Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5652, for Benjamin Johnson, Virginia
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Va       Johnson, Benjamin      R.5652
           Rebecca                       B.L. Reg. 291229

Sec. Benjamin Johnson; R. 5674
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State of Virginia
County of Putnam    S.S.

The Alfred Brown and Thomas Summers residents of the county and State aforesaid upon [insert] our oaths declare that we [insert] were well acquainted with the said Benjamin Johnson & Rebecca his wife [insert] mentioned within (now a widow) during the Lifetime of the former and knew them to Live Together as Husband and wife and to have been so generally separated that her said Husband Benjamin Johnson Died at his residence near redhouse shoals in the county of Kinawha now Putnam in the state of Virginia on or about the 29th day of January in the year (1834) Eighteen hundred & Thirty four as they have reason to believe and that she the said Rebecca Johnson is still a widow living in the upper end of Mason county Virginia  They further state that they were both at the Burrying of said Benjamin Johnson and the said Alfred Brown states that he actually saw him die and that he often heard the said Benjamin Johnson say that he came from about Lynchburg and that he followed boating on James River & thinks he heard him say he was born in Lynchburg and also has heard him talk about being in the army & told Long stories about it and that they have no Interest in this claim. June 4th. 1858

Alfred Brown[signature]
Thomas Summers [signature]

the foregoing affidavits were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written 4th, June 1858 and I certify that I know who affiants to be credible Persons and that I Knew the said Benjamin Johnson & Rebecca his wife long & well that the claimant Rebecca Johnson is the Person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in this claim
James Noumann JP
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State of Virginia
County of Mason    S.S.
    On this 26th day of May 1858 Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for the county and State aforesaid duly authorized by Law to administer oath Rebecca Johnson aged about 88 years a resident of the county of Mason State of Virginia who being duly sworn according to Law declares that she is the widow of Benjamin Johnson deceased who was a Private soldier in the company commanded by Captain [blank space] in the Regiment of [blank space] commanded by Col. Lynek as well as she recollects the statement of her Husband in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain that her said Husband entered the service of the United States (perhaps enlisted) at Lynchberg in the county of Campbell in the State of Virginia on the [blank] day of [blank] for the Term of she thinks two years and continued in actual service in saw war about two years or she has reason to believe from the statements of her said Husband and she thinks her said Husband performed other Tours of duty both in the Continental service or will appear from the Muster Rolls on file either in the Auditors office at Richmond Virginia or in the War Department in the city of Washington not having any Knowledge of the manner of her said Husbands discharge or its whereabouts She further states that she was married to the said Benjamin Johnson near the then town of Lynchburg in Campbell County Virginia on or about the 15th day of December 1794 by Rev d [Reverend] Alderson Miles a Methodist Preacher and that her name before Marriage was Rebecca [illegible] and that her said Husband died at Redhouse Shool [school], Kinawha County now Putnam County Virginia on the 29th day of January 1834 and that she is still and now a widow having neber been married since the death of her said Husband Benjamin Johnson She further states that she has no record of her marriage to her said Husband
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and is of opinion that the marriage certificate cannot now be obtained & must rely on other evidence of Long Living Together as man & wife of her Husband & herself but will Endeavor to source her marriage certificate if to be had  But the family Record of death of her said Husband is herewith enclosed & attached  She makes this declaration to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3rd 1855 never having or any other act nor made any other application for Bounty Land [illegible] to [illegible] 
Thos Tumpkin of Washington DC or John Bowyer of Putnam is hereby authorized to Prosecute this my claim and to receive any warrant that may issue heron
Rebecca [x mark] Johnson
          her mark
State of Virginia
County of Mason   S.S.

We William Thomas McCallister and William Bitgood Residents of the county & state aforesaid upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by the above Rebecca Johnson in our Presence and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicants that she is the Identical Person she represents herself to be and that she is now a widow and that they have no intent in this claim
William Thomas Mc Calister seal[circled]
William Bitgood seal [circled]
State of Virginia
County of Mason   S.S.

