Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 21497, for Jotham Johnson, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
Johnson, Jotham Eunice
W 21497
CONTENTS

Massachusetts 708
Eunice Johnson widow of Jonathan Johnson dec.
who died on the 16 June 1824 of Middlesex in the State of Mass. a who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Tidd of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Mass. a line for 6 months
{ Payments to be made to James Read Guardian of the Reasoner who is Non Compos mentis }
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. a at the rate of 20 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 th day of April 1837 and sent Myman Richardson Woburn Mass. a
Arrears to the 4th of March 1837 $120.50 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. " 10.00
$130.50
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d }
Recorded by N.H. Adron Clerk. Book 1 Vol. 1 Page 54

Calvin Saunders
955. 3. 14.
Eunice Johnson widow of Jotham.
Ruth Johnson
widow of Jotham Johnson Mass.
Allan 6 mo. 8/20
per Am. re Reduc- tor. cert. to open in the name of J. Reed Guardian
See the papers of J. Reed Mass Nov. 15. 887
Myrna Richardson Westport Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex County ss.
On the sixth day of December A.D. 1836, personally appeared before me Saml. P. Pay judge of the Court of Probate, in & for said County, James Reed a resident in Burlington in said County who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following statements & declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by an act of Congress, passed July fourth, A.D. 1836, relating to Ennie Johnson of said Burlington widow of Natham Johnson late of said Burlington; & for her sole use & benefit. That said Natham was born in Walburn - now said Burlington - & died on the sixteenth day of June A.D. 1827, aged, seventy four years, nearly That said Natham was a New England soldier, according to the said Reed's belief, as stated in the affidavits hereto annexed. That said Ennie Johnson's maiden name was Ennie Reed. & That she was married to said Natham as stated in the affidavit of Calvin Simon annexed, - & That she is now living in his - the said Reed's family, & is about eighty two years of age & has remained a widow ever since the said Natham's decease.
James Reed Guardian to Ennie Johnson Subscribed & sworn to by said Reed before me S. P. Pay Judge
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. I Isaac Riske Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth aforesaid, hereby certify that Samuel P. Pay Esq. the judge of said Court duly commissioned & qualified & that the above signature is his genuine signature; - I also certify that William Richardson Esq. whose own proper signature is written on the certificate to the deposition of Ebenezer Johnson, Jonathan Field, & Calvin Simonds hereto annexed, is a justice of the Peace within & for said County of Middlesex duly commissioned & qualified. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & offered the seal of said Court this second day of January in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred & thirty seven. Isaac Riske Esq.

Ernie Johnson by J. B. [?]
See also -
Other papers to be found

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Middletown ss. I Isaac Nesbitt Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middletown, hereby certify that at a Court of Probate held at Lowell in and for the County of Middletown on the tenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six James Need of Burlington in the County of Middletown man, was duly appointed Guardian of Emma Johnson of the same Burlington, a non compos mentis person, & gave Bond for the due performance of said trust, which appointment remains in full force & virtue; In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this third day of January A D 1837 — Isaac Nesbitt Register

I Ellridge Johnson of Burlington, County of Middlesex, Massachusetts, aged thirty six years, certify, that Nathan Johnson of that town, was my father. That I have many times conversed with him, respecting the Revolutionary war, & the events, which he was knowing to, & he always informed me, that he was several times, in the service, - That he was at Lexington & Concord fight, & followed them to Cambridge & remained there, about some days, he be- ing not less than a fortnight, or more, till the troops were organized, - That my father, on the general recess, at the time of Bunker Hill battle, went over to Charlestown & remained there, for some time, as he do not know many days, but believes, he told him, it was not less than fifteen days, - He also informed me that he afterwards, enlisted & went to the northward & was at Ticonderoga & other places, several months. My father died in 1827, & my mother is still living. I has never been married since my father's decease - Her maiden name, was Eunice Reed, of Lexington, Abriye Johnson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Middlesex County ss.
December 7 th 1836. Then personally appeared the above named Eldridge Johnson, I made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed. & he is a credible witness. & entitled to credit therein. Before me. Sylvan Richardson } Justice of the Peace

