post of surgeon with me, should apply to you before, had I not bin first invited by Doct. Wheten which I promised to go with me my Vessel mounts 12 guns and we bound for St. Johns - Boston
I shall sail next Sunday if you can will go Please to come to Town as soon as possible if not please to acquaint me by the first opportunity from your Humble servant
Isaiah Schoon

Sept. 21, 1853.
add in lead
q Olney Potter,
2.
132.
Esq
or Coffin,
Present.
2
Reverend Lorin D. Waldo Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.

Olney Potter.
R. I.
Sept 14 march 1830
Rejected.
1832
Let. to B. Burwell 29 Sept 1832
do. to Hon. N. F. Dixon H. R.
Sept 11. 1850.
let. Hon. A. C. Meigs Feb 27/57.
to N. Potter Sept 1. 1853.
Isaac N. Coffin 11 th Oct 1853.
8378
Reply to Hon. A. C. Meigs My Resp.

June 27. 1853
Low Atty. Yadd. xi. in case of Olney Potter (now dead)
R. Island
Act 7 th June 1832
Isaac N. Coffin
Present.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, PENSION OFFICE, OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Commissi

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
8378
P. O.
Olney Potter
Service:
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ / _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

San Antonio July 29 th 1860
These are to certify all Officers and others under my command that Rney Setzer of Capt. Foster's Company of San Antonio is to hold him self Ready to Due Duty in the line of Surgery and as soon as the Brigades is formed or until other ways Ordered and in the meane while to be with the Company where he is Mustered and Encamped soon being Orders Duty
Christo. L. Lippit B Gen

Warwick August 4. 1777.
These are to certify to all Officers and others under my command that Alney Potter of Capt Rains Company of Warwick is Appointed Surgeon mate and to hold himself in readiness to join the Regiment as soon as it is formed.
John Warlemant Col

Washington Sept r 19 th 1853.
Sir:
In the case of Olney Potter a Revolutionary Pension claim under the Act of June 7 th 1832, I herewith transmit Letter of Emer Smith Esquire of Gloucester R.I. and have respectfully to solicit your consideration of the facts and principles adduced by him therein. I have no fears that you will be in the least offended by Mr Smith mentioning at the close of the letter what Mr Cowell says, as you have too much stamina to mind a little jocoseness. I also enclose Letters of Pension 3 am Office of Feb y 27. 1851 & Sept r 1. 1853.
With the Highest Respect Your Obed t Serv t Isaac N. Coffin.
Loren D Waldo Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

I Anson Smith of Gloucester in the County of Providence & State of Rhode Island On Oath testify & say I am well acquainted with Allen Potter of Blackstone Physician, & formerly of Gloucester Rhode Island. I also knew Lucinda Gaylon (wife of William Gaylon) now resident of Amherst in the County of Hampshire Mass. They are reported & believed to be the chil- dren & only children of Olney Potter late of Gloucester R.I. who was I verily believe a Surgeon's Mate & Surgeon in the Militia of this State & at the Hospi- tal at Bristol as as he states in his Declaration as I have frequently conversed with him about his services in the Revolutionary War previously to his death at Amherst Massachusetts in 1842 on the 29th of May in said year. — Olney Potter was universally acknow- ledged in the County where of Providence aforesaid where he resided when he died to have been a Surgeon in the Militia of the State of Rhode Island & I concur in the opinion & know him to have been a person of the highest veracity & credibility
Anson Smith
Providence ss In Gloucester this 6 th day of June A.D. 1853. — Personally appeared the above named Anson Smith & made Oath to the truth of the above deposition by him signed & I certify that he is a credible

witness, known to me to have long acted in the capacity of a Justice of the Peace with honor to himself, and to have been employed by the Marshal in 1850 to take the Census of this Town, & I fur- ther certify I have no interest in the within claim to a Pension . Before me Ezra Hawkins Justice of the Peace

I Smith Peckham of Gloucester in the County of Providence & State of Rhode Island of lawful age on my oath do testify & say I am well acquainted with Dr Allen Potter of Blackstone in the County Worcester Mass formerly of Gloucester in this State, I believe him to be about 60 years of age, I am also acquainted with Lucinda Gaylord (wife of William Gaylord) now resident of Amherst in the County of Hampshire in the State of Massachusetts, that they are reputed and believed in the neighborhood neighborhood where they severally reside to be the only children of Olney Potter of Gloucester in the County of Providence in the State of Rhode Island which said Olney Potter died in Amherst in the County of Hampshire in the State of Massachusetts in A.D. 1842 in the month of May, & which said Olney Potter I believe was universally acknowledged in the County of Providence where he resided till his death to have been a Surgeon in the militia of the State of Rhode Island & that I concur in that Opinion & have frequently heard said Olney Potter speak of his being in the Army as above stated & knowing him to be a person of the highest veracity & a credible person.
Smith Peckham Providence ss } In Gloucester this 6 th day of June A.D. 1853. Personally appeared the above named Smith Peckham and made oath to the truth of the within.

