Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7938, for Joseph Johnson, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Johnson, Joseph Martha
W. 7938
CONTENTS

2199
New Jersey Martha Johnson widow of Joseph Johnson who died the 29 th Dec r 1831 officership in the State of New Jersey who was a { Wagon Master } in the commanded by Captain of the  commanded by in the New Jersey line for 2 years
Let to P. 1 Feb 1851 " " Hon. Wm Kennington Feb 15 1837 " " Secretary of the Interior March 5. 1851 Let to L. Condict 24 June '52
Inscribed on the Roll of Trenton at the rate of 100 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1838 Enog 5 th April 1839
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 st day of May 1831 and sent to D. D. Addison Present
Arrears to the 4 th of Semi-annual allowance ending
Paid from $245.42
Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the
Recorded by J. H. Weightman Clerk, ok Vol. 2. Page 365

State of New Jersey } County of Morris. }
On this sixth day of December A.D. Eighteen hundred and fifty, before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Silas Miller, a resident of said County, and made oath according to law that he made a Coffin for Mrs. Martha Johnson, the Mother of Isaac Johnson who has sworn to the annexed Declaration; that said Coffin is charged on his Book to said Isaac Johnson on the sixth day of April 1839, from which fact this Deponent feels certain that said Martha Johnson died on the fifth day of April A.D. Eighteen hundred & thirty nine, (5. April 1839.)
Silas Miller
Sworn & subscribed } Before me, }
David Day Justice " " of the peace
I David Day one of the Justices of the peace in & for the County of Morris do hereby certify that Silas Miller the above named is a respectable citizen of the County of Morris and worthy of credit -
David Day Justice " " of the Peace
McKinley

Before me, David Day Justice of the peace
I David Day one of the Justices of the peace in & for the County of Morris do hereby certify that Silas Miller the above named is a respectable citizen of the County of Morris and worthy of credit -
STATE OF NEW JERSEY, } ss. Morris County, }
I, ALBERT H. STANBURROUGH, Clerk of the County of Morris, do hereby Certify, that David Day Esq., before whom the foregoing Affidavit was taken, was, at the time of taking such Affidavit, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County of Morris, duly elected, commissioned and sworn, and fully authorised by the laws of the State of New Jersey to take the same; and that the name thereunto signed, is in his own proper hand-writing.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said County, at Morristown, this
Sixth day of December 18 58
Albert H. Stanburrough Clerk.

State of New Jersey, } p: Morris County.
On this sixth day of December A.D. Eighteen hundred and fifty, before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Isaac Johnson, a resident of said County, aged seventy one years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain such amount as may be due his late Mother for Increase of Pension, or Additional Pension: That he is the Son and Administrator of Martha Johnson, deceased, who was a Pensioner for the Revolutionary services of her Husband Joseph Johnson a Wagon Master, at the rate of two hundred and forty five \frac{42}{100} Dollars per year; That his said Mother, Martha Johnson, died in this County, on the fifth day of April A.D. Eighteen hundred thirty nine, (1839,) and he makes this Declaration for the purpose of obtaining such Increase of Pension, or additional Pension, as may be found due said deceased Pensioner under any of the Laws, Regulations or Decisions now in force, and he desires that the said Increase or Additional Pension may be made payable to him as Administrator; and further that his Mother's Pension Certificate was retained by his late Mother's Agent and he cannot now obtain it. He therefore trusts that the Department will re-examine her papers and allow such Increase as may be due.
Isaac Johnson
Sworn to and subscribed, } the day and year aforesaid, } Before me, David Ray Justice of the Peace

