Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8521, for Thomas Potts, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York.
Potts, Thomas Sarah
N. 8521
B.L. Mt. 8015-160-55
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.

New York 24 425
Thomas Potts
of Westchester in the State of New York who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Lewis of the (U.S.) commanded by Col. Crane in the A. V. mil. line for 6 mos 14 ds.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 21 Dollars 54 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of Decr. 1833 and sent to Hon. A. Ward. H. Rep. 2
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833. $ 53. 85 Pension allowance ending March 34. 10. 77
$ 64. 62
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk. book C Vol. 4 Page 113

Application of Thomas Potts for a Pension 28.879
adm d 6 mo 14 ds/pri
Ward
6 mo 14 ds/pri
11 10 1/2

State of New York County of Westchester, Ss. On this third day of December personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Westchester aforesaid now sitting Thomas Potts a resident of the town of Poundridge in the county of Westchester and State of New York 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 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated, to wit, That in the spring of the year 1782 the declarant resided in the town of Poundridge aforesaid and was enrolled in the Com- pany of Militia commanded by Capt Samuel Lewis in the Regiment of Col. Lorane, as a private soldier - That on or about the twentieth day of April of said year and before the first of May of that year the said Company was called into service to repel the incursions of the enemy who were frequently plundering the inhabitants and making his incursions in the vicinity of the declarant's residence on the bor- der of Connecticut. That the declarant joined said Company under arms at the time aforesaid at the house of said Capt Lewis and were stationed as a guard on the road leading from the Village of Bedford to Long Ridge, so called, in the town of Stamford in the State of Connecticut and served to the best of his recollection and belief until some time in the month of November and as the declarant believes between the twentieth and last of said month and was verbally discharged at Poundridge aforesaid. The declarant well recollects that the term of service during that year was six months and two weeks. And
That during the term aforesaid the declarant was not employed in any civil pursuit.
And the declarant upon his oath further saith that he has no documentary evidence of his service nor can he procure any other except the Affidavit of John Hawson who occasionally saw the declarant under arms on duty as a private soldier in said Company.

And in answer to the interrogatories prop- ounded to him agreeably to the instructions of the War Department the declarant on his oath in open court maketh answer and saith
1 st — That he was born in the town of North Stamford in the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut on the twenty seventh day of June in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty four
2 nd That he has a record of his age now in his possession and exhibited to the court
3 rd That at the time he entered the service as aforesaid he resided in the town of Poundridge in the County of Westchester aforesaid and has resided there since the Revolutionary War and now resides there
4 th That he was ordered into the service aforesaid by the said Captain Lewis but the declarant does not know from whom he received his orders
5 th That there were no continental officers or troops at the station where he served nor did he ever serve with any, That the militia officers with whom he served in addition to those hereinbefore mentioned whose names he now recollects were Lieutenant Benjamin Brown. And the declarant would further state in relation to his said service; that he was

was in actual service during the said term of 24 months and two weeks under the said Captain Lewis and drew pay from the government for said service.
6th That he never received a written discharge from the service.
7th That he has no documentary evidence of his service and the only person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service is John Slawson, whose affidavit is hereto annexed. That the persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood and who can testify as to his character for truth veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution are the Hon. Ezra Lockwood now one of the Judges of the said court and
That there is now no clergyman in his neighborhood with whom he is acquainted the late clergyman of the his neighborhood having recently removed therefrom.
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 in any State
Sworn to and Subscribed this 3 rd day of December 1833 in open court
Thomas Potts
M Payles Atty

We Ezra Lockwood one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of West Chester aforesaid residing in the town of Poundridge in said County and Horatio Lockwood
residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Potts of the town of Poundridge aforesaid who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: 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 we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed this day of December 1833 in open court
Ezra Lockwood Horatio Lockwood
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 Ezra Lockwood who has subscribed the preceding certificate is one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas aforesaid, resident in the town of Poundridge in said County of Westchester and that who has also signed the same is

and is a credible person and that and that they statement is entitled to credit
I Nathaniel Bayles Clerk of the court of common Pleas in and for the County of Westchester in the State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing con- tains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application Thomas Potts for a Pension
In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 3 rd day of December one thousand eight hundred and thirtythree
N Bayles Atty
I Nathaniel Bayles Clerk of the County of Westchester State of New York do hereby certify that Ezra Lockwood before whom the annexed affidavit of John Hanson was sworn to and who has subscribed the Great thereto is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in the said County duly commissioned & sworn and that the signature sub- scribed thereto as his is a genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 3 rd day of Decem- ber 1833
N Bayles Atty

