Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5639, for Joseph Johnson, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE
Penn.  

Johnson, Joseph

NUMBER
R.5 639.
Page 2

[Page 2 is blank]
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State of Indiana}
Jackson County}  SS

On this 10th day March 1837 personally appeared in open Court before John H Thompson presiding Judge of the Jackson County Circuit Court now sitting at Brownstown in said County. Joseph Jonson a resident in West York Township in said County of Jackson aged seventy six years last Christmas day, towit 25 of Dec. 1836, 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 7th 1832 and such other acts of Congress providing for the allowing of pensions to revolutionary soldiers as my be  applicable to his case, viz

That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.  

General Broadhead Commander in Chief.
Col. [illegible]
 Major Byrum +  Major John Finly
The militia Colonel was George Ribondergran or Bitondergan.  my Captain was Ross, his first name I do not distinctly recollect but my impression is it was Stephen or Phillip the Lieutenant was Charles Reid I think I entered the service in the year seventy nine but my memory is not very good.  I cannot state the month of the year   it was after harvest and I remember the first battle I was in was a battle 
with about 40 or 50 Indians near  [illegible] We went there in 2 or 3 days. after we started, then were a straggling party that had left the main army, which had gone to attacked General Sullivan's army.  There fighting, was done by a party sent forward in advance of Broadhead's army as spies and was over a few minutes before the ]illegible] army [illegible] the ground, from [illegible]
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we went to one of the [illegible] towns which was about 9 miles from the principal town it took us not on the 2 days after the aforesaid Battle, [illegible] there destroyed the town and cut up the [illegible] of the Indians which was then getting hard and it is from these circumstances I fix the time
of the year when I entered the service
I was a resident of the State of Pensylvania [Pennsylvania] 
in the County of Washington County as the State was then divided
I volunteered into the service as a militia man we rendisvoused [rendezvoused] at the town of Pittsburgh-- I was a member of the Company of Capt. Ross as before stated. I cannot remember for what period of time. I volunteered, I remember I served the full period out and that it was late in the fall when the army returned to Pittsburgh where we were discharged, but I remember it was the same fall, and that My Servises [services] were all rendered, that were rendered the first tour, between harvest & Christmas So that the period for which I volunteered on the above occasion could not be more than from 3 to 6 months. During this service I was in no other Battle than the one above named-- We marched from Pittsburge [Pittsburgh] up the Allegany River to the above town, called one of the Munche towns, there be destroyed the town & Crops & took what plunder we found & sent it down the river to Pittsburgh, we returned from thence to Pittsburgh & were there discharged. The Company of the Continental troops with which I served 
at the above time I do not remember. I remember that Body & Peterson were Captains of Continental Companies that were with us, I have no documentary evidence of my services, I once had a certificate I think, but I cannot now tell what has become of it, nor am I certain that I ever had it I know of no person by whom I can prove my services, I could prove it by my brother who formerly lived in Kentucky in Fleming County, he was there living or 3 months since, he is very old being but 2 years younger than I am, but he is frailer than I am and I think it is possible he is still alive, but I am not certain he is
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After the above period of service I was discharged and he turned on sick and lay about [illegible] weeks. I then volunteered under Captain Reid as a minute man, and held myself in readiness from March of the year 1780 until the fall of 1782 as near as I can
remember, I was during this period almost constantly on the march guarding the 
frontiers against Indians but fought no battles. I cannot say whether Reids company was formed by order of Either the State or United States, or whether it was merely a voluntary association for the protection of the inhabitants, I am certain I was at least six months in actual service during this last period We marched on the frontiers of Pensylvaniae [Pennsylvania] on the waters [illegible] Robinsons run on to the Ohio River
I have no documentary evidence of this Service, nor is there is there any person living,
known to me except my brother above spoken of, by whom I can prove the same
Either before this last period of service or after wards and I cannot tell now which, I hired myself as a substitute for William Congers who was drafted to go under Captain Andrews as a spie [spy] to Holidays Cove a station on the Ohio River between Pittsburgh and Wheeling near the mouth of Yellow Creek, I hired myself to file his full period of
service, and I served out the whole time and was regularly discharged, but I can not remember what period of time it was: Nor can I tell whether this service was rendered before or after my service above as a minute man but the Strong impression on my mind now is that it was before-
After this service I think the service of minute man comes in and after that peace was had with the indians I served under Andrews as a militia man
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the above statement is as nearly [illegible] and and as full as I can now give it, have no 
written evidence to which to refer as proof of, or to refresh my memory of said Services, and being now so advance in years my memory has measurably failed me, though I can state that I have after thought of the above service and the time spent in actual service 
as a militia man during the revolutionary war, in my younger days when those things were fresher in my memory & when all the faculties of my my mind were more vigorous than now And I can now say that the impression on my my mind in past time and I am now satisfied that the whole period of My servises [services] amounted in the whole to  at least Eighteen months. I would be willing to say two years, but I had rather be under it than over it and have far greater certainty fixed the period at 18 months as above to which I swear positively and unequivoccally [unequivocally] I further state that I have never before applied in any manner for a pension and that I can prove [illegible] of my services by any body but my brother if living, and I do not suppose his memory is better the mine, so that he could state it man distinctly and probely [probably] not [illegible] distinctly
hereby relinquish every claim what ever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
Joseph Johnson
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court} William Crenshaw Clk [clerk]
10th March 1837.
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State of Indiana
