Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2,670, for Christopher Johnson, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Johnson, Christopher
S. 2.670
CONTENTS
carded

15554. Pennsylvania
Christopher Johnston
of Union Co., in the State of Pennsylvania who was a Captain in the Pensylvania Key Stone Battery of the Light Artillery commanded by Col. Belknap in the New Jersey for Militia
2 Yrs Captain $480.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 480 Dollars per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of April 1833 and sent to John Sarkelles, New Berlin, Pa.
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 960.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833 240.00
$1200.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by John T. Sprague Clerk, Book C, Vol. 6, Page 63
Jan. 15- 1838

Pennsylvania } Union county } set
On this twentieth of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, personally appeared in open court, before the judges of the court of common pleas in and for the county of Union, at New Berlin, now sitting, Abel Johnson of Buffalo Township, in the county aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith, That he recollects well of having frequently seen the possession of his father, Christopher Johnson, who has applied for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7, 1832, a commission of a captain in the army of the revolution, signed by a man named Livingston, who he thinks was styled, in the commission, as Governor of New Jersey - That the said commission was to his said father as a captain of the army of the revolution - That it was, he thinks for seven years - That he the said deponent frequently saw said commission in his father's house until about the year 1808 or 1809, & after he the said deponent had a family of his own, when his father gave the said commission, together with an old pay roll and muster roll, to one of his (deponent's) children to play with; and that all were destroyed at length by the children.
Abel Johnson
Sworn to before me
February 20, 1833
Joseph Edwards - Clerk
We both Chapman President and Hugh Wilson associate judges of the court of common pleas of New Berlin in and for the county of Union do certify that the above named Abel Johnson was sworn to the above affidavit in open court that he is a person of credibility.
John Chapman Hugh Wilson

State of Pennsylvania Union County ss - 3
I Joseph Stetson Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do certify that S rs Chapman Esq who & Hugh Wilson Esq are both Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Union County as in the within Certificate set forth and that full faith & credit are and ought to be given to their Judicial acts in witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the seal of the Court at Lewisburg the 20 th day of February A D 1833
Joseph Stetson Esq

On the twenty first day of June in the year of our Lord 1832 personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County, Benjamin Jones and took the following oath to wit in the year A.D. 1778 he saw Christopher Johnson acting in the capacity of a Captain in the Revolution war under command of General Phileman Dickison New Jersey Matitia at the battle of Monmouth, being intimately acquainted with Christopher Johnson knew him to be a captain from the above date during the said war Sworn & subscribed Benjamin Jones before me the 21 st day of June 1832 Henry Struble J.P.
On the above date came personally came James Barklow and subscribed the following oath, in the year A.D. 1776 he saw Christopher Johnson at Amboy in the Revolution war services, under Captain John Shaeffer command New Jersey Matitia, and knew Christopher Johnson to have a Captain's commission and knew him to be in actual service during the said war Sworn & subscribed the } James Barklow 21 st day of June before me } Henry Struble J.P.
(end of page)

Declaration of Capt. Christopher Johnston
12. 684.
Admitted 2 yrs Captain D 480.-
John Laselles New Berlin pa

