Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5593, for James Johns, Virginia
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Service
Va. 
Johns, James 
Mary 

Number R.5593
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State of Kentucky }
County of Russell } SS

On this eleventh day of July 1837 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for hte County aforesaid, Mary Johns a resident of the county of Russell & State of Kentucky aged 87 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836. 

that she is the widow of James Johns who was a Lieutenant in the Army of the Revolution.  The name of his Captain was William Johns. his major Thom-as Jones his Colonel William Lewis and his Genl Lawson - Her huband entered the servivce in the spring of the year 1777 and left the service  after the capture of [obscured - Cornwallis?] [overwritten:  Oct 1 1781]  He never served under any other officers that those before mentioned and never was at home but three times during the war *

Her husband resided in the County of Buckingham State of Virginia when he entered the service. 

He was drafted in all his services. - He was engaged in one or more battles in one of [interposed: which} he was wounded with shot which he carried to his brave But she has forgotten the names of the Battles if she ever knew - He entered the service in Buckingham and marched off toward Richmond.  I have heard him in his life time speak of being at Williamsburgh, Norfolk, and Little York, But what county that is in I do not know.  She states that she is unable to refer to any further  
particulars unless she would merely give this history of his services, and the time has passed so long and she is so old that she is unwilling to confide in a memory which is treacherous.  She states that her husband had a final discharge from the service which he brought home from the seige of York and kept it while he lived but which [interposed: it was] burned by Mrs. John Akers among a great many of his papers as a worthless piece of paper as she nor any one kin to

*and the whole length of his service greatly exdeeded two years as she is enabled decisively to state
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her never expected to derive any benefit from it after he was dead. 

She further declares that she was married to the said James Johns on the 25th day of December 1765 [interposed:  by old Parson Peasley]  That her husband died on the [blank] day of October 1817 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.  
Mary Johns
her X mark 
Sworn to and subscribed before them this 11th July 1837
A. Jackman J.P.R.C. 

I Alexr Jackman the justice of the peace before whom the foregoing declaration was [interposed: made] state that I am well acquainted with Mrs Johns and give it as my opinion that from bodily infirmity she is unable to attend court at the seat of justice for the County Given udner my had this 11thday of July 1837 
A. Jackman J.P.R.C. 

State of Kentucky }
Russell County } Sct

This day John Akers personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for said county and after being first duly sworn deposeth and saith
That he is 55 years of age.  that for the last 32 years he has been acquainted with the widow of James Johns decd.  That he was well acquainted with decedant in his life time.  That he has repeatedly heard him narrate the history of his services in the war of the Revolution at a time when he nor his wife did not anticipate any pension or annuity from his Government but merely from that disposition which most old men have to fight over again in the chimney corner the battles of their youth.  He has often heard him say that he weas nearly four years in the army during the war [interposed: as a Lieutenant] and was wounded with shot in a Battle which wound he (this deponent has often seen  When said Johns departed this life he left his papers
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in the can and possession of this deponent and among which was a final discharge from the service as a Lieutenant and this deponent states that in committing a large quantity of sd Johns papers to the flames as useless lumber he included that discharge among the rest because he never expected that it would be of any service to the widow or any of the heirs of said Johns. 

This deponent knows that said Johns always lived with and recognized the demandant Mary as his wife and that their oldest child is now about 70 years of age.  They raised a large family of children the youngest of which is now 40 years of age

Said Johns departed this life in the County of Fayette State of Kentucky on the [blank] day of October 1817 - leaving said Mary as his widow who has never married since that period.  I know of no other documentary evidence which said Johns had of his service except the discharge which I unfortunately destroyed many years ago in the manner before mentioned.  - In Testimo-ny whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 11th July 1837 - 
John Akers
Subscribed and sworn to before me this July 11th 1837
A. Jackman J.P.R.C. 

