Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23731, for George Johnson, Virginia

SERVICE
Va.
Johnson, George
NUMBER
S-23731
CONTENTS

See letter 9 July '35 to Ben Agt. Off and to David Wexler 15- July 21-
Rate of stock not in 05-
11.00 Pensylvania
George Johnson
of Somerset in the State of Pensylvania who was a Piper in the Company commanded by Captain Islerlow of the Regt commanded by Col Nevie in the Virginia line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Pensylvania at the rate of 88 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of March 1833 and sent to C. Gagle Somerset Pa
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 33 $176 Semiannual allowance ending 1 Sep 33 44 $220
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by A. B. Thruston Clerk Book E Vol. 5 Page 29

George Johnston Pennsylvania
Adm c
2 yrs Fifer $88. $88.
11682
C. Ogle Agms

6 o
BRIEF in the case of  George Johnston  of Somerset in the State of  Pensyl a  (Act 7th June, 1839.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? before the Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 70  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. As a Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen.   Years. Months. Days.      enlisted in the Army of the  19 April In 1777  fall of 1777  that soon after he with others  were ordered to join the Penn a  and that he was discharged  June 1780  3 serjeant Capt. Burdow Col. Nevil  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Shepherd's Town Virginia  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? neither form nor length of service are accurately given — no witness of any kind are mentioned 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Johnston
Examining Clerk.

Declaration of George Johnston for Pension under the act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832 —
11602

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832.
State of Pennsylvania Somerset county v z
On the 10 th day of September A.D. 1832. Personally appeared before the court of common pleas of the county & state aforesaid George Johnston a resident of the borough of Berlin, in the township of Brothersvalley in the county of Somerset aforesaid aged seventy years, who after being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his solemn affirmation make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he enlisted for three years in the army of the United States on the seventh day of April seventeen hundred & seventy seven in Shepardstown, Berkeley county Virginia in the company of Captain Isaac Iserlow, of the 8 th Virginia Regiment, that he served as a musician (piper) - that he marched through Sharpsburg, Maryland - York, Pennsylvania and Lancaster, to Philadelphia immediately after his enlistment - That he with nine others were immaculated for the smallpox and kept at the Hospital until they were cured when they joined the army they in Jersey - that he marched to Trenton & Princeton - and that he was afterwards placed on the sick list & sent to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania - where he remained until after the battle of Germantown when he again joined the army, that he went into Winter quarters at Valley Forge at that time Colonel Nevil commanded the regiment to which he (this declarant) belonged - That he was with the American army when they pursued the British to Monmouth in Jersey - and that he continued with the army until the fall of 1779. when he received a furlough from Colonel Nevil - that soon after his return home a Proclamation was issued, ordering all who were absent

on furlough to join the eighteen months men in the Southern army - When at Alexandria Virginia, commanded by Colonel Benford or Benport - That he marched to Petersburg Virginia where we went into winter quarters That about the latter end of March 1780 he marched through Salisbury, Camden & Sandy Hills in the direction of Charleston in South Carolina, and was about fifty miles from that place at the time of the battle when it was taken by the British That he stayed with the army until June 1780 when he received a discharge which has been lost by time or accident That he does not recollect the name of the officer who signed his discharge - That after he left the army he returned to Alexandria town Virginia - from thence he removed to Bedford, Pennsylvania & from thence about the year 1789 he removed to Berlin, Somerset county, Pennsylvania where he has resided ever since - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state Affirmed to & subscribed the day & year first above written. }
C. Howard Frotty
George Astor
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states - -
In testimony whereof I Chauncy Townsend Esquire Notary of the said court of common pleas of the county & state aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings

of the said court in the matter of the application of George Johnston for a pension - We hereby set my hand and seal of office this 10 th day of September A. D. 1832 C. by Howard Pretley

