Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29263, for Elias Johnson, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
1882
Johnson, Elias
S. 29263
CONTENTS

D. 1,679  Massachusetts Elias Johnson of Hampden in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Collins of the Regt commanded by Col Ely in the Connecticut line for 16 mos & 8 days
1882 June 7 - Sent to Chief Clerk military & personal history
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 23 - Dollars 69 - Cents per annum to commence on the 24th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Aug  1833 and sent George P  Colton Springfield Mass Annuity to the Lady March 1833 $107.34 Pensions, allowances ending 1841 26.83 $134.17
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by N. H. Atkinson Clerk, Book E Vol. 2a Page 38 

9272 Elias Johnson
Parish 16 Mar 3 days
11. 14 06
May 14 1835
P. 395
Geo Colton Springfield mass

9272  BRIEF in the case of  Elias Johnson  of  Hampden Co  in the State of  Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? ~3  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Jan'y 76 2 private Genl. Capt. Coach - don't recollect the Col.   June 70 to 1 Jan'y 77 6 " Capt Collins Col Ely   Sept 78 11 Substitute believe Capt. Shipman   Augt 79 1 private Capt. Baldwin   June 80 2 " Capt (not recollects) Col Beebe   June 27. 81 to Jan'y 1. 82 64 3 " Col Swift  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? 
none mentioned
 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? 
Haddam Ct.
 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 
No living witnesses — Tradition only
 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
Right
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. C. Easton
Examining Clerk.
16 Feb 1833

9272 Pinehurst North Carolina
Mr. Cotton Springfield Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire ss.
On this 24th day of August personally appeared in open court before Oliver D. Dyer a Commissioner of the Court of the Sessions sitting at Springfield Ohio a resident of Springfield in the County of Hampshire and Commonwealth of the Commonwealth, and being first duly sworn according to law, doth, in his oath, make the following declarations, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 4, 1832.
That he is now the Service of the United States under the following names: Officer and Buck as known to him - Vir-
10. That in an Eleventh Regt. Light Artillery Battery in a Company commanded by Capt. Cook of Connecticut Artillery who went to the War of 1812 where we joined the Regiment of Col. name not recollecting) and were quartered at Washington, I was first put on guard on Washington Creek, and was on Washington Heights where the British army evacuated Washington, scorching the city and was destroyed, until Dec. 1814.
11. That in the War of 1812-1814, I was in the State Troops, and at the end of the War was first Lieut. Col. Adjutant of the 1st Regt. Pennsylvania Artillery and was attached to Col. D. D. D. Regiment, James M. [?] who was my first Col. we were marched to New London Conn. there the first of June 1814, where we had some time, when we heard of the armistice and returned to Philadelphia and marched to Ellis Creek where General Brown commanded the army, we afterwards returned to Ft. Snelling and went from there to [?] after the war we were at [?] [?] [?]
12. That in the month of September 1814, for the purpose of [?] [?] [?]
13. That in the month of August 1814, we were stationed as a Guard at the mouth of the harbor near [?]

3 rd . That in the month of June 1861. to Horseneck in Col. Beebe's Regiment, the Capt. came not on the field, and knew how much he was in an engagement with the Rebels when out over a scattering party was wounded in the leg.
4 th . On the 27 th of June 1861. was drafted with others to fill up the Continental Regiments, and went to Washington where I joined Col. Smith's Regiment, Jonathan Dyer was my first Col. a part of our Regt. was sent to the Battle of Bull Run in Fairfax County, Va. in Oct. as soon as was sent back to the Continental but to make repairs and afterwards to Washington to guard the Potomac River, returned to the Continental but to Jan. 1, 1862, and there dismissed and returned home after a service of six months.
That he has not known of any person now living who served with him, has not resided in the State of Connecticut for nearly fifty years past -
That he was known in the town of Haddam Connecticut Dec. 3, 1860, the time of his birth (as recorded) in the town of Milford and he resided on the town records -
That he lives in Haddam Conn. where I was introduced - That he enlisted from Haddam was drafted once and served as a substitute once.
That he never received a pension discharge and never held a pension -
That he has resided in Haddam since 1861. Fourteen years since and lives in Haddam field that he resided for thirty years previous thereto in the town of Granby Conn. and that having been for a great a length of time from the place where he lived when called into service that he is wholly unable to say whether there are any persons now living who served with him or not -

except the present, and receives money from the agency of any kind -
Elias Johnson
We John Stone and Hezekiah Soomies both residing in Springfield here by certify, that we are well acquainted with Elias Johnson who has been described and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be twenty three years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that our opinion in that opinion - Given and subscribed this day and year aforesaid -
John Stone
Hezekiah Soomies
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after hearing the witnesses prescribed by the Rules of Court, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and heard as he states, and the court further certifies, that it appears to them that John Stone and Hezekiah Soomies who have signed the preceding certificate are both residents of Springfield, that they are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to full credit -
I, Justin Willard Register of said Court hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elias Johnson for a pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two Justin Willard Register in

