Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38880, for John A Johnson, Rhode Island
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
Navy (R. I.)
Johnson, John A
NUMBER
S38880
CONTENTS
[no entries]
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12.576   4
Rhode Island
John A. Johnson
of Providence in the state of R Island
who was a Mariner in the [regiment crossed through] Ship Providence commanded by [Colonel crossed through] [illegible] Whipple of the Navy of U. S. [line crossed through] for the term of 10 Months R. I.
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 6 of February 1819
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 of July 1819 and sent to Benjn [Benjamin] Cowell Clk [Clerk] [etc.] Providence R Island
Arrears to 4th of Mar 1819   7.60
Semi-anl. all'ce [allowance] ending 4 Sept   19 48
[Total] $55.60
23 4
28 35
{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th march, 1818.}
Discontinued
In pencil on right facing page]
[illegible] Benjn Cowell Esq 31 July 1821
Providence R I
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John A Johnson
Rhode Island line
Frigate Providence
Febry to [November crossed through] last 1778
10 mos
claims as Master Mate
Admitted
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The application of John A Johnson of Providence in the State of Rhode island who being now in the 67th year of age - deposes and says - that he is entitled to the pensions of the Act of Congress of the 18th March 1818 entitled an "Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war" that about the first of February 1778 - he enlisted as master mate, on board the Frigate Providence, a Vessel of War then in the service of the United States. Commanded by Abraham Whipple Esq and then lying in Providence & bound on a voyage to France - This applicant further says that he then went on board said Vessel & continued on board of her in said capacity during her voyage to France & back to the United States. That said Vessel sailed from Providence in April 1778 & arrived in France where she lay about three months. She then sailed for the United States, she arrived in Portsmouth New Hampshire in October & from thence came to Boston in November ^toward the latter part of said month^ following - where this applicant was paid off & discharged - This applicant was on board of her almost ten months - and he now further declares that he is [in] reduced circumstances & stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support,
[signature] John A Johnson
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Rhode Island District ss
Be it remembered that on this [twenty eighth crossed through] sixth day of [January crossed through] February 1819 appeared before me the within named John A Johnson & made oath to the truth of the within declaration by him signed In attestation whereof I have hereto caused the seal of the District Court to be affixed
[signature] David Howell
District Judge.
Providence 6 Feb 1819 I certify that the signature of the Judge in his proper handwriting & the seal of the District Court of the United States for R. I. District are hereto affixed
Witness Benjamin Cowell
Clk [Clerk] of said Court
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Reinstated April 27th 1822 and sent to N. R. Knight U. S. [writing in reverse illegible]
John A. Johnson
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Reinstated April 25th 1822 and sent to N. R. Knight U. S. [illegible]
John A Johnson
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
RHODE-ISLAND DISTRICT.
Providence, sc.
District Court, Special Term, June Twelfth A.D. 1820
On this Twelfth day of June, 1820, personally appeared in open Court, being a
Court of Record within and for said District John A. Johnson
aged 67 years, residing in the town of Providence in said District & County who being
first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: That he served in the Frigate Providence commanded by Abraham Whipple 
Esqr for more than ten months
that he made a previous declaration on the Sixth day of February 1819, and that
he has received a certificate for a pension, being No. 12576 And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident
citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and
that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part
thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress entitled
"An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the
revolutionary war,” passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen: that I
have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have
I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
John Arthur Johnson
A SCHEDULE of Property and Income (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) of John A Johnson, viz.
One half Lott of Land in said Providence 18 feet long and
12 feet wide with a very old farm thereon very much out of repair
5 old chairs. 2 old tables, 1 old Chest, 2 pots some old knives and
forks.
And this declarant further saith that he is by occupation
a porter - that he is dependent upon his daily labour for support
that he is very infirm and unable to do but very little work
and were it not for his pension would be dependent on
Charity - 
[signature] John Arthur Johnson
N.B. has no family but his wife aged 70 years, who is infirm & past labour
Rhode Island District
District Court
Sworn to and declared in open Court on the Twelfth day of June 1820
[signature] David Howell
District Judge
Rhode-Island District
Clerk's Office of the District Court, A. D. 182
I Benjamin Cowell Clerk of said Court do hereby certify
that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court;
and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the amount in value of the property exhibited
in the aforesaid schedule, is one hundred & forty dollars and - 
cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this
twentieth day of July 1820
Benjamin Cowell Clerk of said Court
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Invalid
[Widow &c. crossed out]
Navy
File No. 38880
John A. Johnson
Mariner
Ship "Providence" Revolutionary
Act March 18 1818
Index: Vol. [blank], Page [blank]
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Served 10 months from 1st of February 1778 in Frigate Providence - aged 67 years - Wife 70 - no other family.
Property altogether worth [torn] of these is 1/2 of a lot in Providence 18 feet long and 12 feet wide on [torn] is an old farm very much [out] of repair.
