Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5,646, for John Johnson, New York

SERVICE
New York
Johnson John
NUMBER
S. 5646
carded.
CONTENTS

14212
New York
John Johnson
of Chautauqua the State of N.Y. who was a private in the Com'y — commanded by Captain. Platt — of the Reg't. commanded by Col. Holmes — in the N.Y. line for 12 Months
Inscribed on the Roll of N.Y. at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th day of May 1833. and sent to Mullett & Crane Tadoussac. Chautauqua. N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. 80.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1/2 yr / 1833. 20.00
$100.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk. Book C. Vol. 1. Page 22.

23378
John Johnson New York
Mullett & Crane Fredonia Chautauqua City New York

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 subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show 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 John Johnson  Town of Sheridan Chautauqua City N York
   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.     Enlisted 1776 5 6 priv Capt Platt Col Kedney Gen Montgomery 71 years Bedford Traditional Evidence 2 Witnesses   " 1776 6 As Capt Delavan Col Thomas Gen Clinton Westchester State of New York for his general Service both Credible  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
That after the last lower stated he was frequently called out and performed duty, time not stated

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 _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[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) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has 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 enquiry 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 [j] 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.

In the matter of John Johnson a Revolutionary soldier applicant for a Pension under Act of Congress Passed June 7. 1832.
23378
Mullett & Crane, agents Fredonia Chautauqua County New York

State of New York } Chautauqua County } ss.
On this then tenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Chautauqua & State of New York the same being a Court of Record & having a seal & a Clerk, now sitting, John Johnson a resident of the town of Sheridan in the County of Chautauqua & State of New York aged seventy six years the 18 th day of April last, 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. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated, viz:
That he enlisted into the Continental Line of the Revolutionary Army for six months at Crops River on Courtlandts Manor in the County of Westchester & State of New York, about five miles from Bedford in the same County in the month of June or July in the year 1775 as near as he can recollect. — That he resided at Bedford aforesaid at the time of his said enlistment — That he joined the Company commanded by Capt. Jonathan Platt, in Col. James Holmes Regiment, and as he believes the fourth Brigade, commanded by Gen. Montgomery in Major General Schuyler's Division — That he staid at Bedford, Crops River and Poundridge in the same County of Westchester for four or five weeks recruiting, & then marched to Sing Sing on the North River where he embarked on board of a vessel for Albany in New York. — That he staid in Albany about six days, & then marched with Col. Holmes & his baggage to Lake George N. York and there encamped six or eight weeks — From Lake George he went by water to Ticonderoga N. York, where he remained until New Years day 1776, where he was discharged by Col. Holmes & went home.
This Declarant further states upon oath, that in the month of May or June in the year 1776 he enlisted again as a Private for six months at Crops River or Bedford aforesaid in Nathaniel Delavan's Company, in Col. Thomas Thomas Regiment, in Gen. George Clinton's Brigade, in Major General Heath's Division. — That he marched directly to the North River near Kingsbridge then went to work & assisted in building Fort Independence and got it fit for service when he was ordered to march to White Plains in the fall of 1776 but after marching part way, he with forty nine others was ordered back under Capt. Platt to Fort Independence to Garrison it, where he staid three days & then marched to White Plains with twelve or fourteen others under Lieut. Miller and arrived at White Plains on the night before the battle — That he was in the battle of White Plains from its commencement to its close. — That he staid at White Plains six or eight days, and then marched to Peekskill on the North River where he staid till his term of six months expired & then went with Col. Thomas to White Plains & was there discharged by him verbally about the first of January 1777 & went to Greenwich, Fairfield County, Conn. where he afterwards resided.

This Declarant further states upon oath, that between his First and Second Enlistment it was rumoured at Bedford where he then lived, that the British ships had come up the River to Sing-Sing & Poughkeepsie — The whole country was alarmed, and he was twice ordered out by militia officers to go & prevent the British from landing & plundering — that he went, and was gone one week each time.
This Declarant further states upon oath, that while he resided at Greenwich aforesaid, the British lying constantly in the neighborhood or vicinity of that place, the country about Greenwich was kept in constant commotion & alarm until after the British evacuated New York, and the inhabitants perpetually surprised by alarms of the approaches & incursions of the British frequently made for the purpose of plunder, inasmuch that husbandry was obliged to be neglected by reason of the plunder of cattle, horses & provisions, and that this state of things continued for more than three years while this Declarant resided at Greenwich aforesaid, during which time he was very frequently called into service in the militia by alarms of officers under General John Mead, and employed on duty about Greenwich, Stamford & Horse neck on L. Island said to prevent the incursions & ravages of the British, and was out on duty aforesaid at one time for six weeks.
This Declarant further states upon oath, that he never had any written discharge from any of his said services, to the best of his recollection — that he knew in the service Gen. Putnam, Col. M c Dougal, Major Tuttle of Col. Holmes Regt. & Capt. Mills in the same Regiment besides many other officers whose names he cannot now recollect.
This Declarant further states upon oath, that he has no documentary evidence in his possession of his said service, nor does he now know of any person living except William Harris & his wife whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his said service.
This Declarant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the Agency of any state or territory in the U. States.
This Declarant, in answer to interrogatories propounded to him by the said Court of Common Pleas or the judges thereof, further states upon oath, that he was born in Huntington, Queens County, New York — that he has no record of his age — that when he enlisted into the Revolutionary service, he resided at Bedford as above stated — that since the Revolutionary war he remained from Greenwich aforesaid to Chatham, Columbia County New York where he resided for more than forty years, and from thence moved to Sheridan, in the County of Chautauqua & State of New York, where he has lived for about six years & where he now resides. — that when he entered the Revolutionary

