Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21488, for John Johnson, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass-
Johnson, John Abigail
NUMBER N 21488
CONTENTS

New Hampshire 10600
Abigail Johnson
widow of John Johnson, dec.
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 th Dec '32
and who died on the 3 rd Oct r 1833
of Manchester in the State of N. H.
who was a P vt in the Company commanded
by Captain [blank] of the Reg t commanded
by Gen l [blank] in the N. H.
line for 20 m th 14 d ys
Inscribed on the Roll of [blank] at the rate of 68 Dollars 21 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1834
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of Nov r 38, and sent to Mrs. Mary Woodbury Auburn, N. H.
Arrears to the 4 th of Sept r - $170. 82
Semi-annual allowance ending 34. 10
$204. 92
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by R. Bangs Clerk, Book 4 Vol. 1 Page 43

10.880. New Hampshire
John Johnson
of Hillsboro in the State of N H who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the reg t commanded by Col Greaton in the _____ N H time for 20 Mo 14 Days
16 1/2 Nov 1800 to Nov 1801
Inscribed on the Roll of N H at the rate of 68 Dollars 21 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of May 1833 and sent to Brown _____ N H
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $136.42 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep 34.10 $170.52
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H McBlain Clerk, Book 6, Vol. 1, Page 94.

I Samuel Johnson Jr depore & say that I am Town Clerk of the Town of Andover in the County of Essex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts and have the custody of the Records of said Town and that I find on the Records of said Town the Marriage of John Johnson & Abigail Abbot as follows to wit,
"In the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & eighty six October tenth John Johnson and Abigail Abbot both of Andover were married by Jonathan French Pastor of the Church in the South Parish of Andover"
I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the Record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the Record in fair & legible words characters & figures as follows, to wit,
"A.D. October 10 th 1786,"
Samuel Johnson Jr. Town Clerk Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of Andover Essex Jr. Andover August 16. 1838. This day Samuel John- -son Jr a credible witness & Clerk of the Town of Andover appeared & made oath to the truth of the above copy of the Records of the Town of Andover Before me. D. Smith Justice Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Essex ss. I John Prince Clerk of all the Judicial Courts in the County of Essex, hereby certify that Nath l Swift Esq r of Andover, is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County, and that his signature on the other side hereof is genuine. Witness my hand & the seal of said Courts at Salem this 18 th day of August A.D. 1838.
John Prince Clk.

John Johnson
N Hampshire
Provs 20 M. 14 days
$68.21.
22 12 9
L Brown

BRIEF in the case of John Johnson  so of Hillsborough  in the State of NH  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 74  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. As a Gen.     June In 1775 substitute 8 Private Col. Guild. Col. Graton   July 1776 " 1 " Col. Guild Col. Rose   then  " volunteer for 14 " "  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Dedham Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional one living Witness  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Payson
Examining Clerk.

Pitts Del.

I Andrew Wallace, clerk of the Superior Court of Jurisdiction for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire, certify that Titus Brown, within named, is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Hillsborough, and that the within signatures, pur- porting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office, and subscribed my name, this seventh day of January in the year of our Lord 1833.
A. Wallace clerk

I Abner Pitter of Frampton, in the State of Massachusetts aged eighty one years, de- pose that previous to the 19th of April 1775 being then a resident of Dedham in the State of Massachusetts I enlisted as a minute man & was called into service on that day and afterwards enlisted into the Massachusetts eight months service so called - and under these two enlistments served in the revolutionary war from said 19th day of April 1775 to the end of the year. I belonged to Capt Joseph Guild's company in Col. Gray- ton's regiment. One Joseph Kingsbury of Ded- ham enlisted into the eight months service & served in the same company with me until sometime I think in the month of June when he left the service and John Johnson then of Dedham now of Frances- town took his place & served in his stead until the end of the year when the term of the eight months service expired -
I further depose that before the end of the year the said Johnson enlisted for one year from the first day of January 1776 - that he was absent from Dedham through the year - and that I then understood & believed I have ever since understood & believed he was in the army under the enlistment last mentioned.
Abner Pitter
State of Massachusetts Hillsborough ss. September 3. 1832. Then the above named Abner who is a respectable per- son and entitled to credit as a witness personally appeared & made oath in due form of law that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true
Before me Peter Brown Justice of the Peace
I certify that Abner Pitter the above named de- ponent is a man of good character for integrity & veracity Peter Brown Justice of the Peace

Affidavit Daniel Kimball

I Andrew Wallace, clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire do hereby certify that Luke Woodbury within named is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Hillsborough as within mentioned, and that the within signatures (two in number) purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my Seal of Office, and subscribed my name, at An- dover in said County, this eleventh day of August in the year of our Lord 1838.
A. Wallace Clerk

I Daniel Kimball of Hancock in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire do hereby depose and say that I was well acquainted with John Johnson late of Granfield in said County deceased - that he was a revolutionary pensioner. I think under the act of Congress of June 7. 1832 - that he died at said Granfield on the third day of October 1833. that the said John and his wife Abigail moved from Andover Massachusetts to said Granfield about fifty years since and have lived since that time in my vicinity as man and wife till the time of his decease - that his widow the said Abigail Johnson has never been married since the decease of her said husband - that her name previous to her marriage was Abigail Abbot.
Daniel Kimball
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss. August 10. 1838. Personally appeared the above named Daniel Kimball and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me.
Leah Woodbury Justice of the peace
Hillsborough County ss. August 10. 1838 I do hereby certify that the aforesaid Daniel Kimball is in my belief a credible witness.
Leah Woodbury Justice of the peace

Declaration 960 Abigail Johnson
act 7 July 38 married in 1788
I am requested to forward the enclosed papers. Please address any communication respecting same to me at Antonia County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire Letter Woodbury,
advised 20. 14 81.
68. 21/100
No deduction