disposition by him signed in my presence & I certify he is a credible witness known to me to have held several offices of honor & been a member of the Gen- eral Assembly to the Legislature of this State and I further certify I have no interest or claim in the Pension of which this goes to assist.
Before Me Ezra Hawkins Justice of the Peace

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
PROVIDENCE, SC.
CLERK'S OFFICE, COURT OF COMMON PLEAS,
PROVIDENCE,
June 10 th A. D., 1853
I, Levi Salisbury
Clerk of the COURT OF COMMON PLEAS of said State, within and for the County of Providence:
DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Asa Hawkins is a justice of the Peace within & for the town of Gloucester in said county
duly appointed and qualified, and authorized to administer oaths and take depositions and the acknowledg- ment of deeds and other instruments, and that the signature to the annexed Certificate, purporting to be his, is genuine.
IN ATTESTATION WHEREOF, I hereto subscribe my name, and affix the Seal of said Court, the day and year above written.
Levi Salisbury Clerk.

Washington June 23 d 1853
Sir: I herewith transmit the following papers, in the Revolutionary pension claim of Olney Potter of Rhode Island whose Application under the Act of June 7, 1832 was made several years since 1 st Power of Attorney of D r Allen Potter son of Olney Potter deceased — and Affidavit that he is directly interested in the claim.
2 d Pay Roll of Capt Thomas Rice's Company of Col John Watermans Reg t & Affidavit of Benj n Cowell Esq. [of an Officer of the Providence Custom House] — proving said Olney Potter to have by Record evidence to have been actually in service
3 d Extract from the Proceedings of the General Assembly of Rhode Island of December Session 1776 showing that the Militia were to be divided into three classes to be called out each monthly. D r Potter being old enough to go and in 1776 and did go as shewn by above-mentioned Pay Roll and must have as required by Law served in different tours six months or more if he served only in the militia.
4 th Pardon Burlingame's Affidavit, which states that Olney Potter was called out in December 1776 as a private soldier, served in said capacity one or two months or tours of duty in Captain Thomas Rice's Company

"of said Warwick, Col. John Waterman's Regiment. He was "then made a Surgeon's Mate in said Waterman's Regiment "where he did a number of months or tours of duty, how "many I do not certainly know, but was I am confident "out in Spencers & Sullivans Expeditions in 1777 & 1778 "& served as Surgeon's Mate as aforesaid, and during "the next Summer of 1779. I think I have a distinct "recollection of his being out at Bristol and serving as "much as three months in said capacity of Surgeon's Mate "at the Hospital in said Town.*** I have no doubt "that D r Olney Potter served as much as six months if "not longer in the war of the Revolution, to wit — one "or two months as a private soldier and five months in "the capacity of Surgeon's mate as above stated"
5 th The Affidavit of John Potter showing that his brother Olney Potter served in the Militia in 1778 in Sullivan's Expedition and that he "did his tours regularly"
6 th Affidavits of Aaron Smith & Smith Peckham proving Traditional Evidence of service of Olney Potter and that he "was universally acknowledged in the County of "Providence where he resided when he died to have been a "Surgeon in the Militia of the State of Rhode Island "in the Revolutionary Army in the Revolutionary War.
7 th Original Letter of Isaiah Cahoone found among Olney Potter's papers, proving the offer to Olney Potter of the Station of Surgeon on board of the vessel of War the Ship Marquis, thus proving him to have been of the Profession of a Surgeon, and his services valued highly by persons of the Military or Naval Profession.

8 th Certificate of Court of Probate shewing date of death of Surgeon Olney Potter and names and residences of his children. I also enclose letter of Emer Smith, of March 7 th 1853.
With all this evidence added to that evidence of Joseph Pratt, William Potter & Stephen Chase etc. already on file, I solicit that there may be allowed at least the small pension of six months service.
Having this day laid the subject before you, as to the construction of the Regulation of January 18 th 1853 requiring that "In all applications made after this date" public officers must certify not interested, and you decided that in the case of the death of a person claiming a pension prior to Jan'y 18 th 1853 that you considered the filing of the papers by the child in right of the parents claim is only but the continuance of the application heretofore made by the parent, and that therefore that such filing of papers was not considered by you as an "application" coming within that Rule, I therefore hereby enclose these papers instead of being compelled by an unreasonable and extreme rigidity on your part in the construction of that rule, to return them for alteration.
I am Very Respectfully Your Obed t Serv t Isaac N. Coffin.
L. D. Waldo Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Pension Office, September 1 st 1853.
Sir:
The additional proofs in support of the claim of Alney Lotter, deceased, of Rhode Island, under the Act of June 7 th 1832, have been examined.
Neither the papers now presented, nor those previously on file, furnish adequate proof of six months service by the claimant in the Revolutionary War.
I am, respectfully, Your O bt . Serv t ,
J. Cole Acting Commissioner.
Isaac N. Coffin, Esqr. Present.

