Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5592, for John Johns, South Carolina
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
S.C.
Johns, John
NUMBER
R. 5592
CONTENTS
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Power of attorney of Heirs of John Johns

Application under Act June 7, 1832

[faint writing - illegible - proof especially of his service for S.C.]

Missouri susp. files.
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Know all men by these presents, That We (John F Johns, George W. Johns and William Cole) who are heirs of John Johns and residents of the county of Franklin, and State of Missouri, do hereby constitute and appoint THOMAS S. DONOHO & JOHN W. MAGILL, of Washington, D. C., jointly or severally our true and lawful attorneys for us and in our behalf to prosecute our claim for Pension money in right of the services of John Johns deceased whose application for pension is now on file in the Pension office and to receive such certificate as may be issued, hereby revoking any power of attorney which may have been heretofore given, and confirming all things that my attorneys, the said DONOHO & MAGILL, or either of them, may lawfully do in the premises.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, We have hereunto set our hands and seals this second day of August A.D. 1853.
G. W. Johns {seal}
John F. Johns {seal}
William Cole {seal}
Acknowledged before me the day and year last above written.
A B Short J. P.

STATE OF Missouri
COUNTY OF Franklin, SS:
I C.S. Jeffries clerk of the court of County of Franklin within and for the county and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Allen B. Short Esqr, before whom the foregoing acknowledgment was taken, was at the date thereof an acting justice of the peace, duly commissioned and sworn.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court, this second day of August, A.D. 1853.
C. S. Jeffries Clerk.
R. E. Bleffes DC
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State of Missouri
County of Franklin set
On this 6th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty five personally appeared in open Court before William Scott Esqr Judge of the Circuit Court of said County - now sitting - John Johns a resident of Caloy Township in the County of Franklin in the State of Missouri aged Eighty-one 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 act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States in the State troops of the State of South Carolina under the following named Officers and served as herein stated. This affiant states that he entered into the service by enlisting for six months in the cavalry in the year as he believes seventeen hundred & seventy six and in the fall of that year that he left the service in the spring of the year following after the Expiration of said term of six months that he entered the service on his then place of residence in Camden district South Carolina under Captain Robert Goodwin in the third Regiment to which Colonel Thompson and Major Mason belonged - Captain Goodwin during my continuance in the service was promoted and became a Colonel and Capt D Hopkins took the command of the Company and there was Captain Brown in the same Regiment Rendezvoused on Congaree River near Capt Goodwins marched from thence to ninety-six and were stationed some part of the time at the Eutaw Springs - received a Discharge at the ten mile house near Charleston from Colonel Thompson which discharge is lost that he has no Documentary evidence nor does he know of any living witness who can testify to his service - when the troop was near the Eutaw Springs General Richardson with a troop of Militia and the horse to which this affiant was attached marched from thence to the neighborhood of ninety-Six and took
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about seventy Tories and carried them near to Charleston then this affiant was sent to Camden with an express to the paymaster whose name was Chestnut before this time the six months had expired. This affiant further states that in the spring or early part of the summer of the 1778 as near as he can now recollect he was elected a Lieutenant in a company of Militia. Anderson Thomas was Captain of this Company of Militia this affiant marched with this Company of Militia to near the Town of Augusta and there joined the army which was commanded by General Williamson John Wynn was Colonel of the Regiment to which this affiants Company was attached - this affiant marched with this army through Georgia and to the northern Eastern part of Florida in pursuit of one Brown who commanded a party of Tories - this affiant served in this army in this tour of duty about nine or ten weeks after which the Company to which this affiant was attached was discharged - this discharge was in Georgia. This affiant with the Company to which he was attached were frequently called out into the service during the continuance of the war to go in pursuit of companies and parties of Tories who infested the Country until about the year 1781 this affiant states that the whole time he was in the service as Lieutenant in the Company of militia in the different tours of service he performed was six months at least that this affiant served six months and upwards as before stated in the Cavalry making in the whole one full year. This affiant states that immediately after his election as Lieutenant of the Company of Militia as aforesaid he received as Commission as Lieutenant as aforesaid Signed by General Wynn and handed to him by said Capt Anderson Thomas who commanded the company
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which Commission this affiant left in the hands of Capt Anderson about the year 1781 and has not got it since - and the said John Johns further states that he was born in the State of North Carolina in the year 1754 that he has no record of his age that he lived in Camden South Carolina when called into service - that since the Revolutionary War he has lived in Kentucky and Missouri and that he is known to Jeremiah Hamilton a preacher of the Gospel Thomas Boyd and Plate Cole men of his immediate neighborhood who can testify as to his character for veracity and 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
John Johns
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court
S Mansfield Bay Clerk

We Jeremiah Hamilton a Clergyman residing in the County of Franklin and Plate Cole and Thomas Boyd also residing in the County of Franklin hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Johns who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Eighty-one 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
Jeremiah Hamilton
Plate Cole
Thomas Boyd
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court
S Mansfield Bay Clerk

