Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5631, for Alexander Johnson, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va
Johnson, Alexander Jane
RR 5631
CONTENTS

August 7: 1852
Mrs. Johnson widow of
Stephen D. 1844
Act 1838 - O.
S. H. L. Malone J. L. G. ...

The State of Ohio } Ross County } S.S.
On this the fifth day of July A.D. 1852, personally appeared before me the undersigned an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, Simon Johnson aged 54 years, and Susannah Minney aged about 60 years, both residents of Twin township Ross County Ohio, who after being duly sworn according to law do on their oaths make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed 4 th July 1836, 7 th July 1838, 5 th March 1843 and 17 th June 1844. So wit, that they are two of the children of Jane and Alexander Johnson deceased, that their aforesaid Father was a Soldier in the Army of the Revolution for the term of six years, that he served as a private and was in the Battle of the Cow Pens, Yorktown and various other battles as they have often heard him say according to the best of their recollections, and so they verily believe; that their aforesaid Father died in the year 1829, then in his 64 year of his age as near as they can ascertain, and left their aforesaid Mother a widow, who remained a widow until her death, which took place on the 31 day of October 1843, at the house of Simon Johnson (one of these declarants) and that their aforesaid Mother left at the time of her death the following persons her only living children, Susannah Minney and Simon Johnson (these declarants) and John Johnson who moved to the west about 20 years ago, and is supposed to be dead. That they verily believe that their aforesaid Father and Mother were married about the year 1786 in the State of

Virginia, (they think Fauquier County) from the tradition of the family and what they have always heard their aforesaid Father & Mother say. That their aforesaid Father and Mother had seven children, the name of the oldest was Sarah, who was born about the year 1787 and is now dead, the name of the second was Catharine who was born about the year 1790 and is now dead, the name of the third is Susannah (one of these claimants) who was born about the year 1792 and is the oldest child now living, and is the widow of Barney Minney dec. the name of the fourth was John, who was born about the year 1795 and is supposed to be dead; the name of the fifth is Simon (one of these declarants) who was born on the 23 rd day of March 1798; the names of the two youngest were Thornton & Delphena, who are both dead. That the family Bible, in which was kept the record of the marriages, births and deaths of their aforesaid Father's family was accidentally lost several years ago, that before said family Bible was lost they often saw the record of the marriage of their aforesaid Father & Mother, and the date of the births of their aforesaid children. That after the close of the war of the Revolution, their aforesaid Father & Mother moved to the State of North Carolina where they lived about 3 years, and then moved to the State of Kentucky where they lived about 9 years, when they moved to this County where they lived to the time of their respective deaths. And they further state that their aforesaid Mother (the said Jane Johnson) in her lifetime made an application to the Hon. Commissioner for a Pension to which application and the proofs therewith sent the Hon. Commissioner is respectfully referred for a more perfect detail of service &c. And they most respectfully

Know all men by these presents, That we Simon Johnson and Susannah Minney children and heirs at Law of Jane Johnson deceased the widow of Alexander Johnson deceased
who was a Soldier in the Army of the Revolution, do hereby constitute and appoint
our true and lawful Attorney for us and in our name to prosecute against the Government of the United States, before any Department thereof, any and all claim or claims we may have to arrears of pay or Pension money, under any Act or Acts, Resolution or Resolutions, of the Congress of the United States, and especially the Acts 4th July 1836, 7th July 1838, 3rd March 1843, 17th June 1844, 2nd February 1848, and 29th July 1848—as well as the more ancient Acts of 18th March 1818, 15th May 1828, and 7th June 1832.
Said Attorney is moreover authorised in our names to demand at any Department of the said Government, a re-consideration of any decision hitherto or hereafter to be given, touching our interests, and to obtain from any Department or the archives thereof, any and all information or evidence of whatever character relating to or in anywise bearing upon the claim or claims we hereby seek the investigation of.
Said Attorney is moreover authorised to do any and all things necessary to carry out the foregoing purposes, and to receive the Certificates of Pension or other character of drafts or evidences of the amounts due us and to appoint one or more Sub-Attorneys, and to confer upon him or them all the powers therein conferred upon himself hereby ratifying and confirming all that our said Attorney may do by virtue of these presents.
WITNESS our hands and seals this 3 rd day of July 1852.
Simon Johnson Susannah Minney mark Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of us Robert I. Robertson H. Matthews
State of Ohio Ross County, sec.
BE IT KNOWN, that on the 8 th day of July 1852, before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Simon Johnson and Susannah Minney — — — — — subscribers to the foregoing Power of Attorney, and acknowledging the signing, sealing and delivering the same to be their own voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes therein set forth.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I do hereunto subscribe my name,
Robert I. Robertson J. P.

