Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2298, for James Johnston, Pennsylvania

Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Penn.

Johnston, James

NUMBER
 S.2298


carded
content

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686
Pittsburgh Agency
=============
James Johnston 
of Allegheny Co. in the State of Pennsyla 
who was a pri + adjt in the company commanded 
by Captain McDowell of the Regt. commanded 
by Col Boyd in the Penna.--- 
line for 12 months, 9 mo.   private 
& 3 months adjutant . 
============== 
Inscribed on the Roll of Penna. Pittsburgh 
at the rate of 70 Dollars --- Cents per ann 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.  
==============
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of October
1832, and sent to Hon.  W. 
Wilkins, Pittsburgh.  
==============
Arrears to 4h of September 1832   $105. -
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 March 1833  35.-
 $140

{Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832}

Wm S Allison Clerk
2, Page 175.

Hon. David Ritchie 31st Mar 1854

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James Johnston
Application
for a Pension
under act of
7th June 1832


Let  the pension be
allowed for the time
actually shown to be
-in service. Then can the
applicant be able to
establish the dates of
his service with such
precision, as would
entitle him to a larger
pension than can now
be allowed, the /////// 
revision can be given to
his case.   L.L

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State of Pennsylvania
Allegheny County  SS

In the matter of James Johnston
an applicant for a Pension under the
Act of Congress of 7th June 1832.

The applicant appeared before
the Honorable the Court of Common
Pleas of Alleghany County this thirteenth
day of August 1832 with a view to
give, if possible, greater precision
to certain overments in the Statement
heretofore made by him before said
Court on 31 July 1832.

On this further examination
Declarant on his solemn oath saith
that the date (8th June 1776) of
marching from Chester County is impressed
on his memory from its connection
with the fact of his age at the outset
of his service.  As to the period of
discharge he is unable, after a lapse
of fifty-six years, to speak more
definitely than in his original Statement. 
Nor is he able to determine
the duration of said service otherwise
than by referring to the data already
submitted on oath to the Department.
Any further allegation would be only
matter of inference from said data.

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whilst stationed at The Blazing Star, he
distinctly remembers to have witnessed the
firing at the Battle of Long Island. He can
only add that the company was called out
on its second tour of duty early in November
1776 very shortly after it return from
the first.

To the statement heretofore
made as to the period during which Declarant
acted under of Colonel Hollingsworth
issuing the Military Stores saved from
Elkton he can only add that while he has
already spoke of supplying General Gist
previous to the surprise of Gen. Wayne
at the Paoli he remembers that the Roads
were in a good condition in Spring-time, 
when he succeeded in getting over the last
Supplies to General Washington. He is
unable to add any thing to his former
Declaration relative to the other periods
of his service.
James Johnston /s/

Sworn & Subscribed this
thirteenth day of August 1832.  Witness
my Hand & Seal of office

Wm M Candless  Pro  /s/

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James Johnston

Applicant for
a Pension under
Act 7 June 1832

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State of Pennsylvania
Allegheny, County   ss

On the thirty first
day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared
before the Honorable, the Court of Common Pleas
of Allegheny County, now sitting. James Johnston,
a resident of said County of Allegheny State of Pennsylvania, 
aged seventy four 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
7th June A.D. 1832.

That he was born in Chesar
County, State of Pennsylvania, on the 22nd June 1758
He is possessed of no record of this fact, nor does he believe 
that any such record exists.  Declarant was
living in said County, on the farm of his father, at
the breaking out of the War of the American Revolution
Two of his elder brothers obtained commissions in the
Army, one Francis Johnston, as a Colonel, and the
other Alexander Johnston, as a Captain in the Pennsylvania 
Line.  Declarant was at no time in the
Regular service, having declined a Lieutenancy
(obtained for him by his brother Francis, as said
Francis informed declarant) from unwillingness
to leave permanently his aged Father of whom he
was the youngest son, and the only one remaining
at home: -

On the 8 June 1776 declarant marched
from Chester County, to New York, with a company
of Militia to which he had attached himself, commanded 
by his brother in law Doctor John M Dowell,
(over)