RI
Hon: N. R. Knight
Senate U. S.
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Providence 8 March 1822
Dear Sir
I herewith enclose, the deposition of David Gould relative to the situation of John A Johnson who has recently ^been^ stricken from the list of Revolutionary pensioners on "account of the amount of his property" - If you know said Johnson (and I believe you do) you will need no information from me, with regard to his circumstances, his only business, I believe, when he is well [torn] attend about the market & carry home provisions for people who wish for a porter, - he lives in a house on the road leading to Patuxet, in the outskirts of this town. I forwarded to the pension office, some evidence with regard to his situation but I am apprehensive it was not rece'd [received] before a decision took place upon his schedule under the Act of May 1 1820 - said Johnson was placed on the pension list under the Act of 18 March 1818, - but was stricken off under the Act of May 1, 1820 - What, he now wishes, is, that you
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will take the trouble to go [to] the pension office & request a reconsideration of his case - It has been done in one or two instances, and I have no doubt it ought to be done in this, & that after a fair disclosure of his situation - his name will be restored - his property was valued by the Court at $140 - but I have reason to think, if they had ^had^ all the evidence upon the subject, which the enclosed deposition exhibits - the valuation would not have been so much, - but be that as it may, there are several instances within my knowledge where pension [torn] been continued on the pension roll where prop[torn] exceeded his, in the valuation of the Court - I cannot but hope therefore that his name was stricken off through some mistake - perhaps it may assist or expedite the business by sending you the number of his certificate which is No 12,576 - on the pension Roll, - said Johnson is now confined, as I understand, by sickness and has requested one of his neighbors to call on me [blotted out] request to write you on the subject - In attending to his business you will very much oblige your Hon N R Knight
Most respectfully Benj^n Cowell
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Senate Chamber March 14. 1822 - 
Sir
I enclose you the letter of the Clerk of the District Court of Rhode Island, and a deposition of a Mr. Gould concerning the circumstances and situation of John A. Johnson late a pensioner under the Act of Congress.
Mr. Gould is well known to me, he lives in the vicinity of Mr. Johnson, and his Statement can be fully accredited.
I also know Mr. Johnson and from my knowledge of his affairs I believe his case is truly stated by Mr. Gould -
You will readily perceive by the letter enclosed, that it is now requested of the Sec'y of War to reconsider the case of Mr. Johnson & to restore him to the pension roll from which it seems his name has lately been stricken and as I presume inadvertently
N. R. Knight
Mr Edwards
Pension Office
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Providence Assessors Office 3rd Oct^r 1820
We the subscribers [illegible] of the assessors of the taxes in said town of Providence hereby certify and say that John A Johnson of said Providence, altho possessed of a small real estate in said town, has not been assessed for said estate for a number of years past said Johnson has been considered by us too poor to be able to pay any tax - 
[signatures] Wm Larned 
Joseph Peck
Rhode Island District ss. Providence 30 October 1820 personally appeared before me the above named William Larned & Joseph Peck, & made oath that the certificate by them signed is true - 
Benjamin Cowell
Commissioner of [illegible]
Court for R.I. Dist
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David Gould s
Deposition to be filed with John A Johnson papers in the pension office
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I David Gould of Providence in the County of Providence on oath certify and say - That I am personally acquainted with John A Johnson of said Providence an applicant for a pension, and also with his circumstances in life, - said John is a porter by occupation and is employed in carrying provisions home for different people from the market, - which I believe is his only employment, - said John owns a small real estate in said Town, which in my opinion is not worth more than one hundred dollars.
The house is not worth anything of any consequence being very old & very out of repair being in fact nothing but a shell, - said John is now a very old man being upwards of 70 years and is not an able bodied man & in my opinion not able to do a days work, - said John is now supported by charity & has been for some time, - his house [which crossed through] is only 18 feet long & 12 feet wide & only one story high - is situated in the outward precincts of the town & only answers for a covering
[signature] David Gould
Jany 18 - 1821
Sworn to before me
Benjamin Cowell
Commiss. of the District Court for R I Dist
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William L Waterman
Deposition in favor John A Johnson
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The Deposition of William Waterman of Cranston in the State of Rhode Island who being engaged according to law says that in the year 1778 in the month of April he entered on board the Frigate Providence then lying in Providence & bound on a voyage to France, - commanded by Abraham Whipple - as first Lieutenant of Marines - This [word crossed through] deponent entered on board said Vessel only the day before she sailed but said Vessel had been recruiting for several months. - at the time he entered he well recollects a marine on board by the name of John A Johnson - but how long said Johnson had been on board ^before^ does not know
Said Johnson served on board during the voyage to France & back to the United States until her arrival in Boston - in November following where the crew were discharged - [word crossed through] Frigate mounted 30 guns & was in the service of the United States.
