Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 20207, for Bristol Johnson, Connecticut
Page 1

(8-1776)
SERVICE                                 NUMBER
Conn.       Johnson, Bristol or Briston W 20207
                               
  B.L. Wt. 1592-160-55
                      Vira 
________________________________________________CONTENTS
Page 2

S. 19th
Connecticut
Vira Johnson
widow of Briston or Bristol
who died on the 1830
of Conn, in the State of
who was a Private in the [blank] commanded
by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded
by [blank] in the [blank]
line (illegible) for Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll of Hartford
at the rate of 36 Dollars 77 Cents
per annum, to commence on the 14th day of
March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of 
Febry: 1853 and sent to 
Hon. L  B Waldo of Conn^t

Arrears to the 4th of [blank]
Semi-annual allowance ending pres^t.

Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836
Section the

Recorded by R. McRae Clerk
Book D
Vol. 2
Page 353
Page 3

11874. Act Mar 3/55
Mar 24/55-
Vira Johnson - Widow
of Bristow or Bristol Johnson - Private 
War of Rev-
Pensioner
Col: Jno Durkee^s Regt: Ct:Cont^l. line.
_____
Admit 160 Acres June 16"1855
B Upton. [possibly Boynton?]

1592 iss June 16/55
__________________
Henry Fowler
Hartford Ct - 
[sideways in left margin] B.D.C.W.

[facing page]
Conn
J 1836 - no 5193

Vol. G.73.
Page 4

I A M Hurlbut Town Clerk and Register of the Town of Colchester in New London County State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that the following entry is found on the books in my possession, Bristow Johnson and Vira were joined in Marriage February AD Seventeen hundred and Eighty One
and that it is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed in fair legible figures as follows.
February 1781. The date of the day of the month is illegible. 
A M Hurlbut Town Clerk

I A M Hurlbut above named depose and say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the Town of Colchester County of New London State of Connecticut and that the above is a true extract from the records of Said Town with the exception above named as certified by me
A M Hurlbut Town Clerk
Sworn before me this 27th day
of March AD 1852
Marvin M. Hutchins Justice of the Peace

Colchester New London County S.S. March 27th 1852
I further certify that Judges of Probate and Justices of the Peace are now chosen by the several Towns in the State of Connecticut by law and that the above named Marvin W Hutchins is a Justice of the Peace for the County of New London and that the above is his signature
Attest AM Hurlbut
Town Clerk
Page 5

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 4th July 1836--
State of Connecticut}
Hartford County}ss. Hartford
On this first day of April A.D. 1852 personally appeared before me Henry Perkins Judge of the Probate Court for the District of Hartford. Vira Johnson a resident of Hartford, County of Hartford State of Connecticut Aged Ninety two 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 provision made by the Act of Congress passed 4th July 1836.
That she is the Widow of Bristow or Bristol Johnson, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution - that he entered the army in the winter of the year 1781 - for during the war, and continued with the Army until the Close of the War - that he was at the time of his enlistment a resident of Colchester in New London County, Connecticut, that she does not remember the name of the Colonel under whom he served, but remembers that Doctor John R Watrous was in the same regiment, and that he was with the Army two years or more - 
She further Declares that she was married to the said Bristow or Bristol Johnson in the town of Colchester aforesaid in the month of February in the year seventeen hundred and eighty one and that during the absence of her husband with the Army she received supplies on his account from the selectmen of Colchester-
That her husband the aforesaid Bristol Johnson
Page 6

died in the City of Albany in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty on the 13th day of April - She further states that she has remained his Widow ever since that period and has never before applied for a pension as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed
her
Vira X Johnson
mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above mentioned Before me 
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Hartford this 1st day of April AD 1852
Henry Perkins
Judge of Probate
[seal affixed to left side of document]
Page 7

State of Connecticut
Hartford County } ss.
I Henry Perkins Judge of the Probate Court for the District of Hartford do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court, and the Court finds that Bristow or Bristol Johnson formerly a resident of Colchester in this State, but at the time of his death a resident of Albany in the State of New York, died at Albany aforesaid in the year One thousand eight hundred and thirty on the thirteenth day of April
That he left a Widow whose name is Vira Johnson, the identical person who has executed the foregoing declaration in order to claim a pension. 
[seal affixed to left side]
In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the Official Seal of said Probate Court at Hartford this first day of April AD. 1852--
Henry Perkins
Judge of Probate
Page 8

