Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,637, for Aaron Potter, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Potter, Aaron
S 17637
carded
CONTENTS

ct# 22978
Connecticut
now Potter
in Milford in the State of Connecticut
was a Private in the _____ commanded
Captain _____ of the Reg't. commanded
Col. Pope in the Massachusetts
for 2 Years
Died Dec 1, 1833
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 80 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Dec 1833 and sent J.B. Moore Poundville N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of Feb 33 — $200.
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar '34 40
$240.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 35
M c Ph. Moore int d . 18 Aug. 1834 that Cert. being withheld would not prevent pay, &c. — See letter to P. Rep. Sept. 27.
1834
1871
Jany 5 H c Walker, history Prot

on sales of col. Smutts
En 1 st 12 th July 1779
dis P 21 upw 1780 9.9
adm 2
24 mo pri
80 H
Directy Certificate of all communications relating to this claim to J.B. Moore Penpels Ville New York

State of Connecticut County of Litchfield New Milford Probate District ss
On this third day of October A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open court, before Nathaniel Perry Esq. Judge of a Court of Probate holden at New Milford in and for the said district in the County and State aforesaid, now sitting, Aaron Potter a resident of the town of New Milford in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut aged 72 years and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated -
He entered the said service at Dartmouth (now New Bedford) in the State of Massachusetts where he was born and where he then resided, on or about the first of March in the year 1775 as a volunteer for the term of six months, and joined Capt. Wilcox' Company of Militia as a private soldier. He was immediately marched to the sea shore at or near a place at place called Goosebury Neck where he was stationed, and kept guard untill about the first of September 1775 and untill his term of six months expired, and then returned home.
In the summer of the year 1777 he was drafted, and again entered the said service for the term of forty days, he and joined Capt. Wilcox' Company of Militia W trans

as a private soldier, and was marched in the said Company to Howlands Ferry in the said State, and was there encamped, and kept guard untill the expiration of his said term of forty days when he was dismissed and he returned home. He was drafted at Dartmouth aforesaid, but does not recollect the particular months he served -
He again entered the said Service at Dartmouth aforesaid and enlisted in Capt. Timothy Ingrahams Company in Colo. Pope's regiment in the month of March 1778 (as near as he can recollect) for the term of nine months , and served in the said Company and regiment of Massachusetts Militia untill the first day of January 1779 and at least nine months. He was stationed at Bedford on the Schunke river and assisted in building a Fort and did garrison duty until the expiration of the said term, when he received a written discharges signed by Colo. Pope and then returned home. In Sept. 1778 the British under Genl. Grey attacked Bedford, partly burnt that place, and destroyed a number of vessels and other property he was in the engagement -
He again entered the said Service at Dartmouth aforesaid and enlisted in Capt. Smiths Company and Colo. Sproats regiment in the Massachusetts line as a private soldier for the term of nine months on the Continental establishment. He joined the said Company as near as he can recollect in the month of June 1780 and was immediately marched to West Point in the State of New York and there joined the Continental Army.

work and there joined the continental Army
and did garrison duty in a Fort at that place. He was also during this campaign marched to White Plains, Verplank's point and various other places along the Hudson's river, and was finally discharged in Witting in the Highlands, in the month of March 1781 as near as he can recollect, having served as he positively knows, during this term. Nine months and fifteen days.
He was in the actual Service of the United States in the revolutionary War as a private soldier in an embodied Corps , in the whole, more than two years and one month , for which he claims a Pension -
He received two written discharges which have long since been lost or destroyed, and he has now no documentary evidence, nor does he know of any person he can procure to testify to his service except the persons who have made affidavits hereto annexed. He was born in the year 1760 and his brother has a record of his age in his family Bible . He was in no battles except the engagements above mentioned nor can he recollect the names of the officers he served with except those above stated. He has resided since the revolutionary War in the State of New York in Dutchess and Albany Counties, and now resides as he has stated above -
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      Aaron his Potter in open Court the day and year aforesaid.      mark
1. W true

as a private soldier, and was marched in the And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescri- bed by the War Department, that Aaron Patten the within named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states Nathaniel Perry Judge of the Court of Probate for the said District.
State of Connecticut
District of New Milford ss. I William J. Starr clerk of the Court of Probate for said dis- trict do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Aaron Patten for a Pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this 3 rd day of October 1832 William J. Starr