State of Kentucky }
Russell County }  Sct
This day personally appeared before me John Fergus Adam Jackman and James Jackman and being first duly sowrn deposeth and saith that they have been ac-quainted with Mrs. Mary Johns the declarant for [interposed: 8 years} and from her general character and their individual knowledte of her they hesitate not to say that she is a woman of strict truth and veracity on oath and she has always been called the widow of James Johns during that time.  We have likewise been acquainted with Mr. John Akers for the same length of time and from his general character and our personal knowl-
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edge of him, we state that he will not swear that which is untrue and that full faith and credit should be given to his statements on oath - 
We further state from our knolwedge of Mrs Johns we believe her to be upwards of 80 years of age - In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 11th day of July 1837 - 
John Fergus
Adam Jackman
James Jackman


Sworn to and subscribed before me July 11th 1837 
A Jackman J.P.R.C.

State of Kentucky}
Russell County}  sct

this is to certify I Alexander Jackman the Justice of the Peace for said [interposed: County] before whomo Mrs. Mary Johns made her foregoing declaration and before whom she and those who have given the prededing affidavits in her favour all made oath to the same do declare and certify that  Sd Mrs. Johns and said Akers Fergus Adam and James Jackman are all highly credible persons
Given under my hand this 11th July 1837- 
A Jackman JPRC

State of Kentucky, Russell Co sct
I William S. Patterson Clerk of the County Court for said County Certify that Alexander Jackman who has signed the foregoing certificates is  justice of the peace for Russell County duly commissioned and qualified [partially covered] and that his several signatures above matter are genuine.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of my sd office this July 20th 1837
William S Patterson
Clk

[Written on left margin}
V2362
Mary Johns
Kentucky
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State of Kentucky }
Russell County }

On this 8th day of October 1852 before me Jacob Wolford, an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the county and State aforesaid, personally appeared Susannah Acres, aged about seventy (70) years, a resident of the aforesaid county and State, who, being sworn according to law, on her oath makes the following declaration for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of any act or acts of Congress granting her a pension, as the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier, viz: 

That she is the only surviving child of James and Mary Johns, deceased.  that the said Johns died in Fayette county Ky, upward of thirty years ago, leaving Mary Johns his widow, who survived him and remained a widow until she died in russell county, Kentucky on the sec-ond day of March, one thousand eight hundred and forty-five; aged about eighty-five years.  That at the time of her mother's death she was the only child living.  That the said James and Mary Johns were married in Cumberland or Buckingham County, Virginia about the year one thousand seven hundred and
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seventy-two, she not being able to state the precise time of the marriage for truth of which she refers to the declaration of her mother, made at the time of a pre-vious application, and to the accompany-ing affidavit of the Rev. James Warriner.  That the name of the said Mary Johns, before her marriage, was Mary Gannaway.  She further declares that she has often heard her father speak of having served a long time in the Virginis Stae or continental line of hte army of the Rev-olution, as Lieutenant, in the company commanded by William Johns as Captain in the Regiment of Col. William Lewis in the brigade commanded by Major Thomas Jones. that his service may have consisted of more than one tour, as she has heard him speak of having been in service the greater part of the time during the war.  That he was at the surrender of Cornwallis.  That for proof of his said services she refers to the papers now on file in the Pension Office, and to the army records and muster rolls. 
Susannah Acres
her X mark

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 8th day of October 1852.  And I hereby further certify that Mrs. Susannah
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Acres, who has made oaths to the foregoing declaration, is personally known to me and that she is a highly respected and worth woman , of unquestioned veracity. 
Jacob Wolford J.P.R.C. 

State of Kentucky}
Russell County }
I, William S. Patterson, Clerk of the County Court within and for the county and State aforesaid, hereby certify that Jacob Wolford, Esq. before whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed and sworn to is, and was at the time of signing the certificate thereto, an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the county and State aforesaid, and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit. 

Given under my hand and seal of office at Jamestown, this 8th day of October 1852
Will S. Patterson
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Dec 23/52
Rel. to case of James Johns, decd

Letter written to FFC
Triplett 28th Apl 1853

FFC Triplett
Present
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State of Kentucky }
Russell County } 
Russell Count Court
November terms, 1852.  It satisfactorily ap-pearing to the court, it is ordered to be certified and recorded that Mrs. Mary Johns, widow of James Johns, who was a Revolutionary Soldier, departed this life on the 2d day of March 1845, leaving Mrs. Susannah Acres, of the aforesaid county and State [interposed:  and William Johns of Allen or Barnes County KY] as only surviving children.  William Johns is since dead leaving children - their no and names not known. 