State of New Hampshire.
Hillsborough County ss. On this tenth day of August A.D. 1838 at Greenfield in said County personally appeared before me Luke Woodbury Judge of the Court of Probate of Wills &c in and for the County of Hillsborough aforesaid Abigail Johnson a resident of said Greenfield aged eighty six years who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7. 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of John Johnson who was a soldier in the Revolutionary army and she thinks officiated as a sergeant. that he was a pensioner and drew his pension under the act of June 7. 1832 and received his pension from the New Hampshire agency. after his decease his pension certificate was sent by the attorney to procure the arrears of his pension, and she relies upon the evidence in the Pension Department at Washington for the proof of his service. She further declares that she was married to the said John Johnson at Andover in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the tenth day of October in the year seventeen hundred and eighty six. that her husband the aforesaid John Johnson died on the third day of October 1833. that she was not married to him prior to his having the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz. at the time above stated. that she has remained a widow since the decease of her said husband.
Sworn to and subscribed Abigail Johnson on the day and year above written, before me
Luke Woodbury Judge as aforesaid

State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss. August 10. 1838 I do hereby certify that the aforesaid Abigail Johnson is, in my belief, a credible witness, and that the cause of taking and executing the aforesaid declaration at the present time and place is, that the said deponent is, in my belief, from bodily infirmities, unable to attend Court.
Luke Woodbury Judge of Probate of Wills &c as aforesaid
I Andrew Wallace, Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the county of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire, do hereby certify that Luke Woodbury before named is Judge of the Probate of Wills &c. in and for said county of Hillsborough as before mentioned and that the foregoing signatures, (two in number) purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have here- unto affixed my Seal of Office and subscribed my name at An- dover in said county this eleventh day of August Anno Domini 1838.
A. Wallace Clerk

John Johnson
22/29
Make return to Titus Brown Fran- con Mt.

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
County of Hillsborough, ss.
On this second day of January , A.D. 1833. personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate, now sitting at Frances-town within and for the County of Hillsborough, in the State aforesaid, John Johnson a resident of the town of Frances-town in said county aged 74 years Who being 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 7th, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say,
In the month of June 1775 he took the place, as a private, of one Joseph Kingsbury then of Dedham Massachusetts who had enlisted for eight months, and served in his stead from that time until the last of December following - Capt. Guild's company - Col. Grayson's Regiment. Other officers of the company & regiment whose names he remembers were Lieut. Gay & Ensign Bullard; Lieut. Col. Vose and Major Loring. He was stationed at Cambridge - helped build Fort No. 2. at that place & remained in it till the term of service expired. On what day of June he entered the service he cannot state but is confident it was not later than the 25th day of the month.
Before the expiration of the service aforesaid he enlisted for one year from the first of January 1776 and afterwards served the term out under the following Company and Regimental officers - Capt. Guild, Lieut. Gay Ensign Thorp, Col. Grayson Lieut. Col. Vose and Major Vose. He remained at Cambridge till the British Army left Boston - then went to New York - staid there - say about three weeks - took shipping & went to Albany - marched from that place by way of Half Moon and Saratoga to Skeneborough - then took batteaux - went to Sorel - then learned that our army had retired from Quebec - went afterwards to Montreal, St. Johns & Tucaderoga. staid awhile on Mount Independence - left that place Nov. 18 & went by the way of Albany to Morristown and was stationed there till the end of the year. At the end of the year he volunteered & continued in the service two weeks longer - and left Morristown to return home on the 15th of January. He received no written discharge as he recollects.
He was born at Boston Nov. 10, 1758. He has no record of his age except a memorandum in his Bible. When called into the service he lived in Dedham, Massachusetts. Since the Revolutionary War he has lived in the same place, and for about forty five years part in Frances-town, N.H. where

he now lives. For Peter Woodbury & Hon. Mr. Bixby an persons to whom he is known in his present neigh- borhood who can testify as to his character for veracity & as to their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
He 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,
John Johnson
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,
Colmund Parker. Judge of Probate
We Austin Richards a Clergyman residing in the town of Frampton in the county of Hillsborough aforesaid, and Isaac Guild residing in Frampton aforesaid, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Johnson who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be 74 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Austin Richards Isaac Guild
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,
Colmund Parker. Judge of Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and 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 the Rev Austin Richards who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Frampton and that Isaac Guild who has signed the same, is a resident in the town of Frampton and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Colmund Parker
Judge of Probate for said County of Hillsborough.
I CHARLES H. ATHERTON, Register and Clerk of the Court of Probate, 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 and affixed the seal of the court of Probate for said county, at Frampton in said county, this second day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three
C. H. Atherton
Register and Clerk of Probate, for said county of Hillsborough.

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
County of Hillsborough, SS.
At the Court aforesaid, On the application aforesaid, the following interrogatories were propounded to the said John Johnson and the following answers given, on oath, to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Answer, At Boston, Nov. 10. 1758
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it?
Answer, I have no record except a memorandum in my Bible
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Answer, When called into the service I lived in Dedham Massachusetts. Since the Revolutionary War I have lived in the same place for about forty five years past in Framstown N.H. where I 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?
Answer, I enlisted
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 service?
Answer, I believe all the particulars within my recollection required by this interrogatory are stated in my foregoing Declaration
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
Answer, I received no written discharge as I recollect
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?
Answer, Hon Peter Woodbury Hon William Bixby of Framstown
Attest,
C. H. Hemen
Register and Clerk.

Rev  WIDOW, &c.  am
File No. 21488
Abigail Johnson Widow of John Johnson Rev War
Act July 7 th 88 Index: Vol. 14 , Page 381
[Arrangement of 1870.]

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

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? yes
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
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
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, deposeh 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.