Pennsylvania Union County ss
On this Twenty fourth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas at New Berlin in and for the County of Union now sitting Christopher Johnson a resident of St. John's Township in the County of Union, and State of Pennsylvania aged Eighty years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his solemn 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 —
I was an inhabitant of New Jersey living in Alexandria Township Hunterdon County. During the Revolutionary war in the spring of the year 1776 I volunteered in Capt. John Shnerd's Company Colonel Joseph Beane's Battalion General Philemon Dickinson's Brigade of Jersey Militia to go to Amboy for one month under Capt. Samuel Gronendyke as Orderly Sergeant and the troops at that place under the command of General Mercer to whom I served as Sergeant Major. There was at the time a detachment sent over to Staten Island of which I was one, to build a fort at Billop's Point, but was ordered back and the work given up. I served during the remainder of my term in the same capacity as before and at the expiration of said term I entered for a second term for one month under Capt. Jacob Gerhart and joined the Camp at the same place and served under the same General in the same capacity as formerly one Colonel I believe was George Ely, we were at this time erecting breast works for the defense of the town, but nothing of much consequence occurred during this term at the expiration of which I entered a third time, under Capt. John Shnerd in the same capacity as before and joined the Camp at the same place under the command of General Daniel Roberdan and I think the Colonel who commanded the Battalion to which our Company was attached was Colonel Robert Hoops and we lay adjoining Colonel Samuel Atlee's Battalion of Pennsylvania Blues, belonging to the Standing Army with which we daily exercised. I still continued to act a Sergeant Major under General Roberdan until the General marched the troops to Paulus Hook to reinforce the army on Long Island when we came to Woodbridge the General ordered part of the troops back to Amboy and with others I returned and was there at the time of the battle which was distinctly heard. About this time a British tender anchored before the town and a reward of $1,000 Dollars was offered for her capture. 200 volunteered their services of whom I was one. The Expedition was commanded by Colonel Reed and was to be joined by the Gally privateer, then lying in Brunswick river, we went aboard a sloop but the tide left us aground and the expedition failed. At the expiration of this term I entered again I think in Captain Clifford's Company and served part of the time at Elizabethtown and part at Amboy. At the expiration of this term I next went under Captain Gerhart to Elizabethtown and was stationed at the Point in Colonel John Mahon's Battalion we were at this time frequently engaged in scouting parties on the Island at one time we took 18 Hessians at Richmond Meeting House. We were obliged to retire at the Island at Amboy being hotly pursued by a strong party of British but we brought off our prisoners in safety. The prisoners were sent to Philadelphia; and we returned to our Camp. At the expiration of this term I entered again at Elizabethtown I think under Captain Gronendyke, Colonel Beane's Battalion the General I do not recollect about this time Fort Washington was taken. I obtained a passport from Colonel Beane to go to Fort Lee and went as far as Newark and there met part of the army retreating, who said Fort Lee was taken as the cannonading had ceased. I returned to Elizabethtown and the Militia Camp was broken up and General Washington retreated to Trenton and issued orders for collecting all the craft along the river, which was done. I was ordered to take a detachment and go to Easton and collect all the craft below that. We went to Easton and informed the Committee of Safety, who assembled on the occasion and gave orders for the delivery of all the craft on the river and delivered them at Shenandoah Ferry. About this time Washington crossed with the army into Pennsylvania and Lee was taken there .