Ellen M. Johnson. Sep a v v

I Jonathan Kidd of Walum - County of Middlesex - Massachusetts, seventy nine years of age, certify that I then well acquainted with Jonathan Johnson, late of Burlington (formerly Walum) in said County, That I was in Capt Samuel Gays Company, of Walum - in 1776, in Col. Nreel's Regiment, & marched to the northward & was at Ticonderoga; & said Johnson, was in the same Company at the same time, & served six six months, on that engagement, & returned about the time I did. & I believe he was in the Revolutionary war war, another term afterwards - but not with me, your child
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
December 14. 1836.
Middlesex County ss. Then personally appeared the above named Jonathan Kidd & made oath to the truth of the foregoing Affidavit to him signed. & he is a credible witness & his testimony entitled to confidence.
Before Me, William Richardson Justice of the Peace

Jan e Vidal for William Johnson

I Calvin Simonds of Burlington - County of Middlesex Massachusetts, aged eighty four years of age testify, that I was well acquainted with Jonathan Johnson, late of said Burlington, who died several years since. He was born in said town, which for was formerly a part of Waltham, & was a year or two younger than myself. He was married to Eunice Threlk in the year seventeen hundred & seventy five, a few months before Concord fought in that year, but the month or day I cannot remember. I attended his wedding & they were married by her Grand -father, William Reed Esquire, of Lexington. The said Johnson engaged & went into the Revolutionary war, a year or two after he was married, & marched to the west mead & Northmead, but the exact time he went or how long he was in the service I cannot remember, nor what Captain he served under or Regiment he belonged to. I was not in the war, - but lived a neighbor to said Johnson. The said Eunice Johnson, widow of said Jonathan is now living in my neighborhood, I has never been married since her said Jonathan died. -
Calvin Simonds
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex County ss. December 19 th 1836. Then personally appeared the above named Calvin Simonds, I made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed, & he is a credible witness to his testimony submitted to Confirmed - Before Me William Richardson } Clerk of the Court

Eunice Johnson a non member,
copies —

To the Honorable J. P. Fay Judge of the Court of Probate in and for the county of Middlesex.
James Reed of Burlington in said county, Gentlemen
RESPECTFULLY represent, that his mother in law Mrs Eunice Johnson of said Burlington and wife of Jonathan Johnson late of said Burlington, by reason of old age, has lost her memory & mind in said county of Middlesex, is a person and incapable of taking care of herself & property; he therefore request that a guardian may be appointed to the said Eunice Johnson agreeably to the law in such case made and provided.
Dated at Burlington aforesaid the twenty second day of October A.D. 1836 James Reed
MIDDLESEX ss. November 3 A. D. 1836. Upon the foregoing representation, it is ordered that the said Eunice Johnson be cited to appear at a Court of Probate to be holden at Lowell in and for said county, on the first Tuesday of December next, then and there to show cause, if any she have, why a guardian should not be appointed to her.
J. P. Fay J. Prob.
Middlesex, ss. At a Court of Probate holden at Lowell in and for said county, on the sixth day of December A. D. 1836
And now, the said Eunice Johnson having been cited according to law to appear at this Court to show cause why a guardian should not be appointed to her, does not appear nor object thereto;
[Handwritten flourish]
Whereupon, the matters in evidence, being fully considered, it appears to me the Judge of said Court, that the said Eunice Johnson is a person person and incapable person and incapable of taking care of herself; it is therefore decreed that a guardian be appointed to the said Eunice Johnson And it is further decreed that James Reed of Burlington in said county, Gentlemen be accordingly appointed guardian to the said Eunice Johnson , giving bond according to law for the due performance of said trust.
J. P. Fay J. Prob.
Chas. Ladd Esq. Reg. of Prob.