The State of Ohio Ross County } S.S.
On this the 5 th th day of July A.D. 1852 before me the undersigned an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the Co- -unty and State aforesaid personally appe- -ared Thomas Flora aged about 64 years and David H. Cochrane aged about 65 years both residents of Twin Township Ross County Ohio who after being duly sworn according to law do on their oaths say that they be- -came acquainted with Alexander Johnson and Jane Johnson his wife and their family about 35 years ago in Twin Township Ross County Ohio where they the said Jane and Alexander Johnson lived until the time of their respective deaths which took place the said Alexander Johnson about 20 or 21 years ago and the said Jane Johnson on or about the 31 st day of October 1843. And that from the reputation they always bore and from the number and age of their children they further state that they verily believe the aforesaid Jane and Alexander Johnson were legally married that they think said marriage must have taken place as early as the year 1786 or thereabouts. That they never heard the marriage of the said Jane & Alexander doubted or called in question that they always lived together as man and wife from the time deponents first knew them until their deaths. That they the aforesaid Jane & Alexander Johnson raised a family of seven

Children to wit. Sarah, Catherine, Susannah (now Susannah Minney), John, Simon, Thor- nton and Delphina. That Catherine, Thornton and Delphina they know to be dead. That Sus- annah Minney (who has this day made a dec- laration together with her brother Simon in order to draw the Pension due her mother at the time of her death,) is the third child and deponents believe she is at least 60 years of age, and that Simon is the fifth child and they think he is at least 54 years of age. and that the ages of the other children are about the ages stated the said declaration of the said Susannah Minney and Simon Johnson this day ma- de - And they further state that they are disinterested!
U. H. Cochrane Thomas his  mark of Flora
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year aforesaid Robert J. Robertson J.P.
I the just subscribed Magistrate do certify that the above Affiants are personally known to me and that they are persons of truth and respect- -ability in whose statements the fullest faith and credit should be placed. In testimony whereof I have herunto subscribed my name on this the 5 th day of July 1852 Robert J. Robertson

The State of Ohio } ss Ross County }
It has satisfactorily appeared by testimony, to me an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, that Jane Johnson who was the widow of Alexander Johnson who was a soldier in the Revolution, died on the 31 st day of October 1843, and that Simon Johnson and Susannah Minney are two of the children of the said Jane and Alexander Johnson, and the only children known to be living.
Given under my hand and seal on this the 3 rd day of July 1852
Robert J. Polesbottom J.P.

ask the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions that their aforesaid claim or claims may be allowed under the aforesaid Acts, and that the certificates evide- ncing the same may be enclosed to our Attorney
Simon John Son Susannah Hornsey
Sworn to and subscribed before me, on the day and year aforesaid Robert J. Robertson J.P.
I the just subscribed Magistrate do certify that the above Declarants are personally known to me and that they are persons of truth and respect- -ability, in whose statements the fullest faith and credit should be placed. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name on this the 3 rd day of July 1852
Robert J. Robertson
The State of Ohio } Ross County ss }
I Angus L Fullerton Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County aforesaid do certify that Robert J. Robertson Esq. before whom the foregoing Declaration was made power of attorney acknowledged and affidavit taken was at the time and now is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid duly Commissioned & sworn and that his signature thereto are genuine -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said Court this 6 th day of July A.D. 1852. Angus L Fullerton Clerk

4010 Jane Johnson Ohio.
and last
Oct 24 Oct 4 July 1836
Ohio
(Pension claim)
Hon: J. B. Poinsett Secretary of War Washington City
F
on roll

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, of the 7 th July, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."
State of Ohio
Ross County ss. On this fifteenth day of October 1838. personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the court of Common Pleas, now sitting, in and for said County, Jane Johnson a resident of Twin Township in said County of Ross, aged 81 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 July 7 th 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows." That she is the Widow of Alexander Johnson, who was a private soldier in the Army of the Revolution, that he enlisted in the regular service, at Fauquier County in the state of Virginia, under Capt. Shelton for three years , that having served out that term he returned home, when she was married to the said Alexander Johnson in Fauquier County, Virginia, on or about the 21 st day of Jan'y 1779, after which, he again enlisted at Fauquier County, Virginia, under Capt. Triplett and served out the term for which he had enlisted, and received his discharge from his officer at Salisbury, South Carolina, a few days after the battle at the Cow Pens, that she cannot recollect the term of time he served in his last tour, and has no documentary evidence of any service performed by her late husband in the army of the revolution, but expects his name and services is of Record, in the War Office; That he never drew any land or Pension in his life time, and she has not drawn any since his death, on account of his services, That the said Alexander Johnson, died in Ross County Ohio, on the 4 th day of July 1819. That she has not been married since his death, that she has no evidence of her marriage with the said Alexander Johnson, except the Deposition of Hannah Johnson, hereto annexed, who was personally present at her wedding, and that her marriage took place previous to the year seventeen hundred and ninety four: viz at the time above stated. Sworn to and subscribed on the day { her and year above written, before Jane X Johnson Humphrey Fullerton Clerk R. C. P. mark

