Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File B. L. Wt. 91,504-160-55, for Stephen Potter, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER
R. J.
Potter, Stephen Susan
B.L.Wt 91.504-160-55
CONTENTS

Ex B. Powell B. Powell Jany 31/59 Same March 28/59 Same Sept 23/59
R96.090 act Mar 3 58 See 8 58
Susan Potter Stephen Potter Dec 15/59 91.504 Pirate
16 80 76 Revolutionary war M: 160 ac, Dec. 22/59 Blyth. Sheet 13.
original M
Benjamin Powell Esq. Providence R. Island
Vol Page 131

State of Rhode Island
County of Providence
On this twentyth day of November one thousand eight hundred & fifty eight personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within the County & State aforesaid Susan Potter aged 78 years a resident of Coventry in the  said County & State of R.I. who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of Stephen Potter deceased who was a private in the company commanded by Capt Samuel Wall in company of Militia of Coventry in said County & in a Regiment commanded by Col Archibald Hapson in the War of the Revolution that her said husband was drafted at various times in the years 1777 1778 1779 & 1780, as she believes & served many months & was always honorably discharged. —
She further states that she was married to the said Stephen Potter in Exeter, by Lillibridge Babbin Esq a Justice of the Peace September 20th 1804 but she has no record of her marriage and that her name before marriage was Susan Smith and that her said husband died at Smithfield March 14th 1837 and that she is now a widow — She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining obtaining the Bounty land to which she may be entitled under the acts of Congress of March 3 d 1855 & the act of May 14 1856

And this Claimant further declares that she has not received or applied for Bounty land under this or any other act of Congress.
Witness John R. Randolph
Susan L Potter mark
We Dean Kimball and Walter L Potter residents of Cranston in said County upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and by the said Susan Potter in our presence and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be & still is a widow
(Dean Kimball)
Walter L Potter
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to & subscribed before me on the day & year above written and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and still a widow & that I have no interest in this claim
John R. Randolph Justice of the Peace

Town Clerks office Exeter November the 16 1858
I certify that I made diligent search of the Records & I do not find the marriage of Stephen Potter & Susan Smith in said office & I further certify that but very few marriages were Recorded in said Town according to the number of inhabitants as appears of Record in said office Thomas Phillips In Clerk

I Hannah Lillibridge of Exeter in the County of Washington & State of Rhode Island aged sixty five years do distinctly testify and say that I distinctly recollect of the Marriage of Stephen Potter late of Coventry and Sarah Smith now his widow I well remember that they were Married by Lillibridge. Marber my Father a Justice of the Peace at that time for the said Town of Exeter who is now dead they were Married at my Fathers house in said Town of Exeter in the year A 1804 some time in the fall I think in the about October I was present and saw them Married Hannah Lillibridge
Washington ss at Exeter November 22 nd A 1858 personally appeared before me the Subscriber the above named Hannah Lillibridge and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by her subscribed and I further certify that said Hannah Lillibridge is a Creditable Witness and that I have no Interest in this claim for Bounty Land Isaac Greene Just of Peace

Deposition of Thomas Whipple

I Thomas Whipple of Coventry in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island age seventyone years do testify and say that I was acquainted with Stephen Potter who formerly lived in this town and the husband of Susan Potter now a resident in this town and who is now his widow I recollect the time they were married or understood they were and I knew him before they were married and I have not the least doubt of the fact for they lived together as man and wife and had a family of children afterwards and they so lived untill his death according to my best recollection they were married about fifty three years ago said Stephen Potter was much older then his wife and I have also understood he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war her name before her marriage was Susan Smith and she is now his widow -
Thomas Whipple
Kent So in Coventry November 30 th 1858
Personally appeared before me the above named Thomas Whipple and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him signed and I further testify that he is a gentleman of the first respectability, having ben sent Lieutenant Governor of this State, I also testify that I have no interest in this claim for Bounty Land,
Resolved Harvey
Justice of the Peace

I William A Potter of Coventry in the county of Kent and State of Rhode Island aged thirty eight years, on oath, do testify and say, that Susan Potter who signed the declaration hereto annexed, is my mother, and the said Stephen Potter was my father. My father departed this life at Smithfield in the village of Woonsocket on the 14th day of March A.D. 1837. I was present at his death and burial. Since his death my mother has remained a widow and is now a widow.
William A Potter
Providence ss. Providence Nov 20. 1858
This day personally appeared the above named William A Potter and subscribed the foregoing affidavit and made oath to the truth of the same before me. And I further certify that said William A Potter is a credible witness and that I have no interest in this claim for Bounty Land.
John R Randall Justice of the Peace

