Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5675, for David Johnston, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass Sea Service N.Y.
Johnston, David.
9P. 5675
CONTENTS

This is to certify that on the 20th day of January in the year 1802 Before me John Fowler one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Allentown David Jonston and Mary Dar both of the said County were legally joined in marriage each of them being of full age and declaring themselves free respectively from all prior Engagements or other lawful Hindiments in witness whereof as well the said John Fowler and other the witnesses herein have hereunto subscribed our names the day and year aforesaid
John Fowler Mary Dar David Jonston
John Fowler

107 34.141 J 470 David Johnston Application
Filed June 24 th 1837

The State of Ohio      On this 24 day of June One thousand Trumbull County      eight hundred and thirty seven personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Trumbull aforesaid David Schuster a resident of Newton in the County of Trumbull and State of Ohio aged seventy seven years who first being duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 that he entered into the army of the United States in the year 1778 with Colonel Seabury and served in the Regiment of the New Hampshire line under the following named officers. The Regiment was commanded by Colonel Seabury the Company by Captain Russell Lieutenant Jacob Olise and Ensign Worthington. The Regiment mustered at Rhode Island and thence went and joined General Sullivan's Army soon after which they were engaged in battle when the British were driven into New Port. I think the army lay there about six weeks when the British Fleet surrounded the Island and the Americans retreated to Conanicut where Seabury's Regiment was stationed I remained there until I was discharged in December 1778 having served nine months. In 1779 at Chester Rockingham County New Hampshire being the place where I before volunteered I again volunteered under Captain Jonathan Brown and went to Portsmouth New Hampshire where my Company was stationed about half a mile below the town on a point of land for the purpose of giving alarm if the British Vessels which lay off attempted to come in. We remained there two months when we were discharged. Portsmouth in Maine having been taken by the British a short time before this caused General to be stationed along the sea shore between the latter place and Portsmouth. In 1780 I again volunteered at Chester Rockingham County New Hampshire and went to West Point in the State of New York with seven or eight others and there mustered under Captain Dimes my former Captain the names of the other officers I have forgotten General Arnold then commanded there I remained stationed at West Point three months and was discharged I was there when Arnold went on board the British Vessel and saw him when he left. In 1781 I again volunteered and went on board the ship Hercules of twenty guns at Newbury Port Massachusetts under Captain Dymmer. From thence we sailed to Boston where we laid in our ship stores and sailed the first or second week in May on a cruise and were taken prisoners off the Coast of Cork in Ireland by the British Vessels Mount Hope and Minerva two forty gun Frigates about two months after we left Boston. We were taken into Cork and sent to Hingsdale and confined in prison eight months from thence we were taken to Plymouth and confined in Mill prison three months and at the close of the war we were sent back in a cartel and landed in Salem Massachusetts. There were on board the Hercules 125 or 127 men Sailors and Marines I was Sergeant of Marines and I

Know of no documentary evidence of my claim or service aside. I know of no person whose testimony can prove who can testify as to my service - I hereby relinquish any claim whatever to a pension or annuity. I do hereby declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any state.
Where and in what year were you born?
Ans - I was born in Chester in Nottingham County in New Hampshire in 1780.
Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
Ans - I have no record of my age.
Where were you when called into the service when have you since since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Ans - I was born in Chester Nottingham County, New Hampshire which called into the service. After the War I removed to the State of Pennsylvania where I lived about twenty five years. At the time the late President John Adams raised a standing army I enlisted and continued in the army about one year, when I left the army I came to Pittsburgh since that I have resided in St Clair township in Washington County in the State of Ohio until March 1832 when I came to Newton in Franklin County Ohio where I now live.
How were you called into the service, were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute paid if a substitute for whom?
Ans - I always volunteered.
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?
Ans - I cannot be more definite than I have been in the body of my declaration.
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it signed and what became of it?
Ans - I never received a written discharge.
State the names of some individuals in your neighborhood with whom you are acquainted who will testify as to your character for truth and their belief of your having served in the War of the Revolution?
Ans - Thomas B Kelly and Aaron W. Meeker.
Sworn to and subscribed in open court June 24 1837
By your affec George Farnsworth Clk
DEVO JOHN N. STON

We Thomas B Selby and Aaron W Meeker residing in the township of Paris in the County of Portage Ohio and in the immediate neighborhood of the David Johnston signers of the foregoing declaration, who resides in Newton Township and within a few rods of the County line, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with said David Johnston who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court June 24. 1837 Before me George Parsons Clerk
Thomas B. Selby Aaron W Meeker
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after hearing the interrogations prescribed by the War Department that the Applicant mentioned in the foregoing declarations was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states and the Court further certify that it appears to them that Thomas B Selby and Aaron W Meeker who have signed the foregoing certificate are residents in the Township of Paris in the County of Portage Ohio and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I George Parsons Clerk of said Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of David Johnston for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office at Trumbull this Tenth day of July Anno Domini 1837 George Parsons Clerk By J. Taylor Deputy

