Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31177, for Thomas Johnson, Virginia
Page 1

SERVICE
Va.

Johnson, Thomas

NUMBER
S. 31177

CONTENTS
Page 2

26923

Kentucky

Thomas Johnson
of Rockcastle in the State of Ky
who was a Pr in the Company commanded
by captain Landrom of the Regt commanded
by Col [illegible] in the Va
line for Militia _

[Illegible, several words] $20.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Ky
at the rate of 20 Dollars__ Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of Jaly
'34 to Ballinger, Barboursville

Arrears to the 4th of Mch 31.............. 60.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep.... 10.00
.......................................................................$70.00

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by ? P. Spogen, Clerk
Book 6 2 Vol. 7 Page 27
Page 3

31. 419
Thos Johnson

Ken

for 1780 [illegible] 6
$20

F. Ballinger,
Barboursville
Ken
Page 4

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress
of the 7th June 1832
State of Kentucky
Rockcastle County] Sct

On this 9th day of June 1834 personally
appeared before Joseph Eor Circuit
Judge of the 15th Judicial district including
the County of Rockcastle Thomas Johnson
a resident of the [crossed out, illegible fork of] [inserted:] waters of Eddy
creek about 2 miles from Princeton in the county
of Caldwell and State of Kentucky aged
70 years on the 20th Feb. last past who being
first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath
make the following statement in order to obtain
the benefit of the provision made by the act
of Congress passed June the 7th 1832.
He states that he entered the service
as a substitute for John Scott in the County
of Amherst and state of Virginia in the year
1778 [inserted to "remembers":] as well as he remembers [crossed out, illegible]
to guard the Prisoners taken by
Gates in the North- that he marched from Amherst
down to Albemarle Barracks _ he states that
he served for five weeks in guarding the prisoners
then-- he went under Captain Landram
But who was the commandant at the Barracks
he does not remember-- he received a written
discharge for this service, but who signed by he
can not state-- it was handed to him by the
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orderly sergeant, which has since been lost or
distroyed _ he states that he was very young
in his fifteenth year as well as he remembers when
he served this tour. he states that John Scott gave
him $100. in continental money to take his place _
He states that in March 1781 he was drafted
or the method was to draw lotta which fell upon him
to go a tour of 6 weekss against the Brittish
under Capt Jacobs_ he was then living in Amherst
County Va and marched from there under Capt
Jacob _ Col Gabriel Pen, Maj. James Franklin
and Col Hugh Rose - he states that he
joined the army of Genl Green on the 16th March
1781 the day after his battle with Cornwallis _ that
his officers who went down with him resigned
and went home _ that he was then placed
under Capt Lewis of Mecklenberg _ Col Holcome.
he marched with Greens army to the
Dan River _ [inserted:] there the Virginia Militia seperated with
Green and marched up to Staunton [inserted:] River when he
was discharged, he recd a written discharge
for this service but has long since lost or distroyed,
he does not remember who signed
this discharge.
He states that in July 1781 on the 9th day
he was drafted for a tour of three months in
Amherst County Va under Capt John Lovin
he does not remember the name of the Col
if any marched with him he states that he
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Marched through Richmond Va Williamsburgh
[illegible] until he reached York-- he states that upon
the route down he joined the main army under
Genl Washington - he states that he continued with
Genl Washington until the 9th day of Oct 1781
when he rec a written discharge which has also
been lost or destroyed - he does not remember who signed by
He states that in the year 1783 he volunteered
to go a tour against the indians in Lincoln County
now state of Kentucky where his Father had removed
under Capt George Murrel he states that he was
engaged in this service not less than ten days
he states that he has no documentary evidence
by which to prove his service or any part thereof &
that he knows of no one now living whose testimony
he could procure that has a personal knowledge
of his service _
He states that he visited this section of
the State to attend to a lawsuit _ and did not
know that he was entitled to count his service
as a volunteer against the Indians until he
casually mentioned the circumstance to his
counsel-- he states that he is better and
more generally known in this part of the State
than that in which he now lives - he states that
he lived in the County of Knox for upwards of
twenty years - he states that he often canvassed
for the legislature of his [crossed out: own] [inserted:] adopted state whilst residing
in the County of Knox - 3 times with the Honl
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Judge who now sits upon the Bench of this Court
He consider it fair to state that he was beat twice
out of the three trial by the Honl Judge-
He states that he moved to Caldwell County in
1819 and settled where he now resides
he states that he was never in any engagement
but drawn up in line of battle several times _
that he was among the first who aided in constructing
what was called the [Illegible] fort at the siege
of Cornwallis
He hereby relinquishes every claim to
a pension or annuity except the present
and he declares that his name is not on the
pension roll of any [crossed out: state in] agency in any
State
Sworn to and subscribed the day and
year aforesd _
Answer to Quen 1st_ I was born in Albemarle County
Virginia on Carters low ground in the year
1764 on the 28th Feb
2 My Father told me my age _ and I set it down
in my bible which I now have at home
3 I was living in Amherst when first called
into the service and continued to reside then
until my last Tour which was from Lincoln
County now Ky thence I moved to Knox
County - now Ky thence to Caldwell when I
now reside
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4th I was first in the service as a substitute for
John Scott and served not less than __ weeks
next I was drafted for 6 weeks _ next for 3 month
and lastly volunteered and served not less than
10 days
5th Genl Green-- Genl Washington Gnl Laafayette
It is possible that I have been mistaken in the
officers under whom I served particularly in my capts
it may have been capt Landram that I served under
at York and Capt John Loven at Albemarle
Barracks. I am certain of Holcom & Lawson
& Marne _I do not remember the [crossed out : names] [inserted:] numbers
of any of the Regiments with whom I served
6th I always recd discharge except for my last
service. I do not remember who they were
signed by nor what has become of them
7th I am known to John Rackabay Asberry
Harpindin, Will. Lander, Robert Patterson _
E. Shepherson & who I doubt not if present
would testify to my character for veracity
and their belief of my services as a soldier
of the revolution _ In this county I am
acquainted with Genl Smith-- C. Colyer &
Capt Kincaid now canvaping for the senate, and
with all the old settlers who have been prominent
men in these parts. I doubt not that
all of them would testify if present to my character
for veracity though it is probable that
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but few of them know of my revolutionary
services
Sworn to and subscribed this day and
date above written
Thos Johnson