The foregoing Declaration and affidavits were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written and I certify that I know the officiants to be credible persons and that I believe the claimant is the person she represents herself and that I have no Interest in the claim

Samuel Coach JP.
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State of Virginia
County of Mason

I Andrew Rosenberry clerk of the County Court of Mason County in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that Samuel Coach Esq before who the foregoing & written declaration & affidavit were made is at the time of  making the same an acting Justice of the Peace written & for the said County of Mason duly [illegible] commissioned & qualified as such according to Law and that his name signed to the written certificate is his genuine signature

Given under my hand & seal of Law Court of Point Pleasant this 1st day of June 1858
Andrew Rosenberry Clerk


State of Virginia
Putnam County

I Wm S Harvey Clerk of the County Court of said county of Putnam in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that James Nounnan whose name is signed to the foregoing certificate, was at the time, and still is an acting, Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn; that his signature aforesaid is genuine, and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, bring my Official Seal this 4th day of June 1858, and in the 82 d year of the Commonwealth.
Wm. S. Harvey Clerk
[Official Seal Affixed]
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State of Virginia
County of Mason   S.S.

On this 26th day of May 1858 Personally appears before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for the county & State aforesaid Rebecca Johnson a Resident of the county of Mason in the State of Virginia aged about Eighty Eight (88) years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed July the 7th 1838 Entitled and act granting half pay and Pensions to certain widows and the several amendments there of passed since 7th of July 1838 and all acts of congress passed since said date having reference thereto that she is the widow of Benjamin Johnson who was a Private Soldier of Infantry & from the Best recollection she has of the statements made to her by her said Husband Benjamin Johnson he had Enlisted twice or oftener in the Service of the United States in the Continental line in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain and that he served one Tour of duty in the service of the State of Virginia in the same war & served as a sergeant in a company of Infantry But of the officers or Regiment she does not recollect She is though certain from the statements of her said Husband that he was at Least three different times in Service of the United States Continental & State line and that he served some three years in or Longer in said war in which he was Honourably Discharged each time which will appear either in the Auditors office at Richmond Virginia or The War Department in Washington City
She further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Johnson on the 15th day of December 1794 (in the year seventeen hundred and ninety four) and her Husband the aforesaid Benjamin Johnson died on the 29th day of January 1834
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at Redhouse shoals in the county of Kinawha now Putnam County Virginia and that she was not married to him Prior to his Leaving the service but the marriage took Place at the time aforesaid 15th December 1794  she further Declares that she heard her said Husband State that he had to send to Richmond some three or four times for his pay for services rendered in the War aforesaid soon after marriage he so informed her and that he had received his pay according to Law  She states that she has no family now but the one here left fiving account of his death  She further swears that she is now a widow and that she never was married since the death of her said Husband Benjamin Johnson and that she has never before applied for his Pension   She also States that her Husband aforesaid frequently spoke of applying but Living in a remote part of the then county of Kenawha and having lost his discharges & other papers Dispaired of having sufficient Proofs & finally died without making any application whatever and she states that she supposes she would never get any thing for want of Proofs & never made application until now and [illegible] has brought her to the trial of her claim she also states that she heard her Husband say he was in the Battle of Guildford in Northern Carolina State.

Rebecca X her mark Johnson

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written before me a Justice of the Peace in & for the county & State aforesaid and I further certify that from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the Identical person she represents herself to be and I also hereby certify that the applicant Rebecca Johnson is old & very feeble so much so that she is wholy unable to go to the courthouse of Mason County to quallify as the Law requires

She living remote say Eighteen miles from the courthouse of Mason County Virginia and I further certify that I have no interest in the claim of the said Rebecca Johnson

Samuel Couch JP
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State of Virginia
County of Mason ⎬ SS
We William Thomas Mc Callister and William Bitgood Residents of the County & State aforesaid upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by the above Rebecca Johnson in our Presence and that we believe from the appearance and statements of theapplicant that she is the Identical person she represents herself to be and we further declare that we are well acquainted with the said Rebecca Johnson that she is very old & infirm Living in a remote part of Mason County & that we think her unable to go to the courthouse on account of her feeble health & that her heath would be endangered thereby or that it would be at a risque of her health and that we have no interest in her claim whatever 
William Thomas McCalister seal [handwritten & circled]
William Bitgood seal [handwritten & circled]

State of Virginia
County of Mason ⎬ SS
The foregoing declaration & affidavits were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible Persons and that I believe the claiment to be the Person she represents herself to be and that I have no Interest in this claim
[Virginia Mason County Seal}
Samuel Couch J.P.