February 8, 1936
George Johnson-S.23731 BA-J/AWF Am
Colonel John Marston U.S. Marine Corps Headquarters Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to George Johnson, soldier of the Revolutionary War, who enlisted in Shepardstown, "West Virginia" and died in Berlin, Pennsylvania.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 23731, based upon the service of George Johnson, in the War of the Revolution.
The date and place of birth of this soldier are not given, nor are the names of his parents stated.
George Johnson enlisted in Shepardstown, Berkeley County, Virginia, April 7, 1777, served as a fifer in Captain Isaac Iserlow's Company and in Colonel Neville's 8th Virginia Regiment, was in winter quarters at Valley Forge and in the battle of Monmouth; in the fall of 1779 he went home on furlough, was soon after called out, and joined Colonel Buford's Regiment in Alexandria, Virginia, marched towards Charleston, South Carolina and was about fifty miles from that place when it was taken by the British, was discharged sometime in June, 1780.
After being discharged he returned to Shepardstown, from there moved to Bedford, Pennsylvania, and in 1789

moved to the Borough of Berlin, Brothers Valley Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
The soldier, George Johnson, was allowed pension on his application executed September 10, 1832, still a resident of the Borough of Berlin, then aged seventy years.
The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the family of George Johnson.
If you desire information in regard to the last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of the pensioner, George Johnson, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and cite the following data:
George Johnson Certificate # 11001 Issued March 14, 1833 Rate $88.00 per annum To commence March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Pennsylvania Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

L. J. Pa- h rough
Revolution
23731. INVALID.
File No. 23,731
George Johnson First Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 213
[Arrangement of 1870.]
and of service
Jan. 31/98. Miss. F. Minnis - Pittsburgh.
Dec. 18-1903 - Miss Miss Mary Hart Da Beverly
1904. Aug. 12. Mrs. J. A. Bur Urbana Ill. fur. histo
1921 May 24 Miss Mary C Minnis 1924 Jan. 30 " " Mrs. B. E. Wander 1926 June 8 " " Miss John H Stephens 1934 June 29 " " Mrs. E. S. Miller 1936 Feb 8 " " Col. John Marshall

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of George Johnson which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? no V. * Has he mentioned 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? no VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? NO
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? NO
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? NO
XIV. †If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? YES 22 12.4
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 _____. For _____ months 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 the 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.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
† QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.

Ans. _____ _____ _____
(Signature:) _____
(Address:) _____ (In cities, street and number.) _____

dec. Sept. 10, 1832 - To borough of Berlin twp of Brothers valley Somerset Co. Pa
at E. Shepherdstown Berkley Co. Va
apr. 7, 77. Isaac Iserlow piper Neville trans 8 1/2 legs. 3 yrs lob. Beauford or Beaufort June 1780

Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
O. M. & M.
Could you give me a copy of the record of the services of George Johnson , who applied for a pension in 1832, & received one under the act of 1832.
Our data is very meagre. He served in Lee's Legion of the Black Horse Cavalry , under General Lee. Came from North Carolina before close of Revolutionary War , served in a regiment (raised before the Revolution, opposed to British Rule) when a young boy - and was a fifer. under Col Buford. Enlisted later at Shepherdstown Va.

Do not know date of enlistment applied for a pension Sept 10 1832. at which time he was 70 years old. Was a life-major for 2 years in the Virginia Troops, Revolutionary Army and served under Captain Isaac Law and Col. Nevill, wife's name. Catharine Law or Stuart
I shall be very grateful for any information you can give me
December 4. Very truly (Miss) Mary Hart Darragh Bearsen. Penn

RECORD MAY 6 1921 DIVISION

Rev and Connellsville Pa 116 Snyder St. April 12 - 1921
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Gentlemen: I would like to inquire whether you have any information on your records of George Johnson, Fifer in the Revolutionary Army. He was granted a pension and settled in Somerset Co. Pa., where he died

I would like to have any information regarding him, which you have on your records.
Respectfully
Mary C. Merrill Minnesota

COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
THOMAS A. BURT, COUNTY CLERK
UNIVERSAL, ILL.

COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
THOMAS A. BURT, County Clerk
URBANA, ILL.
Aug 4, 1904
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir. Could I have the record of George Johnson during the Revolution - he was supposed to be a fifer in Buford's Regiment. He was originally from North Carolina but later from Berlin Pa.
Sincerely,
Mrs. T. A. Burt 507 N. Elm St

41 Osborne St., Johnstown, Pa., May 20, 1926.
The Commissioner of Pensions, Dept. of the Interior, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Some time in April I wrote asking for information concerning the following men:-
Noah Clark served from N. J. and died in Bedford Co. Had sons Wm, John, Samuel born Sept 14, 1766.
Jacob Walker , born 1748 died 1780. Served in Bedford Co.

wife Elizabeth.
George Johnson , served from Bedford Co., buried in Berlin, Somerset Co., 1837, children Wm & Sarah. Wife Catherine.
John Long served likely from Berks or Bedford Co. died about 1835; children Mary, Ben, Henry, Geo.
All these men served in Revolutionary War.
Would appreciate an answer.
Respectfully
Mrs. John N. Stephens.
negatives decided by miss Stokes. ewt.

418 Luzerne St., Johnstown, Penna. December 31st - 1923-
Miss Anna Wilson Referred to Bureau of Pensions, Commissioner of Washington, D. C. Pensions Dear Miss Wilson : for reply.
Will you kindly investigate and let me have all the information you possibly can in regard to the following soldier of the American Revolution:
(1) Charles Gibson , a Private in Captain Samuel Rogers Company, First, Eighth Battalion, Cumberland County Militia, first call July 31, 1777-
Charles Gibson also appears as a Private in the

(2) Seventh Company, Sixth Battalion, Cumberland County Militia, called upon to perform a tour of duty by an order of Council, August 1st, 1780, marched August 22nd.
Charles Gibson was a Private in Captain John Campbell's Company, First Battalion, Cum- berland County Militia, dated at Lancaster, January 1778 - Samuel Cuthbertson, Colonel -
_____ (2) James Dunwoody was a Private in the Eighth Company, Fourth Battalion, Cum- berland County Militia, called upon to perform a tour of duty by order of Council August 1st, 1780 - His name also appears on the rolls as a Private in

(3)
Captain Walter Mc Kinney's Company, Fourth Battalion, Cumberland Co. Militia, 1781, - and he last appears on a pay-roll of Captain William Huston's Co. for twenty-six days service in 1781 -
(3) Robert Huston , Bedford Co. was reported miss- ing August 27, 1776 - He was with the troops in New Jersey, in Captain Brown's Company, Timothy Green's Regiment - With him was Thomas Johnston Sergeant, Chester Co.
(4) George Johnson  sent on April 7, 1777, ran away from home and enlisted in the

Revolutionary Army - at Shepherd- -town, Virginia - He served as Fifer for three years under Captain Islerow - and Colonels Neville - and Buford, in the Virginia - troop - He was granted a pension September 11, 1832 - at the age of seventy years -
Thanking you most kindly - and awaiting your reply giving me all the details you can in regard to the above four named soldiers and their families, I am most sincerely yours!
(Mrs. D. P. E.) Eliza Ellwood Warden

7 Homoeopathic Medical & Surgical Hospital & Dispensary of Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh, Pa. Jan 20th 1898
OLD WAR & NAVY JAN 24 1898 FILES. Bureau of Pensions;
Am very anxious to determine if any proof of pension, service, enlistment or so forth can be had at this office of the , any , or all of the following — Am given few facts as I have them from family tradition of Revolutionary Period.
First — George Johnson or his brother Stewart Johnson ? That after the Revolution George Johnson drew a pension while living in Berlin, Somerset Co. Penna. Was in Gen. Washington's Army at Valley Forge and was in the battle of the Clouds. and Custer Springs. and served in capacity as Fife Major. Stewart Johnson? That he remained in Gen Greene's division in the south. Second — Jonas Colestock ? served in the Revolution

and understand he drew a pension - was afterwards a resident of Fayette Co - Penna - Hvid - Christopher Cence? (spelled as pronounced). (German) was in Revolution (no trace) -
Any information on any or all above will be most gratefully received. If any charges are made for investigation will forward it upon receipt of notice.
Very Truly - Frances L. L. Minnis Homoeopathic Hospital Second Ave. Pittsburgh Pa.