State of New York
Albany County S.S. Samuel Potter residing in the town of Rensselaerville in the County of Albany and State aforesaid aged 71 years and upwards being duly sworn deposes and says that he well knows Aaron Potter whose declaration is hereto annexed and knew him perfectly well in the Revolutionary War - And this deponent further says that the said Aaron Potter did serve as a soldier in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary War, and this deponent well recollects that the said Aaron Potter entered the said service at Dartmouth as it was then called in the State of Massachusetts as a volunteer and joined Capt Benjamin Wilcox's company and served at least six months from March 1775 to September 1775, and knows that he went to the sea shore and kept guard during that term -
And this deponent further says on his oath aforesaid, that that he well understood at the time that the said Aaron Potter was drafted for the term of Forty days, at Dartmouth in the summer of 1777, and knows that he went away and well understood that he belonged to Capt Wilcox's Company and was at Howlands Ferry during that term -
And this deponent further says that he well recollects that the said Aaron Potter enlisted in Capt. Ingrahams company in Colo Pops Regiment for the term of Nine months , in the month of March 1778 in Massachusetts Militia, and knows that he served untill the first of January 1779 and that he was discharged in mil- tiring

that this deponent belonged to the same company and served at the same places during the said term - and saw the said Aaron Potter from day to day during the said term -
And this deponent on his oath aforesaid further says that the said Aaron Potter enlisted in Capt Smiths Company and Colo Spratts regiment in the Massachusetts line for the term of nine months in the month of June 1780 and served in the said Company and regiment untill March 1781, as he well understood at the time and verily believing to be true - That he this deponent well recollects that the said Aaron Potter went from home at that time and entered the said service, and that he returned home again at Dartmouth aforesaid after having been gone more than nine months, and that it was said by the said Aaron Potter and well understood by this deponent and in the neighbourhood, that he had been in the Army of the Revolution on the continental establishment, and that he had served at West Point, White Plains and Verplanks point as he has stated in his said declaration -
And this deponent further says that it was well understood that the said Aaron Potter was discharged in the Highlands, after having served out his said term, and that he had a written discharge, and that it was seen and spoken of in the family of the said Aaron Potter father - And further that the said Aaron Potter is a credible person and a man of integrity and veracity and that his statement is entitled to full credit and belief.
Given and subscribed J. M. Bleecker this 20 th day of September

Sworn and Subscribed Charles S. Bates this 20 th day of September
1832 Before me J. V. B. Moore Judge of Albany County Courts
State of New York
Albany County ss. Benjamin Easterbrooks residing in the town of Middleburgh in the County of Schoharie in the State of New York aged 70 years, in November last being duly sworn deposes and says that he well knows Aaron Potter whose declaration is hereto annexed, and that he knew him perfectly well in the Revolu- tionary War, and this deponent further says that he well knows that the said Aaron Potter enlisted in Capt. Ingraham's Company of Massachusetts Militia in the Spring of the year 1778 for the term of nine months, and that he was stationed at Schuhineat River and there built a Fort and did garrison duty until the first of January 1779 - and this deponent further says that the said Aaron Potter resided at the time of his enlistment in the said Company, at Dartmouth as it was then called, now New Bedford in the State of Massachusetts, and actually served as a private soldier in the said Company during that term - that he this deponent belonged to the same Company and served with the said Aaron Potter and saw him most of the time during the said campaign - and this deponent on his oath aforesaid further says that the said Aaron Potter was in an engage- ment, when Bedford was attacked by the British under Genl. Grey, and