State of Ohio
Ross County ss. On this fifteenth day of October , 1838. personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, now sitting, in and for said County, Hannah Johnson a resident of Union Township, in said County of Ross, who being first duly sworn, according to law, deposeth and saith, that she has been personally acquainted with Jane Johnson who made the foregoing declaration, for many years, and while her name was Jane Miller, before her marriage with Alexander Johnson, and up till the present time, and was also acquainted with her late husband, Alexander Johnson, from the time of his marriage with Jane Miller (now Jane Johnson) up till his death, which took place about the month of September 1819, in the County of Ross and State of Ohio, That she was personally present at the wedding when the said Alexander Johnson, and Jane Miller, now Jane Johnson were married, which took place, in Fauquier County, State of Virginia about the month of January 1779, and after he had performed his first tour of service in the Revolutionary war, That she is the identical Jane Johnson who has made the foregoing declaration, and is the widow of Alexander Johnson dec d , and has never been married since his death, and is a person of truth.
Sworn to & subscribed on the day her and year above written, before Hannah X Johnson Humphrey Fullerton Clerk R. C. P. mark
Ross Common Pleas October Term 1838
In the matter of Jane Johnson for a pension the Court are of opinion after hearing the Testimony that the above named applicant is the widow of Alexander Johnson a revolutionary soldier and that Hannah Johnson who signed the preceding affidavit is a credible person and that her statements are entitled to credit.
The State of Ohio
Ross County ss. I Humphrey Fullerton Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the proceedings had on the above application for pension at the October term A.D. 1838 of said Court.
Given under my hand & seal of Office this 18 th day of Oct. A.D. 1838 Humphrey Fullerton Clerk

Chillicothe Oct r 18 th 1938
Hon: J. R. Paine, Sec y of War.
Sir, I am requested by Mrs Jane Johnson who has made the within application for a pension, to forward her papers to you, and also to request that any communication to her, from you, be made thro me -
Hoping her papers will be satisfactory to you
I subscribe myself yours etc serv t
Peter Patterson

Acts of July 14, 1860, and March 3, 1875
5631.
P. O.
Jane Johnson
Service: Alex. T. n
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

✓ No 14,744 Jane Johnson dec widow of Alex? Ohio
* J. J. Coombs, Octo 15 1852 M c offin V s 25 78.56-
Dec 19 Feb 1839 Non W. R. Bond.
5631 Act July 7 1838
Jane Johnson of Alexander Ohio, suspended act of 1836

This is to Certify, That it appears from a List in this Office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia State Line as settled their Accounts and received Certificates for the balance of their full pay, according to An Act of Assembly, passed the November Session 1781, directing the Auditors of Public Accounts to settle and adjust the pay and accounts of the said Officers and Soldiers from the 1st January 1777 to 31st December 1781, (See Hening's Statutes at Large, Vol. 10, p. 462,) that a settlement was made on the 27 th day of April 1784 in the name of Alex n Johnson as Vol. Inf _____ and evidence of the indebtedness of the State to him for £ 80,134 — delivered to M c Watson but as the original settlements or copies thereof are not to be found in this Office, the term of service embraced therein cannot be stated
Given under my hand, at the First Auditor's Office, Richmond, this 18 th day of March 1856
{ NO SEAL OF OFFICE. }
G. W. Chittenden Aud r P. Accts.

Washington Sept. 10 th 1856.
Sir.
In the case of Jane Johnson widow of Alexander, of Ohio, Revolutionary Pension case under the Act of July 7. 1838 - a suspended case - Therewith transmit the following documents.
Certificate of G. W. Clutter Esq. Auditor of Virginia proving that he was paid £86, 13. 4.
Certificate of William H. Jennings Esq. Clerk of Fauquier County Va. proving that there are no Records, - and even no Marriage bonds of the year 1779 - and that he has diligently examined the Records & files generally.
Letter of Wm H Jennings Esq (Clerk &c.) proving that he has searched several years after the commencement of his Records in 1785 - and that he knows of no one who has any evidences of Marriage or Clergyman's Certificate (or Records) in his County.
Having thus proved that there are no County Records or Clergyman's Records, having requested him specially to enquire for the latter, and he having been long in a public position would be very likely to know if there were any, -

it gives claimants the the right to produce parol testimony — Mrs Johnson having sworn in her Declaration that "She has no evidence of her marriage with the said Alexander Johnson except the deposition of Hannah Johnson hereto annexed" — and whom she also solemnly swears was personally present at her wedding."
Mrs Hannah Johnson, who is now dead, swears "She was personally present at the wedding when the said Alexander Johnson and Jane Miller now Jane Johnson were married which took place in Fauquier County, State of Virginia about the month of January 1779, and after he had performed his first tour of service in the Revolu- tionary War." She thus states a fact by which she remembers and which was very likely to make a very deep impression on her mind, as she was personally acquainted with Jane Johnson "for many years and while her name was Jane Miller, before her marriage" — thus stating she was personally acquainted with her many years while her name was Jane Miller — and thus the fact of the Marriage of her personal friend to a young Hero, who in defiance of the terrors of being Bare- footed Ragged and Starving, tor Shot or Mangled by a numerous and well furnished Enemy, had Chivalrically served and just completed his tour of defending her and others from a reckless and brutal foe.

