Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7937, for Joseph Johnson, New Jersey
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey
CONTENTS
Johnson, Joseph
Mary
NUMBER
W. 7937
B.L. Wt. 15423-160-55
Page 3

2797
New Jersey
Mary Johnson
widow of Joseph Johnson 
N.J.
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848

Certificate of Pension issued the 
10 day of Feb, 1849
and sent to
Hm W. H. Newell
Hoft
Page 4

127972- Act Mar 3 55
 
May 10 55
Mary Johnson Widow
of Joseph Johnson Jr
----
Mary Johnson Wid: Joseph,
 Pri
Revolutionary
 N. J.
Mil
Pensioner

AD: 160 acres Feb: 6/56
[overwritten] No 18423 [?] Feb 11/56

[Royton ?]
-
55 ┃
Robert Allen Jnr
Red Bank
Monmouth Co
New Jersey
Vol. 78.
Page 5

Joseph Johnson 7019
Page 6

Joseph Johnson
Page 7

The State of New Jersey
County of Monmouth//

On this 18th day of July 1832, personally appeared before me, John Patterson, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Monmouth, Joseph Johnson, who cannot from bodily infirmity attend at Court, a resident of the Township of Middletown in the County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey, aged 73 years on the 19th day of June last past, who being first duly 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 in the services of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein state

1 Q(uestion) - Where and in what year [duplicate: year] were you born.
A(nswer) - I was born in the Township of Middletown, County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey on the 19th day [of] June 1759.

2 Q(uestion) - Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
A(nswer) - The Bible that belonged to my father, in his lifetime, contains the names of his children, the date of their birth in which my birth is recorded and the time that I was born.

3 Q(uestion) - Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
A(nswer) - He was living in the Township of Middletown with his father when he was called into service and has continued to live in the same place ever since.

4 Q(uestion) - How was you called into service. Were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute; and if a substitute...
Page 8

...for whom.
A(nswer) - When he come of the age required by law, he was called out to take his tour, which he did under the command of Capt. Menight.

5 Q(uestion) - State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served; such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service?
A(nswer) - He recollects Vessel Tembrach Stant, an officer of the Regular or Continental Army. He remembers Capt. Patten but whether he belonged to the Continent Army or not, he can't say. He knew John Burrows and believes he belonged to the Continental Army. He was under the command of General David Forman and stationed at Freehold in the County of Monmouth. At this time, he was under the command of Capt. Elisha Walter. He also served under Capt. Joseph Stillwell and under [crossed out: under] Capt. Moses Shepherd. He lay in the Township of Shrewsbury at the Village of Trenton Falls when the British Army was marching for Monmouth, a day or two before the Battle too place there. They were ordered to march to the north of their front. He thinks they were there under the command of Capt. John Schenck. They marched across the County of Monmouth into the County of Middlesex to [crossed out: a place on] the Village of Spotswood and from there to Englishtown. He here saw General Leffeat [LaFayette]. This was on Saturday night, as the Battle of Monmouth commenced on Sunday next. They had their orders that night to march, which they did. He believes that Capt. Schenck was stopped at Englishtown as guide to the Regular Troops. And what the officers' names was who commanded them on their march, he has forget. They fell in with Capt. Huddy at or near Colts Neck. He was engaged with a small party of the British here. He helped to carry of a soldier who was hut by the sword of a horseman. He died. They came up too late to...
Page 10

The said Joseph Johnson further maketh oath that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency of any State and that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present. That he has no documentary evidence as he knows of. John Bennet, John Eldrige, Linton Doughty are Soldiers of the Revolutionary War that were out with this deponent and can testify to his services.
s/ Joseph Johnson