I Pardon Burlingame of Cranston in the County of Providence & State of Rhode Island aged 97 (Ninety Seven) years & a Soldier of the Revolution on Oath testify and say I was formerly acquainted with Olney Potter of War- wick in the County of Kent afterwards of Gloucester in this County & State — Said Olney formerly lived within about two and half Miles of myself in said Warwick adjoining this Town & was I believe studying to be a Physician with Doct. Weeks in the neighborhood, at the time the Brit- ish took possession of Rhode Island and being called out in December 1776 as a private Soldier served in said capacity one or two Months or tours of duty in Capt Thomas Rice's Com- pany of said Warwick Col John Waterman's Regiment He He was then made a Surgeon's Mate in said Waterman's Reg. where he did a number of Months or tours of duty how many I do not certainly know, but was I am confident out in Spencer's & Sullivan's Expeditions in 1777 & 1778 & served as Surgeon's Mate as aforesaid, and during the next sum- mer of 1779 I think I have a distinct recollec- tion of his being at Bristol & serving as much as three Months in said capacity of Surgeon's Mate at the Hospital in said Town — I was

acquainted with him & his brothers Arnold & Pardon older than himself, they were soldiers & Patriots of the old school & I have no doubt that Dr. Olney Potter served as much as six months if not longer in the War of the Revolution, to- wit - One or two months as a private soldier and would have five months in the capacity of surgeon's mate, as above stated; whether he ever arrived to be a full surgeon in actu- al service I do not know and further your deponent saith not.
Witnesses
William Fairbanks
Solomon Inman
his Pardon T. Burlingame Mark
Pravilame J. C. Cox Canton this fifth day of January A.D. 18513. Personally appeared the within
Named Pardon Burlingame and made oath to the truth of the within deposition by him signed in My Presents, and I certify that I have con- versed with him and his sense and faculties seem good. And I further certify that he is a credible Witness.
Before Me William Fairbanks, Justice of the Peace.

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantation Providence ss
I, Amasa J. Westcott, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for said County, being a Court of Record, hereby certify that William Fairbanks before whom the aforegoing deposition was sworn is a Justice of the Peace for the town of Cranston in said County, duly lawfully authorized to take depositions, administer oaths &c &c & that his signature thereto written is genuine.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of said Court at Providence this fifteenth day of January A. D. 1833
Amasa J. Westcott, Clerk.

Ans d , March 10 th to Providence & March 25 th to Gloucester
Providence March 7 th 1853.
Mr Coffin
Sir — I enclose two long letters to you this day or rather in long envelopes as testimony in the Dr Olney Potter case for a Pension — I have been kept back a week or two by Mr Cowell & the Secretary of State the General Assembly having been in session at Providence most of the Winter until this last week. I now forward you all the testimony in the case including a letter written in 1782 by xxx Josiah Calhoone to Dr Olney Potter of Cranston adjoining Warwick & where said Potter had studied to be a physician & perhaps practiced some as will be seen by the testimony of Pardon Burlingame now dead, but was a man of uncommonly strong mind & memory & unimpeachable character &c. Said letter shows said Potter was a Surgeon as he had the offer of the Birth of Surgeon in it & it came from among Dr Potter's papers as they cannot doubt by its Antiquity in appearance . — Said Burlingame's deposition proves I think clearly one month at least of service as a private soldier in Capt. Rice's Company and five months as a Surgeon's Mate in the Militia and at Bristol from 1776 to 1779 (3 months), and the

