Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5609, for Edward Johnson, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
born
Johnson, Edward
R. 5609
CONTENTS

37.988. Edward Johnson's Application for a Pension.
5609
107 June 32

State of Connecticut { Middlesex County } p. Middletown
On this Fourteenth day of May one thousand eight hundred and fifty sole personally appeared before the subscriber, chief Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Middletown in said State the same being a court of Record by the Laws of said State, (in open court) Edward Johnson a resident of said Middletown aged ninety 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 Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832; that he was born in said Middletown on the 18 th day of December A D 1760 as he has always understood & believes although he has no record of his age; that he has always lived in said Middletown with the exception of temporary absences only; that he entered the service of the United States and served under the following named officers so far as he is able to recollect that is to say; that in the month of July A D 1777 or 8, (which, he is not positively able to say) when New Haven was invaded he went thither in the as a private in the Company of Militia commanded by Jabez Brooks in the Regiment commanded by Col Comfort Sage and was absent as such private in that service only three days; that in the first part of October 1779, as he thinks having no record of the precise day, he was drafted in the Militia Company commanded by Captain Joseph Datt

of Chatham in said County of Middlesex under the expectation of going to Long Island as he says, that he went first to Stratford in said State where he was stationed & in service three weeks as near as he can recollect; that thence he went to New Haven and afterwards to East Haven and there continued in said service as a Private till the first day of January AD 1780, when he was discharged, although he has no evidence thereof any farther than his own statement. He does not recollect the names of any other officers in this service except that of Lieut Daniel Whitmore of Middletown - the principal object of the service at East Haven was "to keep off English traders" he says.
that in August (July) 1781, he enlisted as a private for the term of three months in the Company of Militia commanded by Captain William Starr of said Middletown and marched to West Point on the Hudson River where he served in the Regiment of Colonel Samuel Banfield of New Milford during said term and beyond it to wit; till the 15 th day of November in said year when he was discharged as by said discharge under the hand of said Col Banfield of that date acting as Lieut Colonel and of John Jackson as Colonel then given to this present Deponent & by him retained till the present time hereto annexed will appear - that he does not recollect the precise day in July when he enlisted

now on which he marched to West Point - he enlisted "to be ready at a moments warning" as he says - The Lieutenant name of his Comp- any was "Cram" of New & Guilford and that of his General at West Point was, Mc Dougal. I was never in any battle -
I I have no further documentary evidence of the above service and I know of no person whom testimony to the same I can procure I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity name except the present; and declare that my name is not to my knowl- -edge on the pension Roll of the Agency of any State or if any only on that of the Agency of Connecticut.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year of 2
Edward Johnson
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 said Court that Ezra Coe, Edward Hubbard, Levi Hubbard, Jacob Johnson, William Harris & Josiah M. Hubbard, whose names are signed to the cert- -ificate hereto appended are persons of credibility and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Ebenezer Spencer
Judge of said Court of Probate.
J. Thomas F. Mather Clerk of the said Court of Probate for the District of Middletown, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the

application of Edward Johnson for a Pension. Also that Elihu Spencer above named is the sole Judge of said Court and his signature above written, his genuine handwriting.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court of Probate this 26 th day of May 1850.
Thomas G. Mather Clerk of said Court Probate

State of Middlesex
We Ezra Goss Edward H Levi H Jacob John all of said their hab- =guainted in subscribed a- =ation; that years of age believed in resides to be Revolution opinion - seem to a of course -
were Johnson a physician in Cambridge Mass. His wife the liberty to stop the commercial Feb 15. Nov 19th Josiah M. Hubbard
dell town 17. 1850 William Harris Josiah M. Hubbard
and residing are well ac- Johnson who has the above declar- to be ninety spited and old when he died in of the concur in that
the day & year above Hubbard Hudson
William Harris — Josiah M. Hubbard
Subscribed and sworn to in due form of Law the day & year aforesaid
Before me Charles Whittrey
Justice of the Peace for said County of Middlesex
I further certify that all of the above Deponents are Farmers living in the immediate neighbor- =hood of the declarant; of respectability and entitled to full credit. Charles Whittrey
Justice of the Peace —

State of Connecticut Middlesex County ss Middle town May 17, 1850.
Me Ezra Coe, . . . . . William Harris Edward Hubbard Jonah M Hubbard Levi Hubbard Jacob Johnson
all of said Middle town and residing therein hereby certify that we are well ac- =quainted with Edward Johnson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declar- =ation; that we believe him to be ninety 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 to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid -
Ezra Coe Edward Hubbard Levi Hubbard Jacob Johnson William Harris Jonah M Hubbard
Subscribed and sworn to in due form of Law the day & year aforesaid
Before me Charles Whittrey
Justice of the Peace for said County of Middlesex
I further certify that all of the above Deponents are Farmers living in the immediate neighbor- =hood of the declarant; of respectability and entitled to full credit. Charles Whittrey
Justice of the Peace -

