Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15484, for Absalom Johnson, Maryland
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Md.

Johnson, Absalom

NUMBER
S.15484

carded
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26510
Kentucky
Absolom Johnson of Nelson Co in the State of Kentucky who was a
private in the comp. commanded by Captain Sadler of the ___  commanded by ___ in the [Virginia crossed out] line for 2 years Md aw

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
 
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of March 1834 and Hon Benj. Hardin HR

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 200.00
Semi anl. [annual] allowance ending 4 March 40.00
$ 240.00.

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk, Book E Vol. 7 Page 15
Page 3

Free

Bardstown KY
17th Oct}
The Secretary of War
Pension Burea [Bureau]
Washington City

Mail

Oct 24. Ky.
Absolom Johnson
15506
Page 4

State of Kentucky Nelson County ct
On this 8th day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Justices of the Nelson County Court, now sitting Absolom Johnson, a resident of the said County, in the State aforesaid aged seventy five years on the 21st day of August last, who being first 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 7th June 1832. "That he enlisted as a Regular  soldier in a company of artificers in the army of the Revolution under Captain Matthias Sadler that there were two Lieutenants attached to this company, viz, John Ellis and Patrick Creghead, as he believes, what field officers, if any, this company mission was under the Command of he does not recollect. That he enlisted in this company in the month of April or May
1788 and served twelve months,  and received his discharge in May 1789 - That at the time of his enlisting he resides in Baltimore County State of Maryland, and went to the Valley forge [when crossed out] in Pensylvania [Pennsylvania] where he enlisted  remained there some time and went on to Philadelphia where he continued in service untill [until] he was discharged His discharge he has lost, and annexes hereto a certificate of his having taken the oath of allegiance shortly before he was discharged, dated 29th day of March 1777. He the said Absolom Johnson also states that after receiveing [receiving] his discharge he returned to his father's in Baltimore County in the spring of 1779 and in April or May of that same year, he joined a Militia company upon a call made for Militia to join the army, Joseph Garrison was his Captain and Darby Lee was Colo of this Regiment of Militia and Thomas Dollars was Major. -- He does not recollect the no. or name of the Regiment -- That he served as a private in this Company about six months and not longer. He was there promoted to a Lieutenant. that John Johnson was his Captain, and William McKubbin was the then Colo of said Regiment. That he continued in service untill [until] the close of the war. He was stationed a part of the time in Baltimore from thence the Regiment went to Bear Creek or swann Harber [Harbor] ship yard on the Eastern side of Chesapeake Bay to guard and protect that place. The Militia were there discharged, if ever he got one he has lost it. The following interogatories [interrogatories] were put to the applicant Absolom Johnson by the Court, and his answers are also given to each. 1st where and in what year were you born - answer I was born on the 21st day of August 1757 in Baltimore County, State of Maryland --
2nd have you any record of your age and if so where is it
[illegible]
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Answer, the only record I have of my age (on birth, is endorsed--on the back of this cert. of my oath of Alegence hereto annexed upon which is written thus "August 21st. 1757.
Q. where were you living, when called into the service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live,  answer,  I lived in Maryland Baltimore County three or four years after the war was over I then removed to Virginia & lived in Deeerfield County where I lived eight years. I then removed to (illegible) County where I stayed five years. Then lived in (illegible) County for four years. Then I removed back to Nelson County Md where I have lived 24 years.
4th How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom. Answer, as stated in this [Petition] I enlisted as an artificer for twelve months, and was then discharged-- He cannot state how the militia was called into service but believes they were (illegible) out upon a demand made upon the state of Maryland, and were probably drafted at the time--  5th State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the Troops, where you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service, Answer, the statement he already made about his Officers is all that he can state about them
5 Did you ever receive a discharge as a soldier from the service, and  if so by whom was it given.  Answer--Capt. Mathias Sadler gave me my discharge
6th Did you ever receive a Commission as a Lieutenant and if so by whom was it signed and what has become of it.  Answer  I recollect of receiving my Commission from Colo. Garrison, it was signed by the Governor of Maryland, whose name I do not now recollect--I was qualified to s'd commission--which cont.  I have lost.
7th State the names of the persons to whom you and known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and good behavior, your service as a soldier of the Revolution-- Answer Thomas Johnson and James Slaughter have both known him for many years--they both reside in his neighborhood
He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and declares his name not on the Pension Roll or the agency of any state
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Abn. Johnson.
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Thomas Johnson of said County also appeared in open Court and states, That Absalom Johnson is a Brother of his, and that he is about nine years younger than said Absalom, that He recollects distinctly of the said Absalom's being a Lieutenant in the Maryland Malitia, and of his being stationed as part of the time before the Peace at Swan Harbor or near the head of Bear Creek--He cannot state the length of time said Absalom was in the service, but believes he continued untill the Peace at the close of the Revolutionary War-- He states, he recollects of hearing and understanding in his fathers family who lived in Baltimore County State of Maryland that said Absalom, was in the service at the Valley forge and at Philadelphia, with a Company of artificers in the Regular Army, but does not know it of his own knowledge as he did not see him in the service. Sworn to this 8th day of October 1832
Thomas Johnson