Virginia Mason County
I Andrew Rosenberg, clerk of the County in the State of Virginia do certify that Samuel Couch Esq whose name is signed [crossed out] before whom the foregoing declaration & Affidavit were made is and was at the time of making the same an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the said County of Mason duly elected commissioned & qualified as Such according to Law & that his name Signed to the said above certificates are his genuine Signature Given under my hand & Seal of said Court at Point Pleasant this1st day of June 1858
Andrew Roseberry Clerk
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FAMILY RECORD
BIRTHS
Susan Giving daughter of Lucy [illegible] born 14th of July 1823

Corneluis Pleasant was born January 1st [1839 crossed out] 1829

[illegible text ] delivered the 22 1849

Sarah Margaret [illegible] December the 22 1849

DEATHS
Benjaman Johnson Departed this life o the 29th day of January 1834

Isaac Oldakers decist Novm 25#1840

Margaret Belviel Departed this life December 21 #1840
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State of Virginia
Putnam County So

I Nat. Harvey Clerk of the twenty Court of said County of Putnam in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that James Nounnan Whose name is Signed to the foregoing Certificate, was at the time and still is, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly Commissioned and sworn, that his Signature aforesaid is genuine, and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court being my Official Seal this 4th day of June 1858 and in the 82 year of the Commonwealth

Nat. Harry clk.

[Court Seal Affixed]
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5632
P.O. Rebecca Johnson 
Service:
Enlisted:                REJECTED
Discharged:
Application filed:
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized.
Contract
Cert. of Dis. 
Searched for ,      18
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No. 1493
Rebecca Johnson
[illegible] of
Benjamin  Va
Th: Sumpkin: July.13/58 
"       "               "      23d/58
5652

act eqlnly48

[additional number listed near fold] 291229
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Act March 3/55
291.229
June 15 /58
Rebecca Johnson wid [wife]of
Benj Johnson prw
[illegible] Va
Col 
Mil
Revolution
 .No 26396
Lns July 29-'48
Tho Swiftkin Aug:10/58
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Lynchburg Hustings Court Clerk
Office June 30th 1858

Th Sumpkin Esq
Sir
The Hustings Court of Lynchburg was not established until the year 1805 consequently you will perceive that the information you seek cannot be obtained here.
Respectfully,
J.C. Didlake D.C.
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[illegible] Office.
July, 23d,1858
Sir.
I have examined & suspended the claim of Rebecca Johnson as the widow Benjamin, under the Act of 29" July.1848.  Proof is
required which will identify her husband as the Soldier who performed the Service certified by the Auditor of Public Accounts of Virginia.
He is written that a Benjamin Johnson served over two years in the Va Continental Line, but that the soldier who so served was the husband of the claimant, does not satisfactorily appear.
Thomas  Sumpkin, Esq
Present
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Washington DC
3rd July 1858
Geo Letthling
Com of Pension
Va
Please find herewith enclosed evidence of the service of Benjamin Johnson whose widow Rebecca Johnson [illegible]Act 7th July 1838, is applying for a pension and Bounty land
Claim {illegible]
Th Sumpkin
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Washington, DC
20th July 58
 
Geo C Whisling Eq
Comand. of Pensions 

Herewith  please find evidence of service in the case of Rebecca Johnson, Va Act 7th July 1838, widow of Benjamin Johnson
Respectfully
Th. Sumpkin
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This is to Certify, That it appears from a List in this Office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia Continental Line as settled according to An Act of Assembly, passed the November Session 1781, directing said Officers and Soldiers from the 1st January 1777 to 31st December 1781, (See Hening's Statutes at Large, Vol. 10, p.462,) that a settlement was made on the 25th day of September 1783 in the name of Benjamin Johnson as Sol. Inf and evidence of the indebtedness of the State to him for L14 12 delivered to James Hawkins but as the original settlements or copies thereof are not to be found in this Office, the term of service embraced therein cannot be stated.