Secretary of State's copy of the Law of 1776 shows that the Militia were divided into three classes & to be called out each month (and Dr Potter being old enough to go in 1776) did go as recorded by Cowell's testimony, and must have served 6 months or even more if he served on- ly in the Militia ; and you will see by John Potter's testimony that his brother Olney served one month in "Sullivan's Expedition" in 1778 which he well remembers also 3 months at Bristol all as surgeon's mate, and that he always went and did his tours regularly after Dec. 1776 every 3 months  or for 3 months which would be enough service (without the 3 months at Bristol) to draw a pension—but I thought if they obj- ect to the Bristol service the Secretary of State 's certificate would then come in play to show that he must have served 6 months even if he had not served the 3 months at Bristol; be- sides the Commissioner in a letter I have admits that about 3 months is already "proved at Washington now or heretofore —Mr Cowell has heretofore used such a certificate as I send you with very good effect when corroborated by testimony as John services Potter's &c. —Cowell's Record of 5 days services entirely annihilates the Idea that said Potter never left his door to serve in the Revolutionary War for you must recollect it was upon this "ground" that "his case was rejected in 1835." You will examine this and the other testimony thoroughly & use such first as you may think proper, & then bring in the rest (there is enough I think to establish the claim) Corner Smith.

P.S. John Potter's deposition was scratched some on account of getting in Amherst Mass. instead of Gloucester this state and it was taken in a great hurry and the Justices in both cases were rather blundering and very cold days &c. &c.
I shall be here at or near Providence two weeks/afterwards I shall be at Gloucester again where you will after that time address me (Yours Respectfully E. Smith)
P.S. 2 d - I do not get your letters at all quick here at Prov. your last was dated Feb. 23 d but I did not get it till Saturday Night March 5 th . Inst. however if anything is wanted of me within the next 12 days, direct me here at Providence; after that time direct to Gloucester as I said before but perhaps you had better write me soon to let me know if you receive both these large long letters as you ought to. E. S.
Direct Error Smith, formerly of Providence (Gloucester) R. D.
Mr. Coffin. If you please write me soon as as any decision is made in regard to the late Revision Act or law & send any forms - E. S.

Pension Office, Feby 27. 1851
Sir:
I have the honor to inform you that the case of Olney Potter has been re-examined. If it were admitted that he was, as he claims, a Surgeon's Mate and a Surgeon during the Revolution, there is nothing by which we can decide how long he rendered service as such. To entitle him to any pension, he must have served at least six months, and it is by no means clear that he served so long.
In his first declaration he claims only 6 months service as Surgeon's Mate, and enumerates the years in which it was performed. In his second, he avers that during one of the months so enumerated by him, he was simply a private, but then he claims to have performed other time as Surgeon's Mate and for 15 months to have been full Surgeon, all of which he had previously forgotten. You would readily perceive from this statement, how little reliance the claimant could place in his own memory, and how unsafe a guide it must prove for us. Other evidence must therefore, be sought to establish the actual duration

of his duty. The witnesses do not prove more than three months, and there is no record evidence. Unless, therefore, parol testimony can be adduced to this point, or some record from the State archives of Rhode Island, showing the amount of pay drawn by him, the claim cannot be admitted.
Very Respectfully
Yr. Obt. Servt
J. S. Heath (omitted)
Hon A. C. Greene U. S. Senate
Rev
✓

Feb. 28
R. L.
2 L. Edwards, wife of Rev. J. P. Pierce home of Rev. J. P. Pierce Washington D.C.

Washington May 28 th 1835
Dear Sir
please to return the acc. books, as requested, the papers no his letter to me named -
Yours respectfully Henry J. Rame
J. L. Edwards, Esq. Home of Porteous

Hon D. G. Pearce
House of Reps
Washington
(Large decorative flourish or signature)
17
1

Providence Feb 24 1835
Dear Sir
I sent you on 23 d Jany an application of Dr Alney Potter for a pension. Since then Dr Potter has found some very important old documents by which he will be able to prove much more service than stated in his declaration. Will you get his papers from the Pension office & return them to me that his declaration may be amended. As get those others granted I wrote you last week before you have Washington & much obliged me
not to be sent, say Mr Edwards
Benjamin Russell
Hon. E. P. Pierce

Providence Jan'y 23 1835
Dr Lin
I have kept the enclosed application of Amy Potter in my office for some time in hopes more proof could be obtained, but his friends are all dead pretty much, or have forgot him, he having lived out of the State so much of the time - You will oblige him & me much, if you will examine the papers & do what you can to make up any deficiencies - The Judge (Bangs) before whom the application was made is personally acquainted with him & has certified to that fact as you will perceive at the end of his other certificate - He only claims for 6 months

altho' he thinks he served more before he entered the privateers service. I am well acquainted with De Hudson whose certificate is annexed & he is a very respectable Physician all the other witnesses are certified to be credible persons I would be much obliged to you to interest yourself a little for this man & get his opinion if you can - I am respectfully & sincerely yours -
Benja Lowell
Hon D. J. Pearce

