Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23281, for Job Johnson, Rhode Island

SERVICE
R. I.
NUMBER
S. 23281
Johnson Job
CONTENTS

14834 To Connecticut
James ...
Job Johnson
Died Nov 8, 1835
of Watervliet in the State of New York who was a Pvt & Corp't in the Comp'y commanded by Captain Ward of the Reg't commanded by Col Vernum in the Rhode Island line for 1 year Private Infantry 1 year Corporal Artillery
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 98 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of July 1833 and sent to Lansing Watervliet N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar '33 — $196.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Apr '33 49.00 $245.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Job Bromwell Clerk, Book E Vol. 4 Page 63
Sept 25. 1833 sent certif: of transfer to himself at Dan bury Conty. —
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838 from 4. Sep to 8 Nov. 1838. Agent Notice 9 July 1841.
1888
Dec 13 B.L. Baldwin — This only one found of the name & not identified Prior
Dead.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 24 th , 1841.
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," the child of Job Johnson, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Connecticut Agency, at the rate of ninety eight 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 Sept. to the 8 th Nov: 1838.
Respectfully yours,
W. B. L. Cassin Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Job Johnson Albany County New York
attnce
L. J. Lansing Watervliet NYork

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 Job Johnson Albany County New 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 1775 — 8 — private Col Varian, Captain Ward 78 years Charleston Rhode Island Two Witnesses - papers correctly Attached -   Enlisted 1777 1 — — " Col Topping, Capt Hoxie   Enlisted 1778 1 — — Artillery Corporal Col Elliott, Major Hagg Capt Adams.  
Battle at Rhode Island,
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. 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 _____
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) _____, who has 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.

Job Johnson - Application for a Pension
adm d 1 yr. Corp. Artillery 1 yr. pri. Infy.

State of New York County of Albany } ss: On this eighth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open Court before the Justices Court of the City of Albany now sitting Job Johnson a resident of the town of Waterkill, in the County of Albany and State of New York aged Seventy eight 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 June 7 th 1832 —
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That in the fore part of May in the year 1775 he enlisted in the State troops of Rhode Island, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Varnum, in the company command- ed by Captain Ward, for the term of Eight months. that he was marched from Charleston in Rhode Island, to Rox- bury in Massachusetts, and remained in the vicinity of Boston, Massachusetts, the whole term of his service. And that he served under this enlistment eight months.
That he, in the fore part of March 1777 enlisted again in the State troops of Rhode Island, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Topping, in the company command- ed by Captain Hoxie, Lieutenant David Johnson; for the term of one year — that they were stationed at Liv- erton near Howland Ferry, as guards. That he served at this place, and under this enlistment One Year.
That about the 16 th of March in the year 1778 he again enlisted in the Artillery in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Robert Elliot, Major Hagg, in the company com- manded by Captain Ebenezer Adams. 1 st Lieut. Robinson 2 d Lieut. Howe 3 rd Lieut. Champion Lamphear. That

they were stationed at Howland Ferry, at Fort Barton. That in this year they were marched to Portsmouth , in the State of Rhode Island, and he and his regiment were in the engagement which was fought with the British when the French fleet arrived there. That immediately after his enlistment he received the appointment of corporal and served as corporal under the last mentioned enlistment one year.
That he claims a pension for two years and eight months service as above stated.
Answers to the interrogatories prescribed by the War department.
1. That he was born in the town of Charleston, then King now Washington County, in the State of Rhode Island on the second day of March one thousand seven hundred and fifty five. 2. That he has no record of his age. 3. That at the time he entered the service of the United States he resided in the said town of Charleston, where he continued to reside for some time after the revolution, from whence he removed to Sheffield in Massachusetts and resided there for some time; and from there he removed into the town of Watervliet, Albany County, State of New York, where he has resided most of his time for the last twenty years, and does at present reside. 4. That he was a volunteer. 5. That he recollects Genl La Fayette, Green and Sullivan, and Count D'Estang the french Admiral Colonel Dyer's Regiment of Militia. That he served his two first terms above stated as a

private and the last term of one year as a corporal. And that he was in the battle fought at Portsmouth or Rhode Island
6. That he never received any written commission or discharge.
7. That he is known in his present neighborhood to William Enos, Matthias Enos, and Isaac Valance who can testify to his character for truth and veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution. That he is not acquainted with any clergyman who can certify in his behalf.
He 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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open court.
John S. Wesson Clk.
Job Johnson
State of New York Albany County ss
On this eighth day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open court Matthias Enos a resident of the town of Watervliet Albany County who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath depose and say, that he has been seventy three years old; that during the revolutionary war he resided in the same town with Job Johnson who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that he is well acquainted with the said Job Johnson; that he recollects that the said Job Johnson served in Col. Tannum