Comptrollers Office May 29 th 1833
I Eliza Phelps, Comptroller of Public Accounts for the State of Connecticut, do certify that it appears by the journal of the Pay Table under date May 29 th 1777 that "Capt. John Cook Bradleys Reg t , 76" was credited "by his account rendered for hospital expenses £61, 12, 11 less £187, 12, 9" & debited, "To 1 st mo. wages received of Col. Bradley for his Co. £199, 12, 0, & an order on Treasurer for balance £49, 13, 8." And also that this amount of debt was charged to the United States.
And also, that on said journal there is charged under date the 12 th day of June 1777 to "Capt. Augustus Collins Ely's batt n , 177" To order on Treasurer to raise his Co. & account for rent, £400, 6, 0. Also on the 4 th day of July 1777 an order for £302, 0, 0; on the 16 th day of August 1777, £10, 1, 0; & on the 17 th of January 1778 to cash rent of Col. Ely £220, 0, 0; & order on the Treasurer for £1050, 12, 10.

And under date the 17 th January 1778 there is charged to the United States to amount of Capt. Augustus Collins account rendered for his company Colo. Ely's batt n , 77 £1982, 13, 10.
There is on file the bond of Augustus Collins dated June 12 th 1777. In the condition of which is the following recital, "whereas the above " bounden Augustus Collins is appointed a Captain " of one of the companies of the live battalions ordered " to be raised in this state by an act of the General " assembly in May last to be continued in service " until January next see &c."
I also certify that it appears by the journal of the Council of Safety that John Shipman was appointed Lieut. & Comm d , of a guard at the Fort at Saybrook in 1777 & in September of the same year was authorized to increase his guard to twenty men, & that in February 1779 he was reappointed Lieut. & Comm d , of that post.
That there is charged to the United States on the journal of the Pay Table under date of April 5 th 1785 "To amount of Capt. Josiah

„ Baldwin's pay roll for his company stationed at „ Hillingworth in 1780, that £949, 0, 6, and that this charge is contained in the abstract of debits in favor of the State against the United States, for that the vouchers therefor have been delivered to E. Haskell Bond & by him received.
Also, that there is on file a bond executed by Marshal Beebe dated the 22 nd day of April 1780. In the condition of it, is the following recital, viz, "that whereas the said Marshal „ Beebe is appointed Lt Col. Com d of a Reg t „ to be raised for the defence of this State &c. de.
I also certify, that in an account with the State twice in 1781 I find the name Elias Johnson. He is credited "by service in the „ Continental Army in the second Reg t from „ August 24 th to Dec r 27 th 1781 - 4 mo & 3 days at „ 40' per month £8, 4, 0 by ten days allowed „ to go and return £1/4 £0. 13, 4.
J. Phelps

I certify that there are no pay rolls of the companies alluded to, or any other evidence than has been stated by which to ascertain the duration of the service claimed that has been found. E. H. H.

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. Chas Johnson V.F. 29.565
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Aug 1776 1 mo Pvt Leach Conn.   June 1776 6 mos Copelin Gly   Sept. 1778 1 mo Shipman   Aug 1779 1 mo David Baldwin   * June 1780 1 mo Brake   June 29 1780 6 mos Swift  
Battles engaged in, Engaged in the engagement with British at Red Bank as a Dragoon party Residence of soldier at enlistment, Tadoussac Conn. Date of application for pension, Aug 17 1811 His at Wadsworth Residence at date of application, Wadsworth Conn. Age at date of application, born at Tadmor Conn. Dec 3 1758
Remarks: Resided in Wadsworth Conn. until his death

29 263 INVALID. Reg
File No. 99968
Chas Johnson
Pa. Rec. Mts.
Act: Jan 20 1892
Index: Vol. 9 , Page 914
[Arrangement of 1870.]
May 5 '96 Ex by M. M. Johnson. Per Bureau SWJ 1910 Dec. 14 Hist. to Corde. lia Sawyer. Val. etc.

9272 Elias Johnson
Geo Colton Springfield Mass,

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Elias Johnson which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Y II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Y 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? S IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Y 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? Y VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? AD VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Y VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Y IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Y 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? Y

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?
has not been produced because the clergyman lives in his home who is much acquainted No with him
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?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
No
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
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?
Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
Yes
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 each 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
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 authenticates 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 ends 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Application should be made to the Comptroller at Hartford Ct of Public accounts for evidence of the claimants service

A

Bureau of Pensions Washington D.C. Gentlemen -
I am looking up the record of my Ancestors with the desire of joining the D. A. R. and write to your department for information.
As far as I can go back is to my great-grandfather Elias Johnson, who died in 1837, and had been drawing a pension. Lived near

Springfield Mass. was born in 1769 so must have been quite young for service, not more so than many veterans.
Would like to know if his father saw service in the Revolution &c. &c.
Yours Truly -
Mrs. Cordelia Sawyer Columbus, Wisconsin
Dec. Seventh.
Nineteen hundred and ten.