IN REPLYING ADDRESS THE MAJOR GENERAL COMMANDANT AND REFER TO No.
HEADQUARTERS U. S. MARINE CORPS
WASHINGTON
31 January, 1936.
Dear Sir:
I should be very glad if you can give me any excerpts from the pension papers of the below-named Revolutionary veteran, particularly in regard to the names of his mother and father:
George Johnson - Enlisted at Shepardstown, W.Va., on April 17, 1777, for service with the Virginia Troups; he died at Berlin, Pa., a pensioner of the U.S. Government, in 1837.
Any information you can give me on this subject will be greatly appreciated.
Very sincerely,
JOHN MARSTON, Colonel, U. S. Marine Corps.
Director of Pensions, Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C.

Bentonville, Ark. June 18 th , 1934
Veterans Administration Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen: -
See Old Man 755 Ind. file Post Capt. Master 6 th Inf. Flat searched
Will you please give me the pension record and any other information you may have, of us genealogically, for the following
Wm Croshaw or Croshaw recd. pension Burlington Co. N.J. private 6 reg., heirs Mary and Rebecca. His records like an Ind. B.L.
✓ George Johnson fife Va. continental line, received pension in Somerset Co. Pa.
Both Revolutionary War.
Respectfully Mrs E. S. Miller

L. W. B. I. 23731.
This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their service. Such of the original rolls of the Revolutionary War of 1812 as are in the possession of the Government, Record and Pension Office, pertaining to the Revolutionary War may also be found in the archives of many of the States.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV. REVOLUTIONARY.
January 31, 1898.
Madam:-
Replying to your request for information concerning George Johnson, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that he made an application for pension on September 10, 1832, at which time he was 70 years of age and residing at Berlin, Penna., and his pension was allowed for two years' actual service as a fifer in the Virginia troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Iserlow and Col. Nevie. He enlisted at Shepardstown, Virginia.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Miss Frances L. J. Minnis,
Homeopathic Hospital,
Second Ave., Pittsburg, Pa.

No 181
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of George 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.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr. 7. 1777 Infantry Isaac Iserlow Finley Pa   discharged June 1780 Buford        
Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, enlisted at Shippensburg Pa
Date of application for pension, Sept. 10. 1832 His el. ab
Residence at date of application, Borough of Berlin, Berks Valley Twp. Lehigh Co. Penn
Age at date of application, 70 years
Remarks: No data on file as to his family
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

aw
January 30, 1924.
Mrs. R. E. Warden, 418 Luzerne St., Johnstown, Pa.
Madam;
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 23731, it appears that George Johnson enlisted at Shepardstown, Berkeley County, Virginia, April 7, 1777 and served as a fifer in Captain Isaac Iserlow's Company, Colonels Neville's and Buford's Virginia Regiments, and was discharged in June 1780.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 10, 1832, while a resident of Borough of Berlin, Brothers Valley Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, aged seventy years.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

June 28, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. E. S. Miller
Bentonville, Arkansas
Dear Madam:
WILLIAM GROSHAW O. W. Minor Ctf. 755 In lieu of Bounty Land *****
GEORGE JOHNSON S. 25731 *****
BA-J/MLB
Reference is made to your letter of June 18, in which you request the pension records of William Groshaw or Groshaw, who, you state, received pension in Burlington County, New Jersey, and left heirs, Mary and Rebecca, and of George Johnson who served as fifer in the Virginia Continental Line; and pensioned in Somerset County, New Jersey, both of whom, you state, served in the Revolutionary War.
William Groshaw (as his name appears in the records) was not a soldier of the Revolutionary War, but of the War of 1812, and his record, with that of George Johnson, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, is furnished herewith.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

June 29, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
George Johnson-S.23731
BA-J/AWF
Mrs. E. S. Miller Bentonville Arkansas
Dear Madam:
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S.23731, based upon the Revolutionary War service of George Johnson.
The date and place of birth of this soldier are not shown in the claim, nor are the names of his parents given.
George Johnson enlisted in Shepardstown, Berkeley County, Virginia, April 7, 1777, served as fifer in Captain Isaac Iserlow's company, Colonels Neville's and Buford's Virginia regiments, and was discharged in June, 1780.
He moved after the Revolution to Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and in 1789 moved to the Borough of Berlin, Brothers Valley Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. He was allowed pension on his application executed September 10, 1832, still a resident of the Borough of Berlin, then aged seventy years.
There are no data in this claim relative to the family of the soldier, George Johnson.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator