Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 20212, for Fenn Johnson, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Johnson, Fanny Rebecca
N 20212
CONTENTS

2
Connecticut 763 Rebecca Johnson widow of Jenn Johnson decd. Conn.
who died on the of Hartford in the State of Ct who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Ct line for 7 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Vt. at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of Apr. 1837 and sent Miss Charlton East Windsor Ct.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 37 $139.98 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 11.66
$151.64
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3rd }
Recorded by Wm. G. Adison Clerk, Book _____ Vol. _____ Page 80

Hartford County State of Connecticut To East Windsor Sept 24 D 1836.
Personally appeared before the Court of probate for the D District of East Windsor in D County. Bishop Johnson a Resident of D East Windsor aged 50 years the 27 th of November next who being duly sworn according to Law doth on Oath declare, that as many as twenty five years ago at least he copied the within record from an old family bible which was worn out & mutilated by use in that bible it had every appear- ance of being an Original Record, the bible what remains of it now lies before the court & he further declares that his Father Fearn Johnson the within named & the husband of the widow Rebecca Johnson, went away from home in very feeble health & deranged in mind & they have never been able by diligent search to find him tho' he has been gone twenty five years, at least, my Mother we have considered a widow.
All this true & not a shadow of doubt can remain from the low state of health in which he left home that he died many years ago; his wife has never again married & is now in very feeble health at the age of 90 years. The deponent is a credible person well known to this Court for many years. Bishop Johnson.
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year above Before said Court of Probate Attest Henry S. Hinsley Clerk
The entry of the death of Hannah J. Johnson in 1831 it will be perceived is with different Ink & is not pre- tended to have been copied. J Charlton

A Record of Mr. Fenn Johnson's Family
Mr. Fenn Johnson was born August 3 in the year 1745.
Mrs. Rebecca Johnson, wife of Mr. Fenn Johnson was born July 29 in the year 1746.
Mr. Fenn Johnson was married in the year 1767 in July 24.
Willys Johnson was born July 24 in the year 1768.
Elizabeth Johnson was born August 13 in the year 1770.
Sarah Johnson was born July 28 in the year 1772.
Rebecca Johnson was born December 24 in the year 1774.
Abigail Johnson was born April 22 in the year 1778.
Hannah Johnson was born September 13 in the year 1780.
Died Feb. 2 1931 aged 51 years
Fenn Johnson was born September 10 in the year 1783.
Bishop Johnson was born November 27 in the year 1786.
Clarissa Johnson was born January 9 in the year 1790.
1745 1790 45
Bishop Johnson's Writing
1740 1790 51 50

Certificate of Simon Johnson Marriage.

— Copy — Married by me, Ebenezer Kellogg, July 29 th A D 1767 Jerem Johnson & Rebecca Bishop — —
I hereby certify that the above is a true extract from the record of marriages kept by Rev. Ebenezer Kellogg, former pastor of the Congregational Church in this place.
Chester Humphrey Pas- tor of the Cong l Church in Vernon Oct. 3 rd 1836. — —
Vernon Holland County St.
I hereby certify that the above copy was taken by me from the Records of the late Rev. Ebenezer Kellogg - this 3 rd day of October 1836
Sebbens B. Fisher Post Master

Anna Johnson certificate

State of Connecticut } ss Hartford County } ss East Windsor On this 22 nd day of November A D 1836 Personally appeared before the court of Pro- bate for the District of Hartford East Windsor in said Hartford County, Bishop Johnson, a resident of said East Windsor Aged, 51 years a person of veracity a Credible person; who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on oath declare, That for many years child he has understood from his Mother that Penn Johnson his late father per- formed two campaigns in the revolu- tionary War: The one in Captain Simon Wolcott's Company, in the early part of the War, and the other in Capt Amasa Leonis's Company, toward the close of the War.
The account given him by his Mother has been in uniform sta- ting these two campaigns, the first performed at New York, with Capt Simon Wolcott; and the second at New Lond- on, with Capt Amasa Leonis. The former for a period of six or seven Months and the latter about two months or not less than six weeks
Bishop Johnson
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Before said court of Probate In testimony whereof I Henry S Hinsley clerk of said court hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of said court the day & year aforesaid Attest Henry S. Hinsley Clerk