I, William S. Patterson, Clerk of the county courth within and for the county and State aforesaid, certify that the foregoing order is truly copied from the records in my office. 

In testimony whereof I do here-unto affix my seal of office and subscribe my name this 2d day of December 1852. 
Will S. Patterson

NB interlined before certified & signed
W S Patterson Clk
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State of Kentucky  }
Pulaski County } sct

This day Betsy Warriner personally appeared before me Bourne Goggins a justice of the peace in and for said county and made oath in due form of law to the following statements, viz

That she is the oldest child of James and Mary Johns.  That she does not know how old she is having no record of her age but from information she must be near seventy. 
That she has a distinct recollection of the time of the Revolution and states that she remembers her father having left home to go to the war and his returning upon one occasion she believes the last time he came home.  The circumstance is stamped more indelibly upon her member from a circumstance which she will narrate - Her mother and the children lived by themselves while her father was gone and they were in continunal apprehension from the tories and negroes - and when her father came home it was in the night.  He knocked at the door and asked to be admitted
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Her mother refused believing it was tories or negroes that wanted to get in when she told her mother that it was her father for she knew his voice.  She had some diffi-culty in making her mother believe [interposed: it] But she finally opened the door and her father came in.  He was very dirty and ragged.  She has often heard her father many years ago speak of his services and the trouble and danger of the war then. 
Her father and mother as She has often heard were married by old Parson Peasely in Buckingham County.  She has herself seen Parson Peasely and was present when he christened one of her sisters.  Her father and mother lived together as man and wife for many years in great peace and harmony till his death.  - this July 18th, 1837

Betsey Warriner

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 18th day of July 1837- 
Bourne Goggins JP

Also James Warriner being first duly sworn made the following statements viz
That he married the foregoing affiant in the
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County of Buckingham State of Virginia 44 years [interposed: ago] last march.  That at that time he was in his 20th year and his wife was said to be older than himself.  but how much was unknown as no re-cord was in the family of her age. 

That he has often heard persons speak of the wedding of his father and mother in-law.  He was well acquainted with Parson Peasly the clergyman who was said to have married them.  He was also well acquainted with Captain William Johns and Major Thomas Jones - He knew them shortly after the war and then bore the rank of Captain and Major.  He has often heard James Johns in his life time speak of his services in the Revolutionary war at a time when he nor any of his family ever expected to derive any benefit from them.  James Johns departed this life in the fall of 1817 and his widow has never married since that period - July 18th 1837 - 
James Warinner

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 18th July 1837
Bourne Goggin JP
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Also Genl [Jensstal?] Quarles and Genl John Griffin who being first duly sworn state that they have been acquainted with James Warriner and his wife for several years and take pleasure in bearing testimony to their high credibility and respecta-bility and that any statements made by them are entitled to entire confidence - July 18th 1837 
J. Quarles
John Griffin

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 18th July 1937
Bourne Goggin JP

I Bourne Goggin - the Justice of the Peace for Pulaski County before whom the foregoing affidavit was made state that all the affiants are highly credible - Given  under my hand this 18th day July 1837
Bourne Goggin

State of Kentucky Pulaski County sct

I William Fox, Clerk of the County Court fo the said County certify that Bourne Goggin whose name is affixed to the foregoing affidavits and certificate as a justice of the Peace [words sturck] for Pulaski County as such duly commissioned and qualified according to law and that his several signatures are genuine.  In testi-mony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused the seal of my said office to be affixed this [interposed: 18th] July 1837
Will Fox Clk
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5523
Mary Johns 
REJECTED
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No. 2362
Mary Johns
Kentucky 
Suspended

See letter [struck: 21st Aug] 2d Sept 37 E.J. Bullox
da 4 Augt 1868

Lett [from?] J.T. Bell Jan 7 -9 '66
F.F.F.C. Triplett ap 28/53

Act 4th July 1836
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No. 2,362
Mary Johns
Kentucky 
Suspended 
See let to 
E.G. bullock 2nd Sept 37 
Same Aug 4 1838
Hon J.F. Bell Jany 9 46
F.F.C. Triplett Apr 28/53
W.P. Payne Mch 15/59

