Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13555, for David Johnson, New Jersey
Page 1

SERVICE NUMBER
New Jersey Johnson, David S13555
carded
CONTENTS
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[illegible]
David Johnson
[illegible] in the State of Pennsylvania 
as a [illegible] the [illegible]
[illegible] of the [illegible]
[illegible] in the N.J. [illegible]
[illegible]
[illegible]

[illegible] on the Roll of Pennsylvania
the rate of 83 Dollars 33 Cents per annum
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of July
1833 and [illegible]
[illegible]. Mitford
[illegible] to the 4th of March 1833 $166.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending [illegible] - 41.66
$208.32
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by [illegible] Clerk
Book E Vol. 5 Page 29
Date of
death not
[illegible]
Page 3

19220
David Johnson
26th March 1833
Obj. 14

Retain
P. 314
Admitted

6 mos. Forage Master...60.00
7 mos. Private.........23.33
======                 =====
13 mos.               $83.33

Edw'd Mott, E.
Milford Pike C. Pa.
Page 4

BRIEF in the case of David Johnson of Middle Smithfield, County of Pike, in the State of Pennsylvania (Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open court.

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? (blank)

3. How old is he? 77th year.

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. (blank)

Period. | Duration of Service. (Years, Months, Days.) | Rank. | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
In 1776 | 1 mo.  | "As a" Private | [crossed out: "Gen."] Col. West, Col. Shipman, Capt. M. Henry
In 1776 | 2 mos. | "As a" Private | Capt. Milen
3rd tour, year not stated | 2 mos. | "As a" Team & Bri. | Capt. M. McCullough, Col. Frelinghuysen
In 1777 | 1 mo.  | "As a" Private | Capt. Winders, C(ounty) of West.
In 1778 | 1 mo.  | "As a" Private | Capt. Mackey, C(ounty) of Ford
Winters of 1778 & 1779 | 6 mos. | "As a" Forage Master |  Capt. M. McCullough, C(ounty) of West.
In 1781 - Declarant say in this year he was chosen (by) Capt. [illegible] but was not entered into service.

5. In what battles was he engaged? None.

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Warren County, New Jersey.

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? A living witness & traditionary evidence.

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct.

* - Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Examining Clerk: (blank)
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David Johnson
19220

6 mos. Forage Master
7 mos. Private
Page 6

State of Pennsylvania
Pike County//

On the Twentieth day of November, A.D. Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Two in open Court before the honorable John Coolbaugh and Daniel P. Longman, Esquires, Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Pike, now sitting appeared David Johnston, now a resident of Middle Smithfield Township in the said County now in the Seventy seventh year of his age, who being 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. That, according to the information he received from his parents, he was born in Readington (sp.), Somerset County in the State of New Jersey on the 2nd day of November A.D. Seventeen Hundred and [crossed out: Seventy six] Fifty six. That he has resided since partly in the State of New Jersey, part of the time in the State of New York - and moved into Middle Smithfield Township in the County of Pike about five years since where he now resides. That about the month of June or July in the year A.D. 1776 he resided in Greenwich Township (then Sussex now) Warren County, New Jersey, and went out in the Jersey Militia, as a substitute for his brother [crossed out: John]
John Johnston, who had been drafted under Captain Abraham W. Kenney, Lieutenant Benig and Ensign William Kerr, marched through Morristown to Brooklyn - and was out on that tour one month. That after harvest in the year Seventeen Hundred and Seventy six he was drafted in the New Jersey Militia in Captain Laurance Miller's Company. Colonel Jacob West joined the regiment at Perth Amboy, stayed (sp.) at Perth Amboy about one month, then went to South Amboy
under Colonel Mathias Shipman and Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Broderie, stayed there one month and was out on that tour two months. That after the battle of Princeton was again drafted in the Jersey Militia in Captain Benjamin McCullough's company under Colonel Frelinghuysen or Bennell. Went to Bound Brook (sp.) in New Jersey, a Major John Fleet lay there with a body of men, lay there one month, when Captain McCullough and Colonel West, who also acted as Quartermaster, informed him that if he would act as a teamster, it should be considered as a month's service, and that he acted and served as a teamster for one month, making his tour two months. That after the harvest of the same year, A.D. Seventeen Hundred and Seventy seven, he was again drafted in the New Jersey Militia, served one month in Captain Winter's company, in Colonel Jacob West's regiment. That they were stationed between Elizabeth Town, Quibble Town (sp.) & Charlestown and that on this tour he served one month. That in the year Seventeen Hundred and...
Page 7