Joseph Johnson

Sworn before me this 3rd day of August 1832.
s/ John Patterson, Judge

State of New Jersey 
Monmouth County//

Before me, John Patterson, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, personally appeared Capt. John Schenck, and he being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God, did depose and say he knew Joseph Johnson, the within applicant, in the time of the Revolutionary War and knew him to be out in the services of his country but, as to the time, he can't say. Yet, from the knowledge, he has of the said applicant services and from the corrector, which he sustained during the war as a solder, he believes his declaration as stated in the within application for a pension under the Act of the Congress passed the 7th day June 1832, is entitled to full credit.
s/ John Schenck

Sworn and subscribed before me August 8th 1832.
s/ John Patterson

We, who have to these presents subscribed our names, being solemnly sworn do declare that all things as set fourth by Capt. John Schenck in the above affidavit we know and believe to be true and do freely certify to the same
s/ Richard Crawford
s/ Linton Doughty
s/ John Maxson

Sworn and subscribed before me the 9th day of August 1832.
s/ John Patterson
Page 11

And the said John Patterson, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Monmouth, doth hereby certify that the said Joseph Johnson, the within applicant, is not able to attend Court by reason of bodily infirmity. And I am of the 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 I do further certify that it appears to me that Capt. John Schenck, Richard Crawford, Linton Doughty and John Maxson, who have signed the preceding certificate, are all Old Soldiers of the Revolutionary War, residents of the County of Monmouth, credible person entitled to full credit under oath or otherwise.
s/ John Patterson

Joseph Johnson

I, the Subscriber, Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, in and for the county of Monmouth, in the state of New Jersey, do hereby certify that John Patterson, to whom the above application was made & before whom the foregoing affidavits was taken, was at the time of taking the same and now is one of the Judges of said Court duly enrolled in my office and that full faith and credit are due and ought to be given to all his official acts as such and that the name of John Patterson, subscribed thereto, is the proper handwriting of the said Judge.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Freehold, this Sixteenth day of [crossed out: August] March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty [crossed out: two] three.
D.H. Ellis, Clk.
Page 12

3423
Mary Johnson, N.J., Act 7 July '38.
M(arried) '83; D(ied) '33.

Admitted 14 mos., Pri(vate).
$46.66
No deduction.
J.M. Hartshorn, Freehold, N.J.

V | 3423
Act July 7, 1838.

Married 29 Sept 1783.
Husband died in 1833.

Claimant must be sworn in a Court of Record.
J.M. Hartshorn
15 May 1839
Page 13

State of New Jersey
Monmouth County//

I, Daniel H Ellis, Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Monmouth and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that John Patterson & John Hull, before whom the foregoing proceedings were executed, were at the dates thereof severally Judges of the said Court, duly commissioned and sworn. And that their respective signatures are genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & Seal of Office this 26th day of November A.D. 1838.
s/ D.H. Ellis, Clk.
Page 15

State of New Jersey
Monmouth County
}

Personally appeared before me one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County Samuel Goodnuff - who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he was acquainted with Joseph Johnson in his life time, who was a pensioner of the United States that he died on the Seventh day of November A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty three, and that Mary Johnson within named has remained his widow ever since that period
}

Sworn to & subscribed before me Judge as aforesaid, by the said Samuel Goodnuff who is a credible person and whose statement is entitled to credit November 6th A.D 1838 -
John Patterson
}

Samuel Goodnuff
Page 16

State of New Jersey
Monmouth County//

Be it known that on the Twelfth day of October A.D. 1838 personally appeared before me, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, James Patterson, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he has in his possession the Register of the Dutch Reformed Church of Freehold, containing among other things, a record of the marriages solemnized by the respective Ministers of said Church. That there is recorded in said register the marriage of Joseph Johnson and Mary Patterson on the Twenty ninth day of September Seventeen Hundred and Eighty three in the handwriting of the Rev'd Benjamin Dubois, then a Minister of said Church. And that the following extract is a true copy from the said Register, which is expressed on the record in fair legible words and figures as follows. To Wit: September 29th 1783, Joseph Johnson; Mary Patterson.
s/ J. Patterson

