Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5,637, for Robert Johnson, Pennsylvania
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3-1776
Service
Penn
Johnson, Robert
&.5.637
Contents
carded.
Page 2

Pittsburgh,Penn 29.802
---
Robert Johnson
Washington Co, in the State of Penna
who was a Pr. & Ensign in the company commanded
by Captain Watson of the Reg't commanded
by Col. Hand in the Penna mil
line for Pr. 7 months
Ensign 2
23.33
20.00
$43.33
Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburgh
at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27th day of Feb
1835
and sent to Hon. T. M. T.
McKerman M.R.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 34
151.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March 35. 21.66
$173.33
Recorded by D. Brown
Book E-2, Vol. 5
⎨ Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832 ⎬
Clerk,
Page 125
Page 3

Declaration of 
Robert Johnson
Page 4

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of
Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
Pennsylvania
Worthington County
On this 30th day of January 1835, personally
appeared in Open Court, before the Judges
of the court of Court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid, Robert Johnson, a resident of
Canton Township in the County aforesaid, aged about eighty one
years.
who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath
make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the
act of
Congress, passed June 7th 1832 -
that he entered the service of the
United States, under the
following named officers & served as herein stated
In the month of July 1776, I volunteered with a number of others
under Captain James Watson and Lieutenant William Steel & marched
from Lancaster County Pennsylvania to Philadelphia, where we remained
a few days waiting for orders. We then marched to Amboy, New Jersey
where we remained some time & proceeded thence to the City of New York
where we again rested for some days, & thence to Long Island. There we found a large number of the American forces, & after some time
we were called on to take part in the battle at that place. In this engagement
I distinctly recollect of Genl Sullivan & Sterling
being taken prisoner, together with some of our men, besides
a large number that were slain. After this, we remained in our
camp for some time & then retreated from the island & went
to the city of New York. At this place we were joined by a number
of other militia companies from Lancaster County Pa, and we then
made choice of a man by the name of
Cunningham, for our
Colonel, & we were then attached to the regiment of Col Edward Hand
We were then marched up to a place called the White Plains, and
a number of us were employed in making entrenchments, for our safety &
security & continued so untill the battle at that place, when we were again defeated. I remember distinctly of working all night previous
to the battle & of seeing Genl Putnam coming out of the engagement
Page 5

covered with smoke and dirt. To this place a reinforcement was
sent by Genl Washington, but too late, as they were stopped by
Genl Putnam. I also well remember of hearing Genl Washington ask
Genl Putnam, "who stopped the reinforcement" to which the latter replied
"I did" the former then said further "will they get yonder height"
"they have got it already" replied Putnam, "Good God, then" says
Washington "we have no further business here." From this place us
marched further up the county, & we continued moving about from place
to place, till our term of five months had expired & we were discharged
& return home about the first of December 1776, after serving out full
five months. This service was in what was called the "Flying Camp"
In the month of September 1777. I went out as a substitute for one of
my younger brothers, William Johnson, (who is deceased for a number of
years past) under Capt John Scott, (the Lieutenants name I cannot now recollect)
and marched to Chester, Chester County Pensylvania, where we met with
a number of other militia forces under the command of Brigadier Genl
Potter, and, I think Major Genl Armstrong. from this place we
marched to Brandywine. The night previous to the battle at this place
a regiment of us were moved to the side of the creek, on which the British 
were stationed, & was ordered to remain there, till the emery [enemy] would come
down, give them a running fire, retreat across the creek & then
"take our stand & remain there till we were" beat away or ordered
away by a "superior officer". The enemy did not come down as
expected & we were consequently deprived of taking part in the battle.
At this place we were again defeated & the same evening of the battle our portion retreated to Chester, where we remained some time, & then by
order marched to Germantown. Here we took part in the battle at
this place and again come off with severe loss. After this we moved
further up the county & move about from place to place, and return
home to Lancaster County about the first of November after serving our
tour of two months. About the middle of the month (November) as near
as I can recollect. I was again drafted with a number of others for two months
and we marched from Lancaster Co. Pa. under Captain Patrick Marke
and proceeded on our march towards
Philadelphia, and were at last
stationed some distance above the city, with a large number of our forces
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the place where we were encamped on account of its roughness, was called
by the soldiers "Feather bed hill" and was near (I think) a place
called "White Marsh". The only thing that occurred during this tour
was a small skirmish with a party of the British, in which our
captain was killed. We returned home about the middle of January
following having been on duty two months, during this campaign
I acted as ensign under a Commission, dated July first
1777, which accompanies this declaration.
This is the whole of my
service amounting to nine months and I have stated them as fully, as my
advanced age, and consequently weakened memory will permit.
I was born in Lancaster County Pensylvania in the year 1753. The only
record which I have of my eye is an intrest which I took from my
Father
family bible this intent, I yet have at home. In my
different tours of service I lived where I was born, and in the year 1799
I
left that place and came to this county where I have since resided. My
serices were as a volunteer, draftee and as a substitute for my brother
William. I am not able to state the names of any more regular officers
or of battalions or regiments than I have already stated. I never received any
written discharge when a soldier
I recd the commission as Ensign, as above
stated, sign by Tho Wharton President of the Supreme Executive Council of
Pennsylvania, and which is attached to this declaration. I am well known
by Thomas McCombs, Robert Watson and Joseph Clark
who can testify to my character for veracity and who believe I was a soldier
of the Revolution. The only one now alive, who has a personal knowledge of
part of my services is Samuel Logan of this county. I have no clergyman
to certify for me, as the congregation of which I am a member has so often
changed their Pastor, the present one, has not been long enough
to have any knowledge on the subject. I do hereby relinquish any claim whatever
to a pension or annuity except the present & declare that my name is not
on the pension roll of any Agency in any State
Robert Johnson
Sworn & Subscribed in
Open Court this 30 day of
January 1835.
Th: Officer Pro
Page 7

