Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8,355, for Truman Porter, Connecticut

SERVICE
Porter, Truman
NUMBER _____
R. 8355
CONTENTS

13. 192 Freeman Porters Papas -

State of New York } County of Suffolk } 12 -
1832
On this second day of October, personally appeared in Open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Suffolk Truman Porter, a resident of the Town of Brookhaven, in the County of Suffolk, and State of New York Aged seventy six years - who being first and 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 - That sometime in the latter part of July or the first of August 1776, but the exact day he did does not recollect - at the Town of Woodbury, in the State of Connecticut where

When he was born - and usually  then resided, he entered as a Volunteer in a Company of Hastings Militia in the Troops of the state of Connecticut commanded by Capt. Elijah Hinman, and of which Benj m Speed, was the Lieutenant, - and Marched from the said Town of Woodbury, to New York - that they were quartered in King Street and that they remained there about One Month - and were in the said City of New York, when the American forces under General Washington, retreated from Long Island, - that the day before they were ordered to be in readiness to go over to Long Island - but were prevented from crossing, by the retreat of the American Army - that after this dispersion had several about one Month, he was furnished

furnished with a pass to return home having been previously taken sick and did return home accordingly, and that he did not receive any discharge. That on or about the first of October following - he entered the Service as a Volunteer and in the Service, under the same Officers - and ensign Samuel Curtis - and Marched down to Horn Neck - where the Troops were Commanded by Genl Wooster - where the said deponent served Three Months , being for the time he enlisted to serve - then he received a verbal discharge, and then returned home - That this last service was in the Connecticut Troops.
That some time in the Spring of the year 1779. but the month and day, the said deponent does not recollect - he enlisted at Woodbury aforesaid, where he still resided as a Volunteer and private Soldier in a Company of Minute Men, Commanded by Capt. David Porter - for

for the term of one year, and served out the full time - That this Company Composed a part of the Troops under the Command of Genl. Wooster - That this deponent was in Service, and at Danbury, at the time it was burnt - That on the next day,  Sunday - after Danbury was burnt, which this deponent thinks was on Sunday, he went to Ridgefield where he arrived at night Just after General Wooster, was Mortally wounded, and that this deponent saw him as they were carrying him off, from the field of Battle - That on the day following, the said deponent was engaged in the Battle on Chestnut Hill - That the American forces was Commanded by Major Hatch - and Consisted of about Two hundred, and the British were about one hundred & fifty - being a detachment from Tryon's forces - That the British were defeated, and retreated and were followed by the

the Americans, to a place called Compo- where the British rallied and, another engagement ensued and the Americans were retired- That this deponent remained on the Ground, in Company with his Cap- tain and continued firing, until all his Ammunition was ex- pended - That during this time of service that this deponent was ordered the to Fairfield, but before he arrived, the place was burnt and the enemy had retired on board their Vessels - and at the expiration of the Year, this deponent was verbally discharged by his Captain, at Wood- bury - That this deponent has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service - That he was born at Woodbury, in the State of Connecticut, in the Year 1756 - and that he has no record

record of his age - and that he Continued to reside in the said Town of Woodbury, for about two  some years after the War - When he removed to Long Island in the Town of Brook- haven, on or about the year 1785. When he has continued to reside ever since - and he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or Annuity, except the present - and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State - and subscribed Sworn to, the day and year aforesaid Joseph D. Huntington Clk Truman Porter
We Richard W. Smith, Sheriff of the County of Suffolk - and Noah Overton, both residing in the Town of Brookhaven, in the said County -

hereby certify, that we are well acquainted, with Truman Paton, who has subscribed, and sworn to the above declaration - and that we believe him to be seventy six years of age - that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to be a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Richard W. Smith
Noah Overton
Sworn, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid -
Joseph R. Hunting 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 Revolutionary soldier  freeman and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Richard W. Smith who has signed the foregoing certificate is high sheriff of the County of Linn the residing in the Town of Muscatine in the said County, and that Noah Overton who has signed the same is a resident in the same place that they are en full powers and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Joseph R. Hunting Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Linn do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court

in the matter of the application of Freeman Porter for a pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this Second day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three -
Joseph D. Huntington Clk
13. 1729 for Freeman Porter Pension -

Thurman Porter New York.      Feb 1838
J. P. C. T. [unclear]
N. B.—Should two or more heirs join in the foregoing, the plural should be substituted for the singular number.

