Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16892, for Clabourn Johnson, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Johnson, Claiborn
S. 16892.
barded
CONTENTS
[Blank lined area for notes]
[Blank lined area for notes]

Letter to Hon John Miller and 3 Auditors 16. Decr 1839
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 8 th April 1838 from 1 st March 1838 to 1 st March 1839. Age Notified 30. Decr 1839. Paid as above from 1 st March 1839. to 22 nd Aug 1840. age notified 22. June 1841.
Dead
Letter to Hon J. H. Ralfe 17. Feb. 1845.
1845 Same Feb 22. '46
Same May 23. 1846. —
Missouri 26. 189
Calum Johnson of Newark Co. in the State of Ohio who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Smith of the 1 st Regt commanded by C. C. Gentry in the Vol line for
1 Yr 3 M 10 D $ 56.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Missouri at the rate of 50 Dollars 00 Cents per annum. to commence on the 14 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 th day of March and 1831 W. B. Bell N.R.
Arrears to the 14 th of March 1832 150.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 1832 25.00 175.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. Ralfe Clerk. Book 6 — Vol. 82 Page 53

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 16 th 1841.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1833, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The widow of Claibourn Johnson, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Missouri Agency, at the rate of Fifty — Dollars and — Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March 1839, to the 22 nd August 1840.
Respectfully yours,
William L. Lane
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832
State of Missouri County of Howard
On this twent third day of August September
in the year 1833 personally appeared in the County Court of Howard County before the justices thereof whilst the said Court was in session. Abraham Johnson aged about seventy three 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 provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
That he was born on the 17th day of June 1760 in Goochland County Virginia and that at the age of seventeen or eighteen which would be about the year 1777 or 1778 while a resident of said County of Goochland he was drafted and entered the service of the United States under the following named officers as well as he can now recollect and served as herein stated I entered the service as a private the Captain that I was under was by the name of Richard Babb the Company I was in I think was in the Regiment  Brigade  Corps commanded by Col Wm Lymbridge was by the name of Steele I can not now recollect the names of any more of the officers we were first marched

to Williamsburg from time to little York and then back to Williamsburg where we were discharged nothing very particular happened during the tour that I now recollect I was I had been in service two months when I was discharged. I was then immediately drafted in the service as a private in the State of Virginia I think under the following named officers as far as I can recollect was my Captain was by the name of Obadiah Smith our major was by the name of Nathan Wilson in previous name not now recollect our Colonel was by the name of Forster and our General was by the name of Gates We were all marched from Virginia to North Carolina and the principal services we rendered was in North Carolina The men in this Campaign were permitted to go on horseback on condition that they found them more horses which they did while in Carolina we had frequent skirmishes with the British and Tories but no regular fought battles We remained in service at this time six months when we were marched back to Virginia and discharged in Richmond
Very shortly after I was discharged from this second tour all the Militia in the part of Virginia in which I lived were called

out into service myself among the rest to march against Arnold at the time he invaded Richmond in Virginia I was then a private and was commanded by Capt Kirby Lock Col Charles Fleming and General Medlinburg we were kept in service about one month and discharged at Cabin point. Shortly after this I was again called into service and entered the army again as a private under the command of Capt Mosby Col Charles Fleming and General Medlinburg no particular incident happened during this time that I now recollect I served at this time two months as a private as before stated and was discharged at Cabin point I again entered the army as a private under the command of Barnett Markham as Capt I do not now recollect the names of any other of the officers on this tour or campaign I was in service at this time about two months and was discharged at Petersburg Shortly after my discharge at Petersburg as aforesaid I again entered the service as a private under the command of Capt Stephen  Mosby  David Patterson Col

Notel Good and find Mclenburg the name of the other officers not now remembered the Regt I belonged to in the last tour was at Petersburg when the Battle was fought there though it was not engaged in the battle Perry reserved to cover its retreat if necessary the tour was about two months and I served as a private as above stated two months and was discharged as I think at Manchester —
I have not specified the particular months or years that I commenced the public service or entered the Army except when I first was drafted for the reason that I can not now remember but I will state that all my services above mentioned was in the Virginia Militia and that I resided in Virginia during the whole term of my services and either volun- teered or was drafted in Virginia as above stated and that my services were all rendered between the years 1777 or 1778 and 1781 but the particular periods of time within those years that I commenced any one of the before mentioned tours I can not now remember but I further state that I served as a private in the Army

of the Revolution at least fifteen months and the said Johnson further states that he never received as he now recollects any written discharge and that if he did he has lost or mislaid the same not now having any in his possession nor does he know of any person now living by whom he can prove his services in detail But states that he is well acquainted with William Shores a clergyman and John Haney both nephews of his who can testify as to his credit as a man of credit and as to their knowledge of his being a soldier of the Revolution The evidence of his age as above stated is derived from his father's family Bible Record of the ages of his children and his age was transcribed from said Bible in to his own when it remained until about seven years since and was torn out while moving from the state of Virginia to the state of Missouri - He further states that he resided in the state of Virginia from the time he entered the Army first as above stated until about seven years since when he moved to Howard County Missouri where he now resides while in Virginia he lived in the Counties of Goochland Chesterfield Hanover Louisa and Nelson and he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or an annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the present

the pension roll of any agency in any state in the United States
Qlabourn his Johnson mark
Subscribed and sworn to in open court before me this 23 rd day of September 1833
John B Black Clerk of the Court
The Com d Court of Claims then propounded the following interrogatories to the said Qlabourn Johnson the above named applicant viz.
1 st Where and in what year were you born 2 nd Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it -
3 rd Where were you living when called into service where had you lived since the Revolutionary war and where are you now living -
4 th How were you called into service were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute. And if a substitute for whom -
5 th State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the Troops when you served such Continental and State Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service
6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it