Widow R. Johnson

State of Connecticut } ss Hartford County } Is East Windsor On this 22 day of November 1836 Personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the district of East Windsor in said Hartford County Widow Rebecca Johnson, a resident of said Windsor aged 90 years a credible person, who being first duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, she cannot swear positively as to the precise year when her said late Husband Fenn Johnson went to NewLondon as a private soldier but she well remembers it was in Captain Amasa Loomis Company toward the close of the revolutionary War, and according to her best recollection her said husband served at this time for a period not less than six or eight weeks But the persons who served with him are almost all dead; & she does not know now of one person who served with him but she does fully remember that he served a tour at NewLondon from what she has heard she believes it was in the year 1781 Rebecca her Johnson mark
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Before said Court of Probate
In testimony whereof I Henry S. Kinsley Clerk of the said Court hereunto set my hand & affix the Seal of said Court the day & year aforesaid & "at NewLondon" is interlined Attest before signing. Attest Also the words "six or" interlined Attest Henry S. Kinsley Clerk

Rev Mearnsell for Finn Johnson 2 nd Certificate

State of Connecticut Hartford County, S.S. East Windsor,
On this 22 nd day of November, 1836 Personally appeared before the subscribing authority Hezekiah Hunsell a resident of said East Windsor aged 83 years a credible person who being first duly sworn according to law doth on oath declare, That in the year 1776, either the latter part of May or beginning of June, I enlisted under Capt Simon Wolcott of East Windsor, for a period of seven months and early in June we marched to New Haven & from there took shipping for New York and we served under Capt Wolcott until the 25 th day of December of the same year when we were dismissed at North Castle. We were commanded at first by Col Gay, but he died of the Dysentery in the Month of July in the City of New York; our regiment then was commanded by Lieut Col Hart: he was taken prisoner by the enemy when they took the city of New York and after Lieut Col Hart was taken, our Regiment was commanded by Maj Scott, & I think he continued in the command until we were dismissed. The deponent understands that the Commissioner believes that Col Gay's Regiment did not serve but five months: deponent

says That Capt Simon Wolcotts company served in this campaign what was called seven Months at the time & he was paid for seven Months & in his application for his own pension he declared it seven months and was allowed this amount of time by the Commissioner in granting his pension & he hereby requests the Commissioner to examine the Declarations of Asahel Stiles, & John Wood & Joseph Lord and Jonathan Button: all of them except Jonathan Button are now dead, but their declarations will corroborate his own; and he the deponent again declares that Simon Johnson was with him through this tour or Campaign As he remembers perfectly well their being in the City of New York on the 4 th day of July 1776 & had been there some time then, & as they were not dismissed until Christmas day he knows beyond a doubt that Capt Simon Wolcotts Company under the different Commandants served more than five Months, in this campaign: and that there was only Justice done them when the Commissioner of Pensions allowed the applicants for the term of time they severally claimed viz seven months Herbick Minsell
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid and I the subscribing authority with further certify that from a personal acquaintance

with Hezekiah Munsell the deponent & from a knowledge of the estimation in which he is held by this community, that his statements are entitled to as full credit as those of any man among us, both from the distinctness of his recollection, and from his integrity of character.
Before me Joshua Risley Justice of Peace
SW
State of Connecticut Hartford County, ss East Windsor
I Henry S. Winsby Clerk of the Probate Court for the District of East Windsor in Hartford County, hereby certify that Joshua Risley Esq, before whom the certificate of Hezekiah Munsell was taken, is a lawful Justice of the Peace for the County of Hartford & has been for five months last past & that the above signature purporting to be his, is his genuine Signature In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name & affix the Seal of said Probate Court this 22 nd day of November 1836
Attest Henry S. Winsby Clerk

Rebecca Johnson

"The persons under written were married by me Ebenezer Kellogg. July 29 D. 1767 John Johnson & Rebecca Bishop."
I Chester Humphrey. Pastor of the Church and Society in Vernon in Tolland County, & State of Connecticut hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy from the record of Marriages kept by one of my predecessors in the Ministry in this place, viz, by the Rev Ebenezer Kellogg whose Ministry commenced in this place, D. 1762 and terminated Sept 3 rd 1817
Attest Chester Humphrey Pastor of the Church & Congregation in said Vernon State of Connecticut } ss Tolland County } ss Vernon Nov. 17 th 1836
Personally appeared before the Subscribing authority this day Rev Chester Humphrey who is pastor of the Congregational Society & Church in said Vernon & a credible person & made solemn oath to the truth of the above certificate by him subscribed
Attest Oliver H. King justice of Peace
State of Connecticut } ss Hartford County, } ss East Windsor I Henry S. Kingsley Clerk of the Probate Court for the District of East Windsor in Hartford County

hereby Certify that Oliver H e Keirig Esq r before whom the Certificate of the Rev Chester H o Humphrey was taken is a lawful Justice of the Peace of the County of Holland and has been for more than five months last past and that the signature to the within certificate purporting to be his is his genuine signa- ture.
In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name & affix the Seal of said Probate Court this 22 nd day of November 1836
Attest Henry J. Winsley Clerk

State of Connecticut } Hartford County } Is East Windsor
In this 24 th day of September A 1836 Before the court of Probate for the district of East Windsor in said Hartford County. Personally appeared Widow Rebecca Johnson a resident of said East Windsor aged 89 years the 29 th of July last a Credible person per son who being first duly sworn accord- ing to Law doth on Oath declare That She is the Widow of Simon Johnson formerly of said East Windsor now deceased
That her said husband served as a private Soldier in the Revolutionary War
That about the month of May 1776. The day of the month she cannot exactly specify he went in capt Simon Wolcotts compa- ny to New York & found the Army capt Wolcott was a resident of the said East Windsor and he staid in the service for a period not less than seven months which she expects to prove
And again he went into the service in a tour to New London some time in

the year 1781 and staid I believe two months but I don't know that I can find proof of the second period of service service the deponent says
She has no documentary evidence of her sd husband's services. She was married to her said husband at North Bolton in Tolland County Conn, in the society since sett off as a town and called Vernon on the 29 th day of July 1767 by the Rev d Mr Kellogg then pastor of that Church and Society A record of it was in her family bible & whether any further proof of it can be obtained she does not know and she does not know of any surviving wit- ness of the marriage her said hus- band died as she believes twenty five years ago and she still remains his Widow and has never again married her said husband was deranged & in a low state of health and went away from home and neither his wife children or friends have ever been able to find him to
Rebecca her Johnson Attest Henry S. Hinckley Clerk Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid
And the Court hereby declare their opin- ion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the proper interrogatories of the War department so far as adapted to this class of cases. That the

said Widow is the widow of the said late Fenn Johnson and that he served as a private Soldier in the Revolutionary War and that she was Married to him before the period of any of his services That her said husband has deceased and that she remains his widow and has never again Married And that the record of the Marriage as herewith sent is entitled to full credit and that the Rev Sherburne Bartlett who has signed the certificate which is herewith annexed is a Clergyman of the Congregational Church and Society is a credible person entitled to the full credit and that Joshua Resley Esq is a Justice of the peace for said County of Hart- ford that his signature to the Affidavit of Hezekiah Munsell is his genuine signature and also to the deposition of Fenn Johnson is his genuine signature And I also certify that Alexander Wells is a Justice of the Peace for said Hartford County & has been for four months past and that his signature to the Certificate of Mrs Rebecca Grail is his the said Wells genuine signature And also that the Rev Chester Humphrey who has signed the certificate of the Marriage of Fenn Johnson with Rebecca Bishop is pastor of the Congregational Church & Society in Vernon

in Tolland County & State of Connecticut & that Lebbeus P. Tinker Esq who has signed said certificate is Post Master of the said Vernon & that the signature of their names is their genuine signature
In testimony whereof I Henry Hinsley Clerk of the said probate Court hereunto affix my name, and the Seal of said Court this 13 th day of October 1836
Attest Henry H. Hinsley Clerk
Rebecca Johnson

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20212
Rebecca Johnson Widow of Henn Johnson Prison War
Act: July 4 th 86
Index:—Vol. 24 , Page 381
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Rebecca Grant Certificate
State of Connecticut Hartford County To East Windsor On this 3 rd day of October 1836
Personally appeared before me the sole scribing authority Mrs Rebecca Grant a resident of said East Windsor aged 62 years a Credible Person who being first duly sworn doth on Oath declare That she is the daughter and fourth child of Simon and Rebecca Johnson late of sd East Windsor
That as much (she believes) as twenty five years ago, her father had a severe fit of sickness & never fully recovered from it & that he lingered along quite feeble in health & became deranged & went off from home unbeknown to his family & never returned they have never been able to find him and all our family have believed, & do believe that he has been many years dead.
My mother has never again Married.
Rebecca Grants cross +
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me Alexander Wells Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut I of Hartford County ss East Windsor On this 1 st day of October A.D. 1836 Personally appeared before me the sub- scribing authority Russell Grant a resident of said East Windsor aged years a credible person Who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on oath declare
That he has been well acquainted with the family of Henry Johnson for more than years That Mr Johnson became very weakly & unable to do much business that he became demented in mind and wandered off from him and never came back. The universal opinion of this community I believe is that he has been dead many years That it could hardly be possible that a man at 68 or 70 could become a wanderer and a vagabond in very feeble health and be exposed unprotected to the calamities of a homeless homeless condition and so live for twenty five years to the age of ninety two years might he thinks be ranked among miracles. Mrs Rebecca Johnson has never again Married Here the Deposition of Russell Grant Subscribed the day & year aforesaid Before me
Russell Grant Elizabeth
Johnson, Fann Conn W 20 212