State of New York County of Suffolk
Be it Known, that on this sixth day of December A. D. 185 2 before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Mary Newton Nabby Porter Charlotte Newton & Ruth Overton resident of Brookhaven in said County, and made oath according to law that they are legal heirs of Turner Porter who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of 1841 That they are directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint C. W. BENNETT , of Washington City, my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute the claim of Turner Porter for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City, D. C. Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
Mary N. Porter Ruth Overton Charlotte Newton
Sworn to, Subscribed, and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Mary Newton Nabby Porter Charlotte Newton & Ruth Overton to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged.
Brewster Woodhull Justice of the Peace
State of New York County of Suffolk
It is hereby Certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the Supreme and County Court of Suffolk County that Mary N. Porter Ruth Overton Mary Newton the party who has sworn to, and acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney, are children of the reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify, that Brewster Woodhull Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was, at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office, this Twelfth day of December 185 2
B. T. Hutchinson Clerk of Suffolk Co., N.Y.
1. Claimant's name or names in full.—2. Post Office address. 3. "That he is the identical man," or, "that she is the widow of the identical man," or, "that he or she is the legal heir of the identical man," &c., &c. 4. Leave this line blank.—5. "He is," "she is," or "they are."—6. Revolutionary soldier's full name.—7. Claimant's signature.—8. Claimant's name.—9. Magistrate's signature. 10. "Identical," "widow of," or, "child of."—11. Magistrate's name.—12. Clerk's signature.
N. B.—Should two or more heirs join in the foregoing, the plural should be substituted for the singular number.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., _____, 190___
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Truman Porter , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. Rej 8355
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Woodbury, Conn. July or Aug 76 1 mo. White Elijah Hinman Hinman Conn.   Oct. 77 3 mos. Private " " Moseley "   Spring 79 6 mos. 12 mos. Minuteman David Porter ✓ "          
Burning of Danbury
Battles engaged in, Chestnut Hill + Compo.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Woodbury, Conn.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 2, 1832.
Residence at date of application, Brookhaven, Suffolk Co., N. York.
Age at date of application, 76 born _____ 1756 Woodbury, Conn.
Remarks: This claim was not allowed - claimant failed to furnish satisfactory proof of service as alleged -
Very respectfully,
In Dec. 1852, Nabby Porter, Ruth Gorton, Mary Newton + Charlotte Newton claimed to be the surviving children of soldier - his death not stated.
Commissioner.

W.D. 22.
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by a. Mar 2. 15/8/10
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____ from Woodbury Conn Claimant _____
Soldier Jauman Porter
Service Conn.
Additional Service Rev.
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 191_____
No claim, combination records _____, 191_____
REMARKS. Waterbury Conn. N.Y. Inv. 7, 14, 22 0 no other Inv. " Wid. as above " Ref " " except Ry 83 55 (N.Y.) Brookhaven NY - + Woodbury Conn.

223 Coffeen St. Watertown, N.Y. Aug. 10, 1910.
Department of Interior, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
If you could tell something of the service in the war of the Revolution of see next Lemuel Soper and Jesse Soper (enlisted probably from Smithtown, L.I.) and of Truman Porter from Woodbury, Ct. — would be very grateful.
Yours truly J. R. Pawling M.D.
AUG 12 1910

New York
Nov. 6
8355
Truman Porter
Suspended.
See letter to
J. B. Strong
28 Aug 32 - let. to same 6 Nov. '33
Letter to Hon. Abner Strong Feb. 1834
Act 7 June 1832