that they destroyed a number of American vessels and other property as the said Potter has stated in his said declaration in the month of September 1778.
This deponent further states that he is not particularly acquainted with the other services stated to have been done by the said Potter in his said declaration, but that he readily believes that the facts and circumstances stated in the said declaration are substantially true, that the said Aaron Potter is a credible person and a man of integrity and veracity and that his statement is entitled to full credit and belief.
Given and subscribed this 20 th day of September 1832 Before me
Benjamin Foster
A. B. Moore Judge of Albany County Courts
Albany County ss. I the subscriber a Judge of the County Courts of the County of Albany do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Foster and Samuel Potter who have subscribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavits, that they are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to full credit and belief. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 20 th day of September 1832
A. B. Moore
State of New York
Albany County ss. I Conrad A. Ten Eyck Clerk of the City County of Albany do certify that A. B. Moore before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn and who has made the above certificate is a Judge of the County Courts of the County of Albany, and that the signature "A. B. Moore" to the said affidavits and certificate is his genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this 22 nd day of September 1832

ine signature - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this 22 nd day of September 1832
G. A. Van Buren
State of New York
Albany County ss Patience Ruppel residing in the town of Rensselaerville in the County of Albany and State of New York aged sixty six years being duly sworn deposes and says that she well knows Aaron Potter late a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and that she knew him perfectly well during the said War. And this deponent on her oath aforesaid further says, that the said Aaron Potter did serve as a soldier in the United States Service in the Revolutionary War that she well recollects that the said Aaron Potter entered the said Service in the Spring of the year 1775 at Dartmouth now known as Bedford in the state of Massachusetts and joined Capt Wilcof's Company for the term of six months and that he left home and went into the said Service at that time and continued in the said Service until about the first of September or in the fall of the year 1775, and during the term of six months -
And this deponent further says that the said Aaron Potter again entered the said Service in the summer of the year 1777 for the term of forty days he having been drafted for that term at Dart- mouth aforesaid as she well understood at the time and readily believes to be true that the said Aaron Potter left home and joined Capt Wilcof's Company, and so as marched to Howland's Ferry and there served his time out of forty days, as she well under- stood at that time and has always under- -stood since -
And this deponent also says on her oath aforesaid, that she well remem- bers that the said Aaron Potter again entered the said Service and enlisted in Capt Wilcof's Company and Colonel Pops

regiment of Massachusetts Militia at Dartmouth aforesaid for the term of nine months and that he left home and spent into the said service at this time in the spring of the year 1778 as near as she can recollect and went to Scituate River, near New Bedford and there did garrison duty until the first day of January 1779 as she understood at the time and verily believes to be true -
And this deponent further says on her said oath that she well recollects that the said Aaron Potter again entered the said service at Dartmouth aforesaid and enlisted in Capt Smiths Company in Colo Spratts Regiment for the term of nine months on the Continental establishment, that the said Aaron Potter enlisted at this time as near as she can recollect in the fore part of the season of the year 1780 and went from home and was marched to West Point in the state of New York as she well understood at the time and verily believes to be true, that the said Aaron Potter was gone from home at least nine months and did not return until the spring of the year 1781 as near as she can now recollect - and that she always understood and it was generally understood in the neighborhood, that the said Aaron Potter had been to West Point, Verplank Point and in the Highlands, and that he had actually served during the said term of nine months as a Continental soldier -
And this deponent further says that the said Aaron Potter is a man of integrity and truth and that his statement is entitled to full credit and belief.
Sworn and subscribed

This 25 th day of September 1832 Before me Patience  her Russell mark
John Rider Justice P.
Albany County ss. I the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Albany do Certify that I am well acquainted with Patience Russell who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit - That she is a credible person and that her statement is entitled to full credit and belief - Witness my hand this 25 th day of September, 1832 -
John Rider Justice
State of New York Albany County ss
I Conrad A. Ten Eyck Clerk of the city and County of Albany do hereby certify that John Rider before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn and who has made the above certificate is a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Albany and that the signature "John Rider" to the said affidavit and certificate is his genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have unto set my hand and affixed the seal in said County this 1 st day of October 1832
C. A. Ten Eyck Clerk