Sworn to & subscribed before me, Judge as aforesaid, by the said James Patterson, who is a credible person and whose statement is entitled to credit.
s/ John Hull

Joseph Johnston & Mary, Sep. 29, 1783.
Page 17

127,972
Mary Johnson [duplicate: Mary Johnson]
Application Bounty Land
Act Mar 3, 1855

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Please direct all papers issued on this application [to] W. Robert Allen, Jr., Red Bank, Monmouth Co., New Jersey for me.
s/ Mary Johnson (X - her mark)

Witness present:
s/ J.W. Borden
Page 19

O. W. and N. Division. | 3-525.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C., (blank) 19 (blank)

In reply to your request of (blank), received (blank) for a statement of the military history of Joseph Johnson, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [crossed out: (or his widow's)] application for pension on file in this Bureau. S.File 2,659

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. (CAPTAIN/COLONEL) | STATE.
June 1776 | 5 mo(nths) 14 da(ys) | Pri(vate) | Abraham Dubois |
1777 | 8 mo(nths) 15 da(ys) | (blank) | Joseph Haywood, John Beesley, Joseph Dixon, Abraham Dubois, Jacob Dubois |
1778 | 7 1/2 mo(nths) 8 da(ys) | (blank) | Joseph Dixon, Newkirk, Letts, Dubois, Lt., Newcomb, Thompson. |
June 15, 1779 |  6 mo(nths) | 1st Corp(oral) | John Davis | 

Battles engaged in, Lo(ng) Is(land), York Is(land) & Whi(te) Pla(ins).
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Pittsgrove, Salem Co., N.J.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 7, 1832. His claim allowed.
Residence at date of application, Gloucester Co., N.J. near Woodbury.
Age at date of application, B(orn) Sep. 11, 1760 in Gloucester Co., N.J.
Remarks: 

Very respectfully,
s/ Hon. Henry C. Londenslager
Commissioner.

31793b5m1C-07
Page 20

Rev(olutionary War)
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 7937
Mary Johnson, wid(ow) [of] Joseph Johnson.
Pri(vate), Rev(olutionary) War
Act: Feb. 2nd/'48
Index: -; Vol. A; Page 378
{Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 22

New Jersey | 4927
Mary Johnson, widow of Joseph Johnson, who was a Private in the Revolution.

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 46 Dollars 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of Feb. 1844 and sent to J.M. Hartshorne, Freehold, N. Jersey.
{Act of March 3, 1843.}
Recorded in Book A; Vol. 1; Page 123.

Reported
Page 23

2191
New Jersey
Mary Johnson, widow of Joseph Johnson, who served in the Revolutionary War, as a Private.

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 46 Dollars 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 4 day of Jan. 1849 and sent to P. Dickinson, Trenton, N.J.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under Act February 2, 1848, Page 300, Vol. 4.

Reported
Jan. 4/'49
Page 24

6418
New Jersey
Mary Johnson, widow of Joseph Johnson, dec(eased), who was a pensioned under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 7th November 1833 of Monmouth Co. in the State of NewJersey, who was a Private in the Comp(any) commanded by Captain Wright of the Reg(iment) commanded by Col. Holmes in the New Jersey line for 14 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey the rate of 46 Dollars 67 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of Oct. 1841 and sent to J.M. Hartshorne, Freehold, N.J.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1841......$233.35
[crossed out: Semi-annual allowance ending]
                                      =======
                                      $233.35

{Act July 7, 1838}

Recorded by D.D. Addison, Clerk.
Book A; Vol. 2d; Page 126.

Let(ter sent) to John Patterson, Nov. 30th 1841.
Let(ter sent) to J.M. Hartshorne, Oct 25, '43.
(Letter sent to J.M. Hartshorne) Nov. 11th: '43.