I demand the return of the estate of the late Mabel

State of Connecticut } ss: I, Elihu Spencer Clerk of the County County of Middlesex } ss: Court in and for said County hereby certify that Charles Whittlesey Esq. is and ever since the 20 th day of June last has been a Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Middlesex duly commissioned & qualified, (as by Commission on file in my office). Also that the several signatures of the name of said Whittlesey on the foregoing page of this sheet are his genuine hand writing.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County Court this 20 th day of May A. D. 1850
Elihu Spencer Clerk of County Court.

Middletown Ct May 20 th 1850
Dr
I have examined the accompanying application of Edward Johnson for a pension & am well acquainted with him & the gentlemen who have signed the affidavits. Both Mr Johnson & the gentlemen are creditable men & their veracity beyond impeachment. I will further add that I have always understood that Mr Johnson served in the army of the revolution & from my acquaintance with his Ancestors I am no doubt that he was a brave & efficient soldier.
Respectfully Yours &
Hon J. L. Edmonds Committee of Pensions Washington City D. C.
Sam. J. Hubbard

5609
P. O. l
Edward Johnson
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Edward Johnson Connecticut
Suspended
6 & 12 June 1850 Ch. Whittier, do letter C Whittier Aug 17. 1850 " Chas. Whittier Aug 29/50 to same Dec 21/50
July 1852

Elizah Roberts near 30
Served
2nd Mt. Btry. Dab. Jan. 1861
1778 Belmar Turnaround
Mount. Gap 1861
1779 Belmar 2nd 3 p.m.
Capt. D. D. D.
1780 3 p.m. Capt. D. D. D.
1781 3 p.m. Capt. D. D. D.
Starr's Creek
Def.

Inverness Department Comptroller's Office
August 16 th 1850-
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comr of Pensions.
Sir:
I send to You a letter from Charles Whittelsey of Middletown Conn. respecting an application for a pension by Edward Johnson. I wish You would ascertain the state of the application and write to him directly.
Most Sincerely
Yours Elisha Whittelsey.

Middletown Aug 21 st 50
Hon J. L. Edwards
Sir
I have this afternoon received your letter of Aug 17 to my Uncle regarding the claim of Edward Johnson for Pension, in which you say, that since your letter of June 12 th to me that no papers have been filed in the case - which surprises me very much as upon receipt of yours referred to, I immediately or very soon after procured the proper Report  Certificate from our State Controller - who took the reasons of Mrs Johnson under oath for not making earlier application for his pension - His declaration as to procuring other testimony than that already adduced and enclosed them all in one envelope to your address at Washington - I have not just now the date of putting them in the office here but think I can find it - The fault of not being filed lies between the Post office or yours. perhaps they have been overlooked. Let me hear if you please
Yours & Charles Whittsey

Treasury Department Comptrollers Office
May 23 rd 1850.
J. L. Edwards Esqr Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I send to You papers in the case of Edward Johnson of Middletown, Conn, which were forwarded to me, by my Stephen Charles Whitney of the same place.
Sir Johnson applies for a pension, and as it will be equally convenient for You to correspond with Charles Whitney as with myself, he pleads to address him, when You decide on this application, or when You shall need any additional proof, or information.
Most Sincerely
Yours Elisha Matthews

Middletown Ct
Oct 12 th 1850
Hon J. L. Edwards
Dr Sir,
Since the receipt of your last I have called on the Justice to whom Mr Edward Johnson applied formerly as I wrote you he had done in the matter of his pension, and I found he had taken the Deposition of Mr Roberts in the matter which he gave me and having his Justiceship entitled I enclose the same to you as proof of Mr Johnson serving as claimed in his original application. Please file the same with the original papers - I suppose this will be sufficient proof Let me know And Oblige Yours Respectfully Charles Whittier

State of Connecticut Comptroller's Office Hartford July 2 d 1850
I certify that on application for evidence of the service of Edward Johnson, in the war of the Revolution I have examined the Books and Documents remaining in this Office relating to said war, and do not find the name of the said Johnson upon any Roll now in this Office.
Nor do I find any Pay Roll of Capt. Joseph Dyer's Company in 1779 nor of Capt. William Starrs Company in 1781.
In the Book called "Haskells Receipts" under head of "The United States D rs to the State of Connecticut for sundry expenditures for the service and expenses of militia called out for defence of said State," I find among the Bills and accounts receipted for, the following viz., Date May 7 th 1778 Capt. Joseph Dyer For Rations omitted £ 3. 12. 01 and paid £ 1. 10. 2
I find also in the same Book under heading "Expence of Coast Guards," a receipt for Col. Samuel Garfield's account for Coast Guard at Norwalk. £ 84. 7. 7 State Mo. The date of the above is May 22 d 1781
R. G. Pinney Comptroller by Geo. Robinson Clerk.