New Shuckack Bartlett City
19824

I have been, for some years past, acquainted, with the widow of Mr Fenn Johnson, the residing with her son, Bishop Johnson in the 2 nd Society of East Windsor Connecticut, who I believe to be, according to her own, and her children's testimony 89 years of age. I consider, both her, and her sons, Bishop and Fenn, as persons of integrity whose testimony is to be relied on, with all needed confidence. — Shubael Bartlett. Pastor of the 2 nd Church and Ecclesiastical Society, East Windsor 2 nd Society Sept 24 th A 1836. East Windsor Connecticut.
State of Connecticut ss. East Windsor On this 24 th day of Sept Hartford County October 1836 personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the district of East Windsor Rev Shubael Bartlett a Clergyman a Credible person aged 58 years who made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing Certificate by him subscribed.
Attest Henry S. Winsley Clerk

To whom it may concern.
This may certify that about the year 1798 I first became acquainted with Heman Johnson of East Windsor, in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut - That I was from that time, until the year 1807, generally employed in his family as a Physician - That he was a man in feeble health, that he became mentally deranged, and in this state, left home, as I believe, as many as 20 or 25 years since - that I have ever understood that he has never since been heard from but once, and then in a state of derangement in the streets of N. York - that he has been generally supposed long since dead, and that his wife at that time, is now, and for many years, has been living with her children as a Widow.
East Windsor Oct. 11 - 1836
Elijah J. Reed.
State of Connecticut
Hartford County } ss East Windsor,
On this 11 day of October A.D. 1836 Personally appeared before me Joshua Pissley Esq. a Justice of the Peace for Hartford County a state aforesaid, Dr. Elijah J. Reed a resident of said East Windsor Aged 69 years a Credible Person and one of the principal Physicians of this town and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate by him subscribed and he is a gentleman well known to the court as one entitled to full credit and confidence his age is 69 years
Attest.
Joshua Pissley Justice of Peace

Dr E J Peels Certificate

State of Connecticut } Ss East Windsor Hartford County }
On this day of A 183 personally appeared before me
Esq a Justice of the peace for Hartford County Asahel Green aged years a person of veracity a credible person who being first duly sworn according to law doth on Oath declare That he was well acquainted with Ensign Hezekiah Wells in the Revolutionary War that he served with him in the army in the same company commanded by Capt Jonathan Wells in the latter part of Jan'y or 1 st of Feb. 1776 he cannot exactly say which he thinks it was a Company of State troops That they marched from East Hartford thro Bolton Coventry Pomfret Killingly into Dedham near Boston where they were employed in guarding our lines building fortifications &c we staid till Spring and returned in April having according to my best recollection served not less than two months and a half but I cannot testify to a day In this tour Ensign Wells served as long as I did according to my best recollection And again in the same year I served in the same Company with

best recollection of not less than seven months when we returned home Ensign Wells having according to best recollection served as long as the deponent
7th Dec 367 John Johnson
Widow  Widow
367
Allen for me
$27.75 per ann. No
Anderson
John (Hathorn) Capt. Mathew
James
Alma Mater Oak Hill Park Green Eden District
  Capt. Mathew  45    Lieut. Green  44    Ensign  24    Long  19    Corp  17    Pvt  16  

Jenn Johnson
Christopher
Ceraf
22
1862
Jan 18th 1862
at 11 A.M.
[Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]
[Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]

Comptrollers Office Hartford Connecticut Sept 26th 1836
I certify that the name of Capt Simon Wolcott appears on the pay table Books now in this Office and is named as belonging to Col Gay's Regiment and he is credited March 27th 1777 By Account rendered for his Co for losses & hospital expenses $169-11 He is also credited June 30th 1778. By Account rendered for his company Col Gay's Regiment $424-3-6. His name also app- -ears on Haskell's Receipts under the following Head viz, "The United States Dr to the State of Connecticut for sundry Expenditures for bounties wages hospital expenses lost baggage &c paid to the troops of the United States in service in 1776 & 77" and he is credited $274-11-6 Specie value Wm Field Comptroller
I further certify that I know of no documents in this Office which will enable me to determine the length of time that Capt Simon Wolcott served in the War of the Revolution
Wm Field Comptroller