3.660
✓
Be particular to send the Certificate and all com- munications relating to this claim directed to A. B. Moore Rensselaerville New York

State of Connecticut } ss Litchfield County Town of New Milford
On this 19 th day of July 1833 personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace of the Town of New Milford in the County and State aforesaid. Aaron Potter a resident of the town of New Milford in the County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut aged 73 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Supplementary declaration in addition to his declaration made on the 3 rd day of October 1832 in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
He entered the service service of the U.S. as he has stated in his original declaration at New Bedford in the State of Massachusetts in March 1775 as a volunteer and served in Capt. Wilcox's company of Militia as a private for the term of six months, and kept guard at "Goose- wing Neck" as he has set forth in his said declaration.
In the summer of the year 1777 he again entered the said service having been drafted drafted and joined Capt. Wilcox's company of Militia and served in keeping guard at "Howland's Ferry" forty days as he has also set forth in his original declaration.
He again entered the said service and enlisted or joined Capt. Ingraham's company in Colo. Pope's regiment of Massachusetts Militia in March 1778 and served then

months in the manner particularly set forth in his said declaration
He again entered the said service and enlisted in Capt Smiths company in Colo Sproats regiment in the month of June 1780 as near as he can recollect for the term of Nine Months on the Continental Establishment at Dartmouth of re said as follows. He was enlisted by a recruiting officer whose name he does not now recollect together with Joseph Trafford, Jonathan Connors, Ebenezer Mosher, and a number of others and was mustered at Taunton in the State of Massachusetts and there was measured and described, and his name and description put down on paper and was immediately marched with a number of others to West Point in the State of New York and there joined Capt Smiths Company and Colo Sproats regiment, and was immediately engaged in building two Fort s and continued there all the summer and into the following until towards Spring and was then marched to White Plains & Kings Ferry and there kept guard, and was then marched to the Highlands on the East side of Hudson river and was there discharged in writing in the Spring of the year 1781 as near as he can recollect, and positively and solemnly swears that he served Nine Months and fifteen days . He thinks he served a part of the time in Colo Vose's regiment as he well remembers that he was transferred from Colo. Sproats regiment to some other one which he thinks was Colo. Vose's regiment. He thinks he belonged to Capt Smiths company during the whole of
this Campaign. He saw and knew while

this Campaign. He saw and knew while he was at West Point Colo. Rose, Colo. Sproat Genl Putnam. Genl Washington and a number of others whose names he cannot now remember. He well knows that he was discharged in writing in the Highlands but cannot tell who signed it. He has lost it long ago. He does not recollect what continental & militia regiments he served with He was born in the month of October 1759 and a record of his age is now in the hands of his sister in Dutchess County State of New York. He was born in Dartmouth aforesaid and lived lived at that place when he was called into the said service, and has resided since the revolutionary war in the County of Dutchess State of New York and in New Milford Connecticut
He is known to Peter Gaylord Esq. John Gaylord Rena Josiah L. Sicknessan. Orange Mersin and others who reside in his present neighborhood and who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution. He has used every exertion in his power to procure witnesses to prove his services in Colo Sproats regiment and his other services and has travelled at his advanced age about 300 miles to obtain witnesses and any further witnesses other than those who have made affidavits hereto annexed cannot be had or found and he has no documentary evidence or other testimony except what he has obtained to prove his services. He however bears --- former says was a Company of Militia

Regiment of Massachusetts Militia at Dartmouth
most solemnly and positively that he did serve as a soldier in the Revolutionary war as he has stated in his original declaration and as above stated. He may be mistaken in the year but he knows that he enlisted and served in Colo Sprague's regiment, and could abundantly prove this service if the witnesses who knew him at that time and he belonged to the same company and regiment were not dead. He is unable to write his name having never been taught to write. He actually served in the Revolutionary war two years one month & 25 days.
Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid Before me Benjamin B. Soule Justice of the Peace his Aaron Potter mark
We Josiah L. Dickerson a clergyman residing in the town of New Bedford in the county of Dukesfield in the State of Connecticut and Peter Gaylord Esq. Post Master and John Gaylord a Merchant residing in the same place hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Aaron Potter who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration and the declaration hereto annexed, that we believe him to be 73 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. Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid Before me Benjamin B. Soule Justice of the Peace Josiah L. Dickerson Peter Gaylord John Gaylord