Comptrollers Office October 10 th 1833.
I Elisha Phelps, Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Connecticut, do certify that the first account of the service of Capt. Elijah Hemen, is the charge of his pay roll expedition to Fairfield under date June 2 nd 1798 - the next under date January 26 th 1799, the pay roll of his company at Stratford is then charged. Under date March 10 th 1779 the pay roll of his company in the 13 th regiment is charged to the United States; & under the date same the pay roll of his company at Horseneck is charged the United States; under date 17 th March same year his pay roll Moseley's Regt is likewise charged; October 14 th the same year his pay roll is charged.
Under date April 5 th 1780 Capt. Elijah Hemen's company pay roll, Col. Canfield's regiment is charged to the United States; & I find no roll of the companies.

Under date 1781 July 9 th I find charged to the United States the pay roll of Capt. David Porter Whitcomb Col. John Meads Regt. But no roll of this company can be found.
E. Phelps

Freeman Porter.
containing officer should accompany the papers.
8. In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a notary public, certifying that the officer, whose name is subscribed to the certificate, was at the time of signing the same, a duly qualified officer, under the seal of office of the certifying officer, seems to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
9. In every case where the certificate of the certifying officer who authorized the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authorized, the notary must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass through the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authorized, the notary must be attached to the certificate of the certifying officer.
FORM XXII. Affidavit of non-residence.
I, Clerk of the Superior Court, do hereby certify that the within copy of the affidavit of non-residence is a true and correct copy of the original thereof, and that the original thereof is now on file in my office and of full force and effect.
FORM XXIII. Proof of service.
I, Clerk of the Superior Court, do hereby certify that the within copy of the proof of service is a true and correct copy of the original thereof, and that the original thereof is now on file in my office and of full force and effect. In the event of the non-residence of the defendant, or of the person to be served, the proof of service must be made by the clerk of the court, or by a notary public, or by a commissioner of the court, or by a person appointed by the court, and must be made by serving a true copy of the affidavit of non-residence on the defendant, or on the person to be served, and by filing the proof of service with the clerk of the court. In the event of the non-residence of the defendant, or of the person to be served, the proof of service must be made by the clerk of the court, or by a notary public, or by a commissioner of the court, or by a person appointed by the court, and must be made by serving a true copy of the affidavit of non-residence on the defendant, or on the person to be served, and by filing the proof of service with the clerk of the court.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Truman Porter which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Applicant required to furnish the length of each term of service, and rank of officer under whom rendered
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? no yes
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? no
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? no
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 5
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

13. 192
Trueman Porter Suffolk Co. N. York
5-16
P. 375
3- agregate a minute 6 h 33
6 May 33
I B Strong Detault

BRIEF in the case of of
in the State of (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he?  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     August In 1776 — — 1 — — Writer Capt H. Newman   1777 — — 3 — — Private   1779 — — — — do  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.

apl 7, 1904 his to Alfred L. Rose Worcester Mass 1910 Aug. 18. Hist. to J. R. Pauling M.D.
8355
P. O. Truman Porter
Service: REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contr
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Urban Nat. U.S. 31 st May
Dear
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
District of Columbia
May 31 st 1882

Setauket L. I. 30 th May 1833
Sir -
I return Freeman Porter's former papers and also new papers which latter will I hope obviate the objections of the department to this claim. Porter is now almost blind and quite infirm so that his new papers have been executed before judgment. Had I known before that the clergyman's certificate was so very essential I should have procured it. From the regulations of the department I perceive that the deposition of witnesses personally acquainted with the applicant's service is unnecessary. He has stated all he can matter about his office - It would appear as though his last service was in a battalion commanded by Major Hatch. but he said not state even this much positively - I have no doubt nor is any objection here, of the applicant's service - and if his case should now be rejected it must be from a rigid adherence to technical rules rather than a due attention to the substantial merits of the case.
Please to communicate the result of this matter decided
to Selah B. Strong . Setauket P.O. Long Island. N.Y.
Yours respectfully
S. B. Strong