James Slaughter Serv. of said County, also appeared in Court, and being duly sworn states, that he has Known Absalom Johnson whose name is signed to his Petitian or declaration for a pension and in the act of Congress 7th of  June 1832--for upwards of Twenty years past, and has lived near him, that he is a person of good character in his neighborhood, and he (illegible word) no doubt of the truth of his declaration as made. did not know him untill after he removed from Virginia to Kentucky. sworn to this 8th day of October 1832
James Slaughter
and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation
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Investigation of the matter, and after putting the Interogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states, and the Court further certify that Thomas Johnson and James Slaughter Ser. are creditable persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.  I Nathaniel Wickliffe Clerk of the County Court for Nelson County in the state aforesaid do hereby certify that the above and foregoing contains a true copy the order and proceedings of said Court upon the Petition and application of Absalom Johnson for a Pension.

In Testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal of said County this 15th day of October 1832
Nathl. Wickliffe

(on side)
Hon C. A. Wickliffe
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
May 24 1833
Sir,
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, shewing the service of Absaloon Johnson

Period when the service was rendered.
Duration of the claimant's service.
Rank of the claimant.
The Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Age at present. and place of abode when he entered
the service.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.


The tours of duty performed by the applicant as
a Lieutenant should be distinctly set forth shewing the time he was in actual service in that capacity, otherwise he can only be allowed full pay as a private. Dec. 26. 1833

The applicant should produce the testimony
of witnesses to them that he was in actual
service for the length of time stated in his declaration. He should also amend his declaration and shew the length of each tour performed by him as a militiaman. It is well known that the militia were not in continual service but were either drafted 
or volunteered to perform short tours. 

 I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia" and "volunteers," all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of 
County of

On this __ day of ____ personally appeared (a) before
A.B. a resident (b) of ____ in the county of ___ and State, Territory or District of ____, aged ___ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) with and served in the (e) regiment of the
___ line, under the following named officers:
Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of ___.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. I ____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of  ____ for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ___ day of ____& c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia.
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____ who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be ___
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.

And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
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 A.B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _______ and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I ___ Clerk of the Court of ____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this ____ day of ____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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3
 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and
there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier - Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
To an Officer - Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates. The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
conforming to the rule. The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For---year– months, and — days, I served as a —. For —- months and --- days, I served as a —------ and
for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular place or place where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
The opinion of the Court is always required.
The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
Papers.


Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as
the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from (a) to (l) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note (j) applies to continental troops only.
This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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15566
Ab'm Johnson
from pr. 2 yr
$80