Gloucester R.I. Sept. 15 th 58.
Mr Coffin
Dear Sir
I Rec d your letter and the letter of the Government rejecting & stating the papers in the case of Olney Potter do not prove 6 months service in the Revolution in his case. They are mistaken and I wish their attention called to the letter of Commissioner Heath to the Hon. Albert C. Greene in 1851, which I enclose to you now. — Also I perceive that the Acting Commissioner does not say that the papers altogether do not prove 6 months, but that neither the papers now presented nor those previously on file furnish adequate evidence as for 6 months service, that is, taken separately they do not, but I say they do, taken altogether. & I think they ought to you can make them believe it — Does not the first evidence prove 3 months? it is so understood by Mr Heath & myself — Well does not Pardon Brulingame tell the whole story of what is proved substantially; — to be sure he does not go in to all that is proved previously  before — He tells you that he was in the service as a private at the commencement of the British having possession of the Island of Rhode Island in December 1776, that he was then a student with Doct. Wicks, that he was soon made a Surgeon's mate (& this accounts for his name's not appearing only 5 days on the Roll as testified by Mr. Cowell) but this must not be taken to be only 5 days service — it is only 5 days Record Evidence , which it was thought best to forward because Mr Heath said there was no Record Evidence & Mr Edwards said he had not left his door — The fact is a Month's service was proved before & Cowell's testimony can't make it

less because it does not prove the whole month it is proved in the first place years ago & also by Pardon Burlingame an old veteran in the war who was intelligent & held an office as Lieut. in the war & afterwards as Capt. a good many years — well there was 3 months proved in the first place & 3 months now, & considerable of the first proved over again — Not only Pardon Burlingame but John Potter also testify to the 3 months at Bristol sufficiently distinctly I should say and it is proved well enough & they ought to allow it What do they expect at this late day? That we must prove a thing any stranger than this is proved if so they must rise from the dead — well the testimony is well backed up by way of the speech of people by Smith Peckham & Anson Smith & others might be had in abundance if necessary — Mr. Court says 6 months it ought to be allowed to Doct. Potter in this case — & we must stick to them we have been to a good deal of expense & trouble in it and ought & must have it — I repeat I wish you to call them to reconsideration on the points I have mentioned — they have either made bad grammar, or else they dared not say that all the papers together did not prove a months service in the war, but they must be more liberal or no case is anything. Mr. Cowell calls Waldo a Connecticut Nut- meg Heard — attend to the within & write me again soon — I have another case to be seen too soon but here is not room & time. Yours & Emer Smith.

A Pay abstract of Capt. Thomas Rice's company in Col. John Waterman's Regiment for wages and billit from the 1 st December 1776 to the 6 th Jan y 1777-
   Men's Names Days L. s. d. Men's names. Days L. s. d.     Thomas Rice Capt. 34 Samuel Gorton 11   Anthony Holden Lt. 34 Caleb Potter 14   Stukely Stafford Ensign 34 Pardon Potter 34   Robert Edmond S ergt 34 Moses Baker 32   Moses Burlingame S ergt 34 Isaac Briggs 22   John Rice S ergt 34 Thomas Bartholick 14   James Baker S ergt 34 Jonathan Tibbitts 33   Lowery Chase Corp t 34 Andrew Arnold 13   John Lockwood Corp t 32 Pardon Baker 14   Samuel Gorton Corp t 22 John Gorton 34   Daniel Colvin Corp t 7 Gideon Potter 33   William Hovens 16 x Oney Potter 5   Abraham Baker 30 Ruel Remington 34   Oliver Baker 29 Abraham Colbre 7   George Baker 32 Thomas Davis 16   Charles Starrd 19 John Hackstone 31   William Church 29 John Ladd 32   Daniel Snell 30 Josiah Stone 26   William Spencer 16 Samuel Budlong 39   Henry Arnold 12 William Wood 29   Chris t Greene son of Sam l 16 Thomas Biddlecome 29   William Webb 14 John Arnold 16   John Budlong 29 Joseph Barton 7   Thos. Greene son Rich d 12 George Greene Drummer 22   Josiah Levally 12 Samuel Arnold 10   Nathan Gorton 16 Samuel Davis 11   Stukely Stone 28   Joseph Bennet 32   Moses Budlong 29   Thos. Holden Jun r 29  