Given under my hand, at the Office of the Auditor of Public Accounts, Richmond, Virginia, this 19th day of July 1858

E S Hewitt
[Initialed] Auditor of Public Accounts.
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Pension Office
July, 13th 1858.

Sir.
I have examined & suspended the claim of Rebecca Johnson  to a pension under the Act of 29 July. 1848, as the widow of Benjamin 
Claimant is required to file proof which will identify her husband as the Soldier who performed the Service established by the certificate of the Auditor of Public Accounts of Virginia.

If Mrs. Johnson is able to produce such evidence of her marriage & the date thereof & of her present widowhood & entity.

Thomas Sumpkin. Esq
Present
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Washington DC
June 10th 1858

Hon. Geo. le Whiting
Court of Pension

Sir:
Please find here with the Declaration of Mrs Rebecca Johnson of Va, widow of Benjamin Johnson for a pension Act 7th July 1838.
Also for Bounty land Act  & is March 1855.  I would thank you to give us the benefit of your  rolls for proof of the said Johnsons services. I shall also write to Richmond Va as without recorded proof  the claim I know can not be obtained.
I have the honor [illegible]
Th Sumpkin
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Washington DC
17th July 58

Hon Geo le Whiting
 Va:

Please fine herewith enclosed [illegible] evidence in the case of Rebecca Johnson, Va that 7th July, 1838, widow of Ben Johnson
Respectfully
Th Sumpkin
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This is to Certify, That it appears from a List in this Office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia State Line as settled their Accounts and received Certificates for the balance of their full pay, according to An Act of Assembly, passed the November Session 1781, directing
the Auditors of Public Accounts to settle and adjust the pay and accounts of the said Officers and Soldiers from the 1st January 1777 to 31st December 1781, (See Hening's Statutes at Large, Vol. 10, p. 462,) that a settlement was made on the 28th day of June 1783 in the name of Benjamin Johnson as Sergt Infantry
State to him for $45, 16, 11 and evidence of the indebtedness of the delivered to Jacob Cohan but as the original settlement or copies thereof are not to be found in this Office,
the term of service embraced therein cannot be stated.
Given under my hand, at the Office of the Auditor of Public Accounts, Richmond, Virginia, this 2nd day of July 1858
M Bennett
Auditor of Public Accounts
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This is to Certify, That it appears from a List in this Office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia Continental Line as settled their Accounts and received Certificates for the balance of their full pay, according to An Act of Assembly, passed the November Session 1781, directing the Auditors of Public Accounts to settle and adjust the pay and account of the
said Officers and Soldiers from the 1st January 1777 to 31st December 1781, (See Hening's Statutes at Large, Vol. 10, p. 462,) that settlement was made on the 25th day of April 1785 in the name of Benjamin Johnson
as Soldier and evidence of the indebtedness of the State to him for $70, 14, 2 delivered to Rice Taucett but as the original settlements or copies thereof are not to be found in this Office, the term of service embraced therein cannot be stated.
Given under my hand Office the Auditor of Public Accounts, Richmond, Virginia, this 19th day of July 1858
E S Hewitt
Auditor of Public Accounts.
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July 9th 1858
Putnam County
State of Virginia } SC