County of Jackson ⎬ss In Open Court
On this fifteenth day of October A.D 1855 before the Court of Common Pleas held within and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Aris Blair Aged 67 years a resident of Geatly Fork in the County of Jackson and State of Indiana; who being duly sworn according to law, does on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions of the act of the 7th of June 1832: That she is one of the children and heirs at law of Joseph Johnson deceased who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution -
That her said father - as she believes entered the service from Washington County Pennsylvania, in the latter part of the year 1779, and continued in the service a large part of the remaining time until the close of the war She further states that her said father filed a declaration for pension - in the Pension Office - some time in the year 1837 - as she thinks - in which is a detailed statement of the different tours of service, and the names of the officers under whom he served - to which she respectfully refers for the necessary evidence of his service. she is further informed and believes that a pension was granted her said father but that he never availed himself of it during his lifetime. That he left no widow at his death which occurred at Washington County Indian on the Eleventh day of May A D. 1852 - That the following are the only surviving children of the the said Soldier, viz:
Arid Blair and Delilah Blair
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That her mother was married to the said Joseph Johnson Washington County State of Pennsylvania on or about the 8th day of February A.D. 1778 or 1789 by one (does not recollect the name) a Minister of the Gospel and that her name before her said marriage was Mary Clark and that she died at Jackson County Indiana the Fourteenth day of May A.D. 1828: And further that there is no public Record of said marriage to her knowledge She hereby appoints Miller Brown her lawful Attorneys, with power of substitution, to prosecute her claim, to receive the Certificate when issued, and to do all other acts necessary and proper in the premises. 
her
Aris X Blair
mark
Attest Samuel M Smith 
Martin Hendesliker
Sworn to and Subscribed before me, on the day and year first above mentioned, and I hereby certify that I know the said deponent Aris Blair and believe her to be as is above stated, and that she is of the age above stated; and further, that I am not interested in this Claim as Attorney or otherwise-
Witness my hand and the seal of said Court, affixed by order of said Court, now in session
Wm H Ewing Clerk
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State of Indiana} In open Court
County of Jackson} ss
Jackson County Court of Common Pleas. It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before the said Court, which evidence is hereto annexed. That Joseph Johnson, who as reported, was a Revolutionary soldier of the United States, died on the Eleventh day of May eighteen hundred and
fifty two = that he left no widow at his death, his wife Mary Johnson having died on the fourteenth day of May eighteen hundred and twenty Eight and that
Aris Blair and Delilah Blair are the only surviving children of the aforesaid soldier, who are residents of Jackson County in the State of Indiana
In testimony whereof, I have hereto by order of said Court set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 15th day of October, A.D. 1855.
Wm H Ewing Clerk.
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State of Indiana
County of Jackson ⎬ss
On this fifteenth day of October A.D. 1855 personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County Samuel Peak and John Blair who are to me well know, and who are credible witnesses, and who being by me duly sworn, depose and say- that they are well acquainted with Aril Blair that they have known her for twenty nine years past - That they were well acquainted with Joseph Johnson and Mary Johnson for twenty six years previous to the death of the former: that they the said Joseph Johnson and Mary Johnson lived together as husband and wife, and were reputed so to be, that deponents never heard the fact of their marriage disputed or questioned that they knew the said Joseph Johnson here [illegible] of is the identical person who during his lifetime made application for a pension he being at the time of the doing being a resident of this county - That the said Joseph Johnson died on the Eleventh day of May A.D. 1852. and the said Mary Johnson died on the Fourteenth day of May A.D. 1828
and that the following named are the only surviving children of the said soldier, viz Aris Blair and Delilah Blair
Samuel Peak
John Blair
Attest
Sworn to and subscribed before me this fifteenth day of October A.D. 1855.
R Scott J. P. [illegible in a circle]
State of Indiana}
County of Jackson} ss
I hereby certify that Ranley Scott Esq before whom the above affidavits were made was at the time of so making and acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this fifteenth day of October A.D. 1855, Wm A Ewing Clerk
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Flemingsburg Ky Aug 31st
Dear Sir,
Ebenezer Johnson of Fleming County and his brother Joseph Johnson have each had pending before the Departmen [Department] an application for Pension for Revolutionary service. Chas S. Tucker of Washington City had a power of attorney in order to attend to both claims.-- I have written to him several times but have not received from him one
word in regard to what disposition was made with these claims-- whether allowed or rejected? Ebenezer Johnson is about 10 years old-- very decrepid [decrepit] and need whatever aid, he can get from this county. I attended to the preparation of his case, for him and as his attorney, and you would favor me very much if you will ascertain what disposition was made, of the claim of Ebenezer Johnson and of Joseph Johnson? if rejected-- on what defect in preparation or proof, and it may be, it can be supplied
I would be glad to hear from you soon.
Yours very Truly
W. F. Trimble
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Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
5640
P. O.
Joseph Johnson
Service: Consolidated Augt [August] 18 1882 with refd [referenced] Soldier file 5639
Enlisted: [illegible] , 18  .
Discharged: , 18  .
Application filed: , 18  .
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
[stamp REJECTED]
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5639
P. O. 1832 Ky
Joseph Johnson 
Service: (born in N J)
Pt Washington Co [illegible] 1779 Gmo Capt [Captain] Ros
1780 Capt [Captain] Reed
Enlisted:  , 18  .
Discharged:   , 18  .
Application filed:  , 18  .
Alleges:
[stamp REJECTED]
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized.   Contrac
Cert. of Dis. Searched for   , 18  .
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No 37304.
Joseph Johnson
Kentucky
Hon. A. Trumbs July 8
Copy sent to Hon. R. French Dec 216 [illegible]
Let to John Bedell June 8. 49. Let to Hon J. C. Mason March 17, 1851
Evans Fant Nov 28/51
W F Trimble Sep 8 1855
5639
June 7 1832
Page 15

