Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R., for Elijah Johnson, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Johnson Elijah
R
CONTENTS

Lyons, N.Y. July 17
3 3/4
Col. Aaron Ogden
Washington City Revolutionary Claims
to the petition
Edgar Johnson Declaration

Elijah Johnson Declaration
Presented on the 30 July -
Col. Aaron Ogden Washington City Revolutionary War Library
34

To the Hon. the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States
For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of an act entitled "an act for the relief of certain surviving officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution" approved on the 15 th of May 1828. I Elijah Johnson of Sodus in the County of Wayne in the State of New-York , do hereby declare that I was a Soldier in the Continental line of the Army of the Revolution and served as such, to the time when the arrange- ment of the Army provided by resolves of Congress of the 3 rd and 21 st of October 1780 was carried into effect, and that was deduced under that * arrangement , at which period I was a Ser- geant in the Eleventh Massachusetts Regiment of said line — Witness my hand this 12 th day of July in the year 1828. — Elijah Johnson
* note I do not know whether I was deduced under that arrangement or not — But I know I received no pay at any time for my services in the Army. — Elijah Johnson
I Thomas Sudson of Sodus in the County of Wayne and State of New-York do solemnly swear in presence of Almighty God that the above Applicant Elijah Johnson according to my belief is generally reputed and believed to be a Soldier of the Revolution . — Thomas Sudson
Sworn & Subscribed this fifteenth day of July 1828 Before me. William gr. comm. justice of the peace.

Amasa Johnson of Sohus in the County of Wayne, and State of New York do Solemnly swear in presence of Almighty God that the above applicant Elijah Johnson, according to my belief, is generally reputed and believed to be a Soldier of the revolution.
Sworn & Subscribed this fifteenth day of July in the Year 1828 Before me Byram Green Justice of the peace
Amasa Johnson
State of New York Wayne County
John Bartol Jr. Clerk of the Court of the County of Wayne in the State of New York do Certify that Byram Green before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn was at the time a Justice of the peace and duly empowered to administer oaths
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and af- fixed the seal of said Court this 10th day of July 1828
Elijah Johnson
Please direct East Ridge Post Office Wayne County, New York

The Hon. the Secretary of Treasury of the United States
D. Sir, permit me, as an old revolutionary soldier to make a few state- ments to which I would respectfully call your attention: viz: 1 st I never received any wages while in the revolutionary army (excepting the Bounty when I enlisted) — I knew my Country was then poor and in debt, and being in the prime of life, I did not wish to burthen her. —
2 d In 1818 I applied for a pension — entrusted the management to William Moulton Jun r But never received a cent from that time this — to him I gave my discharge and no warrant as Sergeant, in the revolutionary army — whether they were sent by him to the Secretary's office I know not — I have not seen Moulton since that year — I should now to know whether my papers are at the office otherwise I can prove all these, if necessary
3 d whether my wife who was then a young woman would be a proper witness? — If any more testimo- ny is necessary I wish to know without delay for now I am old and poor, myself and wife to support by the labour of my hands — her health and mine quite infirm — I respectfully pray you to attend to my necessities, for the opportunity to relieve the revolutionary soldier will be but of short duration.
Your Most obed t Serv t Elijah Johnson Ladus Wayne County 13 th July 1828

Elyah Johnson - Sergh - Nass. line
New York
Not specified dated 1827
proof of claim - When 1818 claims were rejected the business returned -

Revolutionary Claims Hon Rich d Rush Secretary of the Treasury of the U.S. Washington
Lyons N.Y. Jan 28

Elijah Johnson 711. Recd 4 Feb 1829.