296.090

Lith. of Knowles Anthony & Co. Prov.
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
SESSION, A.D. 1856
Office of the Secretary of State Providence December 6th. 1858
I certify that on the Rolls, Pay Abstracts and Files in this office of Captain Samuel Wall's Company of Militia of the town of Coventry in this State; and also of Col. Kesson's Regiment in the war of the revolution, is borne the name of Stephen Potter as a private. That on two pay abstracts of said Company his name is borne as having served in that capacity in said company fourteen days in the year 1778, and his name is also borne on two other rolls of said Company during said war, but no amount of service is specified; and among the files of said Company is one Continental order for £35. and one for £2.28 in his favor. I also certify that Isaac Greene is a Justice of the Peace of Exeter, in the County of Washington, that Resolved Kearny, is a Justice of the Peace in the Town of Coventry, in the County of Kent; and that John R. Randolph is a Justice of the Peace of the City and County of Providence, and that I believe their signatures appended, to be genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the State aforesaid, on the day and year above written.
John R. Partlett Secretary of State

No. 296090
ACT OF Mar. 3, 1855
Received June 8, 1858
Susan Potter wid. of Stephen Potter Pur. Rev. Mar.
Warrant No. 91574
For 160 acres.
Pay to Mr. Brimhall Providence R.I.

Providence May 27 1859
Sir
I duly received your letter of March 28 the relating to the claim of Susan Potter widow of Stephen Potter for Bounty Land No 296,090 in which further evidence is required to identify claimants husband with the soldier of that name -
I now enclose further proof of two very respectable witnesses who have always known claimants husband up to the time of her death, and always understood he was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Polyz Wilben Esq one of the most eminent citizens in the County of Kent testifies he was a very old man when in his employ nearly fifty years ago and understood he had been a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and as his name is found on the Rolls of the Militia & from the same town in which, he lived during said war

and that part has been certified by the Secretary of State, there can be no doubt as to the justice of the Claimants right to Bounty land, under the acts of Congress.
Hoping & expecting the claim will be allowed without further delay.
I remain Yours Respectfully
Brya Lowell
Hon. George L. Whiting

Providence Feb 14 1859
Sir
Agreeably to your directions of the 31 st Ult o relative to the claim of Susan Potter widow of Stephen, for Bounty Land No 296,090 I herewith enclose a further certificate of the Secretary of State as requested
I also enclose a letter from the claimant in answer to a letter of mine, requesting to be informed of the reasons why her husband never made any attempt to obtain a pension in his life time. She states her husband once consulted me Altho I have no particular recollection of the part yet I think it highly probable as I was consulted by a vast number about that time, when on pension business in the country
Hoping & expecting after this explanation the claim will be granted I am Very Respectfully your obed t Serv t Benja Lowell
Hon Geo L Whiting

State of Rhode Island, &c.
Secretary's Office, Providence. —
February 11 th 1859
Sir:
I further certify in relation to the Military services of Stephen Potter, in the war of the Revolution, that they were performed by him in the Militia of the State and not in the Continental Line.
John R. Gault Secretary of State

Providence Dec 6 1858
Sir
I herewith enclose the declaration a claim of Susan Potter widow of Stephen Potter for Bounty Land under the acts of Congress of March 3 d 1855 & May 14 1856 for services in the war of the Revolution in Capt Samuel Wells Company of Militia & Col Kapous Regt
I am Most
Respectfully your obed Servt Benja L. Cavelle
H. L. Whiting