Reg WIDOW, &c.
File No. 21497 Emmree Johnson widow of Gotham Johnson Dr. Rev. Mar.
Act July 4 th 36 Index : Vol 14 , Page 382
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Inst o Ad p . Ans o Wyma Richardson Jan y 18 th '37
//

J. Elias Hurney Clerk of the County Commissioners for the County of Middlesex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having the keeping of the files and records of the Court of Sessions formerly held in said County, do certify, that it appears from the record of Marriages kept by the Clerk of said Court of Sessions, that Jotham Johnson and Eunice Read both of Woburn were married Feb. 23, 1775
Middlesex, County Commissioners
Clerks office Feb. 20, 1837
Attest E. Hurney

FREE
Secretary of the War Department. Washington City Colo. Dist.
R. 272 9 January 1837 Pension Office Map Reg. H. H. 346 336
3

R. 272
9 January 1837
Pension Office.
Map Regt.
4 July 36
3 Sec
Genl. Secy
Washington City
Secretary of the War Department
FREE

Wahum (Miss a ) Jan y . 3. 1837.
Sir I enclose an application for a pension for Widow Emma Johnson, by her Guardian, James Reed. — Gotham Johnson - late husband of said Emma is supposed to have been in the Revolutionary War one or more terms, besides, there proved by the Department but her friends have not now any further proof - If he was in the War at other periods - his name may be found in the Rolls of Capt s Yorktown Walker - John Wood - Benj m Edgell - Jesse Wyman, - or Jonas Richardson - all of whom, belonged to said Wahum, or perhaps some other Captain's in that vicinity, - If said Gotham Johnson cannot be found, in the Rolls of these Companies - A certificate for the time passed, will be acceptable. — All returns, may be addressed to me at said Wahum. —
Respectfully, Your obed Serv t Wymen Richardson
Secretary of the War. Department Washington City

William Mass ts . Feb'y 23. 1887.
J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions
Sir. Yours of the 10 th inst. last, acknowledging the rec d of Emma Johnson's for claim for a pension by James Thud - her Guardian, is rec d , & replies the Record of said Thud's appointment, & a Certificate of said Thud's marriage from the Clerk of the Canal & Marinas, since the Revolution & before, were re-corded, or returned to the Clerk of the then Court of Sessions, in each County.
But one term of service is disclosed in the present. Heretofore the testimony of one witness, knowing the fact, has been deemed sufficient for the term specified in the Deposition. Traditional evidence of two short periods of service was forwarded & supposed to be sufficient & a reference to the shells of two, or three Military Captains, in this vicinity were referred to, where it was expected that Emma Johnson's name might be found & presumed the shells would be examined - But you say such examination cannot be made until a claim for service under one or more of them is regularly presented by former, when the Records were in the office of the Secretary of this State, we could go. & examine for evidence - Now we have not that privilege. It could not have been the design of Congress & cannot be the wish of the War Department to withhold any evidence of services for which a pension is claimed, & how can Claimants here learn what is on the Records in Washington? The Claimants male as well as female are most of them superannuated & lost their recollection & ability, & it

cannot be expected they would remember, in many instances, the names of their officers, & facts, which happened sixty years ago. & be able to state them correctly - The men, in some cases within my knowledge, were unable to tell the name of a single officer of their company or even the private of their own mess, - much less is to be expected of their wives & widows, who remained at home & kept no record even of what was told them by their husbands & others & know nothing on the subject, except from hearsay & their minds impaired by age; It cannot be expected, therefore, that female claim- ants can name the commanders of companies to which their husbands belonged, or length of time they served, - & the surviving soldiers from whom we can get correct evidence, are now but few & far between, & it is a rare chance to find one whose testimony is good in support of a claim - The Records are the principal source of evidence - The claim ants are of course very aged & unable to at- tend to the examination & many of them miser- ably poor & dependent. & must they be cut off of a just & legal claim for a pension because they, almost, or quite idiots, cannot name the commander of a company under whom their husbands served, - or because the records of their service are in Washington where their friends, Agents & Attorneys cannot see & examine them - When those Records were here in our Secretaries Office, we could examine the whole if we chose, & there were Clerks also to assist, on the traditional evidence.