Morristown N. Jersey, June 19 th '52.
Commissioner of Pension
Sir,
Joseph Johnson of Morris Co. N. Jersey, was a Wagon Master, or Conductor of Teams in the Army of the revolution, & his widow Martha Johnson rec d . a pension by the act of 1836 - which was increased to a considerable amount on a revision of her claim, several months since.
Three of her children were living at her death, & one daughter had previously died, leaving two sons - viz. Isaac Johnson & Henry D. Johnson - she (their mother) having married a man whose name was Johnson. The Increase awarded by the Comm te on Pensions, was shared exclusively by the 3 who survived the pensioned mother, under former decisions of the Comm te . that the law recognized children as heirs of widows in such cases, but not grand children .
The grandsons Isaac & Henry D. Johnson are dissatisfied, & have requested me to ascertain from the proper authority, whether or not by some recent decision, they are not equitably entitled to such distribution share, as their mother if living at the death of the pensioner, would have rec d ?
Will you be kind enough to inform me on this point, as soon as may be convenient - & also to inform me the precise amount of the Increase?
Your reply on both points, will probably be the means of an amicable adjustment, without any controversy, among the family.
To you I am personally a stranger - but either of the N. J. Senators, Mr. Miller, or Commodore Stockton - or G. H. Bevan of the H. R. can answer any enquiries you may desire to make. Mr. Miller is my near neighbour
Very respectfully &c.
Your ob t . serv t .
Lewis Condict
J. E. Heath Esq.

I Robert T. Wilson one of the Judges of the court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Morris do hereby certify from Affidavits taken by me that Martha Johnson deceased a Revolutionary pensioner widow of Joseph Johnson of the county aforesaid left but two children namely Isaac Johnson and Mary Rodgers who are now living, and from records now on file in the Surrogates office in the county aforesaid that the said Martha Johnson died on or about the fifth of April Eighteen hundred and thirty nine,
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand this 29 th day of January 1850.
Robert T. Wilson Judge H.
I Jeremiah M. D. L. Surrogate of the county of Morris in the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that Robert T. Wilson Esquire whose name is signed to the above certificate is one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas and Orphans Court of said county, duly commissioned & sworn -
Witness my hand and seal of office the twenty ninth day of Jan y . A.D. Eighteen hundred fifty one.
Jeremiah M. D. L.

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the 3 rd section of the act of Congress of the 4 th July, 1836.
State of New Jersey, County of Morris ss.
On this 12 th day of December, 1837, before the subscriber, a Judge of the Superior Court of Common Pleas in & for said County of Morris, personally appeared Mrs. Martha Johnson, a resident of Hanover township in said County of Morris & State of New Jersey, aged ninety 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 4 th 1836. The said Martha Johnson, has personally been well known to me for more than 30 years, as a woman of truth, & member of the Church, having a fair & unblemished reputation. Such is her advanced age & infirmed health, that I hereby certify she cannot, from bodily infirmities, attend the Court. — The said Martha, on her oath as aforesaid, declares, that she is the widow of Joseph Johnson dec d . who had the command of a Brigade of Teams, in the Continental service of the United States in the war of the revolution, as she always understood & believed. She does not know what was his rank but he was called Captain Johnson, & was connected part of the time as she understood & believed in the same service with Major Peter Gordon, with Colonel O'Neal & various other officers in the Quarters Master's Department of the Army, from whom he rec d . his orders & to whom he accounted from time to time. She believes that her husband was engaged in the Wagon service, with the Continental Army, during the greater part of the revolutionary war, but cannot tell the precise time when he first entered upon these duties, nor when his service ended. He had many teams & enlisted drivers under his com- mand, & had many books & papers in charge, which related to his Wagon service. These books, papers & vouchers, she believes were given up to the proper authorities when his accounts were finally settled. She is in possession of no documents or vouchers, which can throw any light upon his service, nor of any commission or discharge of her husband. She believes that he enlisted team drivers in the United States service, under instructions from his superior officers, & she understands that Caleb Ward, & Moses Ely, who served under her husband's command, during some part of the war, are yet living, & she hopes to obtain their evidence. She believes also, that her husband performed Militia service upon some occasions in time of the revolution, but to what extent, or at what times she cannot tell. She trusts, that the records in the War Department, (if not destroyed by fire) may show the nature & amount of his service in the Wagon Department. To these records, & to such testimony as may be found among the few survivors of his comrades, she respectfully refers the Commission of pensions, for such details & specifications of her husband's revolutionary service, as they can furnish, trusting that he will allow her such provision as the law & the testimony may authorize, giving to both, a construction as liberal, as was intended by the framers of the law. She is informed, that among the vouchers now on the files of the Pension Office, in support of the claim of Mrs. Abigail Hall, widow of

