Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23732, for James Johnston, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(3--1776)

SERVICE
PENN.

Johnston, James

NUMBER 
S-23732
Page 2

[Left Page]

No. 11.059

Pittsburgh Agency
James Johnston

of Beaver Co. in the State of Pennsylvania who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain [illegible] of the Regiment commanded by Col. Armstrong in the Pennsylvania line for 13 Months  Private @ $50

Inscribed on the Roll of the Pittsburg agency at the rate of 50 Dollars  ---Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.  

Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of March 1833 and sent to Henry  Esq. Beaver

$100.00   Arrears to the 4th of March 1833
    25.00 Semi-anl allowance ending 4th Sept.  
---------    1833
$125.00

{Revolutionary Claim}
{ Act  June  7,  1832  }

Recorded by John T. Spragan Clerk
Book E.   Vol.   5   Page   80
Page 3

19.146
James Johnston

Aom.@
15 mo's --
$43.33 [crossed out]
$50.00


Henry Davis Esq
Independence P. O.
Beaver Pa
Page 4

BRIEF in the case of James Johnston
County of Beaver  in the State of Pennsylvania
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  [Open Court crossed out] Judge

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

3.  How old is he?  94 years

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

PERIOD.
Summer in 1776
DURATION OF SERVICE
2 Months
RANK
Private
NAME OF GENERAL AND FIELD OFFICERS UNDER WHOM HE SERVED.  
Gen.  Capt. Strawbridge, Col. Montgomery
Rank
Private

PERIOD.
Summer in 1776
DURATION OF SERVICE
1776 Pension [illegible] of the time  9 Mos.
RANK
Private 
NAME OF GENERAL AND FIELD OFFICERS UNDER WHOM HE SERVED.  
Col. Armstrong, Col. Bull

PERIOD.
Period not stated
DURATION OF SERVICE
9 Mos.  Substitute 4  [illegible] 2mos [illegible]
 RANK
Private
NAME OF GENERAL AND FIELD OFFICERS UNDER WHOM HE SERVED.  
Col. Potter

5.  In what battles was he engaged?  None.

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Chester Co. Penna.

Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  By a living witness.

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

I CERTIFY that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.  

Richard Cutts
Examining Clerk.
Page 5

James Johnston

19146


Anything that is necessary the Secy of War will please communicate to Henry Davis, Esq. , Post Office at Independence Beaver County.  Mr. Davis is [illegible]  by [illegible] of the applicant.
Page 6

State of Pennsylvania}
County of Beaver      }  SS

On this 29 day of October 1832 personally appeared before me Thomas Henry one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas + quarter sessions in and for the County of Beaver aforesaid James Johnston a resident of the Township of Hopewell in said County of Beaver aged ninety four years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, That he entered the service of the United States in the Revolutionary War as a Volunteer in Chester County in Pennsylvania in the Company commanded by Captain Strawbridge as a Private early in the summer of the year A.D. 1776 for a term of two months. Marched to Philadelphia under Colonel Montgomery thence to Trenton thence to Princeton, thence to Amboy,  thence to the place called the Blaizing Star where having served his two months tour he enlisted as a private and joined William Armstrong's Company and marched to the North River (alias Hudson River) to the place where they built Fort Lee under the Command of Colonel Bull that he worked at building Fort Lee for some time then crossed the North River with others of said Colonel Bulls Regiment to Fort Washington where he was taken prisoner with the rest of his fellow soldiers by the British and were marched into New York and put in prison.  That he got his liberty sometime that winter and got home to Chester County in Pennsylvania in the spring making in all from the time he entered the service untill he returned home from the same nine months. 

That he entered the service of the United States as a private again in Chester County aforesaid at two different times as a substitute employed by the County Lieutenant (who employed or enlisted soldiers out of the fines collected off delinquents) and served two months each time in various companies near the Schuylkill under the command of General Potter. That he has no documentary evidence of his services and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service as a Revolutionary soldier except John Cronk who was in Colonel Bulls' Regiment with him. That he 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.
 
Interrogatories

1st.  Where and in what year were you born?
Answer:  in the County Derry in Ireland in the year 1738 I think.  

2nd.  Have you any Record of your age?  Answer:  No it was left in Ireland.

3rd.  Where were you living when called into service where have you lived since the Revolution War and where do you now live?  Answer:  I lived in Chester County in Pennsylvania when called into service and lived in said County after the war untill upwards of 36 years since I moved to the place where I now reside in Hopewell Township in Beaver County Pa.