Providence March 2 1853
I certify that the within is a true copy of an original Roll of Capt Thomas Rice Company in Col John Waterman's Regiment in my presence duly examined & compared by me - Benj. Cowell
Providence ss. Subscribed and sworn to before me This 3 rd day of March A.D. 1853 - and I further certify that the above named Benjamin Cowell is a true and credible witness
11 th & Sect 2 Justices of the Peace
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations ss I, Amasa S. Westcott, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said County of Providence being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that the within Roll before whom the above certificate was taken was a Justice of the Peace for the City of Providence in said County, that by law he is authorized to administer oaths and that his signature thereto written is genuine The within Roll of Documents set my hand and affix the seal of said Court at the City of Providence this fifth day of March A.D. 1853 Amasa S. Westcott Clerk

Secretary of State's Office. Providence, R. I., Feb. 23. A. D. 1883.
I certify that the following vote ap- pears on the Records of the Proceedings of the General Assembly of this State at its December Session A. D. 1776. - viz.
It is Voted and Resolved, that all male Persons Subject by Law to bear arms, whether of the Militia, Alarm List or Independent Companies, within this, be draughted in three Divisions, under the direction of the Field Officers of each Regiment, or Commanders of each Com- pany; and that those of the Militia or Alarm List of each Division be formed into companies, to be commanded by of- ficers draughted in like manner for each Division; and those of Indepen- dent Companies, by Officers draught- ed from their respective companies for each Division; and that the draught of every Division as aforesaid be made by the respective Field Of- ficers, and Commanders of Independent companies, on Monday the Sixth day of January next.
And it is further Resolved, that immediately upon said draught being completed, the Field Officers and Com- manders as aforesaid shall cause the first Division to be formed into companies.

apportion to each their proper Officers, and cause them to march, as soon as possible, to such places or places for duty, as the Governor or Commander, for the time being, shall direct; and that thereupon those of the several Regiments and Companies aforesaid now in actual service, and not draughted in the first Division, as aforesaid, shall be dismissed.
And it is further Resolved, that the Division on actual duty shall be relieved monthly, in the order they shall be drawn out, by the other Divisions; and that the Field Officers and Commanders aforesaid be, and they are hereby directed to cause the Relief to be made and done punctually, at the time each Division shall have completed its monthly round of duty.
And it is further Resolved, that the division on actual duty shall be relieved monthly, in the order they shall be drawn out, by the other divisions; and that the Field Officers & Commanders aforesaid be, and they are hereby, directed to cause the Relief to be made & done punctually, at the time each division shall have completed its monthly round of duty.
Copied above and the same as the ten lines next preceding.

And it is further Resolved That the proper Officers of each Regiment or Company shall cause the sum of five Pounds, lawful money, to be immediately exacted and collected from all persons in each Division who when called out to duty, shall be unprovided with Arms and Accoutrements by Law required, except such persons as the Field-Council of each Division shall adjudge and return as unable to furnish themselves therewith
And it is further Resolved That in case any Officer or Soldier, in each division designated as aforesaid, shall refuse or neglect to appear at Time and Place ordered by his respective Superior Officer or Command- er, either by himself or a good and able bodied and suitable person in his stead to enter upon and perform such Military duty as shall be enjoined him, he shall be and subjected to and pay such Fines Forfeitures and Penalties as the Military Laws & Regulations of this State direct in cases of general Alarm.
And it is further Resolved That the pay of each private Soldier in service as afore- said shall be Two Shillings per day and that the pay of the several Officers be in the same proportion, according to their several Banks and Stations as regulated by the laws for paying the Militia when in actual service and that the said Officers and Soldiers shall, when in actual service, be allowed and

and draw the same Rations as those of the Standing Regiments in the service of this State
And it is further Resolved That the Town- Councils of each Town furnish such persons, as they shall certify to be unable to furnish themselves with Arms Blankets and Accoutrements as by Law required; and that the same be paid out of the General Treasury
And it is further Resolved That the Colonel or Commanding Officer of each Regiment or Company as aforesaid and the Town Clerk, in the several Towns within this State be immediately furnished by the Secretary with a Copy hereof. "
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said State the day and year above writ- ten.
A. Potter Secy. of State