Daniel Johnston Pension Claim
Affidavit & Power of Daniel Johnston setting up said claim & also Certificate of Kinship.
Presented by J. F. Asper Atty for claimant

The State of Ohio } Mumfville County ss }
I, George F. Brown, Judge of the Court of Common Probate (and ex officio Clerk thereof) within and for said County, do hereby certify that Satisfactory proof has been made to said Court that David Johnston made application for a Pension under the act of Congress of June 7, 1832 before Robert Price an Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County; that said David Johnston was then a resident of Newton in said County of Mumfville; that he died at said Newton on the 14th day of May A.D. 1845 leaving a widow Mary Johnston now surviving, and that she died in said Newton in said County on the 8th day of April A.D. 1849. Leaving David Johnston, John Johnston, Elias Johnston Elizabeth Meeker now a widow, and Mary Ann Shank the only Children surviving then the said David and Mary Johnston In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, official and affixed the seal of said Court, at Warren this 26th day of December A.D. 1855.
Geo. F. Brown
Probate Judge

The State of Ohio Tuscarora County ss
On this 24 th day of December 1855 personally appeared before me Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said County, Daniel Johnston aged 38 years, a resident of Paris, in the County of Portage in the State of Ohio, who being duly sworn according to Law, declares on his said oath, that he is a son of David Johnston who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution from the State of New Hampshire, and the identical David Johnston who made application for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832; that he made his declaration before Judge Robert Price, an associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Tuscarora about the year 1837; that his father the said David Johnston died in said Tuscarora County on the 14 th day of May A.D. 1845 leaving a widow whose name was Mary Johnston who survived him until the 8 th day of April A.D. 1849 when she died leaving the affiant Daniel Johnston, John Johnston, Elias Johnston Elizabeth Meeker, now a widow, Mary Ann Shank wife of Stephen Shank the only surviving children of the said David and Mary Johnston; that his said father and mother were married on

the 7th day of January, 1802 at Allegheny County in the State of Pennsylvania by one John Fowler, a justice of the peace, and the Maiden name of said Mary was Deer; that the original Marriage Certificate given to his said father and mother at said Marriage by said John Fowler has always been preserved in the family and affiant now attaches the same to this affidavit and makes it a part of this affidavit; that there is no Family Record of said Marriage & the Certificate hereto attached is the only written evidence of the same that he knows of, that his father never received any pension in his life time, and he makes this affidavit to set up the claim for whatever may have been due his said father at his decease for the benefit of himself and the other children.
He further states that his father was born in Chester Rockingham County New Hampshire where he lived until after the war of the Revolution and enlisted in the New Hampshire and served several terms, was taken prisoner while in service in the ship Hercules, and confined in prison in England, and at close of the war was sent home and landed at Salem Massachusetts; that after the war he went to Pennsylvania where he lived for 25 years.

At the time President John Adams raised a standing army his said father enlisted and served about one year, and after his discharge he went to Pittsburgh, after which he resided in Hleian township Columbiana County, Ohio and from thence he went to Newton, Columbiana County, Ohio, in March, 1832, where he continued to reside until his decease, as above stated.
Hereby countermanding and revoking all former powers of attorney heretofore given and especially one given by me to Stephen R. Powell of Livonia, New York, on the 17th day of January A.D. 1885. I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint J. F. Asper of Warren Ohio, my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name and stead to prosecute the pension claim of my said father David Johnston for any pension, or arrears of pension which may be due; and I hereby authorize and empower my said attorney to file all evidences, documents and arguments which he may deem necessary; to examine all papers on file in the pension office, or elsewhere touching said claim to examine all Rolls, Documents and Records at Washington City, or elsewhere, to find evidence of the Military Services of the said David Johnston, and to apply

for and receive from the proper office when any such service may be found, a proper certificate establishing his said service & the same to file and use in the case; to receive for me and in my name any certificate which may be issued in dis- -charge of said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Cleveland Ohio Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under him; and to whatever I might or could do were I personally present: Hereby ratifying whatever my said attorney may lawfully do in the premises.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
In presence of } Daniel Johnston
(Seal)
J. V. Dawson
Wm. S. Spear.
The foregoing affidavit and Power of Attorney was subscribed, acknowledged to & acknowledged in my presence by the said Daniel Johnston on the day and year first above written; and I do hereby certify that the said Daniel Johnston is the identical party he has above represented himself to be, and is interested in said pension claim as his

has alladged; that he is a respectable resident of Portage County, Ohio, until recently a resident of Franklin County, Ohio, and he is entitled to credit; and that I have no interest whatever in the said pension claim nor am I concerned in the prosecution thereof.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Warren, the day and year above written.
Geo. T. Brown Probate Judge

5672
P. O. Ohio
Dawid Johnston
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contra
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

34, 141 David Johnston Ohio
Suspended
See letter 9 th Robert 37 g. Parsons J. G. Green 20 aut 42
J. H. Cooper Oct. 15/56
5675
acts 7 th June 1832.

David... Ohio - Nov 1832
F
Commissaire of Perkins Cole Washington City D.C.

Warren O. Oct. 2, 1856
Corner of Hudson Washington City D.C.
Sir:
Enclosed herewith I send you papers to set up claim of David Johnston to pension under the act of 1832, by virtue of a declaration made in 1837.
They consist of Affidavit of David Johnston setting up the claim & Power of Atty, with a certificate of the marriage of his father & Mother, and a Certificate from Probate Court, proving death of parties & names & numbers of surviving children. Also Certificate of Secy of State of New Hampshire proving service; and an affidavit of Thomas B. Kelby, the agent of the party, showing that no effort was made until recently to search for Records Proof, & also showing identity. The proof seems ample, & I ask an allowance of the claim.
I am respectfully Your aff. Servt J. H. Aspin

2470
2 Aug 1837
Custom Office
Parisville 6
Ohio
Free
July 27th
To the Secretary of War Washington City D.C.

Newton July 26 th 1837
When my application for a Pension which I have inclosed has been acted upon please inform me of the result. by writing to Parisville Portage County Ohio — that being the nearest P.O. to me Yours Respectfully David Newton

State of New Hampshire.
SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.
I DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the war of the Revolution, which remain in this office, it appears that the name of David Johnston is borne upon the  Vol. 5 Page 227  Roll of Capt. _____ Company, as a _____ in said Company.
"Memor m Orders drawn on the Treasurer, in favor of Soldiers on furlow, in part toward Depreciation agreeable to a Vote of the General Court of the 14 th February A.D. 1780 + + + + + + + + + Serj David Johnston Do- 500-
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said State, this twenty fourth day of July, A.D. 1856 Samuel K. Pattee Secretary of State
(Duplicate)

David Johnston Pension claim
Affidavit of J. B. Selby.
J. F. Asper, Atty for Claimant.

The State of Ohio } Marshall County ss }
On this 20th day of September A.D. 1856, personally appeared before me a Notary Public within and for said County, Thomas B. Silby, aged 56 years, a resident of Portage County, Ohio, who being duly sworn according to law on his oath declares, that he remembers having prepared the Declaration of David Johnston for a Pension under the act of June 7, 1832, and and attended to the business for him and had the paper executed before an associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Marshall County, Ohio; that he made an affidavit attached to said Declaration proving, with Aaron W. Meeker, the identity of said David Johnston, that he forwarded said Declaration to the Pension Office, and the report on the case was forwarded directly to him; that the report suspended the claim for want of further proof; that no soldiers who served with him could be found in this section of the country; and no

application was made to Concord New Hampshire to the Public Offices there for Record evidence as affiants did not know where to find the evidence, and the matter was dropped and nothing further done about it until recently, Daniel Johnston, a son of said David Johnston has taken the matter up & employed counsel & is now prosecuting the claim,
He further states that he was acquainted with Mr Johnston above named from the time he came to Newton which was about the year 1832, until his death, which occurred sometime in the year 1845; that he left a widow whose name was Mary, who also died in 1849; that said David Johnston came from Columbiana County, Ohio, when he moved to Newton; that he had always understood from the family, & it was a matter of family report, that they were raised in Pennsylvania, near or at Pittsburgh, and that he was born & raised in Chester, Rockingham Co. New Hampshire and said David Johnston and said

Many his wife lived and cohabited together as husband and wife during all the time of affaint acquaintance with them until said David's death. He further states that said David Johnston always had a general reputation of having served in the Revolutionary war from the State of New Hampshire, and during most of the war, that said reputation was general and he never heard it questioned or denied.
And he declares positively that the David Johnston who died in Newton, Ohio, was the identical David Johnston, who made the declaration for a pension under the act of 1832, in the year 1837, and that said Daniel Johnston who sets up & prosecutes the claim is a son of said David Johnston.
Thomas (T. B. Selby)
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day and year above written; and I certify that the above named Thomas B. Selby is a respectable resident of Portage County, Ohio, and entitled to

credit and that he is the identical party he represents himself to be, and that I have no interest whatever in the result of said pension claim of David Solonston.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand official & affixed my seal of office this day and year above written at Warner, I. A. Asper - Notary Public of said County.