Regiment, but does not distinctly recollect how long he served in that regiment & that he knows of his own knowledge that the said Job Johnson enlisted in Capt. Foxes company of State troops, in Col. Toppings Regiment and served as the said Job Johnson has stated in the foregoing declaration. that before he left Capt. Foxes company he again enlisted in Capt. Adams company of Artillery, in Col Elliot's Regiment, and that he this deponent served in Capt Adams company at the same time with the said Job Johnson; and that the said Job Johnson served the whole year as by him stated in the foregoing declaration.
Subscribed and sworn to the day & year aforesaid in open court.
John G. Watson clk
Matthias Earez
State of New York Albany County } ss: On this 8 th day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty three before me personally appeared affidavit William Enos a resident of the town of Water vliet, in said county of Albany, and being duly sworn deposes and says, that he is sixty nine years old, that during the revolutionary war he resided in the same town with Job Johnson who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that he is well acquainted with the said Job Johnson - and believes the facts stated in his said declaration to be true - This deponent lived within less than a mile of the residence of the said Job Johnson's father, during the revolutionary war - and

well recollects said Johnson's returning from the Army at different times, of wearing his uniform - and this deponent also recollects hearing the said Job Johnson's Father after speak of his son's being in the Army, and express his delight that he was exposed to danger and his anxiety about him - And this deponent has no doubt but that the said Job Johnson did actually render the services stated to be forth by him in his said declaration -
Y rs M c Enos
Given this 8 th day of May 1833 before me
Several Justices of the Justices of the Justices Court of the City of Albany.
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 Matthias Enos and William Enos who have subscribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavits are residents in the said town of Watervliet, that they are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
I John G. Watson Clerk of the Justices Court of the City of Albany do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Job Johnson for a pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this eighth day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
John G. Watson Clerk

Job Johnson g fin N.Y. to Cont

$98.00 - priv. Infy 47 Corpl arty: 5
State of Connecticut } d. d. Fairfield County } 3
On this 19th day of August 1833 before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Fairfield personally appeared Job Johnson who on his oath declared that he is the same identical person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain Adams in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Elliot in the service of the United States; and the said Regiment was a Regiment of Artillery. That his name was placed on the Pension Roll of the State of New York from whence he has lately removed. His Pension certificate is dated the 9th day of July 1833 and numbered 14834. That he now resides in Danbury in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut where he intends to remain, and hereafter permanently to reside, and wishes his Pension payable in said State of Connecticut in future. And that his reason for removing to the State of Connecticut more and that his Daughter resides in said Danbury, and that there is no other person living upon whom he can rely for the necessary care and attention, and nursing, his wife being dead and he having no other children in a situation to be able to attend upon him and make him comfortable, and he is therefore obliged to take all his widows with his said Daughter. And deposed before me the day and year above said.
Job Johnson
President Pro Tem Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss. s.
On this 19 th day of August 1833 before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Fairfield, personally appeared Joseph Polley, who on his oath declares that he well knows and is acquainted with John Johnson, who hath subscribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit and had known and been acquainted with him for more than twenty five years past. That he is the same John Johnson named in the Burial certificate therein referred to, and is the identical John Johnson, he therein describes himself to be. And that he the deponent well knows the hand of said John Johnson in signing his Burial said in justice in the State of Connecticut, to be true and subscribed to before me the day and year above said. And further testify that the said Joseph Polley is well known to me, and is a person of veracity. Parker Cross the Justice of the Peace -
Joseph Polley
Post marked, Danbury
Cont. —

State of Connecticut } ss. I Thomas B Osborne Clerk of the County Court Fairfield County } within and for the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Reuben Booth Esquire, before whom the foregoing Depositions of Job Johnson and Joseph Polley were taken, is now and for more than one year last past has been a Justice of the Peace in and for said Fairfield County duly commissioned and duly authorized to administer oaths and take Depositions &c I further certify that the signatures to the Certificates annexed to said Depositions, purporting to be the signatures of the said Reuben Booth Esquire, are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County Court in Fairfield this 22 nd day of August A D 1833.
Thomas B Osborne Clerk of said County Court

Provisions
23281.
INVALID.
File No. 23,281
Job Johnson Corp Rev 1882
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 212
[Arrangement of 1870.]

In answer to your enquiry of the 13 th inst addressed to the Hon B C Bunnell, by him referred to this office, re Calvins Job Johnson a Rawy Soldier, of Vermont I have to state that the only one of that name on record, was Gurnin R D & served with the troops from State  Vt . Subsequently he lived near Albany N Y & in 1833 he had moved to Conn. He was not entitled to from the N States Bounty Land for the reason that he did not, as required by law, serve in a continental regt. to the end of the war. Of the land granted to the one of your enquiry was located on the Susquehanna river, it was not, it is believed, by the N States but may have been for Service in a Pen State regt and obtained from by that State - If it was not in the same it was not in the same
B B Baldwin Montrose } Dec 18. 1888 Pen