I Joseph Pratt of Enfield in the County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts. Under Solemn Oath testify and say - That I am a Revolution- ary Pensioner - and shall be seventy four years of age next August - That during the Revolutionary war and as I believe in the year 1780 - I took the place of one Snow and served in his stead in the army - During my time of service - I was stationed at Prov- idence - Rhode Island - I was then taken sick and was under the care of a person acting as surgeon of the Regiment - by the name of Potter - His christian name I do not recollect - But I have no doubt it is the same person who is now before me and at whose request this deposition is taken - I was sick at that time not less than four or five weeks - During said time - The said Potter attended me and gave me a certificate to exempt me from duty during the continuance of my disease - I was also sick at another time on Rhode Island and was attended by the same Dr Potter as Surgeon for a number of days I also testify that I was acquainted with Col John Waterman who commanded at Rhode Island - I can not recollect the year I was taken sick on Rhode Island but it was in General Sullivan's Expedition - I saw the same Dr Potter with the army at different times and places during the campaigns aforesaid
J. Pratt
Hampshire April 30 th 1835 Then the above deposition was subscribed and sworn to before me
Ebenezer Clark Justice of the Peace
I further state that the aforesaid Joseph Pratt the deponent is a man of truth and veracity Ebenezer Clark Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampshire ss.
I Solomon Hoddard Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth for the County of Hampshire do certify that Ephraim Clark Esquire whose signature is affixed to the within certificate was at the date thereof one of the Justices of the peace within and for said County duly Commissioned and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth. And that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity. And that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Ephraim Clark and believe his signature within to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth this ninth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirtyfive.
S. Hoddard Clerk
Municipal Court of the City of Providence June 2 d . 1835.
Read in Court.
A. Greene Clerk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states: and the said Court further certifies that it appears to them, that Joseph Pratt, who has signed the preceding cer- tificate, is a credible person, and that his statement is entitled to credit.
I Albert Greene, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Providence do hereby certify, that the foregoing con- tains the original proceedings of the said Court, respecting the supplemental de- claration of Oliver Potter, in the matter of his application for a pension.
And I do hereby also certify, that the two ancient documents, one of which is signed "John Warterman Col." and the other "Capt Lippitt B Genl", hereto an- nexed, were annexed by me, after having been exhibited & read, in said open Court.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court, this second day of June A.D. 1835.
Albert Greene Clerk

I Thomas Burgess Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Providence in addition to the Judicial Certificate of said Court as of my personal knowledge, certify that I am personally well acquainted with Doctor Olney Potter and have been so for about ten years last past. He is a very respectable man, a respectable Physician, and a gentleman of great integrity - and I have no doubt the statement he has made with regard to his services in the War of the Revolution is correct. I think so, not only from the circumstance that the citizens of Rhode Island had to perform much service during that War; but from my personal knowledge of the man.
Thomas Burgess
J. L. Edwards Esq. Sir
At the request of B. Cowell Esq. agent or attorney of Doct. Potter I make this statement, under the presumption that the Hon. Thomas Burgess subscriber to the above certificate is not known by you - where he is known a certificate of this kind would be considered almost derogatory to him - for no person in this community is more highly respected for strict integrity & moral worth than Judge Burgess - He has long been a member of the Bar and for some time sole Judge of the Municipal Court of this City with probate powers.
M. R. Knight
July 2. 1835

R. L. Kibby
J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Commission of Customs Washington DC
J. J. Deane

Washington Feb 9 th 1835.
Sir
Please to pass upon the enclosed application of mine as circum- stances will warrant, and accept me of your andron - your very obedt servt
Suzanne J. Pease
J. B. Edwards, Esq.

State of Rhode Island. &c. County of Providence.
Olney Potter of Gloucester in said County who appeared in open Court being the Municipal Court of the City of Providence on the 11 day of November A.D. 1834 & made a declaration of his services with a view to claim a pension under the act of Congress of June 7 1832. now maketh this further declaration of his services in the Revolutionary War in explanation addition & correction having since said declaration was made found several important documents among his papers which at that time he was supposed were lost -
And as to his services he now further declares that in December A.D. 1776. when the British took possession of Newport  Warwick , he was drafted for a month as a private in Captain Rice, Company of John Watermans Regiment of Rhode Island Militia & he avers he served as drafted at a place called Warwick Neck on the shore the month, and was discharged, he served this month as a private & not as Surgeons mate as he thinks he stated in his first declaration. He was not appointed Surgeons mate until

August 4. 1777 as will appear by his War- rant signed by John Wartenman which is now herunto annexed.
And he further avers that after his appointment as Surgeon M ate in Spence's Expedition in October 1777. when the whole of said Wartenman Regiment was mustered & stationed at Swanton in said Rhode Island, he marched with said Regiment & was stationed with it & served a month in said capacity of Surgeon M ate under the authority of said - According to his last resettlement he served another month in said capacity under said Col. Wartenman between November 1777 & January 1778 stationed at Warwick, sections of said Regiment being stationed there under the authority of State, as stated in his first declaration -
And he further avers that in Gen. Sullivan's expedition in August A.D. 1778. when the whole regiment was again mustered & ordered to join in it, he served a another month in said capacity & was part of the time stationed on the Island of Rhode Island & was on there during the battle just before the battle but left to go to a hospital to take charge of the sick after the battle many wounded were brought there