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2

and forming part of Colonel William Montgomery's
Regiment. He is not aware that there was
any formal draft but believes that they proceeded
on the emergency of the case; there being in the ranks
some of the most respectable citizens of the county,
amongst whom he remembers Stephen Cochran
and Montgomery Kennedy, Brother to the Surgeon
General of the army. The Enemy then occupied
Staten Island, declarant was stationed on the opposite 
Jersey shore at a place called the Blazing 
Star, where was collected a force of about one
thousand men composed of Colonel Montgomery's
regiment and of an other regiment, also militia, from
Lancaster County, commanded, as declarant
thinks, by a Colonel John Boyd.  Declarant
recollect one incident which occurred whilst in
this position watching the Enemy.  An alarm having 
been given during the night of a movement
on the water, an officer was directed to proceed in
pursuit and examination.  He selected for this
purpose the members of the mess to which declarant 
belonged, and manning a boat with
them proceeded (being seven in all, including
the Officer) to execute the order. After a long
and ineffectual pursuit, it was found as morning 
dawned, that the boat had approached
close to Staten Island and she was hailed by a
Guard of the enemy, consisting of six men, under
command of a Sergeant and a fire of musquetry opened 
on her.   Declarant and a young gentleman
named Thomas Evans were then at the oars.  
The officer and the four others, immediately
crouched down to the bottom of the boat, whilst
declarant was remonstrating against this conduct a
s leading inevitably to capture.  The boat touched
projecting sand bank and the officer made a

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3

spring for the shore, but fell into very deep water. He
rose succeeded in getting ashore, and immediately, in the
most dastard manner, took to flight.  Declarant seized
a musquet and taking deliberate him at the Sergeant wounded 
him severely as was inferred from his immediately
dropping his gun and disappearing in the tall grass
and weeds, Evans also took him at and wounded
one of the enemy. Taking advantage of the pause thus
occasioned, the boat was got out, and returned to
the American camp.  Declarant on this occasion
received a slight contusion from a musquet ball.
He continued with Captain McDowells company,
until September or October 1776 when it returned
to Chester County, and was discharged from service.
In November 1776 declarant again marched
from Chester County as a member of Captain McDowells
company, the Regiment being now commanded by
Colonel Evan Evans. They remained in Philadelphia
until December 1776 when they were taken up the
delaware in the Row gallies, and landed in the
night on the Jersey shore, about three miles above
the Town of Burlington, having in company a
body of troops, believed to have been Regulars, from
New England.  Soon after reaching the point mentioned
Generals Putnam, Cadwalader & Mifflin arrived. 
Declarant was familiar with that part of the Country
having formerly gone to school in the neighbourhood,
and on hearing inquiries made by these officers as
to the route to Bordentown, he stated his intimate
knowledge of it and his willingness to take the responsibility 
of guiding the column.  No movement, however
was made, and the declarant well rembers the chargrin, 
expressed by General Mifflin, on ascertaining afterwards
that had the troops marched at once in
the direction indicated, they would have fallen in with
a body of Hessians proceeding from Mount Holly to
Princeton (over)

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4
Princetown. On the next morning the whole
force proceeded to Bordentown, and marched
thence the same day to Crosswicks.  Here they
lay until new years day, 1st January 1777
when an express arrived from General-
Washington, commanding a Junction with
him at Trenton that night.  On beating to
arms the New England troops whose term have
expired a few weeks before, & who were almost 
destitute of clothing, declared that they
would perform no further service. General
Mifflin addressed them in a very animated
strain, and finally desire that all who were
willing to march, should step forward and
give thee cheers.  Every man of them did so
declarant particularly remembers the delight
of General Putnam at this result. After marching 
all night, Trenton was reached about daylight, 
and the force to which declarant belonged
was ordered to occupy, the Green House of General
Dickinson, about one mile above that place, but
whilst preparing breakfast the alarm was
given of the approach of the enemy.   Hastening 
back to Trenton, across the bridge over the mill
Race, they joined the army which was formed
into three lines, front, centre, and rear.  
About one o'clock the Enemy appeared in
sight. General Washington who was
well supplied with artillery, ordered twelve
pieces to be placed behind the mill. About
three o'clock in the afternoon, the enemy came
down the street, in solid column, when the
Artillery opened upon them a most destructive 
fire, which caused them to recoil.
at night preparations were made by General
Washington for a retreat declarant was detailed
for the main guard, and shortly after he
found

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5
found the army about to move, many of the soldiers
thinking they were about to be led against the enemy, threw
away their knapsacks. General Washington enquired
at the year of the Column, who commands here? Major
Bell, of Colonel Evans Regiment, announced himself
as in command, and received orders to remain behind 
for two hours, carefully observing the Enemy.
Declarant was with Major Bell, and was sent
forward by him with a party to reconnoitre the
enemy.   moving carefully forward, they had a full
view of the Hessions setting round their fires smoking
their pipes. A centinal challenged: Declarant and
the others dropped to the ground, and lay quiet until 
the centinal was heard to resume his walk.
They then cautiously retrograded and made report.
at the expiration of the two hours Major Bell proceeded 
to join the main army. The advance had an
engagement with the enemy at Princeton, but the force
under Major Bell, was not in time to take part in it.

