Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8,346, for John Porter, Connecticut

SERVICE
Porter, John Esther
NUMBER
R 8346 B.L.Wt 38839-160-55
born
CONTENTS
Journal Co.

2119 John Porters
Application
P.6
on Rolls
31st Aug 79. to 15 Jan 80
1980 - 23 July enlisted 6 mo - discharged 14 Dec 1980 - 4 mo. 22 ds.
enlisted 23 July 80 6 mo dis 14 Dec 1980

State of Connecticut Tolland County's Hebron on this 3 rd day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court before Abner Hemen Esq Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Hebron now sitting John Porter a resident of the Town of Columbia in the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut aged sixty eight years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
I was born in the Town of Lebanon now Columbia, in the year 1764 and on the 9 th day of May 1780 I enlisted into the 9 th Reg t of Connecticut Continental line Troops I rec d a bounty of forty shillings, Samuel B. Webb was Col. Ebenezer Huntington Lieut. Col. - Worster was Capt of my Company our Sergeants were orderly sergeant the names of the other officers not rec d collected we marched from Lebanon to Hartford & Danbury & joined our Regiment at Morristown or near there & filled the vacancy of the old three years men where I was informed that Col. Saml. B. Webb & Capt. Worster were prisoners of the enemy I never saw them. - Col. Huntington Huntington officiated as Col. I was with the Army when Arnold went over to the enemy - and said Maj. Andre executed was in good health & did my duty regular the whole term of eight months then were five of us discharged in one written discharge by a proper officer & what has become of it I know not the five are all dead & gone except myself we had no fighting during the time I remained with the Army. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
John Porter
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Before me John Porter Abner Hemen Esq. Probate Judge

We
a clergyman residing in Town of and residing in
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Porter who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be 68 years of age that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states
Abner Hovey Judge Probate Court
I Cyrus Mann Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Hebron 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 3 rd day of August 1832
Cyrus Mann Clerk

187.479 Act new.
July 1855
Esther Porter's will of John Porter John Porter (died?)
Private
Can't find
Rev. War
Conn June 32
Co. 168 as of Aug 19/56 B. 1830
Thomas John S. Thomas Columbia Ct.
Vol P-118

Direct to John S. Yeomans Columbia Tolland County Ct "

STATE OF CONNECTICUT, COUNTY OF Tolland
} ss. Columbia June 19 th 1855.
On this 19 th day of June A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared Esther Porter before me, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County and State aforesaid,
aged Eighty years, a resident of Columbia in the State of Connecticut, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of John Porter of Columbia deceased, who
was a Soldier in the war of the revolution  in the Company commanded by  in the regiment of  commanded by  then fourteen days, and nearly six months, for the proof of said service in the war with Great Britain, declared by the United States on the 18th day of June 1812,
that her said husband  and particulars in regard to it reference may be had to the application on, or about the  day of  A. D.  for the term of  of the said John Porter of Columbia (County and State as aforesaid) for a pension; on file in your Office among the list of rejected applicants on the  day of  A. D.  as will appear by the muster rolls
of said She further states that she was married to the said John Porter in Lebanon on the nineteenth day of June A. D. 1805 by one Nehemiah Dodge a Clergyman and that her name before her said marriage was Esther Fuller that her said husband died at Columbia on the 9th day of April A. D. 1843 and that she is now a widow.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3d, 1855. She also declares that she has not received a warrant for bounty land under this or any other act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor.
Esther Porter
We, Dan Porter and Lorissa Wright residents of Columbia in the State of Connecticut, upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Widow Esther Porter 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.
Dan Porter
Lorissa Wright
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and 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 that I have no interest in this claim.
John S. Coomans Justice of the Peace.