Henry Johnsons
Certificate

State of Connecticut Hartford County ss East Windsor
On this 30 th day of September A 1836 Personally appeared before me the Subscribing authority Fenn Johnson the resident of said East Windsor aged 53 years a credible person who being first duly sworn according to law doth on oath declare
That he well remembers his Father Fenn Johnson that he had a severe fit of sickness something more than 25 years ago that he never fully recovered from that while in a weak and low state of health he became deranged and went away from home while in that condition and has never again returned home and from his feeble and bro- ken constitution there cannot be a shadow of doubt that he has been many years dead and my Mo- ther has been considered a widow as much as tho we had witnessed the death and burial of my father My Mother has never again married and is now of the age of 90 years.
Fenn Johnson
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid Before me Joshua W. Wiley Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut } To East Windsor Hartford County } on this 24 th day of September A D 1836. personally appeared before me Joshua Risley - Esq Justice of the Peace for Hartford County Hezekiah Munsell a resident of said East Windsor aged 83 years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on oath declare, and he is a credible person. That he was well acquainted with S er n Johnson formerly of said East Windsor That he served with him as a Soldier in the revolutionary war, from the 1 st of June A D 1776 till the last of December in the same year.
That they both belonged to a company commanded by Capt Simon Wolcott then of said East Windsor which was attached to Col l Gage's Regiment. He and the said S er n Johnson together with the rest of the company marched to New Haven by the usual rout & there went on board a vessel and went to New York by water we went from New York to Long Island and were at Flatbush when the British attacked our troops here we saw General Washington & Gen l Putnam, we were in the city of New York the day we heard of Independence being declared,

when the term of our enlistment was out which was a period of Seven months we were honorably discharged. I receive a Pension under the act of 1832. After the war Mr Johnson lived in this town several years his health declined he became deranged & I have ever understood that he went off in this condition many years ago and his wife has been considered a Widow ever since, & has I am well persuaded never again Married as we have both lived in the same town I think there is not the least doubt of the fact of her widowhood it must have come to my knowledge had it been other- wise and I have a distinct recollection of Johnsons being a married man when we were in the service at this time
Frederick Munsell
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Before me - Joshua Ribley Justice of Peace

East Windsor, Connecticut
Sir
I herewith transmit some further proof in the case the Widow Rebecca Johnson of this town.
From your letter I learned that it was believed Col Gays Regiment did not serve but five months
From Hezekiah Mearnsells certificate & from the concurrent declaration of others to whom he refers, I have no doubt you will believe that Capt Simon Wolcotts company served longer than your impression is that Col Gays Regiment did. At least if you allow Hezekiah Mearnsells certificate the weight to which it is entitled.
Mr Mearnsell is a Man who at 83 years of age has an unimpaired Memory. He has not from his childhood drunk ardent spirits, wine, or cider: & he now reaps the benefit of it: his recollection of all the events relating to his service & the services of his acquaintances is worth more than those of any other man in this quarter, by far: he has been Select man of the town several years, & there is not a more respectable man in it
The character given Mrs Rebecca Johnson by Mr Bishop Johnson by the clergymen is well deserved: & tho by reason of death of so nigh all his contemporaries she cannot obtain a living witness of his services in 1787 I have not the faintest doubt

that Ann Johnson was there, and that his services were fully as much as his aged & feeble widow declares.
With great respect I am Sir your Obedt Servt
Jesse Charlton
James L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
P. S. For proof of the services of Capt Amasa Loomis at New London at the time above stated see Comptrollers Certificate sent by me with the papers of Widow Lenda Anderson, Relict of John Anderson late of East Windsor: & also, with the papers of Tryphena Lord, widow of Jeremiah Lord, late of East Windsor.
J. C.
Letter in Rebecca Johnson care
J. L. Edwards Esq

Oct 18
at 4 July, 1836
Mrs R Johnson
James L Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pension City of Washington D. C.

Mrs Rebecca Johnson Letter

East Windsor Oct 13=1836
Sir I herewith transmit the application of Widow Rebecca Johnson of said East Windsor for a Pension under the 3rd Section of the Pension Act of July 4 th A D 1836. The death of Mr Johnson is not proved by positive testimony as to time and place: but, I apprehend that the circumstances, clearly proved, are such, as constitute as high a degree of presumptive evidence as fully to satisfy your mind. The kind of evidence adduced in proof of his death might have been multiplied to a much greater extent; but I judged this sufficient, but if I have been mistaken, in this point, you will afford me the opportunity of rectifying it; and adding to it, if it would be more satisfactory.
After the Declaration was made I obtained a certificate of the Marriage.
Very respectfully yours Jesse Charlton
James L. Edwards Esq.