Providence Oct 14 1859
I received your letter of 23 rd ult respecting the claim of Susan Potter widow of Stephen Potter for Bounty Land. You observe that proof should be made that his name should be traced to the town of Coventry & that he resided in that town during the war of the Rebellion, & also of his age as far as you were informed further evidence showing that he resided in Coventry during said war & that if he was now living he would be all but 85 years of age & that Joseph Johnson a witness now 95 years of age testifies that his father Joseph Johnson & Stephen Potter belonged to same company & that at one time they went off together in service - and this testimony is confirmed by

the certificate of the Secretary of State annexed. He certifies that the names of Stephen Patten and Joseph Johnson are borne on the same Rolls & Pay certificates for services in said war.
As to Mrs. Patten calling on me when they lived in Chevyville. I have some recollection of calling out there upon previous leaving many years ago but have no memoranda, and it cannot be strange that I cannot remember the time or name. As soon after the act of June 7, 1832, was passed granting pensions to soldiers, I perceived I had nearly 200 applications under the provision of that act, a great many of whom had not served long enough to entitle themselves. I presume Mrs. Patten did call upon me as she has stated. But whether she did call or not the records of both of Town & State prove his services in a most

conclusion manner I do therefore hope & expect her claim will be allowed without further delay
I am most Respectfully your old best Bryan Ladd
Howe Geo. C. Whiting

Providence Aug 26th 1859. Sir
I feel gratified in writing to you again respecting the claim of Mrs. Susan Potter widow of Stephen Potter for Bounty land No 296090. As appears from your letter of March 28 last past the only proof further required was to identify the claimants husband with the soldier of that name whose services had been certified by the Secretary of State.
On the 27 of May last I sent you two affidavits proving that fact. They were both very respectable witnesses & of unimpeachable integrity, one of them Peleh Wilbur is one of the most prominent citizens in Coventry, and I refer you to these affidavits for the proof required. The same fact was also proved by Gen. Whipple as well as the marriage. As every objection is removed by the most substantial testimony

I hope the claim will be allowed & a Warrant issued without further delay
I am very Respectfully Yours etc sent Brewer Lowell
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original letter.]
Hildreth C Whiting

State of Rhode Island
I John Irwin of the city of Providence in said State. aged 55 Years. do testify and say. that I was well acquainted with Stephen Potter. formerly of Coventry. County of Kent State of Rhode Island. and knew him from my childhood - and always understood that he was a soldier in the War of the Revolution. I am also well acquainted with Susan Potter. his widow. and she is the identical person who has made application for Pension Land. on account of his services in said War. She has been his widow ever since his death. and is now his widow
John Irwin
Providence ss.
In the city of Providence this twenty fourth day of May A D 1859. then personally appeared the above named John Irwin and made oath that the above affidavit by him signed is true. and I further certify that he is a Credible Witness
W. G. Goodell Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island
I Peleg Wilbur of County in the County of Kent & State of Rhode Island aged 71 years do testify & say that I was well acquainted with Stephen Potter formerly of said County, he was formerly in my employ as a watchman in my factory. It is now nearly fifty years ago since I first knew him. I am also well acquainted with Susan Potter who is now his widow. They lived together as man & wife until his death & since his death she has remained his widow & is now resident in this village & is an applicant for Bounty Land for his services as a soldier in the war of the Revolution which I believe he performed, he was a very old man when I first was acquainted with him & have also understood he was a soldier in said war
Peleg Wilbur
State of Rhode Island Kent s.s-
On this 26 th day of May 1859 personally appeared before me the above named Peleg Wilbur and made oath to the above deposition by him signed and I further certify that he is a gentleman of the first respectability President of the Bank of Kent and a credible witness
Joel M. Spencer
Public Notary

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Secretary's Office, Providence, May 27 1859
I HEREBY CERTIFY, That Wm J. Goodell and Joel M. Spencer Esquires before
whom the annexed  were oaths was made, and who has are thereunto subscribed the former a Justice of the Peace in the city of Providence and the latter a Public Notary, Fifth County of Kent of the State of Rhode Island, in and  are and as such, is by law authorised to take Depositions, and the acknowledgment of Deeds, and other Instru- ments, and to administer all necessary Oaths; that they are duly commissioned, as appears of record, and sworn; and I furthermore believe that the  their signatures are genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the State, aforesaid, the day and year above written.
John R. Bartlett Secretary of State