"This certifies, that John Porter, and Esther Fuller were lawfully joined in marriage, June 19 th A.D. 1805. by Nehemiah Dodge Minister of the Gospel"
State of Connecticut,
County of Tolland, } ss. Town Clerks Office Columbia June 19 th 1855.
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy taken from the original records in this Office
Asahel C. Wright Town Clerk
State of Connecticut,
County of Tolland, } ss Columbia June 19 th 1855.
I Dan Porter, of Columbia, County and State as aforesaid; being 74 years of age, depose and say, that I have always known and lived in the same neighborhood with John Porter deceased, from my boy- hood till the time of his death. I have known the applicant Widow Esther Porter from the time of her marri- =age to the said John Porter, and know that they lived together as husband and wife till the time of his death; and that the person who makes this application and has signed it in my presence is the identical widow of the identical John Porter who died in said Columbia on or about the 9 th , day of April A.D. 1843. Dan Porter
State of Connecticut,
County of Tolland, } ss Columbia June 19 th 1855.
I, Daniel Holbrook of Columbia, County and State as aforesaid, being 63 years of age, depose and say, that I have always known and lived in the same neighborhood with John Porter deceased till the time of his death, and know and concur in all the facts stated in the above deposition of Dan Porter.
State of Connecticut,
Daniel Holbrook
County of Tolland } ss Columbia June 19 th 1855
Then personally appeared before me Dan Porter and Daniel Holbrook and made oath to the truth of the above depositions by them subscribed, before me John S. Gurnons Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut.
I, N. D. Spry Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern, That John S. Yeomans was, from the fourth day of July, A. D. 1854, to the fourth day of July, A. D. 1858, a Justice of the Peace , within and for the County of Tolland in said State, duly appointed and commissioned, having full power and authority by the laws of said State, to take the Acknowledgment of Deeds and to certify the same; also to administer Oaths, to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give Certifi- cates thereof; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to his official acts and attestations.
And I Further Certify , That I believe the foregoing signature of the said John S. Yeomans — to be genuine.
In testimony whereof , I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said State, at Hartford, this 5 th day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty six
N. D. Spry
Secretary of State.

v 38.839
S
Her Amm

2119 Connecticut Mrs. Porter Refused, not having served 6 months 8346 John Porter letter to A Hendee 17 Nov 1832 Ed. to Hon. O. Holt, June 19, 1838. to same Dec. 4, 1838. same Jan 11: 1839.
Reg 5 m ss 1834 79

Columbian July 1
Free
187.479 11
Hon Loren P. Waldo Com. d Pensions Washington D. C.

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
8346 am P. O. _____
John Porter Service: _____
Enlisted: _____ REJECTED _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____ _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Sir
Washington
Dec 27 th 1838
Will you have the goodness to transmit to me copies of John Porter's application for a Pension and the evidence connected therewith as soon as convenient as I am requested to submit his case to the consideration of Congress
Very respectfully, Your obedt Servt Orville H. Smith
Hon A. L. Edwards Comm. of Pensions Washington D.C.

J. Porter

Washington
Dec 6 th 1838
Sir
I have the honor to transmit the dep n of Dudley Tracy of Frank- lin Ex. additional testimony in the case of John Porter applying for a pension - presuming that the conversation had last season upon this subject that this will be sufficient to satisfy the Dept. that Mr Porter is justly entitled to a pension who is as I am informed a deserving worthy old man -
I am with great respect Sir the Hon. J. L. Edwards Church Servants Comm of Pensions Washington Orin Stoll

House of Reps
Washington
Decm 8 th 1838
Sir
I enclose and transmit herewith, the papers relating to John Porter's claim for a pension, his claim is believed to be meritorious, will you have the goodness to give this case as early attention as convenient and advise me of the result —
Very respectfully Your obedt & humble Servant
Orion Stolt
Hon J. L. Edwards Commission of Pensions Washington D.C.

M r Johnson will please report what has been done with case of Mrs Submit Hunt
1874/11
Esther Porter
(Signature)
Boston Nov 24/78
also make correction in case of Ester Porter 187. 479
Shindel

State of Connecticut County of Tolland Town of Columbia (Dec 10 th 1855
J Minot Esq Com. of Pensions
Dear Sir
I forwarded to your Office some time in April last, the application of Widow Submit Hunt, then of Pomfret in Windham County in this State for Bounty Land under the Act of March 3 rd , 1855. I have heard nothing from it since. I think I minuted on the application to direct to me at Columbia &c; but perhaps I did not by mistake, and notice of its receipt may have been sent to the justice who took the deed or to Mrs Hunt at Pomfret. I also sent about the 1 st of July the application of Widow Esther Porter the receipt of which is acknowledged (No 187,479) but the direction was to John S Thomas instead of to John S. Yeomans, which I think was owing to the manner in which I make the (J. S.) in my name. In the case of Mrs Hunt, if it has ever been received and also Mrs Porter's direct to John S. Yeomans, Columbia, Tolland County, Conn Yours Truly John S Yeomans