per note on brief

Hon B. Hardin
Page 12

State of Kentucky Ky Nelson County scts
This day Ephraim Johnson aged eighty years a resident citizen of the State of Kentucky and a man of good character and entitled to credit, upon oath, made the following statement upon Oath in order to substantiate the claim of Absolam Johnson of Nelson county for for a pension under the act
of 1832. The said Ephraim Johnson states that he is well acquainted with the said Absolam Johnson and believes him to be of the age represented in said application. The said Absolam is the nephew of this affiant, they resided near each other in Baltimore County State of Maryland. The said Absolam was
Carpenter by trade that is he was a worker in wood. He well recollects that the said Absolam Johnson during the Revolutionary war enlisted into the service of the United State in a company of
artificers. This affiant does not remember the precise time but as the said Johnson served in Philadelphia during the time of his inlistment, by a reference to a paper purporting to be a certificate of
his having taken the oath of Allegiance in March 1779, he is of opinion that it was at that time he entered the service. This affiant States that said Johnson served twelve months from the time of his enlistment. After, the said Absolam Johnson returned from Philadelphia to Baltimore County. He joined a militia company and was appointed a Lieutenant in a company commanded by this affiant’s brother John Johnson. One Thomas Sollars
was the Major. William McCubbin was the Col. That he well recollects that the said Absolam Johnson as a Lieut in the Militia was engaged in actual service after his appointment aforesaid, at Swan Harbour in the State of Maryland. But the precise length of time
this affiant does not remember but supposes that they were out longer at Swan Harbour at this time than two weeks. When the British left and the militia were marched off, when he was afterward called into service, affiant does not know as he left Maryland shortly afterwards and settled in Ky. All that he can
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state relates to his services in the corps of artificers as above stated.
Signed Ephraim Johnson

Thomas Johnson whose affidavit has been heretofore taken and is attached to the original declaration, that in addition to what he has heretofore stated that he remembers that the
name of the Capt of the company of artificers in which his brother served as an artificer during the Revolutionary war was Sadlar. He knows he was gone and was absent at that time for a period of twelve months, but as this affiant was young he cannot state that he served the whole time, he was not with him. He well recollects to have conversed with persons now dead who did serve with him, who stated his service as represented & in said Johnson declaration.
Signed Thomas Johnson

Personally appeared before the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for Nelson Co. Ky,  Ephraim Johnson and Thomas Johnson and made oath to the truth of the facts stated in their foregoing affidavits respectively & I further certify that the said Ephraim and Thomas Johnson are  men of good character and entitled to credit
under oath. Given under my hand this 14th day of June 1833.
D. S. Howell J.P. N. C.

State of Kentucky, Nelson County Set
I Nathaniel Wickliff Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do certify that Dan’l S. Howell, whose name is subscribed to the above certificate is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified as such, and that the above purporting to his signature is G’uine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of the said County
Court this 14th day of June 1833
Nath’l Wickliff Clk
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15484
INVALID 
OWN
File No. 15484
Absolom Johnson
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index: --Vol. 1, Page 197
(Arrangement of 1870.)
Page 15

I DO Hereby CERTIFY, That
 Absolam Johnson of the City of Philad’a [Corp ??]
Hath voluntarily taken and subscribed the oath
of Allegiance and Fidelity, as directed by
an ACT of General Assembly of Pennsylvania, passed the 5th day of December, A.D. 1778. Witness
my hand and seal, the twenty ninth day of
March A.D. 1779
[circle seal] L.S. 
Jn’o [Corden?] [drawn circle illegible 66]
Page 16

54 in August 1811
August 21st 1757
Page 17


Bardstown Feby 10, 1834
Dear Sir
William Johnson Received
A letter from you upon the subject
 of my claim as a revolutionary
 Soldier. You will please
place me on the pay roll as an
artificer and I do hereby
Abandon any other claim against
the Government as an officer or soldier
of the revolution
Absolam Johnson
Witness
John Johnson
[Turner Bain]
Page 18

Dear Sir
You will please [receive] 
for Absolam Johnson
his pay from the Pension
office and make any 
arrangement that you think
Proper for the further pay. If he 
should live, to be entitled to it.
I am yours with
Respect
W. Johnson
Page 19

return this letter
to Mr Hardin
with Absolam Johnson's
certificate
Page 20

War Department
Pension Office
February 25, 1834
Sir
I herewith return Mr Absalom
Johnson’s letter to you and have to
State that it does not appear that the are
any papers now in this office in support
of his claim. They were returned to you on the 26 December last.
Philip Walker’s papers were returned to
A.M. Edwards, Esqr in November 1832 for
amendment, and it does not appear from
our records that any papers in this case have
been received here since that time.
Enclosed is the certificate of Moses
Hugh.
I have the honor to be
very respectfully
Your Obt Servt
J L Edwards

Hon B. Hardin
House of Representatives.