We William M. Bledsoe and Genl William Smith
Residing in Rockcastle County State of Kentucky
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
Thomas Johnson who has subscribed and sworn
to the foregoing declaration _ and have known
him upwards of twenty years _ that we believe
him to be 70 years of age _ that he was reputed
and believed in the County of Knox when he
resided before his removal to Caldwell, to have
been a soldier of the Revolution _ and that we
concur in that opinion having heard him speak
of his services twenty years ago
Sworn and subscribed the day and
year aforesd
William M. Bledsoe
William Smith

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 William M. Bledsoe and William
Smith who has signed and sworn to the preceding
certificate are residents
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[crossed out: in Ky] to the said Smith of Rockcastle and the said
[Illegible] of Knox Counties Kentucky and on
credible persons and their statements entitled to
credit - the court states that the applicant mentioned
in his speeches 20 years ago, his revolutionary service
as a reason why he should be elected to the
Legislature of Kentucky
Joseph Eve
Circuit
I James Terrill Clerk of the [inserted:] Circuit Court of
Rockcastle County do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said
Court in the matter of the application of Thomas
Johnson for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed my seal
of Office this 10th day of June 1834
James Terrill Clerk
of the Rockcastle Circuit Court
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Record Division.

October 12, 1911.

Mr. John A. Johnson,
Covington & Cincinnati Bridge Co.
Covington, Kentucky.