To the first interrogatory the said Johnson answers and says that he was born in Goochland County in the state of Virginia in the year 1760
Answer to the second interrogatory
I have no Records of my age the same having been lost in the manner stated in my declaration above subscribed and sworn to
Answer to the 3rd Interrogatory
I was living in Goochland County in the state of Virginia when I was called into service and resided there and in Chesterfield County in said state during the whole of the Revolution after the Revolution I lived in the Counties of Goochland Hanover Louisa and Nelson in the state of Virginia and in Howard County Missouri where I now reside
Answer to the 4th Interrogatory
I was do sometimes drafted and at other times volunteered in the service I never was a substitute for any one
Answer to the fifth Interrogatory
The said Johnson refers to his declaration and the statements there made as an answer to the said fifth Interrogatory
Glabeam by Johnson mark
Sworn and subscribed to in open court this 23rd day of Sept 1833
John B Clarke Clerk

We William Short a Clergyman residing in the immediate neighbourhood of Ebenezer Johnson the individual whose name is signed to the above attached application and John Harvey residing in the same neigh- -bourhood hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the said Ebenezer Johnson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; - that we believe him to be the number of years old stated in his said declaration - that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion William Short John Harvey
Sworn and subscribed to in open Court the 23 rd day of September 1833
John Blelark Clerk of said Court

State of Missouri } County of Howard } Be it remembered that at a county Court began and held at the Court House in the Town of Fayette within and for the County of Howard on the twenty third day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open Court on the last mentioned day before the justices of said Court then sitting Claturn Johnson a resident of the State of Missouri in the County of Howard and subscribed and swore to the within and foregoing decla- -ration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interroga- -tions prescribed by the War department that the above named applicant was a revolution- -ary soldier and served as he states and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that William Shores who has signed the pre- -ceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the neighbourhood of the said applicant and that John Harvey who has also signed the same is a resident of the neighbourhood of the said applicant and an creditable per- -son and that their statement is entitled to credit. John B. Clark Clerk of the County Court of Howard County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Claturn Johnson for a pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at office this 31 st day of December 1833
John R. Clark, Clerk

29.329.
Clabourn Johnson Missouri
Return
Adm. 1 yr and 3 months —
✓
Hon John Bule House of Reps

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
27 th Jany 1834
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus. { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Elabourne Johnson
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1777 2 Private Col. Billo 73 years Traditionary   1777 6 Col. Landeridge Goodland   1 H H & { Co   2 Va   2   2  
15 Months Service
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of A. B.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) , who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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 and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
 6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?  { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

16,892 INVALID.
No. 16,892
Clarence Johnson
Pro Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 89
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 447
[Arrangement of 1870.]

June 19-1903. His to P. S. Talbert, City
In

O. W. & N. Div.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C.
Respectfully returned to
Commissioner.
1606b3m

15-892 Claborn Johnson
Sept 23. 1883 - 73 Howard Co. Mo Born June 17, 1860, Goodlettsville, Ga
170478 Goodland, O. Va. H. A. Capt. Right Bldg Col. McRae's Bde Post - 2 mo
- Capt. Smith Col. Forkner Post - 6 mos
24 Capt. Elisha Leek Col. Chas. Fleming Post - 1 mo.
25 Capt. Mosby Col. B. Post - 2 mo
26 Capt. Wardman Col. - Post - 7 mo
27 Capt. Mosby Col. Robt. Good Post - 2 mo
Several skirmishes at 26, 1864. shot 32 Des. Med. 28, 32 mo. during war

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
Dec r 18 th 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Elabourn Johnston, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Missouri Agency, at the rate of fifty Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March 1838, to the 4 th March, 1839.
Respectfully, yours,
William B. Parsons Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

Quinn 2c
16050 SE Washington Dr.
Jan 13 1903.
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions City.
Sir
At the suggestion of Brig. Gen. J.C. Ainsworth I write to ask you for information as to the service record and regiment of one Clabourn John ston, who was a private in the Resolutinary War , and was pensioned under the Act of June 7 1832, the number of his pension certificate being 26189.
The information is desired for the purpose of completing family records and joining an historical society. Thanking you in advance I am
Very respectfully,
R. Talbert.
B57

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Johnson, Comfort GRADE Private LINE Artillery Artificers
WARRANT NUMBER 13262 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED December 6, 1791 To Stephen Thorne, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.