5593
Act 4 July 1836
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James Johns - Lt. (client)
Wm "  Capt
Thomas Jones - Major 
-- Lawson - Genl

Entd - 1777
Oct 19 - 81 - left service
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Served from 
1777 to 81 

Lt. James Johns, lt. Capt Wm Johns, Maj Thos Jones, Col Wm Lewis, Genl Lawson
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The claim is that Jas Johns served as Lieut. under Cap Wm Johns, Maj Thos Jones & Col Wm Lewis & Genl Lawson, entered service in the spring of 1777.  left after the capture of Cornwallis.  He resided in the county of Buckingham VA where he entered service, that he was married in 1755.  Husband died 1817.  Dec made 11 July 1837 - Jno Akers, 11 July 37 swears that when John  died he left her his paperwork case, that among them was a final discharge as Lieut, that he burned it with other papers as "useless plunder."  has often heard him speak of his services - Jno. Polly swears that he (Polly) served 15 mos , that for nine mos of that time he was in the Continental Service and that a James Johns of Buckingham Co Va served as Lieut for that period, he left him there, he does not know how much longer he served. - Betsy Warriner
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Swears that she has a distinct recollection of the time of the Revolution & knows that her father (Jas Johns) was in the service and of course was married to her mother before the war - Jas Warriner, husband to Betsy, has often hear Johns speak of his service, was married to Betsy 40 years before July 1837.
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Col Niles will please have the Virginia rolls thoroughly examined in this case - 
J.P. Waldo
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Know all men by these presents that I, Susannah Acres, of the county of Russell and State of Kentucky, have constituted and appointed, and by these presents do constitute and appoint George H. Monsarrat of the city of Louis-ville and State of Kentucky, with full powers of substitution my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name to demand at the city of Washington an examination of my right to a pension on account of the Revo-lutionary services of my deceased father, James Johns, and to do all things necessary to establish my said claim; which when done my said attorney or his substitute is hereby authorized to receive the pension certificate which may issue in satisfaction of said claim, and which I hereby request may be made payable at the Agency in the city of Louisville, Kentucky.  I hereby revoke any former powers or Powers of Attorney given by me to any other person or persons whomsoever, and with my said attorney and heirs only do I desire the Pension Office to hold correspondence touching said claim.    Witness my hand and seal this 8th day  of October 1852.  
Susannah Acres
her X mark (seal)
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State of Kentucky }
Russell County }

Be it known that on this 8th day of October, 1852, before me Jacob Wolford, an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the county and State aforesaid, personally appeared Susannah Acres and acknowledged the foregoing Powers of Attorney to be her act and deed for the purposes therein specified. 
Jacob Wolford J.P.R.C.

State of Kentucky}
Russell County}

I, William L. Patterson clerk of the county court within and for this county and State aforesaid, hereby certify that Jacob Wolford, Esq. before whom the foregoing Power of Attorney was acknowledged and sub-scribed, is, and was at the time of signing the certificates thereto, an acting Justice of the Peace for Russell County, and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full credit. 
Given under my hand and official seal at Jamestown this 8th day of Oct. 1852
Will L. Patterson
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[top]
Nov 15-1852
Addl evi: in case of Mary Johns decd
widow of James 

F.F.C. Triplett
Present

[horizontal]
J.E. Heath Esq.
Comr Pensions
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Washington  Nov 16 1852

Sir:  
I transmit additional papers in the case of Mary Johns dec of Kentucky, and will be [asking?] you for a report on them as soon as possible. 

Very respy
F.F.C. Triplett
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Washington City 
2 Jany 1846

Hon J.S. Edwards
Commisioner of Pensions

Sir
Will you please inform me whether an application is now pending in the office for a pension to James John's heirs for service by him rendered in the Revolutionary War.  If so what is the condition of the application
I have the honor to be 
Respy Yr
Joshua F. Bell
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Jamestown Ky  25th Feby '59

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City 

Dear Sir, I am requested [struck: to ask] by the heirs of James Johns, who was an Officer (a Lieut.) in the Revolutionary War, to ask what disposition has been made of their claim for a Pension as the heirs of said Johns?  What further proof is necessary to establish their claim claim. 