PENSION OFFICE MAY 30 1859

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Secretary's Office Providence October 14. 1859
I hereby certify that Joel M. Spencer Esq., before whom the annexed affidavit was made and wherein thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing a Public Notary of the State of Rhode Island in and for the County of Kent; also that John R. Randall Esq., before whom the annexed affidavit was made, and wherein thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace of the State of Rhode Island in and for the City of Providence. I further certify that as such, they are by law authorized to take Depositions, and the acknowledgment of Deeds, and other instruments, and to administer oaths; that they are duly commissioned as appears of record, and sworn; and I further believe that their signatures are genuine.
And I further certify that upon examination the names of Joseph Johnson and Stephen Potter are found upon the same pay abstracts and rolls of Captain Samuel Wall's Company of Artillery and Colonel Bass's Regiment of Militia in the war of the Revolution, now in this office; having certified heretofore of the services of Stephen Potter on the claim

of Susan Patten for Bounty Land.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the State this fourteenth day of October A.D. 1839.
John R. Patten Secretary of State

I Susan Potter of Coventry in the County of Kent in the State of Rhode Island, do further declare and say in reference to my claim for bounty land, for the services of my late husband Stephen Potter in the war of Revolution, I have often heard him speak of his services in said war, and I have a recollection that when we lived at Olney- ville - A Mr. Sheldon who married his sister's daughter put my husband up to get a pension, and I called on Mr. Coeull to assist in getting a pension for my late husband, and he came to our house but at that time Mr. Potter was sick and unable to attend to any thing. And from Olneyville we move to Woonsocket, where Mr. Potter died - Mr. Potter was not well enough to attend to any business after Mr. Coeull, called at our house in Olneyville, until he died. I was in my eighteenth year of my age when I was married to Mr. Potter - and I call my age now seventy two years, and my husband was in his forty fourth year of age when we were married -  Signed in presence of Susan Potter Anthony Tarbox mark
State of Rhode Island
Kent County Se — Coventry Oct. 12 th 1859.
Personally appeared Susan Potter signer of the above affidavit, and made oath to the truth of the same before me - And I further say that her statement is entitled to full faith and credit -
Joel M. Spencer Pub. Notary

Town Clerk's office, Country Rhode Island October 12 1859
I certify that I have in my office the town Records, and the Records of Births- which have taken place in said town, but the record of birth and deaths are very im- perfect, but I cannot find after an examina- tion, the birth of Stephen Potter, the late hus- band of Susan Potter, of this town, but upon examination of the records I find that said Stephen Potter conveyed a part of his estate in said town by deed dated April 10, 1804. And I further certify that I was well acquainted with the said Stephen Potter, and his wife (now his widow) Susan Potter, that I knew him probably over fifty years ago, and if he was now living might be well nigh one hundred years old.
Anthony Tarbox Town Clerk and Registrar of deeds
State of Rhode Island.
Kent County ss.
Then personally appeared before me, the above named Anthony Tarbox and made oath to the truth of the above certif- icate and affidavit by him signed. And I further certify that said Anthony Tarbox is now town clerk and registrar of deeds, and full credit is due to his above statement.
Joel M. Spencer
Public Notary

I, Pardon Johnson of Cranston in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, on oath do depose and say that I am ninety five years of age; that during the War of our Revolution I lived in Country in the county of Kent and was well acquainted with Stephen Potter the husband of Susan Potter now his widow; the said Stephen Potter was about my age, whether a little older or a little younger, I cannot remember we both lived in the town of Country during said war; said Stephen Potter belonged to Cuffman Wall's company My father Joseph Johnson belonged to the same com- pany and was called into service at one time and I am pretty sure Stephen Potter went at the same time
Witness Pardon his X Johnson mark John R. Randolph
State of Rhode Island Providence ss — On this seventh day of October AD 1859. personally appeared before me the above named Pardon Johnson

and made oath to the preceding affidavit by him signed, and I further certify that he is a credible witness and for one so old very intelligent, and his mind and memory appear to be good
John R. Randolph
Justice of the Peace
I further certify that I have no interest in this claim I John R Randolph
Justice of the Peace

Warwick Feb. 10 1859
Mr Benja Gowell
Sir
I have received your letter saying the commissioner of pensions requires me to state the reasons why my husband did not make an effort to attain a pension in his life time. I have to say that he always thought himself entitled to a pension and I believe that in 1834 he consulted you and that you told him if he could prove six months service he could get one. This was at a time when you came near our residence on pension business. My husband at that time knew of two men who served with him one in the State of Vermont and

mother in the State of Maine but he was too feeble and sick to get their evidence and had not the means to do it - but he always thought he was his entitled.
Susan X Potter
witness
mark William A Potter