We Robert Wilson and Joseph Clarke of Canton County W.C.
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Robert Johnson, who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
about eighty one years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood
where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur
in that opinion
Sworn & Subscribed in open Court
the day & year aforesaid
Th : Officer Pro
Robert Wilson
Joseph Clarke

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 appear to them that it appears to them that
Robert Wilson and Joseph Clarke, who have signed the preceding
certificate are residents in Canton township Washington County, Pa
and are reliable persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Thomas Officer Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and
for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
the original proceedings, of the said Court, in the matter of the application
of
Robert Johnson, for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have
hereunto set my hand & seal of office, this 30th day of January 1835
-
Thomas Officer Prothy
⎬
Declaration of
Robert Johnson
Page 8

Robert Johnson
Additional affidavit - also
Hugh Johnson
Hon. J. M.T. McKennon
Page 9

Pensylvania
Washington County
Personally appeared before me the undersigned
a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County
Robert Johnson of Canton Township and County aforesaid
and who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath say,
that in reference to his application for a Pension which is now suspended
in the Office.
first - 
that he saw a tour of two month from
September 1777, as a Private, which was after the date of his Commission
as Ensign,
because he served it, as a substitute for his father William
and he has so stated it or, intended so to do, in his declaration, now in the
Pension Department. Officers in the militia, sometimes served as privates, in this
way.
they were all regularly classed and when their classes, were called out
then the officers, went out as officers - but when other classes were
called out, officers of a different class - would sometimes go out as volunteers
or as substitutes, and when they did do so, they went out as privates
In this way I went out, as a private - for my brother belonged to the
[illegible] class, and I was a member of [illegible] class and although I
had my commission as Ensign, when I served as a substitute for my brother
yet inasmuch as I done the duty in a different class from my own. I done it, as a Private.

Second - The reason why I did not make application sooner are these -
my circumstances in life are such that I could live and can live comfortably without it - and as I am getting old & feeble, I did not wish to undergo
the trouble and expense of making application. But as
others of my neighbours had drawn their Pensions, and as I know that
my services would entitle me to the same, my friends advised me to
make the application, and I have done so accordingly. My brothers name was John Johnson.
Robert Johnson
Sworn & Subscribed before me
this 19 day of February 1835
John Markel
Page 10

Pennsylvania Washington County Jr
Personally appeard before me the undersigned
a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, Hugh A. Johnston [Johnson]
of Canton township in the County aforesaid, a credible witness, , who being
duly sworn according to law doth on his oath say - that for the
space of fifteen years past and more, he well recollects of hearing his
father Robert Johnson, the within deponent, talking in his family of
his revolutionary service and particularly of his serving as Ensign
part of the time. That it has during all this time, been so understood
and believed by the family, and the connection, and the neighbourhood in
general, from the frequent conversation concerning it, and from the
exhibition of the Commission as Ensign.
Hugh A Johnson