Joseph Johnson
Indiana
34666
Suspended
let 29 April 37
J. G. Marshall
copies of paper sent to Hon L.W. Andrews, Flemingsbs Ky Nov 17. 1842
Miller & Brown Oct 27/55
5640
Act 7th June 1832
Page 16

Washington DC Oct 18 /55
S Cole
Acting Com of Pensions-
Sir -- Herewith we send applications of the heirs of Joseph Johnson under the act of
1832 -
It is claimed that Johnson made application in his life time for a pension and six months service was all that the department was willing to allow him, and that he declined to receive a pension for so small an amount
Respectfully Yours
Miller Brown
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Washington Oct 11. 1857
Sir
We herewith enclose the papers of Joseph Johnson, under the Act of June 7th 1832
The result of your examination please communicate to 
Evans & Fant
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5 June 7/61
John Bedell
W. Albion
for [illegible] 
May 8 1849
immediate reply
Rel: to the case of Joseph Johnson a Revolutionary Soldier (Pennsylvania line) asks attention to it-
Slate [illegible] May 30th
War Department
Washington, D. C.
Commissioner of Pensions
will please answer,
Dept. of the Interior}
June 6. 1849}
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Owingsville Ky May 28 1849
Sir
I beg leave to call your attention to the case of Joseph Johnson A Revolutionary Soldier (Pennsylvania line) under the preceding Administration his Claim was presented -- prepared according to the requisitions of the department, but owing to some frivolous objection it was rejected The papers are on file in the department please have them reexamined