State of Connecticut County of Litchfield Town of New Milford } ss.
I Benjamin B. Soule a Justice of the peace of the Town of New Milford in the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify and declare my opinion that the above named Aaron Potter was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states that the said Aaron Potter is a man of truth and veracity and that his statement is entitled to full credit and belief. And I do further certify that I am well acquainted with the Revd. Josiah L. Dickerson, Peter Gaylord Esq. & John Gaylord who have signed and sworn to the preceding Certificate, that the said Josiah L. Dickerson is a Clergyman, the said Peter Gaylord a Post Master & the said John Gaylord a Merchant and that they all reside in the said Town of New Milford in the County of Litchfield, and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit - In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day of July A.D. 1833
Benjamin B. Soule Justice of the Peace
and former Capt. Wilcox' Company of Militia

State of Connecticut County of Litchfield Probate District of New Milford } ss
I William J. Han Clerk of the Court of Probate of New Milford District in the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Benjamin B. Soule before whom the within Declaration of Aaron Potter and the within Certificate of Peter Gaylord Josiah L. Dickerson & John Gaylord were sworn and who has made the foregoing Certificate is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Litch- -field in the State aforesaid residing in the said Town of New Milford duly com- -missioned and sworn and that the signature "Benj. B. Soule" to the said declaration and Certificate is his genuine signature - In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this 19 th day of July A. D. 1833.
William J. Han Clerk

Rensselaerville. N.Y. Aug. 13. 1834.
Sir.
My late husband Joseph B. Moore, some time ago obtained a pension certificate for Aaron Potter of the Town of New Milford, Litchfield Co. Conn. as a Revolutionary Pensioner under the act of June 7. 1832. Soon after the certificate was obtained, and before any money had been drawn Aaron Potter died leaving a widow Philomela Potter, who was entitled to the money due her husband at the time of his death. Mr. Moore then went to Connecticut, made a settlement with the widow , advancing the money due to her , for her accommodation - obtained her receipt in full , together with her power of attorney, and the other necessary papers, and died within a day or two afterwards, on his way to Hartford, (where he was to draw the money), with the certificate and other papers in his possession - which have come to my hands as his widow and administering - Philomela Potter seems willing to take advantage of these circumstances; has ordered the Pension agent not to pay the money, and demands the certificate for the purpose of drawing all the money for her own use - I have refused to give it up, except in pursuance of the settlement made with my husband, and I understand she now intends to apply at the war office for a new certificate. As the amount of my husband's advances, together with the sums allowed him by the widow, in their settlement, for his services

and expenses, in obtaining the certificate, are of considerable consequence to her family. I deem it prudent to make this statement, requesting that no facilities may be granted from the Pension department, by which she may be able to evade the performance of her agreement, and obtain more than is justly due to her, at the expense of myself and family —
Then Lewis Capt.
Phoebe Moore
Sunday of Mar.
Washington.

13,660
Aaron Potter
P. 370
4 May 55
J. B. Moore Rensselaer co New York

13.660
BRIEF in the case of  Aaron Potter  Town of New Milford - in the State of - Connecticut,  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72 years  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.     about 1 st Mar In 1775 6 Private Capt. Wiley's Co ? Mil a Volunt o   Summer 1777 40 do do do   Mar 1778 until 9 do Capt. Tim o Ingraham do   1 st Jan y 1779 do Col l Pape Reg t   June 1780 9 15 do Capt. Smith Co y   Col l Sproat Reg t  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? no battle stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? at Dartmouth (now New Bedford) Mass s  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 3 rd term supported by two witnesses - the others only partially by the printed statements of several witnesses - Certified to be credible persons  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not attached according to the regulation & the signature of the clerk not affixed to one of the Certifs 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
E. Stephens
Examining Clerk.
* examine the rolls Not found.