The Disposition of Dudley Tracey of Franklin in the County of New London & State of Con- necticut aged Seventy Nine Years, being first sworn as the Law Directs; Do on oath hereby say that I was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution: & am a Pensioner of the United States. that while I was in the said War of the Revolution: I was acquainted with John Porter then of Lebanon in said State of Connecticut, that I Battled for Six Months about the latter part of June 1780 - I marched by order of Lieut Allen: who was then commanded the Detachment I belonged to a Hartford : from Hartford I mar- ched to Danbury Connecticut; at Danbury I fell in with said Porter: from Danbury we went to Kings Ferry & called on the North River the said Porter and about Twenty men from Lebanon besides him joined us at Danbury - We joined the Army about Twenty Miles West of the North River aforesaid - When I was in the Army the said Porter was also with me - our tents were very near - I knew him the said Porter at the Army he was a Six Months man; at that Campaign - our Regiment was Commanded by Lieut Col o Ebenezer Huntington of Norwich in Connecticut - the Col o was Samuel Webb; but P r Webb was a prisoner, with the enemy on Long Island - I never saw said said Webb - The said Porter was in the same Regiment

belonged to, V th Webb's Regiment, after Arnold's con- spiracy, the aforesaid Regiment was ordered to West Point, on the North River and remained there, till a- bout the 15 th day of January 1780 - when we were ordered to build huts - for the troops there was to re- main with the Army thro' the Winter - when we were discharged & returned: at the time the said Regiment was discharged, the said Porter was with the Army & as he was a six months man was discharged as all the men who enlisted for that time were then discharged - and further I say not
Sworn to & Subscribed In presence of
Dudley Tracy
23 July 80. Dec 12. 80
Caroline C. Tracy W m Williams
State of Connecticut } Sgt. Franklin New London County }
Be it known that on the 10 th day of October 1888 - Capt. Dudley Tracy the above Deposition personally appeared before me, & being first sworn as the Law Directs: made Oath that the above Deposi- -tion by him subscribed contains the truth and I do further certify that the aforesaid Dudley Tracy is well known to me, & that he is a man of truth & veracity & a credible person
In testimony whereof, I have here set my hand the Day & Year last aforesaid
Attest - W m Williams Justice of the Peace
Dudley Tracy's Affidavit John Porter

To the Hon ble J s L t Edwards: Commissioner of the Pension Office—
The Petition of John Porter, formerly of Salem in New London County but now of Columbia in Tolland County State of Connecticut (P s Columbia; in the War of the Revolution was a part of P s Town of Salem—)
Respectfully Sheweth—
That he formerly Petitioned your Honor for a Pension, which was not then granted & the reason (as he has always been informed) was, because your Petitioner had signed a Receipt for his pay as a Continental Soldier, for Five Months & one half—being a less time of Service than the Law requires for granting Pensions—
Your Petitioner is confident, that he can, so explain to your Honor, the cause why his Application, was not granted, as to cause your Honor, again to take his case into your Con- -sideration, so as to enable you to grant him Relief in this his Application
The facts your Honor relied on undoub- -tedly (unexplained) warranted your Honor in deciding his Claim as you then did—
The Explanation is as follows: I Enlisted, on the first of June. One Thousand Seven Hun- -dred & Eighty. For Six Months ; Under the late

late capt d Andrew Fitch of the Revolutionary army,
I was Sixteen Years old on the 10 th of May 1780 - I was then enrolled in the 2 nd Company (in 1 st Lebanon) of militia - I was Drafted on 1 st of June for Six Months to fill Vacancies in the Continental Army - at that time 1 st capt d Fitch was Recruiting for the Army - To Save the Bounty offered by the Town of Lebanon I enlisted as afor d - (The Town Votes hereto annex d will Explain my motives for Enlisting)
The Quota for the Town of Lebanon to Raize for the Continental Army, at that time was forty Seven Men. In addition to what 1 st Town then had in 1 st Army. The 1 st Town of Lebanon to Encourage the Enlisting of Men, offered the Bounties contained in the annex d Votes - as the Continental Money was then Depreciated, almost to Nothing - after 1 st Draft was made, on 1 st June - I marched to Danbury: in the Western part of 1 st State of Connecticut - When I staid about one fortnight - & was Drilled, as a Soldier. to be - come fit to Join the Army - I was then Marched to the River (North River) and was ordered to Join the 9 th Connecticut Regiment. (I think it was) then under the Command of Lt Col d Ebenezer Huntington: (from the time I left my fathers house in 1 st Lebanon) till my return: was full Six Months & an half - I was then but a Boy & did not know my rights - I signed what I was ordered to sign - I have no doubt, but what I signed: was the exact time I was with

