Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5,646, for John Johnson, New York

Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
New York Johnson, John
NUMBER
S5646
Carded
CONTENTS

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1421.2
New York
John Johnson
of Chautauqua in the State of N.Y
who was a private in the Compy command
by Captain Platt of the Regt
command
by Col Holmes- in the
N. Y. line for 12 months

Inscribed on the Roll of N Y
at the rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of May 1833 and sent to Mullett & Crane
Fredonia, Chautauqua NY

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833  80. 00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 11 Sep 1833  20.00
$100.00

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
 
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk
Book E. Vol. 2, Page 22

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23378
John Johnson
New York

Mullett Crane
Fredonia Chautauqua
Coty New York

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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.

A statement, shewing the service of John Johnson Town of Sheridan Chautauqua Coty N York

 [chart] Period when the service was rendered / Duration of claimant's service years - months - days / Rank of the claimant / Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. / Age at present,and place of abode when he entered the service. / Proof by which the declaration is supported.

Enlisted 1775 /6 mo/ privat / Cap Platt Col Hedunes Gen Montgomery / 76 years Bedford / Traditionary evidence 2 witnesses for his general service book credible

1776 / 6 mo / do / Capt Delavan Col Thomas Genl Clinton


 
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,

J. L. EDWARDS.
Commissioner of Pensions.

that after the last tour stated he was frequently called out and performed duty, time not stated

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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia" and "volunteers, all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
Serity
County of
On this
day of
A.B. a resident
personally appeared (a) before
of
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)
served in the
(e) regiment of the
with and
line, under the following named officers:
Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of
A. B.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
I
of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of
& c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C. D. residing in (the same)
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
who has
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
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 A.B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Clerk of the Court of
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of
do hereby certify that the foregoing
for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this
day of
& c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission
; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted
; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be exexpected
. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and
there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his
case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of
service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war
, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
{To a Soldier
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given
, and what has become of it?
To an Officer
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character
and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper
county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure
, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow
the rule laid down for his guidance.
The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
conforming to the rule.
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason
of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his
recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For---year----months, and
days, I served as a-
-- Formonths
and --
days, I served as a-
-- and for such service I claim a pension.
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 shown 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 sum
thority; 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.
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
The opinion of the Court is always required.
The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public
seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.
Mode of cuthenticating 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 papers 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.
Proof of Serice.
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 claimant's 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.
The notes from to are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
note il applies to continental troops only.
This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

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In the matter of
John Johnson
a Revolutionary soldier
applicant for a Pension
under act of Congress
Passed June 7. 1832
23378
Mullett & Crane, agents
Fredonia
Chautauqua County
New York

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State of New York
Chautauque County ss
On this thirteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three personally appeared in open Court
before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Chautauqua & State of New York
the same being a Court of Record & having a Seal & a Clerk, now sitting
John Johnson a resident of the town of Sheridan in the County of Chautauqua
& State of New York aged seventy six years the 18th day of April last, who
being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress
passed June 7. 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named
officers & served as herein stated, viz
That he enlisted into the Continental Line of the Revolutionary army for
six months at Cross River on Courtlands Manor in the County of WestChester & State of New York, about five miles from Bedford in the same
County in the month of June or July in the year 1775 as near as he can
recollect. - That he resided at Bedford aforesaid at the time of his
said enlistment- That he joined the company commanded by Capt.
Jonathan Platt, in Col. James Holmes Regiment, and as he believes the
fourth Brigade, commanded by Gen. Montgomery in Major General
Schuylers Division that
he staid at Bedford, Cross River and
Pound ridge in the same County of Westchester for four or five weeks recruiting, & then marched to Sing Sing on the north River where he embarked
on board of a vessel for Albany in New York.
that he staid in
Albany about six days, & then marched with Col. Holmes & his baggage
to Lake George W. York and there encamped six or eight weeks-
From Lake George he went by water to Ticonderoga N. York, where
he remained until new years day 1776, where he was discharged by
Col. Holmes & went home
This Declarant further States upon oath, that in the month of May or June
in the year 1776 he enlisted again as a Private for six months at cross
River or Bedford aforesaid in Nathaniel Delavans Company, in Col. Thomas
Thomas Regiment in Gen. George Clintons Brigade, in Major General Heath
Division that
he marched directly to the North River near Kingsbridge
then went to work & assisted in building Fort Independence and got it fit
for service when he was ordered to march to White Plains in the fall of 1776
but after marching part way, he with forty nine others was ordered back under
Capt. Platt to garrison it, where he staid three days
& then marched to White Plains with twelve or fourteen others under Lieut. Miller
and arrived at White Plains on the night before the battle
That he was in
the battle of White Plains from its commencement to its close.
That he staid at
White Plains six or eight days, and then marched to Peekskill on the North River
where he staid till his term of six months expired & then went with Col. Thomas to
White Plains & was there discharged by him verbally about the first of January 1771
& went to Greenwich Fairfield County, Conn. where he afterwards resided

