Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7079, for Nahum Johnson, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Johnson, Nahum
S. 7079
Carded
CONTENTS

12652 Virginia
Nahum Johnson
of Charlotte in the State of Virginia who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Cunningham of the Reg't commanded by Col. P. Henry in the 1st Reg't for one year on the 12th day
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 44 Dollars 65 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of May and June 1833 and John Blain and Charlotte born
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $89.30 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep. 33 22.32
$111.62
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Geo B Whiting Clerk, Book E Vol. 6 Page 13
Instructions as to etc. for new cert: Sept. 6. 1833
Duplicate Certificate issued the 6 Sep. 1833.
the Ad. Cert. ad. Army Dead letter Oct 8. & cancelled

State of Virginia, Charlotte County, to wit:
The amended declaration of Nahum Johnson a revolutionary soldier. — On this 16 th day of January 1833, Nahum Johnson personally appeared before me John H Marshall a Justice of the peace in the County of Charlotte & doth upon his oath make the following declaration as an amendment to his original declaration and as an answer & explanation of the objections made by the War department to the admission of his claim to a pension under the act of Congress passed the 7 th June 1832 — which objections are contained in a brief accompanying the return of his original declaration & marked in red ink. The certificate of Samuel Armistead a Clergyman residing in Campbell County & William C Moon a resident of Charlotte County will answer the first objection marked in red ink and in answer to the interrogatories prescribed by the War department which was not answered in his original declaration further saith 1 st Question. — Where and in what year were you born? Answer — I was born in the County of Amelia & State of Virginia in the month of November in the year 1750. 2 nd Question. — Have you any record of your age, if so, where is it?
Answer — I have no record of my age in my possession — the register of my birth was in a Bible belonging to my Father in his lifetime, — which Bible was carried by one of my Sisters to the western Country many years ago.
3 rd Question. — State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood & who will certify as to your character for veracity & their belief of your service as a soldier of the revolution.
Answer. — William C Moon, Abram H John sen, & the Rev d Samuel Armistead
Nahum his Johnson mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me John H Marshall

a Justice of the peace for the County of Charlotte, the day and year above written
J. H. Marshall J. P.
We Samuel Armistead, a clergyman, residing in the County of Campbell V a and William C Moon, a resident of Charlotte County, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathan Johnson who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Eighty two years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, & that we concur in that opinion. Sam: Armistead
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid. William C. Moon
I John H. Marshall, a Justice of the peace for the County of Charlotte, do hereby certify that Samuel Armistead who has signed the above certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Campbell, and that William C Moon who has also signed the same, is a resident in the County of Charlotte & is a credible person, & that their statement is entitled to credit. And also further state that Nathan Johnson is unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity. Given under my hand this 16 th day of January 1833. J. H. Marshall J. P.

Virginia, Charlotte County ss: I William Robinson Clerk of the County Court of Charlotte in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that James Marshall is an acting Justice of the peace in and for the said County, and that his name approved the foregoing declaration is signed in two places in his own proper and usual hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office this 14 th day of March 1833
William Robinson ©

Johnson
1586

State of Virginia Charlotte County ss w it
On this 3 d day of Sept r 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the County Court of Charlotte now sitting at  at Johnson a resident of Charlotte County and State of Virginia aged eighty two years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth, on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832 in relation to the revolutionary soldiers. That he enlisted in the regular service about the 1 st of August 1775 - for the term of 12 months being at that time a resident of Amelia County Virginia, John Markham of Chesterfield County was his Captain William Cunningham of Prince Edward County 1 st Lieutenant and Joseph Scott of Amelia 2 d Lieutenant and Tarleton Woodson of Prince Edward Ensign. The company marched direct to Williamsburgh Va. they there joined the 1 st Virginia Regiment under the command of Col. Patrick Henry (since Gov. of Va.) he was engaged in no active service at this place - The company was sent to the Long Bridge to the assistance of Genl. Stevens and arrived there the day after the battle was fought he was then marched to Norfolk and remained there 3 months and after the burning of Norfolk he was marched to Kemp's Landing to give the British an opportunity of landing at Norfolk, they did not land, he was employed at Kemp's Landing in various scouting parties some times in Norfolk at others at Kemp's Landing, he was then marched to Williamsburg and reached there the first of August 1776 and was discharged about the 1 st September Capt Markham signed his discharge which he has since lost he reached his residence in Amelia County Va late in September - he was in this service more than 12 months by a few weeks. He was drafted in the Militia for 3 months about the year 1778 or 79 and marched from Amelia under Capt Craddock about the beginning of autumn direct to Cabin point on James River Major O'Callaghan was the commanding officer at Cabin point he was a Frenchman they remained at Cabin point 5 weeks and having no use for the Militia they were disbanded he received no discharge - he thinks he was six weeks in this service,