11874-

Bounty Land Claim of 
Vira Johnson
Widow of Bristol Johnson
Revolutionary Service
under Act 3 March 1855
Page 9

State of Connecticut
Hartford County}ss Hartford
On this 22 day of March One thousand eight hundred & fifty five personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within & for the County aforesaid
Vira Johnson
Aged 9[illegible 4?; note previous documents list her age as 92] years, a resident of Hartford in the County of Hartford in the State of Connecticut who being duly sworn according to law Declares that she is the Widow of Bristow or Bristol Johnson who was a private in the Continental Line in the War of the Revolution.
She further states that she is a Pensioner on the roll of the Connecticut Agency under the Act of July 4" 1836, at the rate of Thirty six Dollars and 77 cents per Annum, her certificate is dated at the Department of the Interior on the 12th day of February 1853. And she refers to her application for a Pension filed in the Pension Office at Washington for proof of her husbands service and death; and of her marriage. 
She makes this Declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the Act approved March 3, 1855. She also declares that she has not received a Warrant for Bounty land under this or any other Act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor, and that she is now the Widow of the above named Bristol Johnson
her
Vira X Johnson
mark

We Abby M Beckwith and Gilbert Fowler residents of the City & County of Hartford in the State of Connecticut
Page 10

upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Vira Johnson in our presence and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the Applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be
Abby M Beckwith
Gilbert Fowler

The foregoing declaration and  affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written: and I certify that I know the applicants to be credible persons: that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim. 
[signature] Henry Fowler Justice of the Peace
Page 11

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20207
Vira Johnson
Widow of  Bristow or Bristol Johnson
Priv Rev War

Act: July 4th 1836
Index:- Vol. A, Page 381

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 12

No. 11.874
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received Mar 24, 1855

Vira Johnson
Wid. of Bristol Johnson
War of Rev

Warrant No. 1592-160-55

Henry Fowler
Hartford
Conn
Page 13

[illegible Viz?] pen Act 1836

[illegible initials]:
B Upton [or Boynton?]
Page 14

[check mark] No 7846
Vira Johnson
widow of Bristol
Con
Hon G. Chapman Aug 30 1852

Act July 4 1836
Page 15

1592

Rev [illegible]
Page 16

7846
Vira Johnson
wid of Bristol
Ct
Act 4 Juy 1836
Married 1781
Hus^d died 1830

Adm^d 11 mos 1 day private $36.77 per annum
Covr'g 4 March 1831

[Hon G Chapman crossed out]
Hon L.B. Waldo
[illegible initials crossed out] of Connecticut
now Present
Page 17

[seal affixed upper left corner]
State of Connecticut
Comptroller Office
Hartford March 25th 1852

I certify that an application for evidence of the service of Bristoe or Bristol Johnson, in the war of the Revolution, I have examined the Documents remaining in this Office, and find the name of Bristol Johnson in a Pay Roll under the following heading vis. "Settlement with the 1st Connecticut Regiment, John Durkee Esquire Colonel for the year 1781." and opposite said name are the following entries vis. /"Rank, private./ Commencement of service Jany. 30th 1781./ Expiration of service Dec 31st 81 "Term 11 mos 1 day./ 
Amt. of Wages [TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: British pound sign is throughout remainder of document; I will write it as capital 'L'] L22.1.4/ Amt. of Retained Rations &c. L0.16.7/ Amt. of debt L22.17.11/ Money &c. for wages L4.1.4/ Supplies to Families L11./ Clothing &c supplied L0.6. "Amt. of Credit L15.7.4/ Balance L7.10.7"/ 
On a list of Soldiers belonging to the Connecticut Line of the Continental Army, whose families were supplied by the town to which they belonged, in 1781, I find the name of Bristol Johnson of Colchester, and he is charged with L11. for supplies to his family. 
R.G. Pinney, Comptroller
by Geo. Robinson Clerk
Page 18

          State of Connecticut

SEAL OF STATE

          By his Excellency THOMAS H. SEYMOUR, Governor of said State.

           TO ALL WHOM IT MAy CONCERN

Know ye, That Henry Perkins was at the time of subscribing the within attestations, Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of 
 ___________________Hartford,___________________
in the said State, duly constituted and commissioned, and that to his acts and attestations as such,, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court. -  that the within attestations as in due form and by the proper officer; and that I believe the signatures of said Henry Perkins thereto, to be genuine. 
                         [Signature] Tho H Seymour

In testimony whereof, I have caused the public Seal of the state to be hereunto affixed, this 1st day of April, A.D. 1852, and in the seventy sixth year of the Independence of the United States of America.