4th. How were you called into service? Answer: I volunteered at first for two months at the end of that time I enlisted and served under Colonel Bull untill I was taken prisoner at Fort Washington by the British and after ( returned home.  I served two Militia Tours of two months each as a substitute employed or enlisted by the County Lieutenant whose business it was to take the monies or fines collected off delinquents and therewith to enlist or employ soldiers for the army.  

5th.  State the name of some of the Regular officers who were with
Page 7

Troops where you served.  Answer:  At Fort Lee I belonged to Captain Armstrongs Company our Lieutenants name was White and our Ensigns name was Hopkins of other Companies were Captain Netherlands Captain Price Captain Wallace Captain Culbertson and Major Culbertson and when I was a substitute I served under different officers under General Potter near Schuylkill all their particular names I do not at present recollect but I well remember that I served two tours of two months each after my first tour of nine months making in all thirteen months 

6th. Did you ever receive a discharge?  Answer:  No I asked for none neither. did I get any

7th. State the names of persons you know in your present neighborhood and who can testify to your veracity and their belief of your services as a Revolutionary Soldier.  Answer:  John Cronk who was with me at Fort Lee and many others of my neighbors can testify of my veracity but I know of none but said Cronk in my neighbourhood who knew of my services rendered as a Revolutionary Soldier.  
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.   James   his X mark    Johnston

John Cronk of the Township of Moon in the County of Beaver residing in the vicinity of James Johnston who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration do hereby certify that I have been long acquainted with him was in Captain Hetherlands Company in the same Regiment with him at Fort Lee under Colonel Bull and I do believe him to be ninety four years of age and that he did render the services by him above stated as a revolutionary soldier.  Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid     John   his  X  mark   Cronk

I, James D. Rhea, a Clergyman residing in Hopewell Township in Beaver County do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with James Johnston who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that I believe him to be Ninety our years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood wherel he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that I concur in that opinion. Sworn and Subscribed the day of year aforesaid.      J. D. Rhea [signature]

And the said Judge doth hereby declare his 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 he also further certifies that the Rev. J. D. Ray who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman residing in the vicinity of the above named applicant and that John Cronk also who has signed his certificate as above is a resident in the neighbourhood of the above named applicant and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit . And also that James Johnston by reason of bodily infirmity was not able to appear in Court, 
being at this time confined to bed + at no time able to leave the house.  

[signature Thos Henry]
Page 8


I James Logan Clerke of the Court of Common Pleas and quarter-sessions in and for the County of Beaver do hereby certify that Thomas Henry Esq, before whom the foregoing Declaration and Certificates were sworn and subscribed is a Judge of the Court aforesaid in the County of Beaver and the signature annexed is his genuine signature. In testimony, whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 20th day of November, 1832

James Logan, Prothy
Page 9

January 27, 1932
BA-J/MLB  [illegible]

Mrs. E. E. Chaffee
289 Adams Street
Rochester, Pennsylvania

Dear madam:

Reference is made to your letter of January 11, relative to James Johnston, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.  

The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S.23732, of James Johnston, based upon his military serice in that war.  

James Johnston was born in 1738 in County Derry, Ireland.

While living in Chester County, Pennsylvania, he volunteered early in the summer of 1776 and served two months as a private in Captain Strawbridge's Company, Colonel Montgomery's Pennsylvania regiment.  Following this service, he enlisted, date not given, served seven months as a private in Captain William Armstrong's company, Colonel Bull's Pennsylvania regiment, was taken prisoner at Fort Washington and carried to New York where he was held until sometime in that winter.  He enlisted and served at two different times, amounting to four months, in various companies, officers not designated, employed by the County Lieutenant of Chester County, Pennsylvania.  

After the Revolutionary War, he lived in Chester County, Pennsylvania, about thirty-six years, then moved to Hopewell Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania.  

Pension was allowed on his application executed October 29, 1832, while living in Hopewell Township, Pennsylvania.  

In 1832, soldier's son-in-law, Henry Davis, was living in
Page 10

Independence, Beaver County, Pennsylvania.

No reference is made to soldier's wife and no further referenced to children.  

James Johnston died December 5, 1832.  

Very truly yours


A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator





-2-
Page 11

[Left page]

23 32

INVALID

Revolution

File No.  28,732

James Johnston

Pri Rev War

Act:  June 7" 32"

Index: -- Vol. 2  ,  Page 218  ,

[Arrangement of 1870.]


