Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,929, for Thaddeus Potter, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Potter Thaddeus
S 21.929
CONTENTS

N o 11,740 Vermont
Thaddeus Potter
of Caledonia Co. in the State of Vermont who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Warteville of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Mass. Militia time for 6 months, Private $20.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 20 Dollars _____ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of June 1833 and sent to Ames Paul Danville Vt.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 40.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Sept. 1833 10.00 $50.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book E Vol. 3 Page 83

udden Patters decoloration,
24/44

I Abijah Potter of Hatt in the County of Coos and State of New Hampshire do hereby depose and say that in the time of the Revolution war I resided at Brookfield in the State of Massachusetts that in the fall or winter of 1778 there was call upon the militia companies in that vicinity to furnish to men out of each company to guard the British and Hessians which remained at Rutland Mass the greater part the prisoners taken with Gen Burgoyne having been previously sent off to Europe and my Brother Thaddeus Potter now of Waterford Vermont who then lived at my fathers in Brookfield and I further state he enlisted to guard said troops at Rutland Mass in the fall or winter of 1778 and further state that I went and bailed him from articles and Provisions on the first Monday of March 1779 it being about 8 miles from my fathers House to where he was stationed Abijah Potter
State of New Hampshire Coos ss
Mar 1st 1833
Personally appearing before me Abijah Potter who has subscribed the foregoing affidavit and made oath that his statements therein contained is true
Before me Aaron Potter Justice Peace this certifies that Abijah Potter of truth and accuracy Aaron Potter Justice Peace

State of New Hampshire Coos Co I William Farrar Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said County of Coos do certify that Aaron Potter is a Justice of the Peace within the said County duly qualified to take affidavits & administer oaths and that I believe the signature purporting to be his is genuine
Witness my hand and the seal of the Court this 2 d day of February Anno Domini 1833
Wm Farrar Clerk
Aaron Potter

State of Vermont, District & County of Caledonia ss. } On this 8 th day of February (A.D. 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Hon. Benj. F. Deming Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Caledonia aforesaid now sitting. Shaddens Potter a resident of Waterford in the District and County aforesaid aged sixty nine 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. 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That about the first of November 1778 at Brookfield in the State of Massachusetts his then place of residence he belonged to the militia company of that town as a drummer altho' he was not at that time liable on account of his age to do military duty. There was at that time a call for two men from each company to go to Rutland, Mass. to guard certain British and Hessian prisoners that had surrendered, under Gen. Burgayne. The Captain of said Militia Company stated that if any one would voluntary enlist it should go for a term and such person should not be called upon again until the other members of the company had each served a tour. This de- larant having obtained the consent of his father, did together with one Isaiah Bacon enlist for the term of six months as the two required from said company for the purpose aforesaid. He marched to said Rutland and there served in the company of Cap t Hartwell G o Ruggles, Orderly Sergeant Sumner, guarding about one thousand or 1500 British and Hessian troops who had surrendered under Gen. Burgayne. The

Commissary who furnished his company together with the prisoners was named Cutting. There was no other troops stationed at said Rutland except said Hartwell's company. He was required to go on guard every third day. Served as a private in said company - the full term of his engagement and was discharged at said Rutland on the first day of May 1779. Tho a drummer in the militia he was not the drummer of said company. He has no documentary evidence and knows of no person who can testify to his service.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any state. That he was born at Brookfield in the State of Massachusetts in the month of May 1763. Has no record of his age. Was living when called into the service at said Brookfield. Shortly after the close of the revolutionary war he resided about three years in the State of New York - afterward about four or five years at South Hadley Mass - from which place he removed to Waterford Vermont, his present residence nearly forty years since. He has ever since resided in said Waterford except seven or eight years at Danville in the same county from about 1819 or 1820 to 1827 and also except about three or four years that he resided in Barnet adjoining said Waterford. Has resided the last five years at said Waterford. That he never did receive a written discharge.
Thos. Patten
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Before Benj. P. Denning Judge of Probate

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 and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that Sylvanus Herringway who has signed the accompanying certificate is a magistrate, and that Joseph Heleh who has signed the same is a respectable person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Amos Paul Register, of the Court of Probate for the District of Caladonia aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Thaddeus Potter, for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 28 th day of March A. D. 1833.
Amos Paul Register

e 1 st 24/44
Thaddeus Potter, Caledonia County Vermont
admitted 6 mo. Private $20:00
Amos Paul, Danville Vermont
E
PAW

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Thaddeus Potter District & County of Caledonia Vermont.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. At present, or at the time when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlist Apr. 1778 - 6 - private Capt. Hartwell 69 years Brookfield Massachusetts Traditional evidence, witnesses certified credible - no disqualifying reason given. One living witness certified credible & papers correct  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this            day of            personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of            in the county of            and State, Territory or District of            aged (c)            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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)           , with            and served in the            (e) regiment of the            line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I            of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of            for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of            &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the            and C. D. residing in (the same)           , who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with           , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be            years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B., who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the            and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the            and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,            Clerk of the Court of            do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this            day of            &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.  The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by L.D.L.
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Thaddeus Potter
Service Wh-
Additional Service Rev. War
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 190_____
No claim, combination records _____, 190_____
REMARKS:
No claim Try I.# 21929 X I.# 23846  Service Comm Res. N.Y.

