Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5670, for William Johnson, New Jersey
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(8-17760

SERVICE                                    NUMBER

New Jersey    Johnson, William  R.5670

_________________________________________
CONTENTS

      NY
Page 2

No 31.458

William Johnson

670

Andm Warren Eqr
City of New York
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State of New York
City and County of New York

SS. On this fourteenth day of
June in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and thirty
four, personally appeared in open
Court before the Judges of the Court
of Common Pleas for the City and
County of New York, now sitting,
William Johnson a resident of the said City and County,
aged 73 years and 11 months 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 June 7, 1832
    That he was born in the town of Freehold, Monmouth
County, State of New Jersey on the first day of July 1760, that
his birth is recorded in an old family psalm book, the
record of all his family, now in his possession, that he
resided at Newark until about 1786 when he removed to
Bergen County where he resided about two years & from thence he
removed to New York and has continued to reside there
ever since. In the month of October or November 1776
deponent became a volunteer in the company of Militia
commanded by Captain Caleb Wheeler, the other company
officers were David Sears, first Lieutenant, Isaac Davis
Second Lieutenant, Stephen Hays Orderly Sergeant, the
company was attached to Colonel Philip Van Cortlandt's
Regiment, Samuel Hays, Major, James Hedden Adjutant,
the Regiment was under General Dickerson, who commanded
all the militia of New Jersey -that he continued
attached to this company during the whole of the
revolutionary war, that same individuals who are
above named continued as officers of the company
during the same period -none of whom he believes are
now living, the company was composed principally of
residents of Newark N.J. and was stationed at that place
throughout the war. -The first marching service which
this, and the other militia companies stationed at Newark,
rendered was to cross over from Elizabeth town point to
Staten Island to attack the British troops who were
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stationed at different places on that Island, on our approach
the enemy retreated to their principal fortifications at
the Narrows, and our troops then returned to Newark-
Genl Ulines commanded the American troops on duty on
this occasion, who in all numbered about 1500 men,
this must have occurred more than a year after
deponent was first attached to the militia. In this
skirmish some British were killed, one in particular
he remembers, was lying on the ground mortally wounded
he had a green coat on, which one of our company
(an Irishman) espied, and said "Your coat is better
than mine, I'll have it." he immediately took the coat
off the wounded soldier and put it on his own back,
and immediately on his bayonet in the body of the
wounded soldier, who on his march back lay quite
dead.  In the spring about a year after this, about
day break, we were suddenly surprised by a body of
british troops and refugees from Powles hook, about 1000 or
1200 in number, who marched into Newark, and threw
us at first into great disorder, the alarm was given
and our troops were soon in readiness and enabled-
to drive them back-- he remembers that the refugees
were part of Van Buskirk corps-  Deponents brother
was at this time shot above the knee and fell beside
him, who in consequence of the wound he then received,
was confined for nine months after; Captain Knox
of General Waynes Brigade, who volunteered on this
occasion was shot through the jaws a few minutes
after; the Captain had been married the evening
before, and deponent and his brother were at the
wedding, and while there deponent jokingly said
to Captain Knox that if they were attacked by the
british that night, he would call upon him to assist
in the defence, the Captain requested him to do so-
we were attacked about day light, and deponent
did call upon Capt Knox and loaned him a gun.
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A few months after this we were alarmed in the morning,
by the firing of cannon and musketry on the road
leading to Springfield, our companies were soon in
readiness, and marched towards Springfield, where
we we were joined by the other companies -we found
that General Kniphansen had landed with about
3000 hessians; our troops attacked them, and they
towards evening retreated to Elizabeth town, where on
the following morning our troops again attacked them,
they defended themselves by a breast work which had been erected by our troops some time previous, we had
several skirmishes during the day, and we remained
at Elizabeth town until the next morning, when we
returned to Newark.
    Deponent was on duty in his company which was
under arms at Freehold Monmouth County, at the time of
the Battle of Monmouth, but the company was not in the
engagement, after the battle, we marched to Englishtown
and quartered there during the night. -It was the practice
of the members of this company, during their service, to
perform duty alternately one month at a time: deponent
in addition to his regular months duty was in the habit
of serving as a substitute for others during their months
duty, for which they remunerated him, and consequently