Westchester County. S ss John Hawson of Poundridge in in said County aged sixty nine years being duly sworn according to law upon his oath saith that he is well acquainted with Thomas Potts of said Poundridge and has been acquainted with him since and during most of the Revolutionary War - That in the year 1781 or 1782 the deponent frequently saw the said Thomas Potts doing duty as a private soldier under Arms, in the Company of Capt Samuel Lewis and Regim ent of Col. Thomas Thomas the deponent be- lieves both in the towns of Bedford and in Poundridge in said County - The deponent further saith that from the first time he saw said Thomas Potts on duty as aforesaid until the last was three or four months to the best of his recollection and belief -
John Hawson
Sworn and subscribed The sixth day of November 1833 before me
Ezra Lockwood One of the Judges of The Court of Com. Pleas in & for said County.
I do certify that I am well acquainted with John Haw- son, the above named deponent, and that he is of good character for truth and veracity and that full credit is to be given to his testimony.
Ezra Lockwood One of the Judges of in & for Westchester County.
arms on duty as a private soldier in said

4555 New York City Sarah Potts, widow of Thomas Potts N.Y. who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private
died about Sept 20 1831 certificate surrendered 1865 Aug 29 2 d Comptroller 3 d Auditor.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 21. Dollars 54.
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1848.
3 d February 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th day of Oct r 1854. and sent to
M m Lockwood Sound Ridge Neschester Co N. York
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 86 Vol. a 3. 1853
321

State of New York Wachovia County ss
On this 4 th Day of September 1854 personally appeared before the County Court in and for the County of Wachovia in the State of New York, Sarah Potts a resident of the town of Pound Ridge in the County of Wachovia and State aforesaid aged seventy four years who first being duly sworn according to law, cloth, on her oath made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3 rd February 1853, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War; That she is the widow of Thomas Potts who was a private in the Revolutionary war, and this declarant further states that she is unable to state where her said husband resided when he entered the service, or the name or rank of the officer under whom he served, but would refer your honor to his proof which is on file in your office, and she further declares that her said husband was a pensioner of the United States, that he was pensioned under an act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832, and drew his pension at the New York agency, that her said husband Thomas Potts died at the town of Pound Ridge on the 11 th day of May 1848 that she was lawfully joined in marriage to the said Thomas Potts at the town of Pound Ridge aforesaid by one Richard Andrews a Presbyterian clergyman on the 22 nd day of June 1833 and that she still continues the widow of the said Thomas Potts
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written in open Court Robt R. Oakley Clk
Sarah Potts

63.682 Act 3 March/55
April 14/55
Sarah Potts widow Thomas Potts
Pinnacle Pensioners at York
Private Francis Dyer N.Y. Troops Revolutionary War W.W. Feb 53-4555
Brighton Co. 160 Q.M. Oct 9/55 Dodge
Mr Lockwood Pound Ridge New York
Vol P. page 111.

State of New York Westchester County
On this Seventh day of April A.D. One Thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me a justice of the peace duly authorized by law to administer oaths, within and for the said County and State Sarah Potts aged seventy four years a resident of New  Westchester  Connecticut  New York  Westchester  Westchester County State of Connecticut  New York , who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of Thomas Potts deceased who was a private in the Revolutionary war. That she does not recollect under what officers her said husband served but would most respectfully refer to the evidence on file in the war office which her said husband produced to obtain, and did obtain a pension certificate under the act of Congress of the 7 th June 1832, and drew a pension to the day of his death. That this declarant made application for, and obtained a pension certificate dated the fifth day of October one thousand eight hundred and fifty four for twenty one dollars and fifty four cents per annum. She further states that she was married to the said Thomas Potts in the town of Pound Ridge on the twenty second  seventh day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirteen, according to her best recollection, that there is no public or private record of their marriage, and that her name before her said marriage was Sarah Waterbury, that her said husband died at Pound Ridge on the fourth  seventh day of May one thousand eight hundred and forty eight and that she is now a widow. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3 rd 1855
Sarah Potts Mark

We Horace Sturtevant and Jane R. Lockwood residents of Pound Ridge in the State of New York upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Sarah Potts in our presence and that we believe from the appearance and statement, of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be Horace Sturtevant Jane R. Lockwood
63682
The foregoing declaration and affidavits were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written, and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, that the claimant is the person she represents, herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
William Lockwood Justice of the peace
State of New York County of Westchester
Albert Lockwood being duly sworn, does on his oath say, that he is now aged fifty six years that he is a resident of Pound Ridge in said county, that he was well acquainted with Thomas Potts, deceased and with Sarah Potts, his widow for the space of twenty years past that the said Thomas Potts and Sarah Potts, lived together as husband and wife and was reputed so to be in the neighborhood where they lived and that he never heard it doubted and that she is still a widow.
Sworn to and subscribed before me the 7 th day of April 1855 William Lockwood Justice of the peace

State of New York
County of Westchester ss
Samuel Waterbury, a resident of Poughkeepsie in the said County aged fifty one years being duly sworn according to law does on his oath depose and say that he was well acquainted with Thomas Potts and Sarah Potts his widow for the space of thirty five years last past, that the said Thomas Potts and Sarah Potts lived together as husband and wife and was reputed so to be in the neighborhood where they lived, and that he never heard it doubted, and that she is still a widow
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 7th day of April 1855 William Lockwood Justice of the Peace
State of New York Westchester County ss
I hereby certify that the above named Albert Lockwood and Samuel Waterbury are personally known to me and that they are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to full credit
STATE OF NEW YORK, County of Westchester, ss.
I, ROBERT R. OAKLEY, Clerk of the County aforesaid, and also Clerk of the Courts in and for said County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That William Lockwood Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed Instrument, and endorsed thereon, was, on the day of the date of the said Certificate, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, residing in said County, elected and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same, according to the laws of the said State. And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Courts and County, this Tenth day of April 1855
Robt. R. Oakley CLERK.

State of New York
County of Westchester ss
Samuel Walbury, a resident of Pound Ridge in the said County aged fifty one years being duly sworn according to law does on his oath depose and say that he was well acquainted with Thomas Potts and Sarah Potts his widow for the space of thirty five years last past. That the said Thomas Potts and Sarah Potts lived together as husband and wife and was reputed so to be in the neighborhood where they lived, and that he never heard it doubted, and that she is still a widow.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7th day of April 1855 William Lockwood Justice of the peace
State of New York
Westchester County ss
I hereby certify that the above named Albert Lockwood and Samuel Walbury are personally known to me and that they are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to full credit
William Lockwood Justice of peace
TO ALL WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT R. OAKLEY, Clerk of the Court of Sessions for the County of Westchester, do hereby certify that the within copy is a true and correct copy of the original thereof, and that the said original is now on file in my office and of tenor following: [faded text]
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Courts and County, this Seventh day of April 1855
Robt. R. Oakley CLERK.

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 Thomas Potts.
   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. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     called Spring 82 6 14 priv { Capt Lewis Col Crane 69 Poundridge Westchester N.Y. Traditionary 1 witness saw him he thinks for three or four months on duty  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Claimants residing where the service was rendered should produce the most satisfactory evidence. The witness in this case does not appear to be positive as to the facts he avers -

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)                      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 inquiry 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.

No. 63682
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received April 14, 1855
Tho. Pitts
Rev. War
Warrant-8015-160-55
W m Lockwood
Pound Ridge
New York

✓ 8.075
Wes Aug

BRIEF IN THE CASE OF Mrs Sarah Potts widow of Thomas Westchester County and State of New York act of February 3. 1853
CLAIM, ("original," or "for increase.") Allowed $ 21 54 / 100 per annum to Commence Feb. 3. 1853.
PROOF EXHIBITED, (if original.) Documentary & Parol.
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband a pensioner under act of June 7. 1832 at $ 54 / 100 per annum & paid to his death May 11. 1848
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Marriage proved by three credible witnesses Death of pensioner by Auditor's report Identity & widowhood shown by credible witnesses & circumstantial evidence Papers in due form
Name and residence of Agent William Lockwood Esq. Round Ridge Westchester Co., N.Y.
Examining Clerk. J. L. Gray

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 8521
Sarah Potts Wid Thomas Potts Print Rev. War
Act: Febray 3 d  1855
Index:—Vol. M , Page 135
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Pension Offic
Sept 27/54
11 May 1858
Sir;
Please report time of last payment to, or death of either named pensioner Yours &c &c
R J Atkinson Esq 3 and 4 Prints
Thomas Lotts deed 11 May 1848..pd
Robt J Atkinson
Administrator

Forest Ridge Sept. 23. 1857, L. P. Waldo Esq.
Dear Sir, please find inclosed a declaration and proof of Sarah Potts, widow of Thomas Potts, in reference to being placed on the Pensions list, as soon after the matter is examined as convenient please com- municate the result to me and
very much oblige yours &c. William Lockwood

This may Certify
That I am Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Poundridge West Chester Co N.Y. and have examined the records of said Church, and do not find any record of Marriages on the Church Books, I do further Certify that the name of Mrs Sarah Potts is entered on the list of Church Members of this Church, as the wife of Thomas Potts, as early as A.D 1822, and that she was his lawful wife I have never heard questioned, and her own testimony with regard to her marriage is worthy of the fullest credence. I keep a private list of the marriages celebrated by myself, but the lists kept by my Predecessors (if they kept any) have never come into my possession
Poundridge Sep 16. 1854
William Patterson "

Sarah Potts Thomas
153 = 2 per 4555
Said Potts at about 20 Septm 1864
Payment to be made at New York City by
Van B. Livingston Esq
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of
New York
Payable on the 4th September and 4th March
Recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll of Pensioners under act February 3d, 1853, Page 86. Vol. a
G. T. Getty Clerk.