Aaron Potter
Born - 1760. in Dartmouth - now New Bedford, Bristol Co Mass where living during the Revolutionary War & since in Dutchess & Albany Counties N.Y. and finally settled in New Milford Litchfield Co Conn & was there residing in Oct 1832 when he applied for pension. He died Dec 1. 1833
He volunteered at Dartmouth Mass in March 1775 for 6 mos under Capt (Beng) Wilcox who com'd a comp'y of militia marched to Gooseberg Neck where stationed as guard until discharged in Sept 1775 (He was liable for military duty until he was 16 years of age and the war did not commence until on & after the battle of Lexington April 19. 1775 & the year may be a mistake although many entered the service at & under 15 years of age) & he does not mention any service for 1776)
In the Summer of 1777 (Beng) he was drafted & served 40 days under Capt Wilcox, proceeded to the camp at Howland Ferry (near Tiverton & Bristol Rd) (the particular month no recollection) Enlisted March 1778 (as near as he can recollect) under Captain Ingraham & Colo Pope for 9 mos - He Stationed at Bedford on Acushnet river where he assisted in building a Fort & did garrison duty - Sept 1778 during Jan'y 1779
The British under Genl Grey attacked & partly burnt Bedford destroying a number of vessels & other property in the engagement (British landed on west side of mouth of the river at Clark's Neck Sept 5 1778) destroyed 70 vessels many of them prizes captured from the enemy burned magazine where stores were kept stored & many vessels

About June 1780 then summer & winter he enlisted for 9 months with Capt Smith & found Col Sprague, proceeded to West Point NY & was one of the garrison in a Fort at that place. During his Service he was on duty at White Plains, Verplanck's Point & other posts on the Hudson River as guard duty. March 1781 about Building 2 Forts. He claimed a service of 2 yrs & one month. Discharges are lost — In no balltes except as above stated. From Genl Col Sprague to Col Vose
Samuel Potter of Rensselaerville Albany Co NY aged 71 years testified in Sept 1832 to nearly all the Service of Aaron & was with him in the 9 mos Service under Col Pope. In alluding to his discharge from Genl 9 mos duty says it was seen in the family & spoken of in the family. Patience Russell of Rensselaerville Albany Co NY aged 66 years testified Sept 1832
Rolls show Aaron Potter enlisted July 12, 9 mos Discharged " " " " 5 6 mos
No Service at Sea

24-118.
House of Representatives U. S.,
Washington D.C., December 24th, 1890.
Hon. Green B.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Sir:
I enclose herewith a letter from Mr. Henry Watkeys relative to the service in the Revolutionary War of Aaron Potter.
I will deem it a favor if you will furnish me any additional data that will assist Mr. Watkeys in completing his family history.
I am informed that all the Revolutionary records are on file in your Bureau.
Very respectfully,
J. G. Beldum

17637 INVALID
Near War
File No. 17637
Baron Potter
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 301
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Resided Scarborough when young and was 5 children 1775-1777-1778, 1779-1780 no other moved to New Bedford Born in Scarborough 1760
Henry was in Dartmouth when in Dukes Co & Henry Co & finally settled in New Bedford (or Died there 1833

New York Rev. 
Act 7. June 1832
Suspended Aaron Potter Asahel Perry
See letter to J. B. Moore Rensselaer Co., N. Y.
26. Oct. 1833 let. to same. 13 Nov. 33

U. S. Pension Agency for Connecticut Farmers & Mechanics Bank Hartford 24 th Sept r 1834
Sir
Herewith are transmitted the papers which have been presented at this agency on application for the payment of the arrearage of Pension due to Aaron Potter dec d
As my instructions do not appear to authorize me to pay in this case I have thought best to transmit the papers to you and await further instructions upon the subject.
I also transmit herewith copies of the certificates of Robert Francis, Ephraim Munson & Daniel Roberts; the annual amount in each of these cases disagrees with the amount reported to me on the first of March last, as marked in the margin of each copy.
Your obedient Servant
J. G. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
J. May J. H. H.
P. W. F. M. B. M.