he was scarcely ever off duty.  Gilbert Smith is the only
individual whose name he can now remember as one for
whom he thus served.
    In the winter before the battle of Monmouth about 11
o'clock at night, deponent was called out of his bed at his
residence near Newark, by Colonel Marinus Willett, who
with his regiment were on their way to Powles Hook, and
was by the Colonel desired to act as a guide to conduct
them in the most unfrequented way to that place, the quite
all, the ground covered with snow, and the weather
exceedingly cold, deponent having been particularly
recommended for that duty to the Colonel, by Captain
Wheeler, did not hesitate, but immediately proceeded
with them, where they remained for about an hour and
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then returned to Newark. Col Willett's object was
to obtain a survey of the place
    The uncle of deponent Isaac Johnson, then residing
near Morristown, was well acquainted with General
Washington while his head quarters were established
at Morristown; about a year before the termination
of the war, the General wished deponents uncle to
recommend some persons of discretion on whom he
might rely to procure information of the enemy's
movements at New York and elsewhere. Mr Johnson
recommended for this duty Abraham Ward, (who was
attached to Capt Wheeler Company), and deponent, we
were associated together in business, purchasing goods
in New York for country merchants, which business
was necessarily conducted by us with great secrecy, &
without the knowledge of the officers or members of
our company.- Some time after, Ward received a
letter from Genl Washington with instructions enclosing
pass containing our names to protect us in case
we were suspected or taken by our own people for being
seen in the enemy lines, -we were often engaged in this
business, and frequently communicated information
that we obtained to General Washington -those with
whom, we conferred in New York supposed us to be
friendly to the british cause.- About two or three
weeks before the surrender of Cornwallis deponent
was in New York for the above purpose, (his partner
on this occasion was not with him in consequence of
sickness in his family) when he perceived an unusual
bustle, press gangs were passing through the Streets
to impress men to man the vessels, the streets were lined
with troops from the battery to the old federal hall
where the barracks were erected - deponent instead
of making any purchases immediately called upon
Barney Savage, the individual who had been
designated to us by General Washington with whom
we could safely communicate and get information
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Mr Savage told deponent that an express had just
arrived from Cornwallis to send a re-inforcement
to the South of 5000 troops and all the disposable
shipping, and he advised deponent to hasten with
this information to Genl Washington, as soon as
deponent procured a permit from the Mayor Mr
Matthews with whom deponent was well acquainted
he supposing deponent was friendly to the british
course.  Mr Savage landed deponent over to Bergen
shore in his boat, and deponent immediately walked
over to Newark bay where his boat lay, and rowed
hard to get to his home, where he arrived about
three o'clock in the afternoon: deponent requested
Mr Ward who resided in the same house to write to
General Washington immediately, which he did, and
the General received the letter about 9 or 10 o'clock
that night- the next evening we received a letter
from Genl Washington directing us to go to New York
immediately and circulate as well as we could
the information that he intended to attack New York
Staten Island and Powles Hook. - In company
with a young man hired for the purpose deponent
proceeded that night to Bergen point, where Colonel
Wards Regiment of Refugees composed of blacks
and whites were garrisoned deponent called upon
the Colonel, and communicated to him the intended
attack of Genl Washington, the Colonel upon this
Ordered two field pieces to be fined, and conveyed
deponent on his barge to a british galley which was
lying in the hill opposite Col Ward, garrison,
deponent communicated the same information to the
officer commanding the Galley, who immediately
conveyed deponent in his barge to New York, and
introduced him to General Burch who was in
command of the British troops there, deponent
informed the General, that a friend of their cause
had sent him from Morristown to let them know
of General Washington's intended attack he
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thanked deponent for the information and said
deponent ought to be well rewarded for it- deponent
then went to Mr Savage and from thence to the
Mayors to get a permit, and returned home.-
The british troops did not leave New York as
was contemplated, and General Washington
instead of making those attacks immediately
proceeded to the South, where the surrender of
the british army ended the revolutionary struggles.
    Deponent in consequence of his advanced age and
the length of time that has elapsed since the events of
the revolution is unable to recall to his recollection
the dates when the transactions related by him took
place, but he has set them forth as particularly as
his memory will permit -he has no documentary
evidence of his services in his possession, and he
not aware of the existence of any.
    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.