In march 1777 declarant was discharged and reached
home in April.

In may 1777.  a corps, consisting of
drafts from various parts of Chester County, and
amounting in the whole to about six hundred men
marched under the command of Colonel John
Fanner.  Declarant was specially appointed by
Colonel Hunnem, adjutant of this Corps. He believes that
he held a written appointment from Colonel Hannem,
but it is no longer in existance. The Corps proceeded
to the Town of Chester and subsequently to Billingsport,
where it remained in service until some time in August
1777.  During the whole of this period declarent 
was in the active and assiduous discharge of
the duties of his appointment in every matter connected
with the drill and other military duties and
may remark that the corps was known and distinguished
at

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6
"
at the time for its state of discipline and efficiency.
Major Hartman, a German, who had been
in foreign service, took particular pains, &
a very friendly interest in instructing declarant, 
in the minutes points of duty. Whilst
the corps lay at Chester General Potter who
commanded a body of militia from Western Pennsylvania, 
urged declarant to act as his aid, and on
his assent imposed on him at once the duty of
arresting an officer who commanded a corps composed 
principally of Germans, from Northampton
County, & who had committed some gross
military offence.  Declarant proceeded immediately
to demand a surrender of the offenders sword. He
assented but a large body of his men insisted
tumultuously on its restoration.  Declarant drew
his sword and was about to meet the exigency in a
fitting manner, when a party of his own
corps rushed to the spot and he would with difficulty 
restrain them from using their arms,
on the offenders. Whilst the corps lay at
Chester the declarant was ordered to convene
all the officers at 12 o'clock noon at Curlings Tavern
on the arrival of the hour, it was found that the
object was to meet three commissioners sent
from Philadelphia, for the purpose of administering, 
an oath of allegiance to the new government, 
Col Hannem remarked to the commissioners 
that the subject was of great importance 
& delicasy, and that it would require much
time for deliberation;  The same was said by others
and was becoming the sentiment of the room. The
declarant came forward & earnestly insisted on
the importance of enabling the Government at 
once,  to know their true and /////??//// friends; the
deponent declared his readiness to take the oath,
which

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7
which was administered to him accordingly, and
before the Commissioners left the house it was taken
by every officer -

Shortly after declarant's return from this tour
of duty, the Enemy in great force ascended the
Chesapeake. They landed at Turkey point on
Saturday. On Sunday morning at 11 o'clock a
hasty letter dated Elkton reached declarant,
from Colonel Henry Hollingsworth deputy quarter
master general, stating his fear that the public
stores would fall into the hands of the enemy,
and entreated declarant to use every possible exertion
to aid in effecting their immediate removal.
Before 3 o'clock in the afternoon between 30 & 40
Wagons engaged by declarant, were on their way for
that purpose, and before night fall declarant was
himself at Elkton in conference with Colonel Hollingsworth
The Colonel spoke of the House and our houses of declarant's 
father as fir places of deposit.   declarant feared
that they would be in the route of the enemy
and moreover that his father's well known & enthusiastic 
feelings as a Whig, and the freedom with which
he declared his sentiments on all occasions, would be
the very means of attracting notice & resentment. It
was finally decided however, to send the stores thirteen
Five hundred barrels of Flour, 100 barrels of rum,
a great quantity of Pork, Salt, Molasses, and other
articles were accordingly dispatched. By Tuesday at
10 O'clock every thing was carried off and not until
then did declarant close his eyes, subsequently to the
receipt of Colonel Hollingsworth's letter - on Thursday
the British army marched through Elkton -
Declarant repaired to the head quarters of General
Washington, where were his two brothers, Francis
and Alexander. Being well mounted, he with some
other young men reconnoitered closely the enemy position