This was a gloomy time for the poor Whigs and a time of boasting for the Tories who were numerous in our parts, and particularly to which I belonged as Captain Sheward and the 2 nd Lieutenant both joined the Tories and as I had taken as active a part as my abilities admitted and had been almost constantly in the service and was condemned as an incorrigible rebel. I had to be on my guard to save my life which was threatened by the Tories. After the battles of Trenton and Princeton and General Washington had put his army into Winter Quarters I went under Captain Gerhart to Millstone. I here acted as adjutant under Colonel Frederick Frelinghuysen in General Dickerson's Brigade. The most of that winter after my return I was appointed Captain in the room of Captain Sheward. In this summer the British took possession of Brunswick which occasioned a general alarm throughout the State and we were constantly on duty. After the Enemy returned to Staten Island, the Tories who were in high spirits from the news of Burgoyne's advance. In connection with the British they (the Tories) were planning the destruction of the Militia who were at this time stationed at Elizabethtown, of which I had frequent notice by a person in all their consultations who was frequently on the Island. At a certain time the Tories from all parts were to rendezvous at Brunswick Mountains and fall on our Militia and the British were to come over from the Island and attack us at the same time and cut us off, the person above named came one night and called me up, he told me the Tories had assembled to the number of 92 and were on their march to the place appointed to meet the other Tories from other parts and the next night the attack on the Militia was to be made and that he had permission to return and steal a valuable young man and join at the place appointed, he said you must lose no time or the Militia will be lost, accordingly I went with all speed to Colonel Bane and informed him of the news I had received. Then he drew up an order for me to send an express to the Camp warning them of the danger and to call out the men to pursue the Enemy which was done and by 10 o'clock the next morning the men were in full pursuit and the Militia generally collected. We overtook the Tories and dispersed them taking three of their leaders namely John M c Carty, Captain Christopher Ely, Lieutenant and Andrew Jenkins 2 nd Lieutenant the latter made his escape to the British. The other two were hanged, the British came over at the time appointed and attacked the Militia, killing Captain Sock a Militia Captain but when they found the Tories did not assist, they retreated to the Island. Some of the Tories returned home, others took shelter on the Island those who returned kept skulking about among their friends, waiting for an opportunity to destroy me but being warned of their designs I frequently changed my lodgings. About this time Governor Livingston sent me an order to take and send to prison all such persons as had been concerned in the late conspiracy and to take the property of all such persons as had gone to the Enemy which was done agreeably to the order Received and a guard was placed over them waiting for further instructions. Some time I received orders to advertise and sell the property I had charge of, which I did and deposited the money in safe hands about this time I was ordered to Elizabethtown to relieve the Militia whose time of service was expired. Accordingly we joined the troops in Colonel John M c Arthur's Battalion under the command of General Dickerson, where we were when the news of Burgoyne's surrender was brought, which filled our Camp with joy. After the expiration of this term I entered for another term to serve in place of another whose term it was but he had declined on account of his family. At the expiration of this term I returned home and I do not recollect of being called again into service until the Summer of 1778. When the British left Philadelphia I was ordered out with my Company and was at the Battle of Monmouth. The day before the battle I was ordered to take 20 men and take a drove of cattle collected as was said for the use of the British. We went and drove in 108 head of cattle without any resistance being offered. Our Battalion under Colonel Bane lay that night on the lines near the field where the battle was fought. In the morning early the firing commenced and our Militia received the first firing. I was in the field the most of the day as a spectator but not engaged after the morning brush had subsided. I went next morning to view the extent of the carnage, it was a melancholy sight. I next went to the Court House to see the wounded to the number of 42 whom the British had left there. It was now ascertained that the British had retired to Middletown Heights and General Washington did not think proper to pursue them. The Militia were discharged and returned home. In the summer of 1780 the Militia had frequent alarms from the enemy making excursions off the Island for the sake of plunder by which the inhabitants suffered much loss but nothing of consequence happened until I think in the Month of June or July when the British came over (it was said) with 5,000 troops to Elizabethtown and marched up to Springfield and burnt the town. The Militia were all called out and marched under General Dickerson to Springfield and while at that place there was three Tories who were taken in company with another who was killed in the fray, the three were sentenced and hung in the Camp. Three companies of the Militia were ordered to Elizabethtown to join a strong body of the Standing Army I have forgotten the Commanders name but we were stationed in an orchard commanding the Slaughter house Bridge in company with two Companies of Standing Troops commanded by Captain Stephen Baker and Lieutenant Snowden as it was in contemplation to take the town but by a mistake in firing cannon as a signal for the attack which was done before the troops were at their posts, the attack was given up. Where we were stationed we received a very brisk fire for some time from the Enemy which did us no harm except killing one man. We returned to the Camp next day and were soon after discharged. I continued occasionally in the service until peace was proclaimed.
I have now given a detailed account of my services according to the best of my

revolution more than two years of which term I served as a Captain under a Commission which was signed by William Livingston then Governor of New Jersey, and which Commission I had in my possession after the war, but which has been lost or mislaid and cannot now be found, and from the lapse of time I know of no person who can testify to my actual service in the revolution, except Benjamin Jones and James Bartol who depositions are hereto annexed taken on the 21 day of June last before Henry Steele a Justice of the peace of this county. After the war I continued to reside in New Jersey until the year 1786 when I removed to Northumberland County Pa. now Union County Pa where I continue to reside.
1. I was born on the 5 November 1752. - in State of New Jersey Hunterdon Co. 2. There is a record of my age in a Bible in the possession of my son - 3. 4. 5. I have answered these in my general declaration - 6. I received a commission as captain of the New Jersey Militia in the Spring of the year 1777 it was signed by William Livingston then Gov. of the State of New Jersey. It is now lost or mislaid and cannot be found. I served as a Captain till the conclusion of the war. James Cummings, John Roy Esq. Henry Spencer Esq. and indeed many of the respectable citizens of this County can testify as to my integrity and their belief of my services as a Soldier & Captain of the revolution.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state -
Given under my hand in open Court the 21 st Sept 1832
Joseph Selwell, Proct.
We Thomas Hood a clergyman residing in Middlesex Union County and J. A. Cummings residing in the same in the same County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Capt. C. Johnston who has subscribed and shown to the above declaration, that we believe him to be near 80 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and Subscribed in open Court the 21 st September 1832
Thomas Hood J. A. Cummings
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the questions prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Thomas Hood who has signed the certificate is a clergyman resident in Middlesex Union County and that James A. Cummings who has also signed the same is a resident in the same place - and is a creditable person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
J. C. Chapman Hugh Wilson Robert Leigh