Affidavit of Thos McDiarmid in behalf of Naim Johnson

He has no documentary evidence whatever the Certificate of Thomas McDearman accompanying this declaration will prove the first four of service He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or an annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any state.
sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Nathan Johnson his mark
And the said applicant produced in Court the affidavit of Thomas McDearman, and the Court certifies that he is a credible witness. and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I William Robinson Clerk of the County Court of Charlotte, in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Nathan Johnson for a pension - and I do further certify that John Daniel is an acting justice of the peace in and for the said County, and that his signature annexed to the affidavit of Thomas McDearman is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of Office this 4 th day of September 1832 William Robinson
I Thomas McDearman do hereby certify that I am acquainted with Nathan Johnson the applicant and that I was with him in the revolutionary war both of us belonging to the 1 st Virginia regiment under the command of Col Patrick Henry we were together at Williamsburg and at Norfolk when it was burnt I frequently saw Mr. Johnson during this service but did not belong to the same company sworn to and subscribed in presence of
Thos McDearman
John Daniel a justice
of the peace in the County of Charlotte, this 3 rd day of Sept 1832

File No. 1079
Nakem Johnson
By Rev. Han
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 15 , Page 196-
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Payments to be made at Richmond by Dick Anderson Pres t M. S. B. Bank Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Virginia
Cancelled
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book 6 Vol. 6 Page 13 by Geo B. Whiting Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Nahum Johnson of the State of Virginia who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution
is entitled to receive Twenty five dollars and Sixty five cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 17 th day of of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty- three
Lewis Cass
Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
J. L. Edward Commissioner of Pensions.

Naum Johnson
properly attached to the certificate. The certificate must be in the form of a letter, and must contain the name of the person to whom it is issued, the date of birth of the person, the place of birth, the date of marriage, the name of the spouse, the date of death of the spouse, and the place of death. The certificate must be signed by the person to whom it is issued, or by the person's spouse, and must be countersigned by the person's spouse, if the person is married. The certificate must be attested by the person to whom it is issued, or by the person's spouse, and must be countersigned by the person's spouse, if the person is married. The certificate must be attested by the person to whom it is issued, or by the person's spouse, and must be countersigned by the person's spouse, if the person is married.
ORDER 717. Mode of establishing papers. The papers must be attested by the person to whom it is issued, or by the person's spouse, and must be countersigned by the person's spouse, if the person is married. The certificate must be attested by the person to whom it is issued, or by the person's spouse, and must be countersigned by the person's spouse, if the person is married. The certificate must be attested by the person to whom it is issued, or by the person's spouse, and must be countersigned by the person's spouse, if the person is married.
ORDER 718. Proof of papers. The papers must be attested by the person to whom it is issued, or by the person's spouse, and must be countersigned by the person's spouse, if the person is married. The certificate must be attested by the person to whom it is issued, or by the person's spouse, and must be countersigned by the person's spouse, if the person is married. The certificate must be attested by the person to whom it is issued, or by the person's spouse, and must be countersigned by the person's spouse, if the person is married.
B44.65

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

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?
No
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?
There is a credible witness
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
yes
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
Yes
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?
yes
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?
12 7
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 the 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.
†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 authenticated 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 end 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.

To.
J. L.
Edward S. Harkness
Vernon Office
Washington City

Sir
Charlotte Ct. House Aug. 13th 1833
I received yours of the 7th Inst. and in reply state that the pension certificate of Nahun Johnson must have miscarried as it has never been received at this Post Office as you will perceive from the following certificate of Mr. John Morton Post master at this place, Perhaps it may have gone to Charlottesville or to Charlotte North Carolina —
Yours Respectfully William Heath
To Mr. J. S. Edwards Comm. pensions
The pension Certificate of Nahun Johnson spoken of above has not been recd. at this office
J Morton Post Master Charlotte Ct. House ,,

To
Certificate Pension office
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of pensions Washington City
D. Columbia
Mr Rice

Mr J L Edwards
Sept. 2d 1833-
To Sir
I wrote you a letter last month concerning the pension of Warren Johnson you stated in your last  copy letter to me that you had issued a certificate for Mr Johnson in May last. Immediately upon the receipt of your letter containing that information I wrote you another enclosing the certificate of Mr John Morton the post master at this place stating that no such pension certificate had ever been received at his office, Mr Johnson is now old, infirm, and needy, and is not expected to live many years and his pension would render his remaining years easy and comfortable it is for this reason that I again trouble you with a letter concerning his pension, I would be glad to know if it would be necessary to do any thing more in order to obtain a second certificate, I suppose there is no doubt of the miscarriage of the first and consequently there is no probability of ever receiving it, you will please if convenient write me a letter concerning the pension. I am to take, if any, to obtain a second certificate in his favour. I presume that if the department is satisfied that the certificate was miscarried they would not hesitate to issue another as no fraud could possibly be practiced on the government in the event that the first certificate was never found for it. The certificate has gone to another county or town the necessary requisites to award the pension could never be obtained, the certificate of the magistrate and the seal of the clerk unless we suppose human nature to be capable of a depravity unknown in the history of mankind.
To J L Edwards Esqr.
Yours Respectfully,
Comt of pensions.
William H. Smith Charlotte Court house Virginia