The Court also Officially Certifies as follows. In the matter of Jane Johnson "the Court are of Opinion after hearing the Testimony that the above named applicant is the widow of Alexander Johnson a Revolutionary soldier — and that Hannah Johnson who signed the preceding affidavit is a credible person and that her Statements are entitled to credit . The Act approved May 7. 1846 requires "Nor shall any "evidence in any case be required to entitle the widow "to a pension" other than such proof as would be "sufficient to establish the marriage between the applicant "and the deceased pensioner in civil personal action in a Court "of Justice." The fact that the Court abovenmentioned has after stating that she is a credible person" — has also  padding and Normally, Officially and Solemnly Decided that her evidence is entitled to credit, is is not only such proof as "would be" but such proof as actually has been Decided to be sufficient.
I therefore earnestly and respectfully solicit that the case may be allowed.
I am
Very Respectfully
Your Obedt Servt
Isaac N. Coffin
Honble Josiah Minot Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

State of Virginia - Fauquier County, to wit: I, William H. Jennings, Clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby Certify that I have diligently examined the records of my office for the evidence of the marriage of Alexander Johnson with Jane Miller said to have taken place on the 21st. day of July 1779- and that I have been unable to find such evidence - indeed, I have not been able even to find the marriage bonds of that year - Records of marriages about that period seem to have been imperfectly kept or have been carelessly misplaced. Certified under my hand and the seal of the said Court this 18th day of April 1856.
Wm. H. Jennings C. C.
Isaac N. Coffin esq. Dear Sir,
Above you have the the high certificates relating to Alexander Johnson's marriage, as the records of my office will enable me to give - I hope it will enable you to make out her case with such parole evidence as you may be able to get.
My fee for this certificate is 50 cts. which you can send me in post. Stamps - I shall make no charge on my books for it unless you send the stamps I shall go unpaid.
Yrs respectfully
Wm H Jennings Warrenton 18 th ap r . 1856.
The stamps were sent instantly on reception of above I.N.C.

Warrenton Va
April 25 th 1856
Isaac N. Coffin Esq.
Dear Sir,
The records of the evidences of Marriage, on file in my Office commence in the year 1785 - I have searched from that time several years after, but have been unable to find any evidence of the Marriage of the parties mentioned in your letter. I would willingly furnish you with a certificate of such evidence if it were in my power to do so. - I know of no one who has any evidences of Marriage or Clergyman's Certificates in my County -
Yours Respectfully
Wm H Jennings

Jane Johnson. Wed of Alexander do
Suspended p - 352
To see papers
L. B. True
p 352 Lease and the in influence
Marriage

[POWER OF ATTORNEY.]
Know all men by these presents, That we Simon Johnson and Susannah Minney , of the County of Drop , and State of Ohio , for and in consideration of
do hereby make, constitute, and appoint, L. BLANCHARD TRUE, of Washington City, D. C., our true and lawful Attorney, for us and in our name, to examine all papers filed in any Department or Office of Government, upon which a Pension was granted to on account of the services of Alexander Johnson and to obtain, by all lawful means, any and all additional amounts that may be due from the United States to said Alexander Johnson , by virtue of said services, as in the Company of Capt. James M. [illegible] in the Regiment of the [illegible] and in the [illegible] line of the forces of [illegible]
And for good and sufficient reasons we do hereby REVOKE and CANCEL any and all other Powers of Attorney and authority which we may at any former time have given to any person or persons for the above specified purposes; and we do hereby vest the same irrevocably in said Attorney herein appointed, said L. Blanchard True.
In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hand and seal this seventeenth day of June , in the year A. D. 1854.
In presence of Robert J. Robertson
Simon Johnson
Susannah Minney 
STATE OF Ohio } ss. COUNTY OF Drop
On this seventeenth day of June in the year A. D. 1854, personally appeared before me Robert J. Robertson a Notary Public in & for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths and take acknowledgments in and for the county aforesaid Simon Johnson & Susannah Minney subscriber to the above, and
acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be their free act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned; and made oath, in due form of law, that they are personally interested as claimants in said Ohio
And I further certify that they are personally known to me to be the identical persons represented.
Robert J. Robertson Notary Public