State of New York } Suffolk County } ss.
On this 19 th day of February 1834 personally appeared Solomon B. Strong a Supreme Court Commissioner residing in the said County Freeman Porter of the Town of Brookhaven in the said County an applicant for the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832 whose papers are now on file in the pension office of the United States aged seventy seven years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that the times during which he was actively engaged and actually in the service of his country during the Revolutionary war were as follows that is to say, on the excursion to New York under Captain Elijah Heman one month and upwards on the excursion to Horse Neck under the said Captain Elijah Heman three months and during the last year while he served under Captain David Porter as a minuteman and he was repeatedly called into active service and was engaged in active service for six months and upwards, and that during that time his services were devoted wholly to his country and he was constantly with his company, and not engaged in his private business at home. That he cannot state the precise length of each time during which he was so engaged, but his recollection is very distinct that such times in which he was in active service as a minuteman amounted in the aggregate to six months more or less and the full pension much as Freeman Porter made offered (he being alive) this 19 th day of February 1834
before me
S. Strong
Supreme Court Commissioner
State of New York } Suffolk County } ss.
I Solomon B. Strong a Supreme Court Commissioner in and for the County of Suffolk do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Freeman Porter who has subscribed his marks and sworn to the foregoing

affidavit before me, that he retains the character of an upright man that he is a credible person and that his statements are entitled to credit. And I do further certify that the statements made by him in the said affidavit as to the terms when he was actively and actively engaged in the public service were made with great caution and evidently with an intention to state nothing further than his position necessitated would warrant.
Given under my hand this 19 th day of February 1834.
J. B. Strong
Supreme Court Commissioner
State of New York } ss: Suffolk County }
I Joseph B. Huntington Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County and Clerk of the said County do certify that Robert B. Strong before whom the within affidavit was presented to him has been sworn over at the date of the same a Supreme Court Commissioner in and for the said County and that I am acquainted with his handwriting and readily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit and the foregoing certificate to be his free handwriting and signature.
Witness my hand and seal of office this 22 nd
day of February 1834.
J. B. Huntington Clk.
Hon. A. Huntington
Prussian Poster additional offering

Human Porter -

State of New York County of Suffolk } ss. on this twenty fifth day of May 1830 before me John S. Mount one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Suffolk in the State of New York personally ap- peared Truman Porter a resident of the Town of Brookhaven in the County of Suffolk and State of New York aged seventy six years, who, I certify, is unable from blindness, debility and other bodily infirmity to appear in any Court of record in the said County, who being first duly sworn according to law with in his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated
That on the last of July or the first of August 1776, but the exact day he does not recollect, at the Town of Woodbury in the State of Connecticut where he was born and then resided he entered as a volunteer and private soldier in a company of Militia in the troops of the State of Connecticut commanded by Captain Elisha Hemen and of which Benjamin Sikes was the Lieutenant, that he acted as the Captain's order. That he marched in the said company from Woodbury to New York City where they were quartered in King Street and were put under the command of Colonel Hemen. That they remained there as long as a month, and were in the said City, when the American forces under General Washington retreated from Long Island, that on the day before they were ordered to be in readiness to cross over to Long Island, but were prevented by the retreat of the American forces. That after this defeat had some a month he was furnished with a pass to return home having been previously taken sick as was also nearly his whole company and returned accordingly, but he did not receive any written discharge. That he remained away while in New York General Washington, Put- nam and Lee, and he also saw the coffin of three officers who had been killed by lightning, in the pocket of one of whom it was then reported was found a paper showing a conspiracy to poison General Washington in consequence of which the tea water pumps