Captain Josiah Hall, are two old pay rolls, or muster rolls of said Hall's company, showing some Militia service of Joseph Johnson in the winter of 76-7, & in the year 1781. She also respectfully refers the Commission to these vouchers, knowing that if Joseph Johnson's name is therein mentioned, it refers to her husband, who was the brother of Captain Hall's wife. — Said Captain Hall, & Joseph Johnson, were much engaged, in the war of the revolution, active probably, but seldom in the same kind of service.
She was married to Joseph Johnson by Rev. Doctor Darbe (pronounced Darby) who was both a Clergyman & a Physician, living at Parsippany, of which Church he was the stated & regular Minister for many years. The precise nunnial year, in which we were married, I cannot now tell, but it was in the winter season, when I was in the 20 th or 21 st year of my age. I know it was several years before the war began. We rode in a sleigh to Doctor Darby's house in Parsippany, & we were there married by him, in the presence of his family & some other witnesses, not one of whom is now living. Four of my children were born before the war began, viz: My oldest child, John, — born December 25 th 1767. My 2 d child Mary, now Mrs. Rodgers, born August 5 th 1769. My 3 d child, Nancy, now Mrs. Minton, born September 20 th 1772. My 4 th child Henry, — born, May 7 th 1775. The birth time of my children is recorded, in an old account book kept by my husband in his life time, & from this record I am able to state accurately, their several births. I send herewith the original leaf, habet annexed taken out of the old account book, which I know is in the hand writing of Joseph Johnson, my late husband. It does not contain the time of our marriage, & my advanced age (now 90) has rendered my memory too frail, to recollect the precise year, but it was about 10 or 11 months before the birth of my oldest son, named John.
We both lived in Morris County when we were married; & when my husband entered the public service we lived in Hanover township in said County, where we spent the residue of our lives. My husband, the said Joseph Johnson, died at his residence in Hanover on the 29 th of December, 1831, in the 85 th year of his age, & I have remained his widow to the present period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Since the foregoing was written, my family have found 5 or 6 old papers, which I believe have reference to some of my late husband's Army transactions; I will cause them to accompany this Declaration, as some of them allude to my husband, as "Captain Joseph Johnson, W. Martu" in 78 & 79.
Sworn & subscribed at Morris-town, December 12 th 1837
Before me
Silas Bondine
her Martha X Johnson mark
By order of Court. John D. Dabridge Co. Clk