Rec(orded) T.S.M.
Page 25

4927
New Jersey
Mary Johnson, widow of Joseph [Johnson], who was a Private in the Revolution. Increased from $46.67.

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars (blank) Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of Feb. 1819 and sent to Hon. W.A. Newell, H. of R.
{Acts of March 3, 1843, and June 17, 1844.}
Recorded in Book A; Vol. 2; Page 97.
Page 26

[crossed out: Date of application for pen]sion, Apl. 14, 1851.
[crossed out: Residence at date of appli]cation, Randolph Co., Ma.
[crossed out: Age at date of applicatio]n, B(orn) (blank).
[crossed out: Remarks:] ... Co., N.C. June 1785 Charity Williams at the house [crossed out: (illegible)] Aug. 14, 1841 & her claims allowed.

[crossed out: Very r]espectfully, Commissioner.
Page 27

June '76 | 5 mo(nths) 14 da(ys) | Pri(vate) | Abraham Dubois, Col. Newcomb [illegible] |
April ending '77 | 2 mo(nths) 15 da(ys) | Jos. Haywood, John Beesley |
July early | 1 1/2 | Joseph Dixon | Maj. Sharp |
Aug. 20 | 1 1/2 | Abm. Dubois |
Feb. early | 2 | Jacob Dubois |
Dec. early | 1 1/2 | Abraham Dubois | Hillman |
[Total] 8 mo(nths) 5 da(ys) 

'78
Jan. 20 | 2 | Jos. Dixon | Ariel Hillman |
March 2376 | 3 wks. 3 da(ys) | Newkirk |
June 14 or 20 | 3 (wks.) 5 da(ys) | Peter Dubois |
Aug. 1 | mo(nths) | Lt., Newcomb, Thompson | Reed |
[Total] [crossed out: 1 year 8 da(ys)] 7 1/2 mo(nths) 8 da(ys)

'79
June 15 | 6 mo(nths) | 1st Apt. John Davis |
Page 28

From 2nd Feb. '48, N.J.
Reported.
Page 29

V | N. Jersey
[crossed out: New York]
Mary Johnston
Act July 7, 1838.

Let(ter sent) to J.M. Hartshone, Esq. 15th May 1839.
To same 14 Sep. 1839.
Hon. G.D. Wall 24 July 1840.
(Hon.) D.B. Ryall Jan. 2, 1841.
(Hon.) J.F. Randolf, H. Rep June 22, '44.
Page 30

S.
15,423

16 Aug.
Page 31

I filed some days ago a Power of Attorney to examine case Joseph Johnson of New Jersey. Admitted '32. The wrong case was got out. I want the one admitted May 20th 1833.
s/ A.H. Mackland
Page 32

Wid(ow) 7937. Cert(ificate) [crossed out: 9479]
[crossed out: S.2659 is Cert(ificate) 17854]

W.7937, D(ied) 1833.
W.7938, D(ied) 1831.

Conn. Service. Also N.Y.
Rej. 5637, N.Y., 1818.
(Rej.) 5638, Not on file, N.J., Enlisted Mont(gomery) Co., Pa.
B(orn) Somerset Co., N.J. 1752 (Rej.) 5639, 1832, Ky., D(ied) May 1852.
Josia, (Rej.) [crossed out: 5641]
Page 33

S.2659.

It is for resume & fo(rward) in Salem Co., N.Y.

Joseph Johnson

Served in "Salem County, N.J., Militia"

Was 16 years old at enlistment.

Was pensioned and resided at Woodbury, Gloucester Co., N.J., in 1833 when he applied for pension.

JAN 20 1922

Hold. Statement for Mr. McCoy. He will come for it.
Page 35

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joseph Johnson, which require further proof or explanation.

I.   Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes.
II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes.
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? (blank)
IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes.
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 amount of pension he is entitled? Yes.
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes.
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes.
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes.
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate ? Yes.
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? Yes.
Page 36

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? [crossed out: No.]
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [crossed out: No.]
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? He has produced the evidence of living witnesses.
XIV. *If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? The Judge has.
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? The papers have been certified by the Clerk.
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? (blank)
XVI. **Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No. They are not attached as required by the regulations.
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? (blank)

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 (blank) year (blank) months, and  (blank) days, I served as a  (blank). For  (blank) months and  (blank) days, I served as a  (blank); and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 37

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 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 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.
Page 38

Mary Johnson.