was shut up for several days. This deponent thinks that he served in this engagement more than one month, but he cannot swear positively to more than that period.
That in or about the first of October 1779 according to his present recollection (and not in 1776 as was stated by mistake in his former declaration) he entered the service as a volunteer and private soldier in a company of which the said Ely A. Hensman was Captain, Benjamin Sikes was Lieutenant and Samuel Curtis was Ensign, at Woodbury afterwards and marched down to Horse Neck where the troops were commanded by Genl Wooster, and thinks his company was just under the command of Colonel Morey, as he often came to the quarters of this deponent's company which was stationed near Byram Bridge about two miles from head quarters. That this deponent served there under his last mentioned enlistment three months being the term he enlisted to serve when he received a verbal discharge and returned home. That this service was in the Connecticut troops. That there was not any fighting at Horse Neck during this term.
That some time in the Spring of the year 1779 but the month and day this deponent does not recollect he enlisted at Woodbury afterwards where he still served as a volunteer and private soldier in a company of minute men commanded by Captain David Porter (but his memory is now so indistinct that he cannot now state who his other officers were) for the term of one year and served out the whole of that time. That this company composed a part of the troops acting under the command of General Wooster. That this deponent was in service as last aforesaid and at Danbury when that place was burnt, that on the next day (being as this deponent thinks Sunday) he went to Ridgefield where he arrived just after sunset and as they were carrying Genl Wooster who was mortally wounded off from the field of battle and this deponent then saw him. This deponent's said company then formed part of a detachment under the command of Major Hatch. That on the next day the said deponent was engaged with his company in the battle on Charnut Hill. That the American force amounted to about two hundred and were commanded by Major Hatch.

and the British forces were a detachment from Gage's Brigs - ade and amounted to about one hundred and fifty. That this battl commenced about ten o'clock and lasted about one hour and a half when the British forces retreated by order of their comman- der who said the stone walls were firing upon them, that many of the American soldiers fired from behind stone walls and trees That during a part of the engagement Major Hatch lay at his length on the ground which excited some remarks unfavorable to his courage. That the British forces were pursued by the Amer- icans to a place called Combs hill where the British rallied and another engagement ensued, and the Americans retired. That this deponent remained on the ground with his captain and continued firing until all his ammunition was expended, when he remarked to the Captain that his men had left them alone and the Captain said he liked that they might as well go also. That during this term of service this deponent was ordered to Fair- field, but before he arrived there that place was burnt and the enemy had retired and the enemy had retired in load of their revenges. That at the end of the war for which this deponent enlisted as last aforesaid he was verbally discharged as last aforesaid by his said Captain at Woodbury aforesaid. That this deponent has no documentary evidence and knows not of any person living to prove his said services. That he was born at Woodbury aforesaid in 1756 but has no written record of his age. That he resided in Woodbury until about two years after the war when he removed to Brook Haven on Long Island where he has continued to reside ever since.
And he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state
sworn to and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid before me John M c Donough Judge of Suffolk County Pleas
John M c Donough

We Emma King a Clergyman residing in the same parish with Freeman Porter in the Town of Markham in the County of Suffolk and Richard W. Smith — residing in the same Town hereby certify that we are and the said Richard W. Smith well acquainted well acquainted with Freeman Porter who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 76 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion — Given and subscribed the 28 th day
of May 1853 before me
John S. Mount
Emma King Richard W. Smith
Judge of the Suffolk com Pleas
And I the said Judge do hereby declare my opinion that the said Freeman Porter is unable from bodily infirmity to attend in Court, and after putting the interrogatories proposed by the war department and after the investigation of the matter that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And I do further certify that it appears to me that Emma King who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman residing in the Town of Markham in the County of Suffolk and that Richard W. Smith who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Town and is a small farmer and that their statement is entitled to credit —
John S. Mount
Judge of the Suffolk com Pleas
I Joseph B. Huntington Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Suffolk and also of the said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings before Judge Mount in the matter of the application of Freeman Porter for a pension — And I do further certify that John S. Mount before me whom the foregoing declaration and certificate was subscribed and sworn to was at the date of the same a judge of the County Courts of and of the Court of

Common Pleas of the said County of Suffolk that I am acquainted with his hand writing and rightly believe his name subscribed to the said declaration and certificates to be his proper hand writing and signature -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 28 th day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty three -
Joseph D'Arting