the Army - Without any allowance, for my time in Marching to Danbury after - & the time I spent there & for my time, in Returning home. - My Claim is from my Enlistment until my return to my fa- -ther's house in Shelburn after - I returned in the first part of Jan'y 1781 - which makes up the time of my service as aforesaid - at my return home my cloaths & shoes were worn out - & I took the Fourrs Bounty to buy me decent Cloaths - I began my way home: for the Continental Money I rec'd for my five & a half months pay: the whole of it was not worth One Silver Dollar !
From the known Candor & knowledge, you have of the Rights & Sufferings of the Soldiers of that War, I do humbly expect, a favorable result from this my application - When I joined the Army it was near Morris Town New Jersey: & I was present at the Retreat of May: And there I was ordered & ordered to Duty as a private Soldier at the Station Arnold had deserted - I am now old & poor (Seventy five years old) & I ask nothing more than was granted to others. & what as I view my case honestly belongs to me - : I therefore pray Your Honor to Review my case, & as in duty bound will pray
Inasmuch as subscribed the 16 th of March 1838
John Porter
Isabel Kingsley Ann G. Carr
State of Connecticut New London County to wit Be it remembered that on the 16 th day of March 1838 - personally appeared before me the above John Porter & made oath to the truth of the foregoing statement - & I do certify that the above John Porter is well known to me & that he is a man of truth & veracity & a credible person - A testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last aforesaid attest W. Putnam Justice of the Peace

Town Meeting 9 May 1780 Warning
Whereas the filling up the Continental Army is a subject of great importance and necessity - The inhabitants of this Town legal voters are therefore hereby notified, & desired to meet at the usual place then & there to consider & conclude whether they will take any measures and what to encourage and promote the raising and filling up the quota of this Town for said Army in addition to the encouragements granted by the Public & to raise the supply of money or what may be thought proper for that & any other purpose -
Dated at Lebanon 3 May A.D. 1780 -
Wm Williams Elijah Hyde Jr Silas Phelps Daniel Abel Jr Peleg Thomas Asahel Clark Jr
Select Men
Being met accordingly They made choice of William Williams Esqj Moderator and the subject matter of the warning being considerably discoursed, and considered, it was Voted. & granted that this Town for & as a Bounty to each able bodied recruit who shall enlist into the Continental Army for this Town and be counted for the same for term of the War, The sum of one thousand Continental Dollars, in addition to all public encouragements provided they enlist on or before the 20 th of June next, and to as many as are necessary to complete our quota, & also to such as enlist by the time & may be counted as aforesaid to serve in said Army to the last of December A.D. 1781 the sum of eight hundred dollars -
Voted That the sum of 40/- in silver money or grain at the rate viz. Wheat at 5/- per Bus, Rye 3/- or Indian Corn at 2/6 per Bus shall be secured & paid to each recruit for each & every month he shall continue in said service as wages. Said Soldier rescinding or deducting from said sum, whatever he may receive for his wages from the Continent, or this State -
State of Connecticut New London County Lebanon April seventeenth one thousand eight hundred & thirty eight, This certifies that the foregoing warning & votes of the Town of Lebanon are a correct copy of the original as appears by the records in this Office
Attest John Walles Town Clerk -

Voted, That each recruit engageing to serve in the Continental Army for six months or untill the 31 Day of December next, shall be entitled to receive as a bounty from this Town in addition to the public encouragement upon his enlistment & being mustered, the sum of six pounds in the new emissions of this State bills, endorsed by the Genl Assembly to be emitted since January last, & that the committee appointed by this Town at their meeting the 27 June last, be empowered and desired to procure such number of recruits for said six months, or untill 31 December as shall be needed to fill up this Towns quota, to serve in the Continental Army. & that said Committee be empowered & enabled to perform said encouragements as above voted accordingly,
State of Connecticut New London County ss
Lebanon April 18 th 1838
I John Wattles Town Clerk of Lebanon Do certify that the above vote of the Town of Lebanon is a true & correct copy of the original as appears by the records in this Office
Attest John Wattles Town Clerk, Lebanon April eighteenth one thousand eight hundred & thirty eight
State of Connecticut New London County } Lebanon ss
Be it Remembered that on the 18 th day of April 1838 John Wattles after personally appeared before me the Subscriber: a Justice of the Peace in & for said County & made Oath, to the Certificate he has presented here and. I do certify, that the said John Wattles is well known to me (being one of his nearest neighbors.) & that he is a man of truth & veracity & a credible person.
In testimony whereof I have here set my hand the day & year last aforesaid & I do certify further that the said John Wattles is the Town Clerk of the Town of Lebanon; & that as a Magistrate I administered to him the Oath of Office at the time he was chosen Clerk of Town.
Attest W. Williams Justice of the Peace