  By his Excellency, the Governor,

                [Signature] Jno. P.C.Marker
                            Secretary of State
Page 19

                      Hartford   July 21, 1852

Sir
              At the urgent wish of Vira Johnson the applicant for a pension,  whose papers I forwarded to your care in April last, I have to ask you to request Commissioner of Pensions, to take up her papers for examination -  She is so infirm as to be confined to her bed, and would esteem it a favor to have a decision upon her case.   I am fully satisfied that her claim is true and righteous altogether, and know that its allowance would confer a great benefit
                        I am very Respectfully
                          Your Ob. Serv
                [Signature] Henry Fowler


Hon. Chas. Chapman
          Washington
                    D. C.
Page 20

Henry Fowler's letter with additional evidence in the application of Vira Johnson for a pension under the act of 1836, july 4. -
Page 21

                  Hartford  January 6th 1853

Sir
           Your letter addressed to the Hon. Charles Chapman under the date of August 30, 1852, concerning the matter of the application of Vira Johnson widow of Briston Johnson of Connecticut for a pension under the Act of July 4 1836, has been forwarded to me.  From an examination of the letter I understand that the evidence identifying the person who performed the service in Col. Durkees Regiment in the year 1781, with the husband of the applicant is not satisfactory - For the purposes of supplying this defect, I herewith file the accompanying papers, and respectfully ask that the case be reconsidered with this additional evidence -
     That one Briston Johnson of Colchester Connecticut served in the army of the Revolution a period of Eleven months and one day in Col Durkees Regiment seems to be an admitted fact,  It is proved by the Comptrollers certificate describing the service, and also stating the fact that his family was supplied with necessaries in his absence by the Town of Colchester.  The certificate of the town clerk setting forth a copy of the instrument emancipating Briston Johnson executed by Joseph Taylor under date of January 30 recorded February 13 1781 in Colchester shows that Briston Johnson married Vira.  The accompanying affidavit of Newhall Taintor a man aged seventy years proves that Briston & Vira lived together as husband & Wife, had children one of whom lived in his Fathers family, that Briston was reputed and believed
Page 22

to have been a soldier of the Revolution, that he died in Albany and that Vira is now a resident of the town & County of Hartford - 
     The Affidavit of Mrs Pamelia Bulkley a lady aged Eighty one years proves that she lived within a half a mile of Briston, that Vira used to do work for her, that she and her daughter resided with her two years at one time, that Briston left Vira, went to Albany and died, and that Vira now resides in Hartford aforesaid; that she always understood that Briston enlisted into the Army of the United States, and that he was reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a soldier of the Revolution -  both of these affiants say that they never knew or heard of any other Briston Johnson in Colchester but the one above described who was the husband  of Vira, now a resident of Hartford.  The Town Clerk certifies that from an examination of the Records of the town of Colchester he can find the name of no other Briston Johnson than the one above named -
     The applicant herself whose character for truth is supported by the accompanying affidavits swears that she was the wife of Briston Johnson that her husband was in the war in 1781, that she was supplied with necessaries from the town in his absence and is now the widow of Briston  -
     From these facts and circumstances, I would respectfully submit that it is most conclusively proved that there was one and but one Briston Johnson in Colchester during the Revolutionary War, that this Briston Johnson was a Soldier in Col. Durkees Regiment a period of Eleven months and one day; that he was at that time the husband of
Page 23

Vira Johnson now a resident of this place and that Briston deceased in the year 1830 at Albany N.Y. and these facts being proved I claim that Vira is entitled to a pension under the act of July 4, 1836 on account of the services of Briston as aforesaid - 
     It is intimated in the letter to W. Chapman above referred to that the identity of Briston can only be proved by the testimony of Comrades in the same service.  I would respectfully suggest that such has not heretofore been the rule of the Department.  The claim of any person for a pension may be supported by such evidence as will establish the facts in a court of Justice, and it is certain that circumstantial evidence in courts is often considered more conclusive than direct testimony.  I admit that testimony should be equal to the testimony of one of his comrades in service and I maintain that the fact of there having been but one Briston Johnson in Colchester and he a soldier in the army shown by record of evidence, entries made by public Officers in the day and time of the transaction is more conclusive and satisfactory than the testimony of a comrade unsupported by any record proof.  
     I trust therefore that upon a careful revision of this whole matter Vira Johnson will be admitted to the pension she claims.
                        I have the honor to remain
                             Very Respectfully
                               Your Obt Servant
                    [Signature] Henry Fowler