Department of the Interior.
WIDOW'S PENSION.
I certify that in conformity with the 2d section of the act of Feb- mary 3, 1853.
Sarah Potts, — widow of Thomas Potts, — who was a private, — in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Twenty one. — dollars and fifty four, — cents per annum, commencing on the 3d of February, 1853, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.
Given at the Department of the Interior, this fifth, — day of October, one thousand eight hundred and fifty four.
R. W. McLellan
Secretary of the Interior.
Examined and Countersigned.
L. P. Wallao Commissioner of Pensions.

 A 555 

Letter
To J. P. Edwards Esq.

Albany N.Y. Feb 24 th 1848
Sir
Enclosed is the pension certificate of Thomas Potts for the purpose of obtaining an increase of his pension. And I herewith forward the Certificate of the Comptroller of New York as evidence of his service.
His pension certificate was forwarded to me by W m Lockwood Esq of Poundridge N.Y. for the purpose aforesaid
I am Yours very respectfully W m Valentine
J. Se. Edward Esq Comm r of Pensions Washington

[Persons making application at the Comptroller's, or Secretary of State's Office, for searches, or certificates of service of any person, in the army of the U. S. during the revolutionary war, should give the name and ranks held by such person; the nature of the service; whether in the Infantry, Cavalry, or Artillery &c.; in the regular army or militia; the names of the officers commanding the regiments and companies at the time of enlistment, service, and discharge, as near as can be given]
In pursuance of a law passed the 27th of April, 1784, entitled "An act for the settlement of the pay of the Levies and Militia, for their service in the late War, and for other purposes therein mentioned," the following certificates have been issued, bearing interest at five per cent per annum, viz:
  No 1 Thomas Potts private No 39666 £ 19 5 9 
STATE OF NEW-YORK,
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Albany, July 24 th 1848.
I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Book No. 8 now remaining in this office, and that the service for which the certificates above named were issued, were performed under the following officers, viz:
  First — under Capt. Samuel Lewis in Col. Thaddeus Crane Reg't.   Second " " " " "   Third " " " " "   Fourth " " " " "   Fifth " " " " "   Sixth " " " " "   Seventh " " " " "   Eighth " " " " "   Ninth " " " " "   Tenth " " " " "   Eleventh " " " " "   Twelfth " " " " " 
Philip Scheffer Dep Compt

State of New York Westchester County ss
Ebenezer Jones of the Town of Pound Ridge in said County being duly sworn does on his oath depose and say that he is now aged Sixty Seven years that he has been well acquainted with Thomas Potts late of the Town of Pound Ridge aforesaid deceased and his wife Sarah Potts and that the said Thomas Potts and Sarah Potts lived together as husband and wife for the last thirty years at least and this deponent further says that he never heard it doubted nor does he doubt that they were husband and wife
Sworn & subscribed before me September 14, 1854 William Lockwood
Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that the above named Ebenezer Jones is personally known to me and that his statements are entitled to full credit William Lockwood Justice of the Peace
STATE OF NEW YORK, County of Westchester, ss.
I, ROBERT R. OAKLEY, Clerk of the County aforesaid, and also Clerk of the Courts in and for said County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That William Lockwood Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed Instrument, and endorsed thereon, was, on the day of the date of the said Certificate, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, residing in said County, elected and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same, according to the laws of the said State. And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Courts and County, this 18 th day of September 185 4
Robt R. Oakley CLERK.

State of New York Westchester County ss
Samuel Watbury of the town of Bedford in the said County being duly sworn does on his oath say that he is now aged fifty one years that he was well acquaint- ed with Thomas Potts late of the town of Pound Ridge deceased and Sarah Potts widow of said Thomas Potts, for the last forty years, that he lived in the family of the said Thomas and Sarah Potts for the space of about twelve years that the said Thomas and Sarah Potts lived together as husband and wife since about the year 1813, and was reputed as such in the neighborhood where they lived up to the time of his death and this deponent further says that he never heard it doubted by any person and further this deponent saith not Sworn and subscribed Samuel Watbury September 13 th 1854, before me William Lockwood Justice of the peace
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Samuel Watbury and that his statements are entitled to full credit William Lockwood Justice of the peace