[signature] Wm Waterman
I certify that on the 29th Jany 1819 appeared before my the above named William Waterman & made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him signed - 
Benjamin Cowell
Commiss - Dis Court
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I David Gould of Providence on oath testify and [and repeated] say that I am personally acquainted with John A Johnson of said Providence & live a near neighbor to him - Said Johnson for a number of Years back has had no other employment except that of a porter about the market, which business together with his pension gave him a support - Not since his pension has been discontinued, he has been supported by charity - he is now in a most deplorable situation, having been sick for the last three months - & unable to leave his house during which time the only support he has had to support life has been sent to him by the neighbors - said Johnson is not possessed of any property except the small house in which he now lives - ^& the lot on which it stands^ - The house is only 12 feet front & 18 feet back & is now much of out of repair being very old - & is situated in the outskirts of the town -  according to my best judgement - the lot on which the house stands (for I do not consider the house of any value) worth more than fifty dollars it is only 12 feet front & about 26 or 30 feet back and this is all the property he has - [words crossed through] To my knowledge he is now [word crossed through] involved in debt, to a greater amount than the value of his house & lot. There is only one room in his house & [illegible]
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[cellar?] ^of any value^ under it, & it is only one story high, [word blotted] This room said Johnson is confined by sickness without anything to assist him except what charity supplies - 
[signature] David Gould
State of Rhode Island &.
Providence sc. In Providence on this fifth day of March 1822, personally appeared before  me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace for sd [said] town of Providence David Gould whose name is signed to the above deposition & made solemn oath to the truth of the same.
And I further certify that said Gould is personally known to me, to be a man of veracity & respectability & standing in society in whose testimony or word full confidence may be placed.
[signature] Wm H. Smith Justice of the Peace
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John Gonsalve deposition in favor John A Johnson
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The Deposition of John Gonsalve of Providence in the State of Rhode Island who being engaged according to law - says that he was in the Revolutionary war a marine on board the Frigate Providence a Vessel of war then in the service of the United States commanded by Abraham Whipple Esq. & for service rendered on board said Vessel he obtained a certificate for a pension under the Act of Congress - this Deponent entered on board said Vessel in the month of Jany 1778. Said vessel was then recruiting in the Port of Providence & bound to France - that very near the time that deponent entered on board, John A Johnson of said Providence also entered on board said Vessel as masters mate; said Johnson continued on board of said Vessel in said capacity during her said voyage to France & back to the United States - she arrived in Portsmouth in October & from there came to Boston in November following - & towards the latter part of said Month of November this deponent & the said Johnson were discharged - at Boston.
[signature] John Gonsalve
I certify that on this twenty eighth day Jany 1819 personally appeared before me the above named John Gonsalve & made oath to the truth of the deposition by him above signed & I further certify that said Gonsalve is personally known to me & that I know of nothing to impeach his testimony as a witness - 
Benjamin Cowell
Commiss
Dis Court
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Joseph L. Tillenhast [Tillinghast]
deposition - 
in favor John A Johnson
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The Deposition of Joseph Tillinghast of Providence in the State of Rhode Island who being engaged says that [he] is well acquainted with John A Johnson of said Providence an applicant for a pension that he has known him for the last seven years & that from his knowledge [words crossed through] he verily believes ^him^ to be indigent in circumstances - & deserving the assistance of his country
[signature] Joseph L. Tillinghast
1 Feb
Rhode Island District I certify that on this first day of February 1819 personally appeared before me the above named Joseph L. Tillinghast & made oath to the truth of the deposition by him above signed
Witness Benjamin Cowell
Commiss Dis Court
Rhode Island District sc 6 February 1819
The above deposition of Joseph L. Tillinghast is entitled to full credit. I am therefore satisfied as to the poverty of the said Johnson ^ also that he served the 9 mos required by law.
[signature] David Howell
District Judge.
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John Harwood
deposition
in favor
John A Johnson
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The Deposition of John Harwood of Providence in the County of Providence & State of Rhode Island who being engaged according to law says that he is well acquainted with John A Johnson of said Providence formerly a mariner on board the Frigate Providence a Vessel of War in the service of the United States commanded by Abraham Whipple Esq. in the Revolutionary War. This deponent entered on board said Vessel in the month of January 1778 - then lying in Providence & bound on a voyage to France, - This deponent well recollects that very near the same time said Johnson entered on board also. - In the month of April following the Frigate sailed for France - & during all her voyage to France & back to the United States this deponent well knows that said Johnson was on board of her, - The Frigate arrived in Portsmouth in October & from ^there^ sailed for Boston where she arrived in November ^following^ where the men were discharged. The Frigate was recruiting for men several months before she sailed for France, - & after all exertions she sailed without her full complement, - said Johnson was masters mate & had the reputation of a very good seaman - 
[signature] John Harwood.
I hereby certify that on this twenty eighth day of January 1819 personally appeared before me the above [illegible] John Harwood & made oath to the truth of the Deposition by him given
Benjamin Cowell
Commiss
Dis Court