JE Heath Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
            Washington
Page 24

                              House of Representatives
                              Washington Jan'y 15th 1853

Sir,

                The applicant named in the accompanying paper is an aged and infirm woman - I respectfully request of you an early examination and decision of the case - It is thought that the proof will be now deemed satisfactory - 
                              Very Respectfully
                              Your obt Serv't
              [Signature] Chat Chapman



Hon. James E Heath
Comm'r of Pensions
          Washington
                      DC
Page 25

Brief in the case of Vira Johnson
Hartford County and State of Connecticut
        act 4 July 1836
==========================
Claim, ("original," [the phrase "or "for increase"" is crossed out])      [blank]

Proof exhibited, (if original)       [blank]

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls?   If either, state the substance.
        Record proof of service & marriage

(if for increase.)
    Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim?  If so, what?
         [blank]

                            [Signature]   S. Cole
                                  Examining Clerk

Name and residence of Agent
Ho, S.P. Walde
of Connecticut
[illegible] Present
Page 26

I Newhall Taintor of Colchester in the County of New London and State of Connecticut Aged Seventy years the 7th of July 1852 do depose and Say, that I was born and have always lived in said Colchester have served as Selectman and Collector of Taxes in Said Town and have had a general acquaintance with the people of Said Town I well remember a coloured man by the name of Bristow Johnson who many years ago lived in said Colchester, I also well remember his wife Vira  She was brought up in my fathers family from her Infantsy until her marriage with the Said Bristow as I have learned from my parents.  I well Remember that Said Bristow and Vira lived togeather as Husband and Wife in their own small house about sixty rods distant from my Father's house  They had four children and one of them a girl lived in my fathers family until she was eighteen years of age  It was Reputed and believed in this Town That Bristow was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War that he enlisted and served in the Continental army and this Reputation and belief was Common among all our citizens and I ["believe" is crossed out]have no doubt of the truth of the fact. Bristow left his wife Vira Many years Since and went to the City of Albany in the state of New York where he lived  with another woman and died in the poor house as it is Said I have never["never" is inserted from above] known or heard of any other Bristow Johnson in or near the Town of Colchester except the one above described who was the Husband of Vira Johnson now a resident of the City and County of Hartford and I have no doubt he is the Identical Bristow Johnson who Served in the revolution army from Said Town of Colchester
                  [Signature] Newhall Taintor
Page 27

Newhall Taintor
deposition
______________________
to be used in the application
 of Vira Johnson
_____________________
Page 28

State of Connecticut}
New London County} Ss  Colchester December 24,AD 1852
                    Be it remembered that on the day and year aforesaid Newhall Taintor who hath subscribed the within Deposition appeared before me, and after being examined and cautioned to speak the whole truth, made solemn oath to the same deposition which is taken at the request of Vira Johnson by her Agent John Isham Esq to be used in a cause of Petition to the Commissioner of Pensions to procure a Pension for said Vira
               Said Deposition is Certified by
   [Signature] Alfred B Pierce Judge of Probate
SEAL                 for the District of Colchester
           I further certify that I am well acquainted with the within named deponent and that he is a man of the first respectability and a credible witness 
   [Signature] Alfred B Pierce Judge of Probate
Page 29

The Certificate of the Clerk
of the town of Colchester
           De.
Emancipation of Bristow
Johnson that there
is no other person of that 
name in the Record in 
Colchester
Page 30

Town Clerk of 
Colchester Certificate
_______________________
Viras case
______________________
Page 31

Know all men by these presents - that I Joseph Taylor of Colchester for the consideration of many faithful services performed by my Negro  man Bristow Johnson I do hereby emancipate & set at liberty him s'd Bristow Johnson & release him from any other & further contract ['given' crossed out] by men.   Given under my hand this 30th Day of January 1781
                       Joseph Taylor
A true copy of the original Record  February 13th 1781

Item, voted, that Bristow Johnson has leave to set up a small House between the Mill and Bohains at the discresion of the select men for place and terms