...Seventy eight, after the battle of Monmouth, he was again drafted in the New Jersey Militia in Captain Joseph Mackey's company in Colonel Ford's regiment. They were stationed at or near Paulus Hook in Bergen County. On this tour he served one month. That in the winter of 1778-1779 he was again drafted in the New Jersey Militia in Captain McCullough's company, Colonel West's regiment, and were stationed at Hackettstown in the State of New Jersey. He further saith that Colonel West acted as Quartermaster and ordered him, the deponent, to take charge of the Forage Store at Hackettstown. that he acted as Forage Master under the orders of Colonel West at Hackettstown for six months (or about that time). That in the year, as he believes, 1781 he was elected a Captain of Militia in Mansfield Township, then Sussex now Warren County, that his company was always ready to march but were not called out. He saith that he has no documentary evidence other than that to this, his declaration annexed, that he never received a discharge and that nearly all those by whom he could prove his services in the Revolutionary War are dead or removed beyond his control. That there is no Minister of the Gospel resident in
his neighborhood [crossed out: or in the n.] with whom he is acquainted or is acquainted with him having resided in the township of Middle Smithfield but
comparatively a short time. That Benjamin Canaan, a resident of Middle Smithfield Township - now in the Seventy eighth year of his age and George Buchannan of the town of Milford, now in the Sixty ninth year of his age are acquainted with him, and will as he believes testify as to his veracity. And the deponent 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 of any State.
s/ David Johnson

Sworn & subscribed in open court this 20th November 1832.
s/ B. Seaman Protty

Pennsylvania
Pike County//

W.E. Benjamin Canaan and George Buchannan...
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...both residents of the County of Pike, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with David Johnston who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be in the Seventy seventh year of his age. That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he now resides, and in the neighborhood where he has resided to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
s/ Benjamin Canaan 
s/ George Buchannan

Sworn & subscribed in open court this 20th November 1832.
s/ B. Seaman Protty

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 Benjamin Canaan and George Bohannan are residents of the said County of Pike and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
s/ John Colbaugh
s/ Baron Dingman

I, Charles B. Seaman, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of 
the County of Pike do certify that the foregoing contains the original 
proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Dave Johnston
for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said office at Milford this Twentieth day of November 1832.
s/ B. Seaman Protty
Page 9

...believes.

State of Pennsylvania
Pike County//

On the Sixteenth day of April A.D. Eighteen Hundred and Thirty three in open Court before the Honorable David Scott, Esquire, President, and John Coolbaugh, Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County came the within named David Johnson, who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath say in addition to his declaration hereto annexed. That when in the winter of 1778-1779 he was stationed in Hackettstown, New Jersey in Captain McCullough's company, in the regiment commanded by Colonel West and was ordered to take the charge of the Forage Store by the said Colonel West. He, the said Colonel West, gave his brother's appointment as Forage Master, which appointment is lost. And that the said Colonel West also gave him money for the purchase of forage &c.
s/ David Johnston

Sworn & Subscribed in open Court this 16th April A.D. 1833.
s/ J.H. Brodhead, Protty

Witness my hand and the seal of the said Court this 16th April Eighteen Hundred and Thirty three
s/ J.H. Brodhead, Protty
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I, John Kinney, Jr., an acting Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Warren, State of New Jersey, and before whom the annexed deposition signed John Willson, do certify that at the time of taking the same deposition, the said John Willson was and now is a respectable person and entitled to credit.

Witness my hand this 19th day of April 1833.
s/ J. Kinney, Jr.

