[p 7] I Prosper Gorton [inserted above] (a man of colour) of Scituate in the District of Rhode Island on solemn oath do declare and say that in the month of June according to the best of my recollection. At 1777 I enlisted as a private soldier in Capt. Flaggs Company in Col. Christopher Greens regiment in the continental army of the United States in the Rhode Island line. In which regiment I continued untill the 15 June 1783 when I received a regular discharge signed by George Washington which discharge is here annexed – I further declare that I am now in reduced circumstances and stand in need of the assistance of my country for support.
Prosper Gorton
His Mark X
[p.5] A SCHEDULE of Property and Income (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) of [handwritten] Prosper Gorton.
About 19 acres of very poor land in said Scituate, with a very old and leaky house, some furniture, very old, 6 old chairs, 1 Table, some knives and forks, 1 pot, 1 kettle and 1 Pig – Under these circumstances should his pension be taken away he must depend on charity for support
Prosper Gorton
His Mark X
He has a wife aged 57 who is lame & unable to do much work.
Rhode Island District District Court
[p. 1-2]
By His Excellency George Washington, Esq. General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America. These are to Certify that the Bearer hereof Prosper Gorton, Soldier in the Rhode Island Regiment, having faithfully served the United States five years & three months and being inlisted for the War only, is hereby DISCHARGED from the American Army. GIVEN at HEAD-QUARTERS the 15th June 1783 G. Washington By HIS EXCELLENCY’S Command, J. Trumbull [illegible] REGISTERED in the Books of the Regiment, Rhode Island J. Greenman, Adjutant. The above Prosper Gorton has been honored with the BADGE OF MERIT for three Years fa[i]thful Service. Jereh. Pheng, Lieut. Col. Comd Rhode Island Regmt.
HEAD-QUARTERS, June 15th 1783. THE within CERTIFICATE shall not avail the Bearer as a Discharge, until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace; previous to which Time, and until Proclamation there of shall be made, He is to be considered as being on Furlough.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.