Town Clerks Office Colchester Dec 24, 1852
I hereby certify that I am Town Clerk and keeper of the Town Records of the Town of Colchester and that the above are true extracts from S'd Records, I further certify that on examination of the Records I have not been able of find any other person call'd Bristow of Bristol Johnson
Attest [Signature] AM Hurlbut
                                Town Clerk
Page 32

Mrs Bulkeley
Deposition
_________________

to be and in the application 
of Vira Johnson
___________________
Page 33

I Pamelia Bulkeley of Colchester,, County of New London, State of Connecticut, Widow of Elijah Bulkeley of said Colchester deceased aged eighty one years last October, depose and say on oath that I was born in Said Colchester and have always lived in said Town, that I was married to the said Bulkeley April 1788 that we commenced House keeping soon after at the Folliet House on Bulkeley hill so call'd within half a Mile and in plain view, where Bristow Johnson & his Wife Vira liv'd in a small House a little North of where Cap't Charles Taintor liv'd, and was well acquainted with both of them as long as they liv'd together in Colchester, he having worked and serv'd as a Waiter to Maj Jonathan Deming, a Merchant in the Center of S'd Colchester, and his Wife the said Vira, having done my Washing &c and having liv'd in my family with a sick daughter two years at one time during said time I gave them their Board, that I well recollect that the said Bristow Johnson left Vira and took in with a color'd Girl by the name of Billings, liv'd with her in a small House the South end of Town Street, he after short time left her and went to Albany where it was said he liv'd with another Woman as long as he lv'd, and I always understood that he died at said Albany  Vira resides in Hartford, is blind and almost helpless has always sustained a fair character for truth & honestly, I further say that I have never known any other person by the name of Bristow Johnson and do know him to be the same Bristow who married & liv'd with the said Vira as Husband & Wife, and I always understood that the said Bristow Johnson enlisted into the Army of the United States for during the War , and know he was respected & believed in the Neighborhood of Colchester to have been a Soldier of the Revolution
                  [Signature] Pamela Bulkeley
Page 34

State of Connecticut}
New Londondon County} Ss Colchester  
                      December 24th AD 1852
     Be it remembered that on the day aforesaid Mrs Pamelia Bulkeley who hath subscribed the within Deposition appeared before me, and after being ["examined and" is inserted from above] examined and cautioned to speak the whole truth made solemn oath to the same Deposition which is taken at the request of Vira Johnson by her Agent John Isham Esq, to be used in a cause of petition to the Commissioner of Pensions to procure a Pension - for said Vira
                          Said Deposition is certified by
[Signature]Alfred B. Pierce Judge of Probate
                           for the District of Colchester
SEAL              I further certify that I am well acquainted with the deposant and that she is [the letter "a" is inserted from above] a woman of the first respectabiliity and a credible witness
[Signature] Alfred B Pierce Judge of Probate
Page 35

State of Connecticut}
Hartford County}  Ss  Hartford
       On this 15th day of May A.D. 1852 before me a Notary Public in and for said State duly authorized by law to administer oaths and take depositions personally appeared Vira Johnson, who being first duly sworn according to law Deposeth - That she is the Widow of Bristol      (sometimes called Bristow) Johnson and as his Widow made a Declaration before the Judge of Probate  for the District of Hartford in April last in order to assert a claim to a Pension under the Act of July 4, 1836 -  that in the aforesaid declaration it was omitted to state the reasons why she had not previously applied for a pension, and the object of this affidavit is to supply that omission - she therefore hereby declares that she removed from the town of Colchester about twenty two years since to the City of Hartford where she has ever since resided, that her husband the aforesaid Bristol Johnson deserted her, and went to reside in the City of Albany in the State of New York leaving her in poverty & dependence - and that she was not informed of any act or law of Congress granting pensions to Widows of Revolutionary Soldiers until the month of March last, when by a gentleman from Colchester who came to enquire of her relative to the service of a Soldier of the Revolution of whose service she was supposed to have knowledge she was made acquainted with her rights -  and she by this instrument assigns the foregoing as the reasons why she had not before applied for a pension 
Sworn to and Subscribed on this 15th day of May AD 1832 before me and I certify that I am fully satisfied of the truth of her statements
                                           her
                  [Signature] Vira  X  Johnson
                                           mark
Signed in the presence of}
[Signature] Edwin Lord}

                     In witness whereof I have 
 SEAL            hereunto set my and and affixed 
                     my Seal of Office at Hartford the 
                     day and year above written
       [Signature] Henry Fowler  Notary Public