This day Personally came before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within & for the county & State aforesaid Charlie J Amos aged about fifty five years a Resident of the county & State aforesaid & made oath that he has been well acquainted with both Benjamin Johnson & Rebecca his  wife since about the year 1824 and that the said Benjamin Johnson & Rebecca his wife allways since his acquaintance with thine up to the death of said Johnson which accured at Redhouse Shoals there Kenawha County Va about the year 1834 he thinks in the month of January and that they lived Together as man & wife which was never called in question disputed or doubted that he heard of and said Charles J Amos further states that the said Rebecca Johnson wife of said Benjamin Johnson dec d still living in the upper edge of Mason County Virginia and that she is his Johnsons widow and is now a widow[illegible] having Been married since the death of said Johnson  The said Charles J Amos further States that he has often heard the said Benjamin Johnson state that he removed from or near Lynchburgh in Virginia to this country and that he had followed Boating on James River  he also States that he heard the said Benjamin Johnson say he was related to the Lynchburg family & owned a part of the land in or about where Lynchburg is erected and that he named one of his Boys Lynch in Honour of his relations there  he also States that he heard the said Benjamin Johnson say that he was in the army of the Revolution as an Enlisted Soldier & in the Virginia Continental Line also for several years in all and he thinks in a Regimental Commanded by a Col Lynch and has heard him say he was at the Battle of Guilford North Carolina  that the said Benjamin Johnson was a very old man at the time of his death & he thinks Rebecca Johnson his widow is now near 88 years old from her appearance and her no Doubt But Said Benjamin Johnson was a soldier of the Revolution
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and that he was in Service three different times from his representations & was in all more that thee years in Service  and said Charles J Amos further States that Said Benjamin Johnson informed him that he had received his pay through agents and believe that Said Johnson went from this county once about his pay which Said Johnson said was in the hands of one of his agents in or about Lynchburg  Said Amos further States that he for two or three years made his home at Benjamin Johnsons worked in the Neighbourhood mostly But had his washing & making of clothe done at the house of Said Benjamin Johnsons  Said Charles J Amos further States that he heard said Benjamin say that he Johnson say that he was Born and raised at or near Lynchburg that he moved to Point Pleasant in Maron County at about the year 1796 where he Lived a few years & there that he moved up the Kenawha River to Ball Knob shoals where he  erected & Floating mill [illegible] from thence said Johnson moved higher up said river to red house shoals and remained & Lived there until his death in January 1834 having a floating mill at the Said redhouse place & was a flat Boat pilot through said red house shoal then Kenawha County now Putnam county Virginia and from all his conversations said Amos has no doubt But he Benjamin Johnson was a soldier of the revolutionary  he states for he allways found him to be a man of veraity & truth and that he has no interest in this claim 
Charles J. Amos 
X his mark
State of Virginia 
County of Putnam} SC
The foregoing affidavit was sworn to and subscribed before me on the 9th day of July 1858 and I certify that I know the affiant to be a credible Person ad that I have no interest in this claim 
James M Gray J.P.
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State of Virginia 
Putnam County So 8
      I Nat Harvey Clerk of the County Court of Said County of Putnam, in the State of Virginia, do certify that James Neunnan and James M Gray whose names are signed to the foregoing Certificates, were at the time and still are acting  Justices of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly Commisioned and Sworn, that their Signatures aforesaid are genuine and that full faith and Credit are due to all their official acts in any Court of record of office in the United States.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed the seal of Said Court, being my Official Seal, this 9th day of July 1858 and in the 83rd Year of our independence
Nat Harvey Clk

[Seal affixed to document}
Page 27

State of Virginia
County of Putnam} SC
On this 31st day of June 1858 Personally came before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within & for the county & State aforesaid John Harman aged 66 years a Resident of the county & State aforesaid & made oath that he was well acquainted with a near Neighbour of Benjamin Johnson from about the year 1818 and that he is well aware of the death of Ben Johnson about the year 1834 & that he was also well acquainted with Rebecca Johnson the wife now the widow of said Ben Johnson and that she is still & now the widow of Benjamin Johnson Living in the near Edge of Mason County Virginia & well know that Said Benjamin Johnson & Rebecca his wife ever since he was acquainted with them lived Together as man & wife and was allways reputed or such which was never called in question disputed or Doubted that he has heard of   

{edited and crossed out] He further States that he often heard the Said Ben Johnson that he removed from Lynchburg or its Envisons and that he is certain the said Johnson Said he was related to the Lynch family and that one of his sons he named 

 he had a son Lynch & went by the name of Lynch Johnson  The Said John Harman further States that he often heard the Said Benjamin Johnson say that he for years followed Boating on James River on the Banks of which Lynch being is situated and that he Emigrated to the country about the  [blank]ard that he was acquainted with him up to his death & with his wife up to the Present time  
As to the Service of Said Ben Johnson in the Revolutionary War or in the State line the affiant says he does not Know but believers he was from information in the army of the Revolution for several years but does not distinctly recollect of his statements to that Effect
John Harmen

The foregoing affidavit of John Harman was sworn to & subscribed before me on the day & year above written & I certify that I Know the affiant to be a credible Person and that I have no interest in this claim
James Noumman JP