[Right Page]

Mar 2 i 90 sold

personal

H A  Davis
414 Grant St
 Pittsburg Pen

January - 15 - 1900
[illegible] - Jno. Davis
Pittsburg Pa - 5⁰⁰ for [illegible]

Jan.24.08.Hist.to Mrs. Eva Gery

1929 - June 24 - Mrs. E. N. Strong
add. rel. to land + family
1932 - Jan. 27 - Hist. to [illegible]
Mrs. E. E. Chaffee - MLB.
Page 12

[Page Faded]
Page 13

[Page faded except for postal stamp]

 [ROUND POSTAL STAMP]
   PENSION
      A
    JAN
U  . 20   S.
     1908
    OFFICE
Page 14

[Faded except for postal stamp]


 [ROUND POSTAL STAMP]
   PENSION
      A
    JAN
U  . 20   S.
     1908
    OFFICE
Page 15

[DAR Logo]
Los Gerritos Chapter
Long Beach, California

[Received stamp]
DEPT. OF THE INTERIOR
 RECEIVED
JUN 21 1929
TO BUR. PENSIONS
SECYS, OFF, - APPTS., MAILS & FILES

Mrs. E. N. Strong
924 Pine Ave.
Long Beach, Calif

Long Beach California  
June 17, 1929
[Stamp]
OFFICE OF 
THE CHIEF CLERK
JUN 21 1929
BUREAU OF  PENSIONS

Deputy of the Interior
Washington, D. C. 

Gentlemen:  

While in the Pension Office Department of the Revolutionary War the pension application of James Johnston, Beaver Co., Hopewell Township, In this he speaks of having received from the government a grant of land in payment of services.  Can you tell me where this grant of land was located, the extent of [illegible] and the location according to the present geographical
Page 16




divisions . I desire this information so that I may complete my history 

Thanking you
Very truly
(Mrs. E. N.) Eva Guy Strong
Regent Los Ceirritos Chapter

Is there anything in these papers or application to indicate when James Johnston came to America or the name of his wife or date of marriage.  He was born in County Londonderry In land of their
Page 17

Jan-11-

United States Veterans Bureau

Dear Sirs:

In reply to your letter asking for further data- of Revolution Soldier James Johnston.

I wrote asking information prior to the Declaration of Independence --  You answered asking me for further information - The following is all I have -- [ Stamp showing received Jan 13. 1932]

James Johnston born - 11-38 died 1840 and his first wife Jane Anderson-[illegible] died 1793 - married - 1783. 

Remarks - James Johnston was granted a pension for military service in the War of Revolution.  

D.A.R. recognition has been granted to the following -
Eva Guy Strong - Nat. Number 66379
Eliza Bruce McKee - Nat. Number 71322
Sarah Bruce McConnell - Nat. Number 71324

James Johnson served in Capt. Strawbridge's Company . Colonel Montgomery's Reg. 

Mrs. E. E. Chaffee- 289 Adams St.
Rochester, Pa.
Page 18

In reply to your request of [blank], received  [cut off] for a statement of the military history of  James Johnston a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ([or his crossed out] widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. [written in S. F. 2 3, 7 3 2 

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT:  1776
LENGTH OF SERVICE:  2 MOS. 
RANK:  Pvt.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED 
Capt. Strawbridge   Col. Montgomery   
STATE  Pa. 

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT:  1776
LENGTH OF SERVICE: Captured at Fort Washington , confined in N..Y. and released during the winter 

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT:  [blank]
LENGTH OF SERVICE:  4 MOS. 
RANK:  Pvt.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED 
Capt. Strawbridge   Col. Montgomery   
STATE  Pa. 

Battles engaged in,   [blank]
Residence of soldier at enlistment. [blank or illegible]
Date of application for pension, [blank or illegible]
Residence at date of application,  [blank or illegible]
Age at date of application, [blank or illegible]
Remarks:  Died Dec. 5, 1832 - See Dec. 1835 list
Page 19

Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
MMHF
June 24, 1929

Mrs. E. N. Strong,
924 Pine Avenue,
Long Beach, California

Madam:  

I advise you that in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.33832(Certificate No. 11059) of James Johnston who was born in County Derry, Ireland, and who was allowed pension while living in Hopewell Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, no statement in regard to land appears and the date of his marriage and wife's name are not shown.  

Respectfully,

EARL D. CHURCH,
Commissioner.