Rensselaerville Albany County New York July 1833
J. A. Edwards Esqr
Dear Sir:
Herewith you have the papers of Aaron Potter an applicant for a pension under the act of June 7. 1832, returned, I hope they will be found to be satisfactory - The principal objection to the admission of this claim seems to be that he had not sufficiently proved his services in Col. Sprouts regiment. This old man at a very advanced age and in very feeble health has travelled about 300 miles to obtain proof and cannot find witnesses now alive to make any other proof than that heretofore obtained is a living which I sincerely hope will be con- sidered sufficient under the circumstances of this case - There is not a particle of doubt in relation to his service of nine months & 15 days, for it would be wholly out of his power to narrate a particular service so minutely as he does if it was not performed. Besides, Genl. Potter and Patience Russell swear that they knew that he enlisted in that company and regiment and went from home and con- tinued from home during the time stated by the soldiers, and that on his return home it was stated by the soldiers and well un- derstood to be the fact that he had served at West Point & other places in the Continen- -tal Army over nine months. If there is a mistake in relation to this service it consists in his misstating the year of his enlistment, and his name would not in that case be found on the rolls of the year 1780. when in fact his name might be found on a (thorough examination)

on the rolls of some other year. It is not strange that years and dates should be mis-stated by these old soldiers whose recollection has almost entirely failed many of them and who (as in this case with Baron Pottar) are illiterate, ignorant & stupid. Indeed it is singular after so great lapse of time that many of them should recollect any scarcely any part of their services - And I fear that great injustice will be done in withholding pay for a share of their services which may not be distinctly recollected so as to give definite circumstances - I hope this case will be examined with that liberality and fairness which justice and equity requires, and the result cannot be other than favorable to this claim. If this old man who is just on the verge of the grave, could present himself at the Pension Office and narrate in person, his services in the Rev. War I know that you would not hesitate a moment in placing him on the Pension List . And I can not think that he will be unreasonably dealt with because it is out of his power to appear before you in his proper person -
Please communicate to me the results of this case as soon as possible and direct to me at Rensselaerville Albany County New York
Respectfully Yours,
J. P. Moore

Aaron Potter —
He was born, . . . . . 1760, in Dartmouth, now New Bedford - Bristol County, Mass, where residing during the war of the Revolution, and since the war, in Dutchess and Albany Counties, then finally settled in New Milford, Litchfield County, Conn m from which latter place he applied in October 1832 for pension - He died Dec r 1. 1833 -
He volunteered at Dartmouth, in March 1775 for 6 months under Capt n Benjamin Wilcox who commanded a company of militia, marched to Goosebery Neck, on the sea coast, remaining until discharged in Sept 1775 as guard (He would not be liable for military duty or enrolled until he was 16 years old, and hostilities did not commence until the battle at Lexington April 19. 1775 - Very little, if any thing was done in guarding the exposed sea coast until Boston was evacuated March 17. 1776, pending the efforts to adjust the differences with Great Britain - There may be misrecollection of the year in his statement - He makes no mention of service in 1776, so near as New Bedford was to Newport R.I. which was occupied by the British early in December 1776 - A British war vessel was in Newport harbor in summer & fall of 1775 requiring provisions & in the fall at Bristol, which being before the place was burnt - During winter & spring of 1776, such hostilities was apparent with war vessels present that there is a probability that Potter service may have commenced in March 1776)
In the summer of 1777 he was drafted & served 40 days with Captain Benjamin Wilcox, proceeded to the camp at Howland's Ferry (between Bristol & Tiverton Rd.) The particular month he was drafted was not recollected -
In March 1778, as near as he can remember, he volunteered for 9 months with Capt n Ingraham, in Col o Pope's regiment, employed in erecting a Fort at Bedford and as one of the garrison until discharged in Jan y 1779 -
He turned out at the time Gen l Grey landed & partly burnt Bedford in which engagement he participated (Gen l Grey landed Sept 5. 1778 near the