Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8,770, for Abram Johnson, North Carolina

SERVICE
n. l.
Johnson, Abram
NUMBER _____
S. 8770
CONTENTS
carded.

7021
Order to pay 5 April 1838
North Carolina Abram Johnson
of Martin Co. in the State of N o Carolina who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Phillips of the Regiment commanded by Col. McKenzie in the N.C. militia time for 6 mos: from 1780.
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 nd day of February 1833 and sent to Mrs. Briggs. Williamston N.C.
  Arrears to 14th of March 1833.  $ 40.00    Semi-annual allowance ending 14 Sept '33  10.00         $ 50.00  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, Book 1 Vol. 1 Page 45

N o 15.805
Martin C. N. C o
Abram Johnson
from 1780 private 6 months.
$20.
Asa Biggs Williamston N. C.

BRIEF in the case of  William Johnson  of Martin County in the State of North Carolina  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Volunteered in 1780 " 6 " Private Gen. Gates Col. McKensie Col. Exume Capt. Ward & Phillips  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Camden  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Martin Co. N.C.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? one living witness in part and documentary proof and tradition  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? papers not connected in due form. authenticated 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas. H. Forrest Examining Clerk.

Abram Johnston of the County of Martin & State of North Carolina being sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God deposeth & sayeth as follows.
I was born in the County of Martin & have resided in said County ever since - According to the record of my parents on 30 th September 1761 - I performed service in the Revolutionary War a little more than six months. The exact time I will not state with certainty - I volunteered under Col Kenneth McKenzie to the best of my knowledge about 1 st April 1780 - I was marched out of this County under the command of Capt Francis Ward but at Tarborough in this State he resigned & left us & our company was attached to an Edgecombe Company & we were commanded by Capt Exum Phillips - The Regiment by Col. Benjamin Exum - And the whole, when we joined under Genl. Carewell - I cannot exactly recollect the main army but when we arrived the whole army was under the command of General Gates - We were marched about considerable until finally we encamped at Col. Rugeley's Mill - We arrived here about the middle of the afternoon preceding the battle of Camden. From this place we were marched soon after dark with orders to preserve perfect silence and the battle commenced before day - After a sharp conflict the militia to which I was attached was routed & I in company with two or three acquaintances now no more retreated & made the best of our way to join the army in our rear - We succeeded in reaching it on Haw River & encamped at Ramsays Mills - Here I was taken sick and was among that number that was left at this place when the army left it - From this place the sick was conveyed to Chatham Court House and I remained here until I was discharged.

The original discharge that I received at this place from Col. Scurlock is herewith annexed -
I know of no other persons by whom I can prove my service but the affidavits of those annexed - whose testimony I can procure with convenience -
I have never received a pension from any government & I hereby relinquish my right to any except under the provisions of the Act of Congress of 7. June 1832.
I refer to the annexed affidavits for evidence of my character for veracity Sworn to & subscribed before me in open court at the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions held for the County of Martin at the Court House in Williamston the 12 th day of October 1832
J. Graham Johnson
Laurence Cherry Chairman

Joseph Briggs & Chas. Chapman & Matthew Griffin personally appeared in open Court & made oath that they have been acquainted with Abram Johnson who makes the annexed affidavit for many years & that we give full credence to the facts set forth in the same. His character for veracity is good. We have never heard any person doubt his service in the Revolutionary War - Sworn to & subscribed before me in open Court at Williamston 12 th . Oct 1832 }
Laurence Cherry Chairman
Jos. Briggs Matthew Griffin

Reorgan
8770
INVALID.
File No. 8770
★ Abraham Johnson
Rev War
Act: June 7th 1837
Index:—Vol. 102 , Page 196
[Arrangement of 1870.]
★ Abram Johnson. Records corrected Oct. 20, 1904

in consequence of D. Worth's absence. Abram Johnson is dis- charged by order of the Board of war, (Neal Lewis Col. Col.) James Mason Lieut.

I have mentioned Abram Johnson & found him in capable of doing the duty of a soldier. Quarters by Warrington in summer time 1000 A.M. 1795
Abram Johnson N. 6 S. side 8 770

Finance Office
Nashville March 31 st 1835
James L. Collins Esq.
Commissioner of Finance
Sir
In order for your inspection
the following named papers -
  Act of 1832. Andrew Henry  12 mo. due  $25.33    " - Abraham Johnson  " -  20  
James L. Collins
James L. Collins
James L. Collins
James L. Collins
also 3.
Act 1818 William West & Co. due March 31.

State of North Carolina Martin County
3 Matthew Griffin personally appeared in open court & being sworn deponeth & saith that he served three months during the Revolutionary War - He distinctly recollects that Abram Johnson served the term preceding his & that he joined the army where this Deponent was at Ramsays Mills - When this Deponent was marched from this place Abram Johnson was left there sick -
Sworn to & subscribed in open court at the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions at Williamston the 12 th Oct 1832 -
Matthew Griffin
Laura Cherry Chairman

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abraham Johnson which require 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? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? —
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? —
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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  no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
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 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 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 shewn 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.
†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 authenticates 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 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

Williamston Ky 12 Oct 1832
Free
Oct 16. To R. C. 15805 mail 5
The War Department
Pension Bureau
Washington City DC
Col. J. S. [unclear] Pension Bureau Washington City DC

Williamston N.C. 12 Oct. 1832
Enclosed is the declaration of Abram Johnson with affidavits & discharge - You will please communicate to me or the applicant the decision of the Department on this claim & very much oblige Respectfully
Asa Briggs
To the War Department Chief Clerk of the Pension Bureau -