Joseph Stilwell Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Union County do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in matter of the application of Captain
Christopher Johnson for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 24 th day of September 1832 —
Joseph Stilwell Prothonotary

February 11, 1939
The Quartermaster General Memorial Branch War Department Washington, D. C.
BA-J/AWF Christopher Johnson S. 3670
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to Christopher Johnson, Captain in Northampton County, Pennsylvania militia, War of the Revolution, died in 1837 in Union County, Pennsylvania.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, S. 3670, based upon service of Christopher Johnson in the Revolutionary War. This is the record of the only Christopher Johnson or Johnston found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
Christopher Johnson was born November 5, 1753 in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. The names of his parents were not stated.
While a resident of Alexander Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Christopher Johnson served with the New Jersey troops, as follows— In 1776, four months as orderly sergeant under Captains Samuel Growendike, Jacob Gearhart, John Sherrard, Clifford, Colonels Joseph Beavers, and George Ely, and two months in 1776 as adjutant in Colonel Frederick Frelinghuysen's regiment; he was appointed in the spring of 1777, Captain in the 8th Company, served in that year, two months in Colonel Joseph Beavers' regiment, in pursuit of Tories, and was in a skirmish; two months in 1778, and was in the

battle of Monmouth in Colonel Bonnell's regiment; two months in 1779 in Colonel Bonnell's regiment; ten months in 1780; ten months in 1781; and in 1782 and 1783, eight months.
Christopher Johnson continued to live in New Jersey until sometime in 1786, then moved to Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. He was allowed pension on his application executed September 24, 1832, at which time he was living in West Buffalo Township, Union County, Pennsylvania. He died January 15, 1838.
Abel Johnson, son of Christopher Johnson, was living in 1833 in Buffalo Township, Pennsylvania, and then referred to his children, but gave no names.
The papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible data in regard to family.
The application for headstone for Christopher Johnson is returned herewith. There was no correspondence enclosed.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Rev War
2640 INVALID.
1939 Feb 11 - list. to memo P.O. 1000
File No. 2640
* Christopher Johnston Captain Rev War
Act: June 7 1822
Index:—Vol. A , Page 194
[Arrangement of 1870.]
* Christopher Johnson . Records corrected Mar 2 out a

5554
Pennsylvania
Christopher Johnson
of the State of Penn a who was a Ser t in the Adjutant commanded by Captain in of the Brig commanded by Colonel in in the N. A.
  time for 6 mos. at 50 cts per mo.  $ 30.00    2 " Col t at 13 cts per mo.  26.66    2 " Cap t at 20 cts per mo.  40.00     $ 96.66  
Inscribed on the Roll of Penn a at the rate of 96 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of Feb. 1833 and sent to Hon. L. D. Dewart, Land Office.
  Arrears to 4th of Feb. 1832  $ 144.99    Pension allowance ending 4 Mar 1833  48.33     $ 193.32  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. Luce Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 6 Page 13

See letter 26 Feb. 1833 to Hon. L. Dewant for sec. of War - M. D. returned the certificate in this case.

Department of War. February 26. 1833.
Sir,
I return Captain Johnson's papers. His statement concerning his services, as a Captain, is not sufficiently definite. This must be corrected agreeably to the regulations.
Very respectfully
I am Sir
Your mo. Obt. Servt.
Lee Stock
Wm Lloyd Jones Decatur Member of Congress.

Northumberland county ss
Before the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in & for the county aforesaid - personally came the Hon. Jacob Gearhart who being duly sworn according to law - doth depose & say that he is well acquainted with Christopher Johnson - that he has known him ever since the year seven hundred & seventy seven - that he became acquainted with him in Kingwood township - Hunterdon county & State of New Jersey - the said Christopher being then an inhabitant of Alexander township county State aforesaid - that he held a captain's commission dated in that capacity in Colonel Beaver's regiment from the year seven hundred & seventy seven to seven hundred & about fifty a fully seventeen hundred and eighty - inclusive - that this deponent served in the said regiment together with the said Christopher at Springfield town near Elizabeth for one month - that the said Christopher served in the said town in the capacity of captain, to this deponent's certain knowledge & that this deponent believes that the said Christopher is an old revolutionary soldier & that he served in many other towns during the revolutionary war -
Jacob Gearhart
Sworn & subscribed before me March 25 th 1833
Henry Maper J. D.