                                     Wm. Johnson [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid in
Open Court
Abrm Asten, Clk
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  I Richard Riker Recorder of the City of New 
York, and one of the Judges of said Court do hereby certify
that I have attentively perused the above declaration
and am well acquainted with William Johnson
who has subscribed and sworn to said declaration, and
have known him for upwards of twenty years and
I believe him to be as he represents himself
73 years of age, he has always sustained and
excellent character, and is reputed to have served
in the Revolutionary Army, and I think full
Credit may be given to his Statements.

                                                R Riker [signature]

Sworn and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid
In open Court
Abrm Asten, Clk
---
I Abraham Asten Clerk of the said Court and also
Clerk of the City and County of New York do certify that
I am well acquainted with William Johnson who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, and
have known him for upwards of twenty years,
and that he has always sustained a good reputation,
and I think his Statements are entitled to full
Credit-
---

                                        [?] signature

Sworn and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid
In Open Court

[?]
[?] Judge
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    Silvanus Miller of the City of New York being
duly sworn according to law, depose and says that
he is well acquainted with William Johnson
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration
and has known him for upwards of thirty years,
and he is reputed to have been a soldier of the
revolution- and that he has always sustained
an excellent reputation, and his statements are
entitled to full credit.

                                         Silvanus Miller [signature]
Sworn and subscribed the twentieth
day and year aforesaid [last three words crossed out] of
June 1834 In open Court
Abrm Asten, Clk

    Francis Gantz and Abraham Dally of said City being
severally duly sworn according to Law, say and each for
himself saith, and firstly Francis Garth saith that he
has been well acquainted with William Johnson
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration
since about the year 1795 and Abraham Dally saith
that he has been acquainted with the said William
Johnson since about the year 1796 and the said
deponents severally say and each for himself saith
that the said William Johnson resides in their neigh
borhood, and is reputed to have been a Soldier of
the Revolution, and that he has always sustained a
good character, and that his statements are entitled
to full credit.

                                   Abraham Dally [signature]
                                   F. Gantz [signature]
                                  
Sworn and Subscribed the
Twentieth day of June 1834
In open Court
Abrm Asten, Clerk
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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 Richard Riker
Recorder of the City of New York, Abraham Asten Clerk
of the said Court, Silvanus Miller, Abraham
Dally and Francis Gantz, who have severally
subscribed and sworn to the above certificates
and affidavits, are residents of the City of
New York and are credible persons and their
Statements are entitled to credit.

                                                      [?] T Irvine
                                      First Judge of the Court
                                     Com Pleas for the City and
                                     County of New York

  I Abraham Asten, Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas for the City and County of New York, do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of William Johnson for a
pension.
    In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the Seal of the said
Court this Twentieth day of June 1834
                  Abrm Asten, Clk  [signature]
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Acts of July 11, 1882, and March 8, 1873 [works all crossed out]

REJECTED
[stamped]

[?]
P.O. ______________________
William Johnson

Service: ___________________

Enlisted: __________________, 18

Discharged: _______________, 18

Application filed: __________, 18

Alleges: __________________________
___________________________________

Re-enlisted: _________________________
______________________________________

Attorney: ____________________________

P.O. _________________________________
_____________________________________
_________Recognized.  ___✓___Contract. 
_____Cert. of Dis.     Searched for ________,18
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New York
Two

William Johnson
Suspended
let to Andrew [?]