is not advisable, or sufficient, & the second re- mained beyond our reach, & cannot be exam- ined without a reference to the particular Captain under whom services were performed; very many, having no just & legal claim to the bounty, which Congress intended to grant, must & will be deprived of the benefit of it; - claim- ants will of course prefer to the service of the Officers, under whom they were performed according to their best recollection, but when they mistake it seems a hard case for them, that further search cannot be made, by their friends & Agents, - Eliza Johnson Eliza Johnson, by her guar- dian, all she is entitled to by the late act of Con- gress & expects that if it appears by the Thalls, in the war department, that her husband, Jotham Johnson, served a longer period, than is named in the proof, or for other terms not named, it will be allowed. And I wish it to be understood, that all claimants, whom I afraid, wish to be allowed for all services appearing on the Thalls, or returns in the War Department, whether all the terms are named by them or not, as all widows do not know the number & length of the terms their husbands served. -
It is true the Agent ought not, & cannot grant certificates for pension, without good proof; but when the proof, perhaps all there is in the case, is taken into his own possession, & out of the reach of claimants, they have some right to expect,

That some further examination will be made beyond what they suggest in their their imper- fect recollections, & No examination all shall in the Department would be almost an endless labor of knowledge - but Claimants & their friends, would be generally satisfied, with the examination of a few of the Rolls of Officers who belonged to the same Section of the Country, or same Cam- paign, referred to, & traditional evidence, may in many cases, show, nearly the time, & Cam- paign, or some circumstances, to lead to the proper Rolls &c
It is understood here that the Depart- ment are or have been, preparing an Al- phabetical list of privates as well as of Officers, by which it may be seen at once the num- ber of terms & length of service of each in- dividual, & expected that the whole time found in the Rolls, would be allowed of course, if asked for; & that the Department would grant a certificate therefor or inform, after an application was made, in
Inclosed is the application of Sarah Lewis, with proof of her marriage &c.
In haste, but with high respect
Sir. Your obedt Servt
William Norlandson Attorney to Estate of John & Sarah Lewis

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss.
By the Honorable J. P. Fay Esq., Judge of the Court of Probate, in and for the County of Middlesex, in the Commonwealth aforesaid,
To James Reed of Burlington in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, Gentleman GREETING.
TRUSTING in your care and fidelity, I do by these presents, pursuant to the power and authority to me given, in and by the laws of this Commonwealth, appoint you to be Guardian of Eunice Johnson of said Burlington, a non compos mentis person
with full power and authority to demand, recover, take, and hold possession of all the real and personal estate, goods and chattels, rights and credits of your said ward, and to make, and return into the said Probate Court, a true inventory thereof, within three months from this date; and to dispose of, manage, and apply the same and the income thereof according to law, and for the best interest of your said ward and faithfully to discharge your trust in relation thereto, and also in relation to the custody, and and maintenance of your said ward and her family, if any,
And you are to render an account on oath of the property in your hands, including the proceeds of all real estate sold by you, and of the management and disposition of all such property, within one year from the date hereof, and at such other times as the Judge of said Court shall direct; and at the expiration or termination of your said trust to settle your accounts with the Judge of said Court, or with your said ward or her legal representatives, and to pay over and deliver all the estate and effects, remaining in your hands or due from you, on such settlement, to the person or persons who shall be lawfully entitled thereto; and in all other matters and things in relation to your said trust, faithfully to discharge your duty according to law.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court of Probate. Dated at Lowell the sixth day of December A. D. 1836
J. P. Fay J. Prob.
Countersigned,
Isaac Dike Reg. I. Isaac Dike Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County of Middlesex hereby certify that the above is a true copy of a letter of guardianship as of record appears; & I further certify that said appointment remains in full force in no wise revoked, revoked or annulled. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of said Court this twenty fourth day of January 1837 Isaac Dike