Sir:

In reply to your letter dated the 9"" and received the 10"" instant,
you are herewith furnished a corrected statement of the military history
of Thomas Johnson, Sur. File No. 31, 1777, Rev. War, in lieu of the one
furnished you under date of September 27, 1911, in which it was 
arroneously stated that the information was found "in his and his widow's application", while there is nothing in the claim to show that the soldier
was ever married.
There are claims on file [several words, illegible or crossed out] records,
for two other Virginia soldiers of the name of Thomas Johnson, one of
whom enlisted in Louisa County, the other at Charlotteville, Albemarle
County, neither of which counties is in the vicinity of Lynchburg.
There is no claim for the widow of any soldier of that name from Virginia.
The aforesaid records fail to show that a claim was ever filed for
Edmund Herndon as described by you.
Very respectfully,

Acting Commissioner.
Page 12

31177
Revy INVALID.

File No 31, 177
Thomas Johnson
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7'' 32''

Index:- Vol. 2, Page 215

[Arrangement of 1870.]

1911 Sept. 27 Hist to
J. A Johnson
11 Oct 12. correction of same
Page 13

Barboursville Ky
12 June

Hrd

Honl E. L. Edwards
City of Washington
D. C.

Ken June 21
Page 14

Barbourvill Ky
12th June 1834

Mr Edwards
Please address me upon the subject of
the enclosed claim
The paper of Berry Cawood _ I find
did not reach Washington until after I left _ A
certificate allowing him $46.66 per Annum has been
recd _ since my arrival home _ In the many cases
which I have prepared and forwarded to you under
the act of 1832 I have never in any instance
asked you [inserted:] to change the equitable allowance made
by you _ In the case of Cawood, however, Justice
to him seems to require that I should ask you to
review his papers _ instead of $46.66, I had thought
his claim would be near $70 per Annum - I only
ask that your person will examine the claim _
very Respectfully
your Obdt Servt
Frank Ballinger
Page 15

Pension Commissioner
Dear Sir: _
Will you
please inform
me whether you
have the name
of Jno Herndon
as a Revolutionary
Soldier on your
list _ who enlisted
from a
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county at or
near Lynchburg
Virginia _ and
of Thomas Johnson
from same
place
Very Respectufully
J. A. Johnson
[Illegible] Covington
Bridge Co.
Covington,
Ky
Page 17

The Covington & Cincinnati
Bridge Company

A. CLIFFORD SHINKLE, PRES't
J.A. JOHNSON, Asst Sec'y

Covington, Ky Oct 9 1911

Mr. SL Davenport
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C

Dear Sir
Acknowledging receipt of Report on Thos Johnson
Revolutionary Soldier, and John Herndon also Revolutionary soldier
and thanking you for same very kindly, I would like to trouble
you for some additional information. First, can you give me the
name of Thos Johnson's widow referred to in your report who made
the application [inserted, two words:] for pension Your notation on corner is UCM S  File 31.177 Rev War
Second Have you any other Thos  Johnson [inserted, two words] Revolutionary Soldier, on your pension rolls [inserted, two words] from Virginia or
the widow of any one of that name besides the one mentioned above
Third, will you please if you have the name of Edmund Herndon
Revolutionary soldier from Virginia or his widow Letitia Herndon
She died in Campbell County Virginia in 1859 aged 93 years and
I always understood was the widow of a Revolutionary soldier
Awaiting your favor & thanking you for same I am
Yours truly
Jno A Johnson
Great Grandson of Edmund Herndon
Page 18

O. W. and N. Division,

3 -- 525,

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., ____, 190_

In reply to your request of ____, received ____
for a statement of the military history of Thomas Johnson
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the
information as contained in his [crossed out:(or his widow's)] application for
pension on file in this Bureau. S. 31.177

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
1778
March 1781
July 9, 1781
1783

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
5 wks
6 wks.
3 mos.
10 das.

RANK.
Private

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Landram
Jacobs
Lewis
John Lovin
George Murrel
COLONEL.
Gabriel Pen
Hugh Rose
Holcome

STATE.
Va.

Battles engaged in, None
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Amherst Co, VA.
Date of application for pension, June 9, 1834- Cl. al.
Residence at date of application, Caldwell Co., Ky, a 2 miles from Princeton
Age at date of application, B. Albemarle Co. Va. Feb. 28, 1764
Remarks: No family data

Very respectfully,
Commissioner.