The Hon. Jacob Goenkart Esq. - the said deponent is an associate Judge of the several courts of Northumberland county aforesaid - and is a person of unimpeachable veracity -
March 25 th 1833 -
Henry Maper
Northumberland County ss
I Edward Y Bught Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid do certify that Henry Masper before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn, was at the time of so doing and still is a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and empowered to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Sunbury this 25 th of March A.D. 1833
Ed Y Bught Prothon. per Chas M. Hegens Deputy

Pennsylvania Union County } P.
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Union Captain Christopher Johnston, named in the annexed declaration, who being duly sworn deponeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively to the precise length of the his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:
I entered the service in the Spring of 1776 in Captain Samuel Groundyke's Company of New Jersey Militia and served under him one month as orderly Sergeant.
I then served a 2 d tour under Capt Jacob Gerhart, of one month, as orderly Sergeant.
I then served a 3 d tour under Capt John Shearard, of one month, as orderly Sergeant.
I then served a 4 th tour under Captain Clifford, of one month, as orderly Sergeant.
I then served a 5 th tour, under Capt Gerhart, of one month, as orderly Sergeant.
I then served a 6 th tour, under Captain Groundyke, of one month, as orderly Sergeant.
I then served a 7 th tour, under Col. Frederick Freelingheyser, of two months, as Adjutant.
In the Spring of 1777 I was appointed a Captain of the 8 th Company of New Jersey Militia, attached to the Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Beavis & Lieut. Col. Abraham Bonnel, Genl. Paterson's Dickinson's Brigade (my Commission as Captain was signed by W m Livingston Governor of New Jersey, which I had for many years after the war, and which, with a number of Muster and Pay Rolls, have been lost and destroyed as stated in the Affidavit of my son Abel Johnston (herein annexed). During this year 1777 I served as Captain in quelling the Tory Insurrection in New Jersey, not less than two months.
During the year 1778 I served as Captain at the Battle of Monmouth & in other parts of Jersey, not less than two months.
During the year 1779 I served as Captain at Elizabethtown and Kenboy, in New Jersey, not less than two months.

During the year 1780 I served as captain a term of two months at Springfield near Elizabeth Town and the remainder of this year was almost constantly in camp, or in organizing the Reliefs for the Militia whose terms expired monthly, during this year I served as Captain not less than ten months.
During the year 1781 while the British were in New York it became necessary for the Americans to keep up three stations one at Elizabeth Town, another at the Blazing Star (between Elizabeth Town and Amboy) and the third at Amboy. The Militia being divided into Claps, whose term of service expired every month, it was necessary to provide Reliefs to take the places of those whose term expired, and in procuring them it was necessary to fine those who refused to serve, and hire others to go in their place, In this service and at the stations I served as Captain during this year not less than ten months.
During the years 1782 & 1783 until peace was declared I served as Captain in the same manner as in the preceding year, not less than Eight months.
Making the whole of my service in the Revolution Six months as Orderly Sargent, Two months as Adjutant and Two years and ten months as Captain. and For such service I claim a Pension. —
I have hereto annexed the Affidavits of Benjamin Jones and James Bartelow, who testify to their serving under me as Captain; and also the Affidavit of Judge Gubart who testifies to the fact of my "holding a Captain's Commission and acting in that capacity in Col. Beavers Regiment from the year 1777 to about June or July 1780 inclusive."
Christopher Johnson
Sworn Subscribed this 26 th March 1833 before me William Kephart

State of Pennsylvania } Union County } Pa.
I Joseph Stilwell Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Union Do certify that William Kippler Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken and sworn to, was at the time of so doing an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Union duly authorized and commissioned, and that full faith and credit are and of right ought to be given to all his official acts.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this Twenty Sixth day of March A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty three —
Joseph Stilwell Protho.