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8

tion at Greys Hill.   The enemy were not provided
with Cavalry but a party of mounted men closely
pursued declarant whilst thus engaged. Acclerrant 
had occasion to return to his fathers house, -
but the day before the battle of Brandywine,
he rejoined the army. He was mounted and
took a position, with the force under General
Potter. - owing to the unexpected turn which
the battle took General Potter, who was stationed 
below the Lower Ford, had no active part
in the conflict of the day. The public stores
already referred to, remained in safety at the
House of declarants father, and at the express
instance & request of Colonel Hollingsworth declarant 
issued them during the full & winter of
1777 and spring of 1778. to the American army
at Valley Forge, great caution was necessary
on account of the occupation of Philadelphia by
the enemy. The course pursued was a circuitous 
one by Cochrans Tavern to the Lancaster
Road.  Declarant have great difficulty and
vexation with the Wagoners.  He also suppliced
the troops of General Gest from Maryland, who
came on a few days before the surprise of General 
Wayne at the Paoli and the greater part of
whom dispersed immediately afterwards. The
whole was done under the order of Colonel Hollingsworth.  
Declarant thinks he had a warrant in
writing from that officer- He kept a regular
account of the Issues and made return thereof
to Colonel H.

In the month of March 1781. troops
were passing to the southward to act under the
Marquis de La Fayette in repelling the incursion 
of the British under Arnold and Phillips.
Declarant joined them near Wilmington in the
State of Delaware, and whilst crossing the Susquehannah

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9
-quehannah, was introduced to the Marquis to whom
he expressed a wish, being well mounted, to be attached
to any Cavalry corps, that might be employed. The marquis 
yielded a ready and cheerful assent.  At Fredericksburgh
declarant obtained permission from the
Marquis to turn aside for one day, to visit brother
residing about 25 miles below. Whilst returning next
morning declarant met a party of Americans who
had fled from Richmond, and who were engaged
in sawing ///asunun??// some beautified pieces of Cannon
presented to the United stated by the French Government, 
and bearing the arms of France. This was
with a view to render them useless, in the event of
their falling into the enemy hands.  Declarant,
remonstrated, and advised that they should be buried, 
but was answered that the orders were peremptory. 
On reaching Richmond he reported the scenes
he had witnessed to the Marquis LaFayette and
general Nelson. The former showed considerable emotion, 
and the latter was exceedingly indignant.
Adverting to the subject of declarants wish for employment,
the Marquis said, "Here are a hundred young gentlemen
Virginians desirous of serving as Officers, but no one is
willing to go into the ranks"  Declarant expressed the
cheerfulness with which he would occupy any position
even under an officer of the Regulars. One incident of
that day is strongly impressed on declarants memory.
He was invited by the Marquis to dinner, at a small
log house opposite the Ferry below the Falls.   Declarant
happened to be so placed at the table as to be able to
see what was passing out of doors, and he called attention 
to the fact, that Generals Phillips & Arnold
had advanced along the beach, and were making
an examination with the spy glass, whilst their servants 
held their horses. Immediately after, there was a
bustle at the door, occasioned by five Riflemen in hunting
Shirts & mochasins who eagerly solicited permission to start
down

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10

down to a point from which they felt sure they
could pick off these officers. The Marquis refused
his sanction, declaring that he would meet the enemy
openly in the field, but would authorize nothing like
assassination. This refusal excited great dissatisfaction, 
which was expressed amongst the rest, by
his aid Major McPherson.  Declarant was
attached by the Marquis 10 the Troops of Captain
Reed of Virginia. The enemy retired down the River 
to Petersburgh. Declarant served with Captain
Reed until a call of business, and the absence of any
immediate prospect of active duty, induced his return
to Pennsylvania, which he reached after an
absence of two months.

Declarant has no formal discharge
from the service on any occasion and it is out
of his power to state the circumstances under
which have disappeared the Warrants under
which, as he believes he acted in Colonel
Hannem and Colonel Hollingsworth.

Since the war of the Revolution 
declarant has resided in Chester County
more recently in the State of Ohio, and final
by in Pittsburg or its vicinity

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.

James Johnston  /s/

sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
Wm M. Candless Pro  /s/

We Robert Patterson a Clergyman, residing in Pittsburg Allegheny County, and
William Wilkins a member of the senate of the US. residing in said City
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Johnston who has subscribed
and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy four years of age; that
he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides
to have

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11

have been a soldier of the Revolution, and
that we concur in that opinion
Robert Patterson /s/
Wm Wilkins /s/

Sworn & subscribed
the day & year aforesaid
Wm M Candless Pro  /s/

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 it appears to them, that Robert
Patterson who has signed the preceeding certificate 
is a Clergyman resident in Pittsburg, Allegheny 
County & that the Hon:. Wm Wilkins who
has also signed the same is a resident in the
said City and is a credible person, and that their
statement is entitled to credit.