State of New Jersey
Warren County//

I, Thomas B. Kennedy, Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that John Kinney, Jr., who made the above certificate was at the time thereof and still is an acting Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Warren, duly commissioned and sworn into office as such. And whose acts are entitled to credit both here and elsewhere. And I do further certify that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said John Kinney, Jr., and are satisfied that the above signature "J. Kinney, Jr." purporting to be his is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Belvedere this 19th day of April A.D. 1833.
s/ T.B. Kennedy, Clerk
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State of New Jersey
Warren County//

Before me, one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, on the 29th August 1832 personally appeared John Willson, aged Seventy seven 13th January last, who being duly sworn according to law saith that he is well acquainted with David Johnston who is applying for the benefit of the Act of Congress of June 7th 1832 for the Militia of the Revolution. That said David Johnston in the time of the Revolution lived in the township of Greenwich, County of Sussex in said State, within two miles of deponent who lived in the County of Hunterdon in said State. That Deponent well recollects said Johnston going from home in the Militia of New Jersey at several different times, but can't tell how often nor with what officers. And further saith not.
s/ John Willson

Sworn and subscribed the date above before me.
s/ J. Kinney, Jr.

State of New Jersey
Warren County//

I, Thomas B. Kennedy, clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the said County do...
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...before me.
s/ J. Kinney, Jr.

State of New Jersey
Warren County//

I, Thomas B. Kennedy, clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the said County do hereby certify that John Kinney, Jr., before whom the above affidavit was taken is an acting Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Warren, duly commissioned and sworn into office as such, and to whom official acts full faith and credit is due. And further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said John Kinney, Jr., and are satisfied that the above signature is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court the 29th day of August 1832.
s/ T.B. Kennedy, Clerk
Page 13

May 28, 1934

BA-J/eel
David Johnson - S.13565

Reille Johnson Smith
2553 Blakes Street
San Diego, California

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of David Johnstone, of New Jersey, who served in the Revolutionary War and received a pension for his services.

The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.13565, based upon the military services of David Johnson or Johnston in that war.

David Johnson or Johnston was born November 3, 1756, in Readington Township, Somerset County, New Jersey. The names of his parents are not show in the papers in the pension claim.

While residing in Greenwich Township, Sussex (then part which was later Warren) County, New Jersey, he enlisted and served with the New Jersey Troops, as follows: from June or July, 1776, as a substitute for his brother, John, one month in Captain Abraham McKinney's company; from sometime in the summer of same year, one month in Captain Laurance Miller's company. Colonel Jacob West's regiment and one month under Colonel Mathias Shipman; from sometime after the battle of Princeton, two months in Captain Benjamin McCullough's company, Colonel Frelinghuysen's or Colonel Bandl's regiment, one month of this last named service was as a teamster; after the harvest in 1777, one month in Captain Winter's company, Colonel Jacob West's regiment; from sometime in 1778, one month in Captain Joseph Mackey's company, Colonel Ford's regiment; from the winter of 1778 or 1779, in Captain McCullough's company, Colonel Jacob West's regiment; was appointed Forage Master by Colonel West and served six months in 1781, he was elected captain of a company of militia of New Jersey, and with his company stood in readiness to be called out at any time; length of services as a captain not shown.

He was allowed pension on his application executed November 20, 1832, while residing in Smithfield Township, Pike County, Pennsylvania. He had lived for a while in the state of New York before he moved to Pennsylvania. He signed both as Johnson and Johnston...
Page 14

...It is not stated that soldier was ever married.

No charge is made forthis service.

Very truly yours,
A.D. HILLER,
Assistant to the Administrator.
Page 15

June 31/'94 Sent Hist(ory) to R.W. Johnston, Marionburg, N.Y.
1906 Nov. 12 Sent Hist(ory) to James A. Park
He [illegible] file 33.899 [illegible]
1906 Dec. 22 James A. Park advised that history was furnished Nov 12, 1906.
1908 July 29 Hist(ory) to Smith and Lindsley [illegible]
1934 May 28 Hist(ory) to Reille Johnson [illegible]

13555
INVALID
Rev(olutionary) War
File No. 13555
David Johnson
Ser(geant) Rev(olutionary) War

Act: June 7, 1832

Index: - Vol. 1, Page 197
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 16

Milford P. May 1.

To the Honorable Lewis Cass
Secretary of War, Washington
Page 17

Milford, P(ike) County Penn(Sylvania) 1 May 1883

To the Honorable Lewis Cass, Secretary of War

Sir,

I again forward the application of David Johnson for a pension and which I hope will now be found to be correct.

Yours very respectfully,

s/ Edw. Mott
Page 18

San Diego Cal(ifornia)
May 17, 1934

Dept. of the Interior
Revolutionary War Pensions

David Johnstone, born Nov 3, 1756 at Readington, Somerset Co., N.J. served in the Revolution.