Revolutionary Claims
To the Hon. Richard Rush, Secretary of the Treasury of the United States.
Sodus Wayne Co. N.Y. — Dr. Sir. Yours of the 6 th Dec. 1828. is received, stating that my "Claim has been examined" and from the report of the 3 d Auditor that I was entered on the muster rolls, as having enlisted on the 9 th July 1780, for Six Months: and that if I did not afterwards re-enlist, I am not entitled to the benefits of the Act of the 15 th May 1828. Because it provides for those only, who enlisted for and during the war, and continued in service until its termination." — It appears from this communication, that I was mistaken as to the meaning of the Law; and the reason of this mistake was owing to the form which Col. Ogden gave for the Affidavit, which said, something like this viz: "and continued in the service until its termination (or as the case may be)" &c. — Instead of the 9 th July 1780 I enlisted some time in June — March'd to the Brigade on the 5 th July — rec d a Bounty of $1000 — gave $500 of the same for a hat worth $5.00 — $60. for a pair of Sleeve Buttons &c &c — I never rec d any monthly pay during the various terms, in which I served, — I had to bear my own expenses while contending for the Liberties and independence of my Country. Had it not been for that war, filling our Land with alarms; and the voice of my bleeding Country crying for help, I might then, in my Youthful days, full of ambition and vigor, have laid the foundation for Competence in old age: But the love of Country was paramount to all other, with thousands as well as myself — What is the duty of Posterity? (excuse the freedom of an old man, worn down with the fatigues and distresses of the days which "tried mens Souls") is it not to Cherish gratitude and Compassion for the poor needy Soldiers,

a needy Soldier! such a one I am. — My affairs are deranged, — My health entirely gone, — my wife my Companion for 46. years, has left this world, poor and destitute, and distressed with swellings and racking pains, I cannot long remain. does not the Government wish to pay its honest debts? I trust it does. But the acts of Congress do not, it seems, apply to my case: I did not serve until the termination of the War. — I did not serve in the regular line of the Continental Army, for nine months at any one time; But six months at one time, and four months at another. and four months under militia officers: and alarms at various times: — Now Sir, if no law applies to my particular case, would it not be patriotic, the influential at Washington, to use their ut to have a law passed, that shall be broad and generous, in a sufficient degree to include within its benevolent arms the poor suffering revolutionary Soldier? Be pleased, excellent Sir, to have the papers, which I sent to the treasury department preserved, for the present, — If I should live, they might, possibly be of use — Col Ogden has a power of attorney from me to transact my business with your department — My discharge was sent on to Washington several years ago and never heard from — Hope dear Sir you will consider my case, and if from any existing law I may have relief that it may be speedily administered.

Excellent Sir, be pleased to be so kind as to send an answer to this, as soon as possibly convenient, that I may know whether any existing law will embrace my case — An affidavit respecting my Discharge is enclosed — I am 22 d Jan y 1828 Very respectfully Your obdt Servt. Elijah Johnson
Direct, Elijah Johnson East Ridge Wayne Co. N.Y.

Revolutionary Claims.
Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
6 September 1828.
The annexed paper, relating to the claim of Elijah Johnson under the abovementioned act, is respectfully referred to the Secretary of War, with a request that he will be pleased to cause me to be informed whether a discharge, and, if so, what discharge, was received at the War Department, from the claimant, on an application stated to have been heretofore made by him for a pension, or what other evidence of his service has been exhibited to that department.
Richard Rush.
The Hon. the SECRETARY OF WAR.
Letter from the War Department 9 September 1828.

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Augt. 15. 1828
Elijah Johnson , of Sodus , in the County of Wayne , in the State of New York has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a Sergeant in captain has not 's company, in the 11th regiment of the Massachusetts line; and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing .
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary, A. Dickinson
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
23 d August 1828
It appears by the records in this office that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to Elijah Johnson in the Massachusetts line.
It further appears that Elijah Johnson is now on the pension list of the agency, and has been so since the 3 d March 1826 at the rate of  dollars per month
It appears from the Muster Rolls of the Massachusetts line that Elijah Johnson enlisted as a Sergeant in the 11 th Regiment of said line on the 9 th July 1780 for only six months -
John Hagner Aud