Ex. [Signature] Div. MAIL DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., May 1 , 190 9
The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau.
No. of claim, Printed
Name of soldier, Rev. Shadins Patterson
P. O. address of soldier, _____
Company Capt. Ephraim Hartwells
Regiment Co of Guards, Rutland Vt.
State where enlisted Vt.
If unable to furnish company and regiment give names of commanding officers.
To Mr. Joshua T. Norrell
42 Court St. Boston, Mass.
his letter in S. File 37273 claim
Return attached letter with reply.
of Jonathan Norrell
[Signature] Commissioner.

Hot
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by A. Mac D. 7/12/10
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Thaddens Potter
Service Mass,
Additional Service Rev.
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 191_____
No claim, combination records _____, 191_____
REMARKS:
No Eur. any service from 40,000
" Weil, " "
" Reg. at all
No Rev below 40,000 except
S. 21929 +
S. 23846 Connecticut

for
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by Geo M. Moore
Claim No. Mar 12, 1910
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Thaddeus Potter
Service Mass  Rev.
Additional Service _____
No _____ claim, State records _____, 190_____
No claim, combination records _____, 190_____
REMARKS:
No O H S H or R. as above except I.F. 21929.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Thaddeus Potter a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ( or his widow's ) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
S. File 21929
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Nov. 1. 78 May 1. 79 Private Hartwell ✓ Mass.   guarding Hessian pris. at Rutland.        
Battles engaged in, ✓
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Brookfield, Mass.
Date of application for pension, Feb. 8. 1833.
Residence at date of application, Waterford, Caledonia Co., Vt.
Age at date of application, Born in May 1763 at Brookfield, Mass.
Remarks:
1833 Bro Abijah Potter testified
(Office note. Mass book - Mch. 20 Capt Uphr. Hartwell's Co. of guard.)

49 North Ave
Melrose Highlands Mass.
Department Interior, Bureau of Pensions Washington D. C
Gentlemen:—
Kindly furnish me the military record of Thaddeus Potter who served in the Revolutionary war and enlisted at Brookfield-Mass
Thanking you, I remain
Yours respectfully
(Mrs) Nellie A. Thompson.

DEC 7 - 1910
ack. Dec. 10 1910. V.

Revolution
21 929 INVALID.
1909 May 14. History to Joshua T. Nowell - P 1910 Mch. 16. Mrs. A. C. Nentworth 1910 Dec. 12. Mrs. Nellie A. Thompson
File No. 21,929
Shadens Patter
Pris Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 325
[Arrangement of 1870.]

162 Fort Pheasant Ave. Springfield, Mass. February 22, 1910.
Department of Interior, Bureau of Pensions.
Gentlemen: -
Will you kindly furnish me with any records here may be of Thaddens Potter, who was in Capt. Hartwell's Co. (Brookfield)? Mass.
Thanking you for all courtesies and awaiting your reply, I am,
Yours truly,
Mrs. A. C. Skentworth.

U.S. P.

We Sylvanus Hemingway and Joseph Welch, of Waterford in the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Shaddens Potter, of said Waterford and have known him for more than thirty years, that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age - that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution and that in our opinion he did serve six months in the revolutionary war as he states.
Sylvanus Hemingway Joseph Welch
State of Vermont, } Caledonia County ss. } Waterford February the 20. 1833.
The above named Sylvanus Hemingway and Joseph Welch personally appeared and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing certificate.
Before Adad Farnam Justice of the Peace.

State of Vermont } Caledonia County ss }
I, Benjamin H. Denning Clerk of Caledonia County Court do hereby certify that Brad Freeman is one of the Justices of the Peace for said County and that the within I believe to be his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I hereto affix the seal of said Court and subscribe my name this 28 th day of March 1833.
Benj H. Denning Clerk.
W. Bradbury & Allen

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Potter, Thomas GRADE Private LINE New Jersey
WARRANT NUMBER 8658 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED November 16, 1791 to Adam Nutt, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.