Payment to be made at Trenton by P. Dickinson, Esq., Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of New Jersey.

Payable on the 4th September and 4th March.

Recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll of Pensioners under act February 2d, 1848, Page 300; Vol. 4.
s/ [illegible], Clerk.
Page 39

WAR DEPARTMENT,
WINDOW'S PENSION.

I certify that in conformity with the act of February 2d, 1848, Mary Johnson, widow of Joseph Johnson, who was a private in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate forty six dollars and sixty seven cents per annum, commencing on the 4th of March, 1848, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage. 

Given at the War Office of the United States this 4th day of January, one thousand eight hundred and forty nine.

M. L. Marcy
Secretary of War

Examined and Countersigned,
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 40

Jos. H. Randolph

J.L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

June 21, 1841
N.J.
Joseph Johnson

Hon. J.H. Randolph, H.R.
Page 41

J L Edward Esq

May I add the attention of the Department to the enclosed -

Yours truly
[J M Parch esq?]
H. R. June 1944
Page 42

Freehold, June 17th 1839.

Sir,

I herewith enclose to you the papers of Mary Johnston, the widow of Joseph Johnston, which you returned to me on the 15th May last. And in your letter accompanying the same, you state that the claimant will renew her declaration in a Court of Record unless prevented by bodily infirmity. I presume, in the hurry of examination, you have overlooked that part of the declaration where the Judge certifies that the claimant, from old age and bodily infirmities, is unable to attend Court.

Will you be kind enough to send me a copy of Joseph Johnston's declaration; that I may the more readily introduce some additional evidence to sustain it.

Yours mosh respectfully &c.,
s/ J.M. Hartshorne

J.L. Edwards, Esq.
Comm(issioner) of Pensions
Page 43

Freehold, New Jersey
October 4th 1841

Sir,

I herewith enclose to you some additional evidence in the case of Mary Johnston, widow of Joseph Johnston. In your letter of the 14th Sept 1839, you state that there were 14 months service upon which her husband was pensioned, which required further proof. The certificate of the secretary prove almost 14 months service, (A sum having been paid to him equal to $93.60). As Mr. Johnston was originally allowed for 2 years service, I presume that this evidence, will be sufficient to entitle her to the same amount.

It appears by the certificate of the secretary that there was a Joseph Johnston in Burlington County who belonged to the Continental Line and it may be that in your former examinations you have mistaken the papers of the one for the other. By referring to my letter of this date in the case of Mrs. Catharine Mount, you will perceive that the certificates above mentioned were issued solely for military service.

It is impossible to expect that a widow married after the war can explain or relate the services of her husband. But if the produced general evidence to sustain and support the claim, it ought to be sufficient to entitle her to the same pension which he received.

Yours respectfully &c.,
s/ J.M. Hartshorne

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Page 44

Free

J.L. Edwards, Esq.
Comm(issioner) of Pensions
War Department,
Washington City, D.C.

V | 3423
Mary Johnson

Freehold, N.J.
Nov. 27th

N.J., Nov. 30.
7 July 1838.
3423
Page 45

Freehold, Nov. 26, 1838.

Sir,

I herewith enclose the papers in the case of Mary Johnson, widow of Joseph Johnson, who was a pensioner under the Act of June 7, 1832. To whose papers she refers in support of her claim.

Yours &c.,
s/ J.M. Hartshorne

J.L. Edwards, Esq.
Comm(issioner) of Pensions
Page 47

Freehold, Nov. 17, 1843.

Sir,

I herewith again enclose to you the papers of Mary Johnson, widow of Joseph Johnson.