Respectfully
W.P. Payne
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State of Kentucky }
Russell County}

On this 4th day of October 1852 before me William M. Green, Judge of the county court within and for the county and State aforesaid, personally appeared James Warriner, aged 79 (seventy-nine) years, a resi-dent of this county and State aforesaid, who, being sworn according to law, on his oath makes the following declaration, viz: 
That he has been personally acquainted with James Johns and his wife Mary Johns, from the year on thousand, seven hundred and ninety-two until the times of their deaths.  That the said James Johns died, in Fayette county, near Lexington, Ky. about the year on thousand, eight hundred and eighteen (1818) leaving Mary Johns his widow, who survived him, and remained a widow, until her death, which occurred in Russell county, Kentucky on or about the [blank] day of [balnk] one thousand eight hundred and forty-[blank] (184[blank].  He further declares that during the whole time of his acquaintance with them they lived together as husband and wife and were reputed and believed to be so by all who knew them.  He further declares that when he first became acquainted with the said James and Mary Johns, [struck: their]
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he was nineteen (19) years of age, and that their eldest child, Betsy Johns was at that time at least nineteen (19) years of age.  That the said James and Mary Johns were highly respected and worthy people, honest and upright in all their intercourse with the world.  That the said James Johns was always reputed and believed to have been a soldier of the Revolution in the Virginia line of the army of the United States, and that from his knowledge of the man's cha-racter for honesty, he has not the slightest doubt that he did perform such service in the Revolutionary war as to entitle his heirs to a pension. 
James Warinner

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 4th day of October, 1852.  And I hereby cer-tify that James Warriner, who has made oaths to the foregoing declaration is one of the most worth and respected citizens of Russell county, and has been a Baptist preacher in good standing for many years past, and that all his statements are worthy of the most entire confidents. 
W M Green PJRCC
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State of Kentucky } 
Russell County } 

I, William S. Patterson, clerk of the county court within and for the county and State aforesaid, hereby certify that William M. Green, before whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed and sworn to, is, and was at the time of signing the certificates thereto, presiding Judge of the county court within and for the county and State aforesaid, legally authorized to administer oaths, and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit. 

Given under my hand and seal of office at Jamestown, this 9th day of October, 1852
Will S Patterson
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[Horizontal]
2362
Ken    July 31
& July '36
3d Sec. 

Mary Johns
Widow of James


E.G. Bullock

[Vertical]

Free
James S. Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
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Jamestown Ky 
July 20th 1837

Dr Sir

Enclosed I transmit to your office the Declaration of Mrs. Mary Johns for a pension under the act of Congress of 4th July 183[6?] - and the testimony in support of her Claim - If she should succeed in her Claim (and from my knowledge of her character of & that of her witnesses I have no doubt but what she will) you would do me the favour to sent with her pay certificate the blank form necessary to her application in a proper manner for the money directed to me at this place - With sentiment of high esteem I am sir your mo. ob. servant
Edward J. Bullock
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The affidavit of John Polly - 

This affiant states he is a pension on the roll for the Kentucky agency
That he was in the army for fifteen months and for nine months of that time he was a regular soldier upon the continental line
That when he first entered into the regular service he knew a certain James Johns of the county of Buckingham and that sd James Johns remaind in the service while this affiant remained but how much longer he cannot pretend to say.  The said James Johns held the rank of Lieutenant in the service while this affiant knew him - and further he saith not. 
John Polly
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Kentucky Russell County Court

I William S. Patterson clerk of the County Court for said County, do certify that Robert Higganbottom Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the [illegible] affidavit is a Justice of the Peace in commission and qualified as such for the County of Russell  That his official acts are entitled to full credit and his signature is genuine. 

In Testimony Whereof I have hereto set my hand & the Seal of my Office in Jamestown this 7th day of May A.D. 1838

Will S. Patterson