I Betsey Loomis, of Columbia in Franklin County and State of Connecticut: Aged Seventy years, being first sworn according to Law: Do on Oath testify & say: That my maiden name was Carrier I was born in Mansfield in Hartford County & State of Connecticut. I had a brother named John Carrier, who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution. He enlisted in the early part of June 1780. for six months: My brother enlisted under Capt. Amos Darrow. Then Capt. Darrow's Commission expired. I well know John Porter of said Columbia: & I well recollect that my brother John & the said John Porter both enlisted on the same day. They enlisted in Lebanon at Landlord Williams in Lebanon and the said John Porter marched with my brother to Danbury in the State of Connecticut, where the regiments that went on from Lebanon, were to rendezvous & where they did. Rendezvous, & where they joined the Army. My brother John & John Porter returned together from the Army in the month of December 1780. I think my husband was in the Army as a private soldier of the Revolution, but deceased about thirty years since. The Regiment that John Porter & my brother joined was commanded by Col. Ebenezer Huntington. late said —
and further I say not Signed & sworn to in presence of Bennet Cook Edward Cook
Betsey Loomis
State of Connecticut New London County, ss. Lebanon
On it remembered that on the 16 th of March 1838 Mrs. Betsey Loomis after the above deposition personally appeared before me and made Oath to the truth of the above deposition, by her subscribed —
and I do certify that I am well acquainted with the said Betsey Loomis & know her to be a reputable person & a woman of truth & veracity in all things wherein I have been to her hand the day of her last appearance —
William G. Foster of the Peace

I Asahel Kingsley of Columbia in Tolland County State of Connecticut aged Seventy six years after being first sworn according to Law Do on Oath Certify & say - That I am well acquainted with John Porter of Columbia. I have always known him - That during the War of the Revolution (VII) in May 1780. it was necessary for the town of Lebanon to raise forty Seven Men in addition to the number then in the Continental army - & as the Continental money was much de- -preciated. the s d town of Lebanon offered Bounties to the soldiers raised in s d Lebanon to fill the Ranks of s d Army As it was very important that the Army should be filled - on the 10 th of May. Immedi- -ately after the April Town Meeting the numbers of soldiers then required (viz) forty seven were drafted - & immediately after s d draft all the April Drafted men except three or four who enlisted during the war, enlisted for six months to save the town Bounties. Among said men so enlisted as aforesaid was John Porter whom I know the s d Porter was in the Army for I saw the s d Porter in the Army in the month of August 1780 at the army at Farmington did not belong to the Regiment s d Porter did, I belonged to s d Regiment - the s d Porter left Columbia (then Lebanon) about the middle of June, 1780. The said Porter continued in the Army until his term of service expired I was one of the enlisted men of s d town of Lebanon for s d six months & returned about Christmas 1780 The s d John Porter did not return or leave town till in January 1781 - The first time I saw s d Porter was about 8 th Jan y 1781 & it was within three days after his arrival sworn to & subscribed
Attest my hand John S. Grafton W. Williams
Asahel Kingsley
State of Connecticut Knabton County Lebanon ss - Be it. Remembered that on the 1 st day of May 1838. Asahel Kingsley the above deponent personally appeared before me & made oath that the above deposition is true - & I do certify that s d Asahel Kings- -ley is well known to me & that he is a man of truth & substance Person In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand Attest W. Williams Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut } New London County } ss
I John D'Witt Clerk of the County Court in and for said New London County do hereby Certify that William T Williams Esq before whom the annexed declaration of Mr Porter was made. also the Certificate of John Wattles. town clerk of Lebanon. & also the depositions of Betsy Loomis. and Asahel Kingsley were taken, was at the several dates therein named and still is a justice of the peace in and for said County and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts as such. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 4 th day of June A D 1838
John D'Witt Clerk
Mr. D'Witt Clerk