July 7 '34
let to 
it to [?] Dec 9, 34
let to J. English, Mar 21. 1838.
to [?] 29. Oct. 1838
to [?] 12 Sep.1839.
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                                   New York March 16th 1838

To J.L. Edwards Esq

Sir   William Johnson a Soldier of the war
of the Revolution informed me that he sent a
Set of Papers to Mr Secretary Cass about 18 months
east and has not got any pension nor has he
received any information on the subject-
My enquiry is made in his behalf to know if
the papers are in your office and if it
will be necessary to have any more proof and
if it should be be pleased to inform me
what part of his declaration wants it and
if the papers are incorrect be pleased to
inform me as soon as the nature of this case will
permit the papers were made but in Newark
New Jersey and before Esq Miller Witnessed by Judge
David E. Crow and Aaron Baldwin that you may not
be mistaken if you should find the papers he (Wm
Johnson) belonged to Col Philip Van Courtland
Regiment and in Capt R. Wheeler Company

                                     Yours with Respt   

                                           James English [signature]                                    
                                           256 Fulton St
                                           N. York      

PS he is now a Resident of this City
            July 7 & Dec 4 34
            to A Warner
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James L Edwards Esq

  Sir I once more take the
liberty of addressing you in behalf
of Old Mr William Johnston who's
papers are in your office and
who insist that his services have
the same and at the same time
time that several others were that
have got their pensions and
I now inclose a certificate from
the Secretary of State of New Jersey
all of which is submitted to you
  
                      Yours with Respt
                       James English 
                       256 Fulton St
                       N York
 
New York July 25th 1839
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Receipts for cash paid the fourth years interest on notes
signed by the Commis in the several Counties for Militia services

[table]

No of Vouch
22

Date
Aug 23, 1784

Signed
Thos. Clark

Payable to
William Johnston

Amount
S.S.D
2.15.7

One yrs [?]
S.S.D
0.3.0

State of New Jersey ss.
[seal]

I James D. Westcott Secretary of
State of the State of New Jersey do hereby
certify that the foregoing is a true
extract from a book marked "Militia
4th year No1" headed "Receipts for
cash paid the fourth years interest
on notes signed by the commis in the several Counties for militia
services, now remaining in my office.- And I further certi
fy that the said Thomas Clark was by the fifth Section of
an act passed by the Legislature of New Jersey, December 20, 1783
entitled "An act to procure an estimate of the sums due to the 
militia and troops who have been raised for the defence of the parties
of the State and to provide for the settlement of the same, appointed
a commissioner for the County of Essex "for the purposes
of settling and adjusting the pay rolls of the militia and the troops
of this State as aforesaid, and also for signing and delivering
out to each and every person a note for the payment of what
may be justly due".
    In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed my seal of Office at the City of Trenton in
said State, this twenty ninth day of May Anno Domini, One thousand
eight hundred and thirty nine (1839)

                                        James D. Westcott [signature]
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Clerks Office City & County of New York
24 Oct 1834

Sir
  Enclosed I send some additional testimony in regard
to the revolutionary services of William Johnson an
applicant for a pension.- On the receipt of your letter
dated 7 July last the contents of which I communicated
to Mr Johnson, and in answer to the requirements of your
letter, he states that he is unable himself to give any
more particular testimony of his services, and did not at
that time remember any person who could aid him in the
matter, since that period he has been very ill, and
quite recently he learned that an old fellow soldier
was residing at Newark N.J. he immediately proceeded
thence and procured the enclosed testimony.
  Mr Johnson requested me to state his necessities
as an inducement to listen to his claims, and although
his statements may not be as precise as the rules of your
department require, his advanced age and consequent
infirmities prevent him from giving a more particular
account of his services, and he would prefer omiting the
mention of any thing that was but fully impressed upon
his recollection- and to further state that should never
have solicited aid had not misfortune and age
compelled him.

                            Respectfully
                                Your Obt Sert
                                        Andrew Warner
J L Edwards, Esq

P. S.   The favor of an early answer is requested
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               Clerks Office City and County of New York
                                            21 June 1834 -
Dear Sir,

Enclosed I take the liberty of sending a set of
pension papers in behalf of William Johnson a resident of
this City- I have taken some pains to prepare his
statement, which is taken nearly in his own words, the
testimony as regards his character you will perceive
is unquestionable- Mr Johnson is in indigent
circumstances and as speedy and action on his case as
is consistent with the arrangements of your department,
will be highly acceptable to the applicant - You
can enclose his certificate, either to Mr Johnson
who resides No 702 Water Street, to Mr Asten the Clerk
of the Common Pleas or to 
                                    Your Obt Servt
                                    Andrew Warner [signature]