Respectfully
John Bedell
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Washington City
House of Reps.
Dear Sir
2nd July 1846.
Dear sir
You have the declaration & other papers in the case of Jos. Johnson of Fleming Co Ky. also of Wm Adams of the same County & State
I hope you may find them correct & entitled to a favourable favorable] consideration by you. Your early attention to this subject will be thankfully and
by your
Most Humble
& Obt Sert [obedient servant]
A. [illegible] 

Col J L Edwards
Comr [commissioner] of Pensions
Washington
D C
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Secretarys Office
Harrisburg April 23. 1846
Sir
In answer to yours of the 30th ultimo, making enquiry relative to the dates of certain Commissions of Officers of the War of the Revolution, I would state that the information You
desire cannot be given from the Department. Some time since certain papers and records relative to the Services of Old Soldiers, was removed from this place to the City of Washington, and the evidence or information you desire may have been amongst them.
You also make enquiry as to whether the names of Joseph Johnson, Ebenezer Johnson and William Adams, can be found amongst the revolutionary paper or records of this Office; In answer to which I would state that the names of William Adams Surgeon and Joseph Johnson Seargeant [Sergeant] appear upon the records now upon file in this Department
I am Very Respectfully
Yours &c
J A Innes
Clk [clerk] in Military Dept.
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[round stamp FLEMINGSBURG KY OCT 20]
Oct 26 1848

FREE Free
L. W. Andrews
J. L. Edwards Esqr [Esquire]
Comr [Commissioner] of Pensions
Washington DC

copy papers
Jos. Johnson
[illegible]
Page 23

Flemingsburg Ky 19th Oct 1842
J. L. Edwards Esq
DrSir [Dear Sir]
Joseph Johnson now a neighbour [neighbor] of mine some two years ago about the time he moved to Ky. was a citizen of Indiana & in the spring of 1840 had a Declaration prepaird [prepared] at Madison in that State in order to obtain a pension as a Revolutionary solder [soldier]. He desires to make a new application before I leave for Washington.
I wish you to send me Either the original papers or a cappy [copy].
[illegible]
L W Andrews
Page 24

State of Kentucky}
County of Fleming} ss - 
On this fifth day of March 1850. personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of
the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, Joseph Johnson resident in said County aged Ninety four years, who being first duly sworn, on his solemn oath according to law, makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act passed 7th of June 1832.
This declarant states that he was a soldier in the war of the revolution, and resided at the time of said war in the County of Westmoreland (now Allegheny County) State of
Pennsylvania, at the mouth of Millers Run, about 12 miles from Pittsburgh. and performed several tours of service as follows, viz. That he first enlisted as a volunteer under Captain Philip Ross and Colonel Daniel Brodhead at Pittsburgh in the latter part of June or fore part of July 1779. and was marched with the Regiment of said Col Brodhead on an expedition up the Allegheny River in the month of August in said year, and returned with
said Regiment to Pittsburgh about the 14th of September following and was discharged by said Colonel Brodhead at Pittsburgh about the 15th of December 1779. after having
served a tour of six months.
That in the month of March 1781 he again enlisted as a volunteer under Captain Charles Reed at Pittsburgh and under the said Colonel Broadhead and served as an Indian Spy on the Ohio River between Hollidays cove & Coys Town up to the first of December following when he was discharged by the said Captain Reed at Pittsburgh or at the mouth of Millers Run after having served a tour of nine months
That in the month of March 1782 he again enlisted as a volunteer under the aforesaid Charles Reed, and served along the Ohio River as before, and was discharged in the fall following by said Captain Reed, after having served a period of about 9 months (over)
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and that he received three regular discharges, which discharges are now lost.
And further states that he was several times afterwards called out & served several short tours as a minute man up to the close of said war, for which service he received no written discharge and that he served in all about three years in said war. That he emigrated to Bourbon County, State of Kentucky soon after the close of the revolution, where he served all through the Indian wars & subsequently through that of 1812.
And further states that he has never drawn a pension.
his
Joseph X Johnson
mark
Sworn to & subscribed on this day and year first above written Before me.}
James Markwell J.P.
I hereby certify that the above named declarant by reason of old age & bodily infirmities is unable to appear in open Court & make his declaration and further certify that from many years personal acquaintance with him, that his statement above made regarding his service in the revolution is entitled to full credit & belief. That he is regarded by those who have been long acquainted with him in this region as having been a soldier in the war of the
revolution.
James Markwell J P
State of Kentucky}
County of Fleming}
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, Ebenezer Johnson, a resident in said County aged Ninety two years who being first duly sworn doth on his oath testify as follows, viz, that he has been intimately acquainted
Page 26