You returned the declaration to me, as you say in your letter of the 11th November inst., that it may be executed agreeably to the printed instructions. The declaration is executed according to the instructions and in the very words of the form prescribed by the department. The Magistrate certifies that she is personally known to him and she swears that she rec(eive)d a pension under the Act of July 7, 1838. In the printed instructions sent [to] me, these parts are marked as being deficient, and yet if the person who pretended to examine the case had only read the declaration, he must have seen that it was properly executed.

I have underscored the sentences before referred to, that the Examining Clerk may not again overlook them. The delay at the Pension Office is a very great grievance and I hope that you will not permit this mistake, which occurred at your office, to delay her case but will send me the certificate immediately.

I am most respectfully your obe(dient) ser(vant),
s/ J.M. Hartshorne

J.L. Edwards, Esq.
Comm(issioner) of Pensions
Page 49

State of New Jersey 
Monmouth County//

I, the subscriber, Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for said County, [crossed out: being duly] do hereby certify that I am acquainted with the handwriting of Thomas Shepherd, who has signed his name to the forgoing affidavit & certificate & that the said writing is the proper handwriting of [duplicate: of] the [crossed out: (illegible)] said [Thomas] Shepherd & that the said [Thomas] Shepherd at the time of the doing thereof & still is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned, sworn & enrolled in my office & that full faith & credit are due & ought to be given to all his official acts as such.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & affixed the Seal of said Court at Freehold in said County this Fifteen day of June Eighteen Hundred & Forty one.
s/ Samuel Maris, Clk.

Hon. J.F. Randolph, H.R.
Page 50

Middletown N.J.
Nov 25th
} Free

John C Spencer Esq. Sur J at
War Washington
City
Page 51

Middletown, N.J.
Nov. 22, 1841.

John Patterson, also allowance of a pension to Mary Johnson.

P-677. Rec(eive)d Nov. 27, 1841, Pension Office.
N.J.

Mary Johnson
Page 52

Middletown, Monmouth County
State of New Jersey
Nov. 22nd, 1841

Hon. Sir,

I take the liberty of bring(ing) to your notices the case of Mary Johnson, widow of Joseph Johnson, an old solder of this County. The facts are these; this Joseph Johnson and one John Maxen lived in the same neighborhood. Both were Solders of the Revolution and both were pensioners and both died about the same time and both their widows drew the balance of pension due their husbands at there deaths. After the passage of the Law by Congress, pension(ing) these widows for Five years, they both applied to me. I, being one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas at that time in and for said County, and had taken an active part in favor of these old soldiers. I took the very proof for them both and sent the same on to Mr. Edward, the Pension Agent at Washington. And to my surprise, a certificate was sent on to me in favor of the widow Maxen and a letter stating that Joseph Johnson had sworn to services performed under certain officers and it was very that proof should be made that such services had been performed, as it did not appear that any such officers (naming them) had been in the County of Monmouth on the days of the revolution. I was surprised. I had lived in the days of the revolution. I could well remember all the capt(ains) that commanded the militias in those days and could not remember no such names that were in command here. So things remained for some time, I concluded. At last, Mr. Edwards must have made some mistake and had got hold of the papers of some other Joseph Johnson. I wrote to one of our members in Congress requesting him to go to the office and examine the papers. He did so and found, as I expected, that Mr. Edwards had got hold of the paper of a Joseph Johnson from the County of Gloucester or Salem instead of Monmouth. He then promised he would look into the case and let this gentleman know their fate. He did so but still rejecting her claim. Honored Sir, from your public character as a gentleman of humanity and benevolence, I am led to believe you will not pass-by this poor widow's case, who supplicates your clemency so far as justice is her due as a matter of but little consequence among the great concerns of the nation to which your country has called you to. It is true, her case is but of little consequence to the nation but of great consequence to her. She is poor and now living upon charity. Her husband was a faithful solder, as will as Maxen. They fought the battles...
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...of their country, side-by-side, those two widows live [as] near neighbors. Their cases both stand precisely alike; one has received her pension, living in comfort. The other is poor, living upon charity and that two, when her country has provided for her support, her case is hard. Sir, when she looks at her neighbor and sees her provided for in her old age and herself, to starve by a mistake of Mr. Edwards; in the first place, getting hold of the wrong papers, for I have no doubt had he taken up the right papers at first, she would have received her pension, as well as the Widow Maxen. For if there was any difference, hers was the strongest. Her marriage was proven by record and the widow Maxen by reputation. I know & observed, Sir, that the duties that involve upon you at the head of the War Department, are very great and such small things, as are here brought to your notice, are apt to be passed-by in the hurry of more important business. But my respected Sir, if you should find a leisure moment to lock into this matter, and the consequence should be that on examination you should be convinced that she had a right to her pension, and through your justice, she should obtain it, her prayers will ascend to her God and your God, so long as her tongue is permitted to mutter, for your property and happiness, it only remained now for me to apologize to you for the liberty I have taken in this writing to you. You will see, by the perusal of this letter, that the writer is a man without a Clerk's education but I believe you too much of a gentlemen to neglect its contents on that account. I am now near the close-of-life, almost Seventy six years of age. Therefore, I hope you will excuse me on that account but more expressly from the character you have, where you are known and subscribe myself your affection(ate) friend and humble servant.
s/ John Patterson
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Freehold, N.J., Aug 9, 1843