State of Connecticut Middletown County } Middletown } July 6. th 1850 }
I Edward Johnson of Middletown Connecticut the identical person heretofore on or about the 14 th day of May 1850 applying to Commissioners of Pensions for a Pension under the act of June 7 th 1832 in obedience to the requisition of said Commissioners for reasons why I have not before applied for said Pension do depose and swear that as long ago as 1836. or thereabouts I did consult with an Attorney as to this subject matter and said Attorney in whole or in part did write an application for me in the premises and which either from his own or my neglect or both combined I never signed, and were never perfected, and nothing has ever been done about it since, till this present application - Elijah Roberts of this town deceased formerly a pensioner (under said act) was a witness to my  the service of and the only one hereabouts within my knowledge he having served in part with me - the principal reason however why I have not made such application before is that I have not hitherto felt any necessity for making such application and do not know now but I could get along if without it. I have no other reasons
Edward Johnson

State of Connecticut } Middlesex County } p Middletown July 6 1850
Personally appeared Edward Johnson signer of the within foregoing to me personally known and made solemn oath in due form of Law to the truth of the statement by him subscribed aforesaid
Before me Charles Whittrey Justice of the Peace
For proof of my jurisdiction and hand writing, see file in this case already in your office C Whittrey J.P.
Perhaps I should add what did not appear as a part of the original file and perhaps is unnecessary here, that Mr Johnson was at time of making out his original application and had been very infirm for a long time and still is; so much so, as he informs me that he is and cannot be removed from his bed more than once a week and sometimes not so often as that - and if I am correct cannot stand or walk at all - His appearance as stated "in open Court" was before the Judge of Probate at his (Johnson's) own home and on his own bed and therefore it was not stated in his ap- plication the according to the form that "by reason of bodily infirmity he was unable to appear" &c inasmuch as by our Statute such Judges may hold a Court any where they please within their District and at any time - there being no

Unscrubbed Terms - But what I was coming at was, the absence of affidavits of Clergymen to Johnsons credibility and character reputation as a Revolutionary soldier - It arose from the circumstance that all the clergymen that knew Mr Johnson when he was about, are removed except one, and that Mr Johnson did not usually attend this one's church - The Minister told me he could certify upon as to Johnsons credibility for truth, in the absence of such evidence I procured the certificate of Hon S D Hembree whom you would know and whose word with us is as good as an oath -
I have tried to procure such further testimony as you speak of but do not find any All this I have written is mere statement and can of course not pass as legal Evidence Yours Respectfully
Charles M'Intire

State of Connecticut } ss. Middletown. County of Middlesex }
I Elijah Roberts of Middletown aforesaid, being duly sworn depose and say, that I am Seventy six years old, that in the year One thousand seven hundred and Seventy nine I served in a company of militia commanded by Joseph Dart of Chatham in said County, Daniel Wetmore was Lieu-tenant. Edward Johnson of said Middle-town, whom I have this day seen, and know to be the same person, was a pri-vate with me in the same company. General Ward of Guilford had the Com-mand. We went to Stratford, thence to New Haven, and thence to East Haven, where we were discharged on the first of January A.D. One thousand seven hundred and eighty.
The said Edward Johnson served on that occasion for the space of full two months. — In August 1781,
the said Edward Johnson and myself enlisted for the the period of three months to be ready at a moment's warning in the Company commanded by Captain William Starr. We were

marched to West Point, where we were under the command of Colonel Canfield of New Milford. I was in the said Company three months; the said Ed- ward Johnson served therein more than three months, that is, he served longer than I did, but how much longer I cannot say; and farther I say not. Dated at Middletown the 7 th day of May 1838. Elijah Roberts Subscribed and sworn to this 7 th day of May 1838.
Before me
Jonathan Barnes Justice of the Peace.
I further certify that the deponent is a credible witness. Jonathan Barnes Justice of the Peace.
State of Connecticut.
County of Middlesex ss: I, Eliezer Spencer Clerk of the County Court in & for the County of Middlesex (the same being a Court of Record) do hereby certify that Jonathan Barnes Esq., the genuine signature of whose name is twice above written, is and on the 7 th day of May 1838, the date of the above certificate, was a Justice of the Peace in and for said Middlesex County, duly Commissioned & qualified (as by Commission on file in my office) & that he is now as such Justice of the Peace by law authorized to administer oaths -
In Witness whereof I have here set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said County Court this 12 th day of October A.D. 1850.
Eliezer Spencer Clerk of said County Court