P.S. If not too much trouble may I request and acknowledge
of the receipt of the papers-

Dr Wm S. Crump
    Pension Department
Page 19

State of
New Jersey
Essex County ss ⎬ Personally appeared before me
Samuel B. Miller a Justice of the peace in &
for said County David D. Crane Esquire of the
Town of Newark in the County and State aforesaid
Well known to me to be a man of good standing
in society and fully entitled to belief as a witness
  And being by me duly sworn doth on his
oath depose and say that he is seventy one
years of age that he was a soldier in the Revolution
that he was during the Revolutionary war well
acquainted with William Johnson now residing
in the City and County of New York in the
State of New York but formerly a resident of
the Township of Newark in the County of Essex
and State of New Jersey. And that he believes
the said William Johnson to be as much as
Seventy four years old. And this deponent further
saith that he is knowing that the said William
Johnson was a resident of the said County of
Essex during the war of the Revolution and belonged to Colonel Philip Von Courtlands Regiment of Militia & in the Common Militia service as a private soldier in said war and that he believes
the said Wm Johnson belonged to Captain
'Wheeler,' Company of Militia in said War but what
Amount of service was actually done and Rendered
by the said Wm Johnson he cannot now say but
believes he was a good soldier & done his share of
duty in said war. And further saith not.

Sworn to and subscribed at                D. D. Crane
Newark in said County this
22nd day of October 1834 before me

    Sam B. Miller- Justice of the peace
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State of New Jersey
Essex County ss      ⎬ Personally appeared before me
Samuel B. Miller a Justice of the peace in and
for said County. Aaron Baldwin of the Township
of Newark in the County and State aforesaid known
to me to be a man of Good Character and fully
entitled to belief as a witness.-- And being by me
duly sworn doth on his oath depose and say that
he is Seventy three years of age, that he was a
Soldier in the in the Revolution that he was during the Revolutionary war well acquainted with William
Johnson at that time a resident of the township
of Newark in the County of Essex & State of New Jersey
and now residing in the City of New York in
the State of New York.-  And that he believes
the said William Johnson to be as much as
Seventy four years old.- And this deponent further
saith that he is knowing that the said William
Johnson Belonged and was enrolled in a Company
of Militia Commanded by Captain Caleb Wheler a
part of the time and a part of the time during said
War by Capt Samuel Huntington and was attached
to and belonged to Col Philip Von Courtlands Regiment of Militia in the Common Militia service as
a private soldier in said war. And this deponent
further saith that he this deponent and the said
William Johnson served one month together stationed
at and near Hackensack under the Command of
the said Col Van Courtland don't now recollect the
year nor the Captain that had the Common of
the Company, but was at the time under the
Command of General Wayne. And this deponent
further saith that he the said deponent and the
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said William Johnson was on duty together a number
of times under different Captain during said war,  but what amount of service was performed by the said Wm
Johnson he cannot now say, but is knowing that the
said Wm Johnson was always considered a
good & faithful soldier and done his full
shair of duty during said war. and further saith
not.-

Sworn to and subscribed this
23rd day of October at Newark
in said County in the year
1834, before me
                    Aaron Baldwin

Saml B. Miller - Justice of the peace

State of New Jersey
County of Essex      ⎬ I Elias Van Arsdale Jun. Clerk of the Inferior Court
of Common pleas of the County of Essex Do hereby certify that Samuel B. Miller before whom the foregoing affidavit of Aaron Baldwin & David D
Crane were severally made and taken, at the time of taking the same was &
still is a Justice of the peace for said County, duly qualified, commissioned &
Sworn & that Signatures ""Saml B. Miller " subscribed to the Jurats of said
respectively, are genuine.
[seal]
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my
name & affixed the Seal of said Court, at Newark in
the County of Essex aforesaid, the Twenty third day of
October A.D. Eighteen hundred & thirty four

                                          [?] Clk
Page 22

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12 - 5 - 41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

Name   Johnson, William    GRADE  Private   LINE New York

WARRANT NUMBER  7321   ACREAGE 100  ISSUED April 19, 1791
to Moses Hetfield, assigned

_____

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800"" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.  Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.