Sir,

I herewith enclose to you the declaration of Mary Johnson, widow of Joseph Johnson (1st), for a pension under the Act of Mar 3rd 1843. She received a pension of $46.67 under the Act of July 7, 1838. And I take this opportunity of applying on her behalf for an increase of that pension. And for evidence in support of that claim, I refer you to her papers on file and also to the papers of Joseph Johnson (1st), of Monmouth County; her husband or his application under the Act of 1832. In adjusting her pension, a great mistake in some way occurred. There was a Joseph Johnson (2nd) of Gloucester Co. pensioned under the Act of June 7, 1832, and I am induced to believe that the papers of the latter were examined in adjusting the claim of Mary Johnson of Monmouth. In your letters to me of May 15 & Sep. 14, 1839, you speak of Joseph Johnson having served under Capt. Dixon, Lieut. Thompson, Capt. John Davis & Capt. Dubois. There were no such officers in Monmouth during the Revolution and I am informed by the Secretary of State of N.J., upon inquiry made at his office, that the officers above named belonged to Gloucester & Salem Counties.

I am therefore convinced that upon referring to the papers of Joseph Johnson (1st) of Monmouth Co., in connection with the certificate of Secretary of State filed with her papers, you will be satisfied that she is entitled to an increase.

I am most respectfully your obe(dient) ser(vant),
s/ J.M. Hartshorne

J.L. Edwards, Esq.
Comm(issioner) of Pensions
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Receipts for one year's interest paid on certificates given by the Commissioners in the several Counties to the Militia.

No. of Vouch(er) | No. of Certif(icate) | Date | Signed by | Payable to | Amount £ | Am(oun)t of Int(erest) £ |
33 ┃ 298 | 1 May 1784 | Thomas Henderson | Joseph Johnson | 16.00.0 | 0.19.2 |
33 ┃ 777 | (1 May 1784) | (Thomas Henderson) | (Joseph Johnson) | 3.15.0 | 0.4.6 |
33 ┃ 179 | (1 May 1784) | (Thomas Henderson) | (Joseph Johnson) | 15.9.0 | 0.18.6 |

State of New Jersey//

I, Charles G. McChesney, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true abstract from a book headed as above, as taken from and compared with the above now on record in my office. And I do further certify that Thomas Henderson, Esquire, was by the 5th section of an Act passed by the Legislature of New Jersey Dec. 20, 1783, appointed a Commissioner for the County of Monmouth for the purpose of settling & adjusting the payrolls of the Militia and troops of this State 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 Trenton in said State this Seventh day of September A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred & Forty one.
s/ Charles. G. McChesney, Sec'y of State
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A return of men enlisted by Capt. Jno. Ross and officers of his company in the 3rd Regiment of New Jersey, commanded by Col. Elias Dayton Morristown, May 18th 1777.

Men's Names | By Whom Enlisted | Dates of Enlistment | Where Enlisted | Place of Abode |
Joseph Johnson | Lieut. Cox | Jan. 25th | Ticonderoga | Burlington County |

State of New Jersey//

I, Charles G. McChesney, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true abstract from a paper headed as above, as taken from and compared with the original now on file in my office.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & affixed my Seal of Office at Trenton in said State this Seventh day of September A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred & Forty one.
s/ Charles. G. McChesney, Sec'y of State
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Ad. Acts '38.43 & 44
[slashed out & 48]
at $80 per annum,
deducting former pay
at $46,67 per annum

ad act '48 at $80 per
ad decy for pay
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Declaration.

For increase of pension and arrears under the Act of 7th July 1838, 3rd March 1843, 17th June 1844, 7th May 1846, 2nd February 1848, 26th June 1848 and for the benefits of the Joint Resolutions of 2nd January 1845 & 1st July 1848.

State of New Jersey
County Monmouth//

On this 17th day of January 1849, personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the State and County aforesaid, Mrs. Mary Johnson, widow of Joseph [Johnson], resident of Middletown, County & State aforesaid, aged about 84 years, who being first by me duly sworn makes the following declaration on her oath to obtain the [crossed out: benefit] increase of pension and arrears as she may be entitled to under the provisions of the several Acts of Congress and Joint Resolutions aforesaid. That she is the widow of Joseph Johnson, who was a Soldier of the Revolution and who prior to his decease, drew a pension from the United States under the Act 7th June 1832 [crossed out: at the rate of]. She has drawn a pension at the rate of Forty Six dollars & Sixty seven cents, (under the act of 17th June 1844) per annum and that she is still a widow.
s/ Mary Johnson

Subscribed and sworn to before me on the day and year first above mentioned.
s/ Thomas Shepherd, Jus(tice) of the Peace

I certify that the above declarant is personally known to me and that she is the same individual she represents herself to be in the foregoing affidavit.
s/ Thomas Shepherd, Jus(tice) of the Peace

I know Thomas Shepherd to be a Justice of the Peace for the County of Monmouth in the State of New Jersey.
s/ Wm. A. Newell, Rep(resentative) from N.J.
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[signature] Mary Johnson
AD
1927
Page 62

State of New Jersey
Monmouth Count}

I David Christopher Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Monmouth, do hereby certify Thomas Shepherd of the Township of Middleton, Monmouth County & state aforesaid was duly elected a Justee of the Peace in and for said County, and that on the 14th a day of May, AD 1848 he was duly sworn and enrolled in my office as such Justice. Agreeable to the Laws of the State of New Jersey - and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts and if right ought to be given him as such as the peace in Courts of Judicatine as thereout.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of Said Court of Freehold this eighth day of September A Eight hundred and forty eight A.D. 1848

David Christopher Clerk
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State of New Jersey
Monmouth County//

On this Seventeenth day of May Eighteen Hundred and Forty three, personally appeared before the subscriber, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, Mary Johnson, a resident of the Township of Middletown in the County of Monmouth aforesaid, aged Seventy seven years and upwards, who is personally known to me and who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 3rd March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.

That she is the widow of Joseph Johnson, who was a Private of Militia in the County of Monmouth during the Revolutionary War. And that the received a pension of Forty Six 67/100 dollars per annum under the Act of July 7 1838. She further declares that she is still a widow.
s/ Mary Johnson

Sworn to & subscribed before me, Judge as aforesaid, on the day and year aforesaid.
s/ William Morford