711
Elijah Johnson presented to a. G. & St. L. Museum.
Presented 2 Sep 1828

Revolutionary Claims.
[C.]
Form of a Power of Attorney.
Know all men by these presents, that I, Elijah Johnson of the town of Adams in the county of Hayne in the State of New York do hereby constitute and appoint Deacon  Amasa Johnson my true and lawful attorney, with a power of substitution, for me, and in my name, to receive from the United States the amount of pay now due to me, under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828, as a sergeant in the eleventh regiment of the Massachusetts line of the army of the Revolution.
Witness my hand and seal, this 21st day of August in the year
Sealed and delivered in the presence of
Amasa Johnson  Elijah Johnson
Before me, Byram Green a Justice of the Peace in the county of Wayne in the State of New York personally appeared, this day, Elijah Johnson whose name is subscribed to the foregoing power of attorney, and acknowledged the same to be his act and deed, and also declared that the same was not given by reason of any transfer, or of any attachment, levy, or seizure, by any legal process whatever, of the pay therein authorized to be received, but that the said pay is intended to enure wholly to his personal benefit.
Witness my hand, this Twenty first day of August in the year
I, John Barber Junr a Clerk of the Court of the county of Wayne in the State of New York do hereby certify that Byram Green before whom the foregoing power of attorney was acknowledged, is a Justice of the Peace.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the [L. s.] said Court, this 21st day of August in the year of our Lord 1828. John Barber Junr
[D.]
Form of Affidavit to be taken by Attorneys.
Before me, Abd. Fowler a Justice of the Peace in the county of Washington in the District of Columbia personally appeared this day, Mr. R. Rouse one of the attorneys named in the foregoing power of attorney, and made oath that the same was not given to him by reason of any transfer, or of any attachment, levy or seizure, by any legal process whatever, of the pay therein authorized to be received, but that the said pay is intended to enure wholly to the personal benefit of the person by whom the said power was executed.
Witness my hand, this 21st day of September in the year 1828
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of the County of _____ in the State of _____ do hereby certify, that before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, was, at the time, a Justice of the Peace, and duly empowered to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the [L. s.] said Court, this _____ day of _____

Wayne County } ss. State of New York } ss. N.Y.
William Moulton of Said County after being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith, that in the month of June in the Year Eighteen hundred and Eighteen, he was called upon by Elyah Johnson the present applicant for, to prepare, and did prepare the declaration, and requisite affidavits under the act of 18 th of March of the same Year, in order to obtain the benefits of a pension under said act, which together with said Johnson's Discharge from the Army of the Revolution , were forwarded to Waterloo, in Seneca County, in said State, for the purpose of obtaining the Clerks' Certificate under the seal of the Court: That John Sayer Esquire before whom the business was transacted, was at that time an acting Judge legally authorized to administer oaths in said County, which document was certified under the seal aforesaid and mailed for the War Department at Washington: Being employed as agent for said Elyah Johnson, as aforesaid, this deponent never has heard of the fate of said Document, since mailed for the War Department as aforesaid, and this deponent further saith, that he verily believes from the affidavits made, and

Communicated to this deponent, that the said Elijah Johnson did serve as a Soldier on the part of American Liberty, the greater part of the revolutionary War: and for more than nine months in the regular line of the Army: But not the full term of nine months, in said line, at any one term. and further this deponent saith not.
William Moreton
Sworn and subscribed
this 12 th day of January
1829, at Sodus Wayne Co. N.Y.
Before me Israel Huns S. P.
State of New York
County of Wayne ss }
I do certify that Israel Huns whose signature appears to the certificate of the annexed certificate was at the date of the said certificate a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly elected and sworn.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this 21 st day of January
1829.
John Barber Jr Clerk County.
Israel Huns S. P.

I hereby certify that Major W m Moulton the above deponent (a revolutionary officer) has been a Judge of the Court in Seneca County, and is now a Commissioner to perform the duties of a Judge at Chambers in this County and that he is a man of veracity and a good Evidence, or Witness.
General Hems S. P.

State of New-York.
Payne County, Okla.
Please direct to the War Department left at Norfolk at my request this last request Lydi Johnson
I have been thinking about you and your kindly words. I hope to see you again soon. I am, as ever, Your sincere friend, John G. Whipple
Dear Captain Mc
William Norton alone is still busily engaged in the work of the day & night, his hands are constantly busy with the pen & pencil, and he is still engaged in the work of the day & night, his hands are constantly busy with the pen & pencil, and he is still
A. J. Pierce said the pond is 6 feet deep. Wanned by Mr. [unclear]

State of New York
County of Wayne ss. I John Barber & Clerk of of the said county, do certify that William Moulton was at the time of taking the within affidavit a Commissioner of Plead- ing in and for said county duly authorized by law to administer oaths: and further that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Commissioner and verily believe the signature to the Jurat of the same to be his proper hand writing. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this fourth day of September 1830
John Barber Jr. Clerk