In 1832 he applied for a pension and received $8.60 per month for his Revolutionary Services.

He died in 1853 age 97.

Can you send me record of his service - hist. of children &c?

If there is any expense in connection with this service please let me know and I will remit at once.

Yours truly, 
s/ Reille Johnson Smith
2150 Hicken St.
San Diego, Calif.
per F.B.S.
Page 19

JAMES A. PARK
488 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE
TEL. 412 L PASSAIC

PASSAIC, N.J. Nov. 3, 1906

Department of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs
I have never before communicated with the Department of Pensions, and I do not know whether information therefrom is to be had without the proverbial "political rule" or not. I make this direct effort because now deeply interested and if my presumption is unwarranted I any sorry.

In Neville's laws [i.e. 'Laws of Assumptions' that our thoughts and feelings create our reality] of N.J. Col Phillip Johnston (my grandfather's mother's uncle) whom I noticed, was appointed Colonel of the Batalion raised in Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, N.J. to form a part of the troops district to reinforce the army at New York. Gen'l Heard's Brigade appeared Aug 2 1776. I think Col. Johnston was killed at the Battle of Long Island the day before this act was [crossed out: passed] approved.

The said had a younger brother Samuel also one named David & am desirous to find out how long David served - also how long Samuel served - David was for a part of the time Forage Master. Also, where & when they enlisted  - and whether they or their families ever applied for or received Pensions...
Page 20

...David Johnson at the time of his service was a Hunterdon County man, as also was his brother, the Colonel. I think David may have been in his brother's regiment. Samuel, I think, was in Maxwell's regiment & he may have enlisted from Sussex Co.

I hope I may receive reply containing the information.

Yours very truly,
s/ James A. Park
Page 21

Filed
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LINDSLEY & MACKIE,
ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS,
UTICA, N.Y.
SMITH M. LINDSLEY; WILLIAM S. MACKIE

July 21, 1906.

U.S. Bureau of Pensions,
Department of the Interior
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:

On June 30, 1894, the Commissioner of Pensions wrote a letter to J.W. Johnston, Esq., of Narrowsburgh, N.Y., giving a statement of the military history of David Johnston, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, as it appeared in your Bureau. That letter shows, among other things, that in the fall of 1779, David Johnston was foragemaster under Capt. McCullough and under Col. West, State of New Jersey; that the date of application for pension was Nov. 20, 1832; residence of soldier at enlistment, Greenwich, N.J.; residence at date of application, Middle Smithfield, Pike Co., Penn.; applicant born at Readington,
Somerset Co., N.J., Nov. 3, 1756.

I give you the above information, so that you may identify this particular David Johnston.

Will you kindly inform me if your records show the time of the death of said David Johnston, or when payment of pension to him ceased? Kindly advise me upon this as soon as you can, and oblige.

A/J.

Yours very truly,
s/ Smith M Lindsley
Page 23

...information as contained in his or his widow's application for pension on file in this Bureau. David Johnson Sect. 13555 also David Johnston.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. (CAPTAIN/COLONEL.) | STATE.
June or July 1776 | 1 mo. | Pri(vate) | Abraham McKinney | (blank) | N.J. Militia
1776 | 2 mos. | (blank) | Laurance Miller | Jacob West, Matthias Shipman
After the Battle of Princeton | 2 mos. | Pri(vate) | Benjamin McCullough | Colonel Frelinghuysen's or 
After the Battle of Princeton | 2 mos. | Teamster | (blank) | Captain Bonnel 
1777 | 1 mo. | (blank) | Winter | Jacob West
1778 | 1 mo. | Joseph Mackey | Colonel Ford
Winter 1778-1779 | 6 mos. | Forage Master | Capt. McCullough | Colonel West
1781 | (blank) | Captain of Militia

Battles engaged in: (blank)
Residence of soldier at enlistment: Greenwich Twp. (then Sussex later) Warren Co., N.J.
Date of application for pension: Nov. 26, 1832 this to his manual.
Residence at date of application: Middle Smithfield Twp., Pike Co., Penn.
Age at date of application: 76, born in Readington, Somerset Co., N.J., Nov. 3, 1756.
Remarks: For date of last payment of pension &c.