And the said Court does hereby declare its opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named John Johns was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states and further certifies that it appears to this Court that Jeremiah Hamilton
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who has signed the preceeding certificate is a Clergyman residing in the County of Franklin and is a credible person and that Plate Cole and Thomas Boyd who have also signed the same are residents of the County of Franklin aforesaid and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
William Scott

I Samuel M Bay clerk of the circuit court of the county of Franklin in the State of Missouri do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of application of John Johns for a pension and that William Scott is the Judge and the sole of said Court and that his signature aforesaid is his genuine signature-
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my and the seal of said Court at the Court House in Union this 6th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty-five-
Samuel Mansfield Bay Clerk

20950
John Johns
Missouri

State of Missouri
Seventh Judicial Circuit Scilicet
I William Scott only Judge of the Circuit Court within and for the County of Franklin and State aforesaid do certify that Samuel M Bay who has given the foregoing certificate is Clerk of this Circuit Court of the said County of Franklin and that the same is in due form. Given under my hand this 6th day of August 1835
William Scott
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April 18, 1940.
BA-J/ADY
John Johns, R.5592

Mrs. Benjamin Freeman
1929 Eighth Street
Port Arthur, Texas

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to John Johns, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The record of the only John Johns that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this office is furnished you herein as found in the papers on file in pension claim, R.5592, based upon his military service in that war.
John Johns was born in 1754, in North Carolina, place, day, month and the names of his parents are not shown.
After the Revolutionary War he lived in Kentucky, place not shown, and in Missouri.
He applied for pension August 6, 1835, at which time he was a resident of Caley Township, Franklin County, Missouri. It was stated that John Johns while a resident of Camden District, South Carolina, enlisted in the fall of 1776, and served six months as private in Captains Robert Goodwin's and D. Hopkins' Companies, Colonel Thompson's South Carolina Regiment; that in the spring or summer of 1778, he was commissioned lieutenant, and served nine or ten weeks in Captain Anderson Thomas' Company, Colonel John Wynn's South Carolina Regiment; that he served at various times until 1781, amounting to six months in all, as lieutenant in the South Carolina
troops.
His claim for pension was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension laws.
The date and place of his death are not shown.
In 1853, John F. Johns, George W. Johns and William Cole, heirs of John Johns, were living in Franklin County, Missouri, their ages and degree of relationship not given.
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In 1835, Plate Cole was living in Franklin County, Missouri, his age and relationship are not stated. There are no further family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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[first column]
5592
John Johns
REJECTED
P.O.
Service:
Enlisted:
Discharged:
Application filed:
Alleges:
List of suspended claims printed in 1852 shows cause of suspension as follows: "For further proof, especially of his commission, from the S.C. Records."
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized. Contract.

[second column]
1920 Nov. 22 Hist. to Mrs. Lee Jordan
1940 Apr. 18 Hist. to Mrs. Benjamin Freeman, A.D.Y.
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Suspended
let 27 Augt 35
to D. Sterigere
Union.
not found

5592
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Union Franklin County Missouri
Dear Sir
Enclosed you will find an application of Johns of this County for a pension - Please write to this office the answer to the same
David Sterigere

The Hon Lewis Cass
Secty at War
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20.950
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John John's which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled?
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? only his Private Seal
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2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? no
XIV. ** If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? none
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. *** Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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.
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3
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 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 shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places 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.
** QUERE XIV. 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 claimants 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.
***QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
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[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE OCT 22 1920
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir.
Will you please send me copy of Pension Record
R5592, John Johns Revolutionary Soldier from S.C?
Thanking you, I am 
Yours truly,
Mrs. Lee Jordan
Hawkinsville, Ga.
Oct. 20, 1920
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Captain William Sanders Chapter
Daughters of The American Revolution
Port Arthur, Texas Mar. 19 1940

[stamp] RECEIVED MAR 23 1940 MAIL SUB-DIV Reader No. 7 VETS ADM

Rev. War Dept.
Washington D.C.
Dear Sirs,
Will you please send me the war record of "John Johns" from S.C., Va. or Ga. I feel sure that this John Johns was in Capt Hendersons Co. as I believe he has a land lottery for Military duty.
Very Truly,
Mrs Benj. Freeman, Vice R.
Capt Wm. Sanders Chap. D.A.R.
1929 - 8th St.
Port Arthur, Texas
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., 19

R.F. 55-92

In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of John Johns a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
RANK.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. COLONEL.
STATE.
Fall 1776 6 mos. Pvt. [Capt.] Robert Goodwin [Capt.] D. Hopkins [Col.] Thompson S.C.
Sprg 1778 6 mos. Lieut. [Capt.] Anderson Thomas [Col.] John Wynn
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Camden District, S.C.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 6 1835
Residence at date of application, Caloy Twp. Franklin Co. Mo.
Age at date of application, b in 1752 in North Carolina
Remarks: In 1855 John F. Johns, George W. Johns and William Cole of Franklin Co. Mo. claimed to be the heirs of Soldier their relationship is not stated.
The claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish specific proof of services alleged above, as required by the pension laws
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
6-285X