with Joseph Johnson, the above named declarant for more than eighty years, and that he served various tours in the war of the revolution in the same Regiments & companies and under the same officers, with said Johnson as follows namely. That he (deponent) enlisted as a volunteer in the summer of 1779 at Pittsburgh, under Captain Philip Ross & Colonel Daniel Brodhead & served on an expedition up the Allegheny River against the Senecas & Muncy Indians, and that he returned along with said expedition in the month of September 1779, and was discharged about the 15" December of said year after having served a tour of duty of six months duration, and that the said Joseph Johnson was along as a soldier with him during this tour of service.
Deponent further states that in the month of March 1781, he enlisted as a volunteer under Capt [Captain] Thomas Reed at Pittsburgh & served under Colonel Daniel Brodhead a period of nine months when he was regularly discharged at Pittsburgh, and that the aforesaid Joseph Johnson served in the same Regiment at the same time under Captain Charles Reed, for the same length of time.
Deponent further states that in the spring of 1782 he with the said Joseph Johnson enlisted as volunteers under Capt [Captain] Charles Reed at Pittsburgh & served a period of about nine months together when they were regularly discharged. That he afterwards served several tours with the said Joseph Johnson as a minute man up to the close of said war, and that to his certain knowled [knowledge] the said Joseph Johnson served in company with him upwards of three years in the war of the revolution And further saith not
his
Ebinezer X Johnson
mark
Sworn to & subscribed on this the 5th day of March 1850 before me}
James Markwell J P
Page 27

I hereby certify from many years personal acquaintance with the said Ebenezer Johnson above named, that his statement above given is entitled to full credit & belief.
James Markell J.P.

State of Kentucky } 
County of Fleming}
I Wm T. Dudley Clerk of said County do hereby certify that James Markwell is a Justice of the Peace & was at the time of the date of the foregoing declaration and affidavit duly commissioned and qualified to act as such in said County, and that his signature above written is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said County this 8th day of March 1850.
W. S. Dudley, Clerk.

Evans & [illegible]
Washington City
Page 28

37304
Joseph Johnson
Ken.
Act 7 June '32




Act 7 June 1832
Page 32

Certify that James Mackwell whose name appears to the foregoing official certificate is an acting Justice of the Peace for Heming County duly appointed, commissioned & qualified as such & the signature purporting to be his is genuine & are his act as such are entitled to full faith and credit.

    In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my said office Hemmingsway this 22nd day of June 1846.
                                   //s//
                         Wm. Dudley Clerk
              of the Heming County Court
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34.660
Joseph Johnson
Indiana
Page 34

We Samuel McConnell, a clergyman residing in the county of Jackson and state of Indiana and in the same neighborhood of the above named Joseph Johnson, and Joshua Kelly residing in the same, thereby certify, that we are well acquainted with the above named Johnson, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 76 years of age - that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion,  the said McConnell further certifying that the said Johnson is a member of the church of which he is pastor and that he is in high standing and credit among the members thereof. 
                                                //s//
                                         Joshua Kelly
                                         Samuel McConnell
Sworn to & subscribed 
the day & year aforesaid.

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories required by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, & the court further certifies that it appears to them that Samuel McConnell who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the county of York & state of Indiana as he states and that Joshua Kelly who has signed the same is also a resident as in his certificate stated and is a credible citizen and that their statement is entitled to credit and that said except Joseph Johnson above named is believed to be a man of the age and state & is worthy of credit from the personal knowledge of the court. 
                                        //s//
                            John H. Thompson
                      Pres. Judge 2nd Judicial Precinct
Page 35

I William Crenshaw Clerk of the Jackson County Circuit Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings f the said court in the matter of the application of Joseph Johnson for a pension under the Act of 7 June 1832 and that John H. Thomson who has signed the foregoing opinion of the court is & was at the time of signing the same the President Judge of said County in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 10 day of March 1837.

                                             //s//
                               William Crenshaw Clerk
Page 36

Please write to J.G. Maishob at Madison County of Jefferson & State of Indiana who is authorized to attend to procuring the pension of Joseph Johnson.