service, in company as a volunteer and a Private - that he knew the regular officers who were with the troops where he served, whose names he has above specified besides many others not now recollected, and that he was well acquainted with the militia Regiment commanded by Colonel (afterwards General) John Mead of Horseneck, with Capt. George Peck Lieut. Robert Peck, & Lieut. Seth Palmer of the same Regiment, and that he never received a written discharge from any of his said services.
This Declarant further states upon oath, that he is well acquainted with Oliver Lee, James Mullett, Benjamin Walworth, Ezra Conner, John Crane
residing in his present neighborhood, to whom he refers as to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
and that he is not acquainted with any clergyman in the neighborhood of his present residence who can testify that he is reported to have been a soldier of the revolution. John Johnson
Sworn to and subscribed in open court the day and year aforesaid.
before me
J. B. Campbell, Judge Chautauqua County
We Benjamin Walworth & James Mullett residing in the Town of Pomfret in the county of Chautauqua & Ezra Conner residing in Hamden in said county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Johnson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy six years of age. That he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion. B. Walworth J. Mullett E. Conner Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court before me
J. B. Campbell a judge of Chautauqua County
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after

the investigation of the matter and after hearing the interrogatories presented by the war department, that the above applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Benjamin Maldoorth & James Mullett of Pemsat in said County & Ezra Conner of Hanover who have signed the preceding certificate are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit -
State of New York County of Chautauqua Clerk's Office ss.
I James B. Sower Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County Do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Johnson for a pension in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the court of common Pleas for said County this 14 th day of February A.D. 1833.
James B. Sower Clerk

State of New York - ss: Chautauqua County 5 ss: Rachel Harris of Hancock in the County of Chautauqua and State of New York being of the age of Sixty Eight years, next-frank having first duly sworn. Doth depose & say, that she has been well and intimately acquainted with John Johnson ever since the year 1770-4
This Deponent further saith that she was well acquainted with the said John Johnson during the Revolutionary war , and resided in Bedford in the County of Westchester in the State of New York at that time, where also the said John Johnson then resided - that she knew by common report & belief that the said John Johnson enlisted in the Revolutionary Army as a soldier in the year 1775 and again in the year 1776 & marched off with the troops & was gone from home for several months - and that she occasionally heard from him as a soldier in the Army, and afterwards saw him on his return from the army, and that she verily believes that the said John Johnson did serve in the Revolutionary Army as stated by him in his foregoing declaration.
Sworn & subscribed before me February 5 th 1833. 3 C. O. Mills Justice
Rachel his X Harris mark

State of New York } Chautauqua County } ss:
William Harris of Haroun in the County of Chautauqua & State of New York aged seventy five years being sworn saith that he has been acquainted with John Johnson ever since the year 1773 or 1774 -
That during the Revolutionary war, he was well & intimately acquainted with the said John Johnson, and resided in Bedford in the County of West Chester, New York, where the said John Johnson also resided & that he knew that the said John Johnson enlisted into the Revolutionary service as a soldier in the year 1775 and again in the year 1776, and that he marched off with the troops and that he occasionally heard from him while in the service & saw him after his terms of Enlistment had expired & he returned home, and that he verily believes that the said John Johnson did serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in his foregoing declaration.
William Harris
Sworn & subscribed before me February 5 th 1833
O. Comins Justice of the Peace
I hereby Certify that I am personally acquainted with William Harris & Rachel his Wife whose names are subscribed to the above and within affidavits and know them to sustain a good reputation, for truth and veracity. Feb. 5. 1833
O. Comins Justice

State of New York Chautauqua County Clerk's Office
I James B. Lowny clerk of said County Do Certify That in a Court before whom the foregoing affidavits purport to have been sworn to who just before to have made the foregoing certificate was on the day of the date of the said affidavits & certificate a Justice of the Peace in & for said County. And further that I am acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice & truly believe his signatures set to the said affidavits & certifi- cate are his proper hand writing & signatures. And further that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court of common Pleas of of said County in the matter of the application of John Johnson for a peremptory
Witness my hand & Seal of Office this 12 th day of February 1833.
James B. Lowny Clerk

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Johnson a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. 8.5646
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June or July, 1775 6 mos. Pri. Jonathan Platt James Holmes N.Y.   May or June, 1776 6 " Nathaniel Delavan Thomas Thomas      
Battles engaged in, White Plains Residence of soldier at enlistment, Bedford, Westchester Co. N.Y. Date of application for pension, Feb. 13, 1833. His cl. was al Residence at date of application, Sheridan, Chautauqua Co. N.Y. Age at date of application, B. April 18, 1756
Remarks: There is no data relative to family
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Schufferli

Schuyler

Hon. Comm. of Pensions, this is Washington, D.C. John Johnson Dear Sir! - N.Y. 5646
Please send me the Pension Record of John Johnson, Rev. soldier, recorded in Book E, Vol. 4, Page 22, Pension Office. any fees for same I will remit.
Respectfully
Mabel A. Schifferli
Silver Creek, N.Y.
Jan. 3, 1917.

1917, Jan. 10. History to Mabel A. Schifferli Br.
Reuben
5646
INVALID.
File No. 5646
John Johnson Briv Rev. War
Act: France 7 th / 320
Index:—Vol. M , Page 195
[Arrangement of 1870.]