And he further avers that in the year 1779, he was stationed three months at the Hospital at Bristol, a town on the eastern shore of Narragansett Bay in the summer months. June July & August & served as Surgeon's Mate by & under the authority of General Washington during all that time. He was selected to attend the sick not only of Col. Manton's Manx Regiment but of detachments of all the Regiments stationed there during those months & he avers he did serve & attend them accordingly - He omitted this service in his first declaration but since then it has come to his recollection -
And he further declares that on the 29 th day of July 1780, he was appointed Surgeon by a Warrant from Brigadier General Christopher Lippitt which Warrant is he has recently found & is hence annoyed and he avers that soon after this appointment he was ordered to go to Providence where he was stationed at a fort & appointed to take charge of the sick belonging to detachments of said Brigade which were stationed there & he avers that he continued at this Station & served in said capacity until November 1781 when he resigned & left to go on board a Privateer. He avers & declares that he served sixteen  in actual service months as Surgeon

by & under the authority of said He omitted to state this service in his first declaration having no proof, nor being able to state the time, not having seen his Warrant from General Lippitt since he went a private ing until he found it recently in searching among his old papers for evidence.
He avers that he served twenty two months in all during the war of the Revolution in the following grades viz - as a private one month as Sergeon mate six months & as Surgeon fifteen months. These were all actual services being on duty all the time at the time, and places before mentioned. In addition to the afore- tion transmitted in his first declaration he now has found another witness Joseph Pratt who has testified in his behalf. Said Potter declares that it is entirely out of his power to prove all his services by living witnesses after a lapse of fifty years but he thinks he has found sufficient to entitled him to his pension under the act of said agreeably to the Rules of the War Department & he therefore prays that his name may be placed on the pension Roll as before prayed for -
Olney Potter
Municipal Court of the City of Providence
June 2 d 1835.
Subscribed and only sworn to in open court, by Olney Potter.
Albert Greene Clerk

Olney Potter

I John Potter of Gaster in the County of Providence and being now sixty seven years of age on oath do testify and say that in the year 1777 I lived in the town of Warwick in the County of Kent with my father being then a boy of about 11 or 12 years of age and I further testify that at that time I was acquainted with Doctor Olney Potter who then resided in said Warwick, but now resides in Gloucester and I well remember that Doctor Potter left home during the summer months of said year and as I understand went to Bristol to serve in the army as a surgeon or physician or to attend on the sick at a Hospital in said Bristol in said capacity but how long he was gone I cannot remember, but it was for some months in the year 1780 & 1781 I used to go to Providence market with my father and I used to see the said Potter who was then stationed at Providence as an army surgeon according to my best recollection said Potter must have been stationed in Providence in said capacity over a year John Potter
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Providence ss Gaster July 3 d 1835
Then Personally came before me Calvin Brown a justice of the Peace for said town of Gaster John Potter subscribed to the above deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the same and I further testify that the said John Potter is a person of truth and veracity and that his testimony is entitled to credit
Calvin Brown Justice Peace

I Samuel Hudson of Cranston in the County of Providence the Physician being now in 75 year of age certify & say that I am well acquainted with Doctor Olney Potter & have known him for the last sixty years. During the Revolutionary war I belonged to a Corps called the "Patuxet Rangers" & therefore had no actual knowledge of his services as Surgeon or otherwise. But I have no doubt he served as he has stated in his declaration. I have always considered him to be a man of strict integrity & veracity. I remember when he left the army & went on board the Marquis a Privateer I was with him  on board with him ; this was according to my best recollection in the fall of 1781. In my former deposition I might have stated that it was in the year 1780 that he went on board this Privateer but I am confident now it was in 1781.
Samuel Hudson
Providence So In Cranston July the 6 A D 1835—
Personally appeared before me the above named Samuel Hudson and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him signed and I further certify that said Samuel Hudson is a credible witness in the premises
Sheldon Wright Just of the Peace

I have known Doct. Samuel Hudson the witness named on the foregoing page, more than forty years to be a physician of respectability & whose statements are entitled to full credit & belief —
SiR Wright
Providence July 6. 1835 —

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Providence ss
I William R Watson clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within & for the County of Providence in the State do hereby certify that Calvin Brown is a Justice of the Peace for the town of Foster in said County & that Sheldon Knight is also a Justice of the Peace for the town of Cranston in the County & State & that they are by the laws of the State authorized to administer oaths & take depositions & that the signatures to the annexed documents purporting to be their signatures are severally in their own proper hand writing
In Witness Whereof I hereunto set my official signature & seal of said Court this sixth day of July 1835. W. R. Watson Clerk