I William McCandless, Prothonotary of the Court of
Common Pleas of Allegheny County, State of
Pennsylvania, do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings of
the said Court in the matter of the application of
James Johnston for a Pension

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of office this thirty
first day of July in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
thirty two.
Wm M. Candles Pro  /s/

Page 18

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
S.F. 2298               WASHINGTON, D.C. ____, 19__

   In reply to your request of ____, received _____
for a statement of the military history of James Johnston a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension of file in this Bureau.
============================
Dates of Enlistment or Appointment/Length of Service/rank/Officers Under Whom Service Was Rendered/State.

June 8, 1776/Sept - Oct 1776/Pvt/Captain John McDowell* Colonel Wm. Montgomery/Pa.
Nov. 1776/Mch 1777/-/Captain McDowell Colonel Evan Edward/-.
May 1777/Aug. 1777/Adjt/- Colonel John Hannum/-.
Fall 1777/to Spring 1778/in charge of stores under/Dep. L.M.G. Henry Hollingworth/-.
Mch. 1781/2 mos./-/Captain Reed -/Va.

Battles engaged in, (illegible) through New Jersey.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Chester Co., Pa.
Date of application for pension, July 31, 1832, His cl. al.
Residence at date of application, Alleghany County, Penna.
Age at date of application, born June 22, 1758 in Chester County, Penna.
remarks: It is not stated whether he was married.

Respectfully,
Commissioner

Brother Francis a Colonel - Pa, Line
   "         Alexander a Captain - Pa Line
* brother in law Dct. John McDowell

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1918 Mch. 19 Hist. to A. D. Mornes


Rev War
2298
INVALID.
----
File No. 2298
James Johnson
Privt Rev War
----
Act: June 7. 1832
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 194

[Arrangement of 1870.]

Page 20


Hon. L. Cass
Secy. of War

/////??////
mo
adjt 3 mo
$70 per 
am

Hon W . Wilkin 
recd 4 Oct

Page 21


Pittsburgh, Oct 1, 1832.

My dear Sir;

I transmit to you the application 
& a supplementary statement
made by Col. James Johnston for a pension
under the act of June 1832

No further effort can be made by the
applicant to supply, what is suggested
as a defect in the evidence by Major
Edwards in his letter to me of the 7th of
August 1832.

Knowing our friend Col. Johnson
you and I will do and aware that
until very lately he never could have
contemplated any application of the
present kind, you will at one understand
how impossible it is for him to be more
definite as to the exact duration of his
service.  After a lapse of 56 years & with
a full knowledge of the ////??///ness of the
Soldiers of the Revolution as to the preservation
of records or memoranda of their
services must you not look for defects &
difficulties like these suggested by Major
Edwards, and shall they, in the fair

Page 22



spirit of the law exclude applicants
from all the benefit which Congress intended 
to bestow upon them? In his
narrative & every thing material & substantial
- in establishing his military
service - the paper of our friend is
satisfactory - Must all this be thrown
away because his integrity & scrupulous
regard for truth will not permit him
to go further and fill with an exactness
(which would be to me always
suspicious) of the particular periods of his
services not now to be demanded from
the memory of almost any man?

I by to refer you to my compose
with Maj Edward, and ask
do the the favor, as a light
to take up the papers of Col.
for that your own judgment
them

Believe me always to be in
perfect sincerely yr friend

Wm Wilkins  /s/

Govt. Cass

Page 23

DR. S.W. PERRY, Vice-President   
A.D. MORNES, President
GEORGE G. GAGEBY, Treasurer
J.S. DuSHANE, Registrar

NEW CASTLE CHAPTER
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

New Castle, Pa. March 14, 1918

Commissioner of Pensions.

Dear Sir:

    James Johnston of the Chester County Pennsylvania Militia is said to have been pensioner for service in the Revolutionary War in 1832 and the pension was granted.  If his application is in your files, will you please give me such of his military and personal history as may appear therein?

    This information is desired to admit a descendant to the Sons of the American Revolution.  He is said to have served under Col. Montgomery.
                                       Your truly,
                                             //s//
                                        A.D. Mornes
221 - E Falls St
Newcastle,
PA

President of New Castle Chapter S.A.R.