Page 9

This Declarant further States upon oath, that between his first and second
Enlistment it was rumoured at Bedford where he then lived, that the British
ships had come up the River to sing sing & Peekskill - The whole country
was alarmed, and he was twice ordered out by Militia officers
to go & prevent the British from landing & plundering-- that he
went and was gone one week each time
This Declarant further States upon oath, that while he resided at
Greenwich aforesaid, the British lying constantly in the neighborhood
or vicinity of that place, the country about Greenwich was kept
in constant commotion & alarm until after the British evacuated
New York, and the inhabitants perpetually surprised by alarms
of the approaches & incursions of the British frequently made for
the purpose of plunder, insomuch that Husbandry was obliged to be
neglected by reason of the plunder of battle, horses & provisions
and that this State of things continued for more than three years
while this Declarant resided at Greenwich aforesaid, during which
time he was very frequently called into service in the militia by
alarmes of officers under General John Mead, and employed on duty
about Greenwich Samford & Horseneck on L. Island Sound to
prevent the incursions & ravages of the British, and was out on duty
aforesaid at one time for six weeks
This Declarant further states upon oath, that he never had any written
discharge from any of his said services, to the best of his recollection that
he knew in the Service Gen. Putnam, Col. McDougal, Major
Tuttle of Col. Holmes Regt & Capt. Mills in the same Regiment besides
many other officers whose name he cannot now recollect.
This Declarant further states upon oath that he has no documentary
evidence in his possession of his said service, nor does he now know
of any person living except William Harris & his wife whose as
many he can procure who can testify to his said service.
This Declarant 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 or territory in the U. States
This Declarant, in answer to interrogatories propounded to him by
the said Court of Common Pleas of the Judges thereof further states upon 
oath that he was born in Huntington, Queens County, New York- that
he has no record of his age-- that when he enlisted into the Revolution
any service, he resided at Bedford as above stated-- that since
the Revolutionary war he removed from Greenwich above mentioned
to Chatham, Columbia County, New York where he resided for more than
forty years, and from thence moved to Sheridan in the County of
Chautauqua & State of New York, where he has lived for about six years
& when he now resides.
that when he entered the Revolutionary

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  volunter and a private - that he
knew the regular officers who were with the troops where he
served, whose names he has above specified besides many
others not now recollected, and that he was well acquainted with
the Militia Regiment commanded by Colonel, (afterwards
General John Mead of Horseneck, with Capt. George Peck
Robert Peck, & Lieut. Seth Palmer of the same Regiment, and that
he never received a written discharge from any of his said service
This Declarant further states upon oath, that he is well acquainted with
Oliver Lee, James Mullett, Benjamin Walworth, Ezra Conner
John Crane
residing in his present neighborhood, to whom he refers as to his character
for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
and that he is not acquainted with any clergy
man in the neighborhood of his present residence
who can certify that he is reputed to have been
a soldier of the revolution John Johnson

Sworn to and subscribed in open court the day and year aforesaid
before me
J. B. Campbell, Judge Chautauqua County

the Benjamin Walworth & James Mullett residing in the
Town of Pompet in the County of Chautauqua & Ezra Conver
residing in Hanover in said County
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John
Johnson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration
that we believe him to be seventy six years of age, that
he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where
he resides to have been a soldier of the relation and
that we concur in that opinion with
W Walworth
Jos Mullett
Sworn & subscribed the day and year of connis
in open Court before me
M Campbell a Judge of Chautauqua County
and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion

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the investigation of the matter and
after putting the
interogatories presented by the war department that the
and
above applicant was a Revolutionary soldier of the State
And the Court further certifies that it appears to them
that Benjamin Walworth & James Mullett of Pompet in said
County & Ezra Convey of Hanover who have signed the
preceding certificate are credible persons and that the
Statements are entitled to credit-
State of New York
County of Chautaqua
Clerk Office
I
James
B. Lowry Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas of said County Do hereby
Certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of
the application of John Johnson for a pension
---
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hands
& the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said
County this 14th day of February A.D. 1833.
James B. Lowry Clerk

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State of New York
Chautauqua County ss
Rachel Harris of Hanover in the County of  Chautauqua and State of New York being of the age of Sixty Eight
years & being
first duly sworn doth depose & say, that she has been well and
intimately acquainted with John Johnson ever since the year 1773
This Deponent further saith that she was well acquainted with
the said John Johnson during the Revolutionary war and
resided in Bedford in the County of Westchester in the State of
New York at that time, where also the said John Johnson then
resided
that she knew by common report & belief that the
said John Johnson enlisted in the Revolutionary army as a
soldier in the year 1775 and again in the year 1776 &
marched off with the troops & was gone from home for
several months - and that she occasionly heard from
him as a soldier in the Army, and afterwards saw him
on his return from the army, and that she verily believes
that the said John Johnson did serve in the Revolutionary
Army as stated by him in his foregoing declaration

Sworn & subscribed before me
February 5t1833.
C. Comis Justice
Rachel her x mark Harris

Page 13

State of New York
Chautauqua County 
William Harris of Hanover in the County of
Chautauqua & State of New York aged Seventy Six
sworn saith that he has been acquainted with John Johnson
ever since the year 1775 or 1774
---
That during the Revolutionary war, he was well & intimately
acquainted with the said John Johnson, and resided in Bedford in
the County of West Chester NewYork, where the said John Johnson also
enlisted
resided that he knew that the said John Johnson
into the Revolutionary service as a soldier in the year 1775
and again the year 1776, and that he marched off with the troops
and that he occasionally heard from him while in the service
& saw him after his terms of enlistment had expired & he re
turned home, and that he verily believes that the said John
Johnson did serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in his
foregoing declaration
William Morris
Sworn & Subscribed before me &
February 5th
E Conus
Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that I am personally
acquainted with William Harris & Rachel his
wife whose names are subscribed to the above
and within affidavit and know them to
sustain a good reputation.
for truth and
Verasity - Feb. 5. 1833
. Comes Justice

Page 14

State of New York
Chautauqua County
Clerks Office
⎬
I James B. Lowry Clerk
of said County Do certify that Ezra
Cours before whom the foregoing affidavits
purport to have been sworn & who purports
to have made the foregoing certificate was on
the day of the date of the said affidavits
Certificate a Justice of the Peace in & for said
County And further that I am acquainted with
the hand writing of said Justice & verily believe his
Signatures set to the said affidavits & certificate are his proper hand writing & signatures
 
Witness my hand & seal of Office this 14th day
of January 1833
James Lowry Clerk

Page 15

 In reply to your request of
received
for a statement of the military history of John Johnson
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.  
S. 5646

[chart] 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT./ LENGTH OF SERVICE / RANK. / OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. COLONEL. / STATE

June or July, 1775 / 6 MO / PRI / Jonathan Platt James Holmes / N.Y.

May or June 1776 / 6 mo /  / Nathaniel Delavan Thomas Thomas
 
Battles engaged in, White Plaines

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Bedford, Westchester Co. N.Y.

Date of application for pension, Feb. 13, 1833. His cl was al

Residence at data of application, Sheridan, Chautauqua Co NY

Age at date of application, B. April 18, 1756
Remarks: There is no data relative to family.

Page 16

Schefferli

[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE JAN 5 1917

Page 17

Schefferli

[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE JAN 5 1917

Page 18

Hon. Comm of Pensions, this is
Washington, D.C 
John Johnson N.Y. S5646
Dear Sir:-
Please send me the Pension
Record of John Johnson, Rev.
soldier recorded in Book E
Vol. 4, Pages 22, Pension Office
any fees for same I will remit.
Respectfully
Jan. 3, 1917.
Mabel A. Schifferli
Silver Creek N.Y.

Page 19

1917, Jan. 16, History to
Mabel A. Schifferli
---

Rev War
5646
INVALID.
File No. 5646

John Johnson
Priv. Rev. War
---
Act: June 7th /32
Index: - Vol. M, Page 195
Arrangement of 1870.}