Sworn & Subscribed before me
this 19th day of February 1835
John Marshel

I do certify that John Marshel Esqr before whom the foregoing
affidavits were made is a Justice of the peace in & for the
County of Washington
Th.  M.T. McKennan
Gibbs
.
Robert Johnson
Additional Affidavit
Hugh A Johnson

Hon. J. M. T. McKennan
Page 11

563
Revham
INVALID.
No. 1637
Robert Johnson
Ensign & Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th, 1832
Vol. M, Page 195
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 12

In the NAME and by the AUTHORITY of the FREEMEN of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
The SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL of
the said Commonwealth,

To Robert Johnston Gentleman
WE, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct
and Fidelity, DO, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be Ensign
of the Sixth Company of Foot in the Second
Battalion of Militia, in the County of Lancaster. You are therefore carefully and
diligently to discharge the Duty of Ensign by doing and performing all
Manner of Things thereunto belonging. And We do strictly charge and require all Officers
and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as Ensign
And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions as you shall from time to
Time receive from the Supreme Executive Council of this Commonwealth, or from your
superior Officers, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, and in Pursuance of the Acts
of Assembly of this State. This Commission to continue in Force until your Term, by the
Laws of this State, shall of Course expire.
GIVEN under the lesser Seal of the Commonwealth, at Philadelphia, this
First Day of July 
in the Year of our
Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Seven
Tho Wharton Pres

No. 6
ATTEST
TF Matlack
Page 13

War Department
Pension Office
February 9, 1835

Sir,
The papers in support of the claim of Robert Johnson
have been examined, and filed with suspended cases in this Office.
Besides a tour of service in the Flying Camp he claims
for one tour of two months from September 1777 as a private,
and one tour of two months from November of that year
as an Ensign, and exhibits a commission dated July 1777.
Before a decision can be had, it should be stated to the
satisfaction of the Department, how he came to serve a
tour as a private at a time when he held an Ensign's
commission. It should also be more satisfactorily shown
that the applicant is the identical person to whom the
commission was issued, and the reasons given why he
did not sooner apply for a pension under the act of June
7, 1832. The christian name of the applicant's father
should also be given.
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Your Obt Servt
J L Edwards

Hon. T. M.T. McKennan
House of Representatives
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32732
Robert Johnson
Pa. Deposition of Samuel Logan

From 1775  Pr &
Ensign 9 months
Pr 7 month $23.33
Ensign 2 mo. 20.-
$43.33

Hon. T. M. T. McKennan
Page 15

Pensylvania
In the Common Pleas of
[Wash]ington County
Personally appeared in Open Court this
30th day of January A.D. 1833
Samuel Logan a resident of Cecil
township in the County aforesaid, who being
duly sworn according to law, doth say - that
he had neighbour
of Robert Johnston [Johnson], in Lancaster County Pa. in the year 1776, and
well remembers of his going out, with a number of others in that
year, in what was called the "flying camp"
I also well remember
of being a member of the company, of which Robert Johnson was
Ensign in the year 1777. I was with him in the
battle of Brandywine.
Saml Logan
Sworn & Subscribed
in Open Court the day
year aforesaid
Th. Officer Pro

And the same Court do hereby declare that Samuel
Logan, the above deponent, is a person of high standing & respectability and
that his statement is entitled to full credit and belief
Thomas Officer Pro
Page 16

Th. M T. McKennan

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commr of Pensions

Hon. T. M. T. McKennan

Pa. Feb 7
Page 17

Dear Sir
Allow me to ask for immediate action on
the enclosed application of Robert Johnson for a
pension which is enclosed.
I am well acquainted with the applicant. He has
long been an Elder in the Presbyterian Church and
is a man of exemplary
character [crossed out] conduct and
unimpeachable character-
Yours very respy
Th. M. T.  McKennan
Washington Feby 5. 1835

J L. Edwards Esq
Page 18

Th. M. T. McKennan
M. C.

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Pension office

Hon. T. M. T. McKennan

Pa Feb 26
Page 19

Dr Sir,
I send you a supplementary affidavit of Robt
Johnson an applicant for a pension which I hope
will remove
the objections which have been started
to the allowance of his claim. I know the old gentleman
well and have
the most entire confidence
in the honesty of his claim and the truth of his declaration
I hope the certificate will be made out
before I leave this
Yours very respy
Th. M. T. McKennan
Feby 25 1835

J L. Edwards Esqr