State of New Jersey, Morris County
Before the subscribe, a Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for said County & State, personally appeared, John Johnson of Morris township, personally well known to me as a man true, & having by me been duly sworn according to law, saith as follows, viz: — I shall be Eighty six years of age, if I live till next April — I was a soldier of Morris County Militia in the war of the revolution, & performed Militia duty in every year of said war, from its beginning to its end. I was well acquainted personally with Joseph Johnson in the time of said war. He lived in Hanover township in this County, & was called Captain Johnson, from having the command of a Brigade of Teams & Wagons under his command, in the Continental Army of the United States. The precise number of Horse teams, Drivers, Wagons &c. under his command, I do not know, but I believe there were 12 or 15; & they were employed under his orders in carting flour, Corn, Bread, other provisions & Military stores, to & from Morris town, Tarenton, Easton, New Windsor, Newburg & other places along the Hudson river. He was engaged in this business as Captain of said Brigade of Teams, during the greatest part of the revolutionary war, in the years 1777, 78, & 79, & probably longer. I often met him, in company with his teams, & he himself was usually on horseback, giving orders & directions to his Drivers when to go after loads, & when to deliver them. He was much at Morris town, in the years when Genl. Washington had his head quarters there, & I have often seen him engaged in delivering flour & Corn at the public stores in that place, & sometimes in receiving & loading up Military stores there, to be transported elsewhere: — a brother of mine, Daniel Johnson, belonged to Captain Joseph Johnson's brigade, as well as Henry Vail, Moses Ely, Caleb Ward & others. A son of Joseph Johnson, whose name was John, sometimes was a driver also, when he was 16 or 17 years old. How long Joseph Johnson continued in the service as Wagon Master, or Captain as he was called, I cannot tell with certainty, but as I firmly believe he was in the employ of the United States not less than 3 years in that capacity. He was several years older than myself, & he was married to Martha Vail, sister of Henry Vail, some years before the war began & had two or three children born when the war broke out in 1776. Joseph Johnson died some 5 or 6 years past, & his widow is still living, as his widow. —
Sworn & subscribed at the house of John Johnson, January 8 th 1838.
Before me,
John Johnson his mark
Charles Fort

State of New Jersey Morris County
I Joseph Dalrymple Esq. Clerk of Morris County, hereby certify, that the Declaration of Martha Johnson, hereto annexed, respecting the Military services of her husband Joseph Johnson, taken before Silas Condict Esq. on the 12 th . December, Anno 1837, contains the original proceedings, in the matter of the application of said Martha Johnson for a pension. And I do hereby further certify, that said Silas Condict, & also Charles Ford Esq. before whom the deposition of John Johnson was was taken, on the 8 th . December 1837 January 1838, are, both of them, Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Morris in this State, duly commissioned & authorized as such. — Witness my hand, & the seal of my office at Morris town, this 8 th . January 1838.
J. Dalrymple Clerk

my Self am Joseph Johnson are 22 years of Age the 21 st day of November  1768 1768
my wife Martha Johnson was 21 years of Age 19 day November in the year 1767 1768
in the year 1767 my Sun John Johnson Born 25 day of December John married Nancy Spence October 10 1790 & she Died the 1 st February 1800 John Died 21 day June 1807
in year 1769 Nance Johnson was my Daughter Born the 5 day of August John married October 10 1790 & his wife Died February 1800
in the year 1772 Nancy Johnson my Daughter was Born 20 day of September
in the year 1776 my Sun Henry Johnson was Born the 7 day of May and Died the 26 of August 1777
in the year 1779 my Sun Isaac Johnson was Born the 13 day of December
in the year 1783 my Daughter Sarah Johnson was Born the 10 of March & Died 27 September 1806
Joseph Johnson died December the 29 1831 aged 83 years 10 months 29 days

1800 June Dr
Elias Howel one mare } 1-47-0 to my hogs
Joseph Gane two one mare } 2-16-0 payed to my hogs X — & Dollars
June 16 Eben Johnson one } 1-47-0 mare to my hogs 3 Dollars
18 John Vail one mare to my hogs one gunp — 0-8-0

State of New Jersey Morris County ss.
Before the subscriber, a Judge of the Superior Court of Com. Pleas & a Justice of peace in & for said County of Morris, personally appeared Isaac Johnson of said County, well known to me personally as a man of truth & fair character, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, saith as follows, viz: I am now in the 58 th year of my age, - my father was Joseph Johnson, & his widow Mrs. Martha Johnson is now an applicant for a pension from the U. States for the Revolutionary services of said Joseph Johnson. The record of ages of my father & mother, & of their children, contained on the opposite side of this leaf is in the handwriting of said Joseph Johnson my father, & was by me torn out from the old book of accounts, for the purpose of being sent to the Pension office, this day. The said book, has been in my possession since the death of my father in 1831, & is the only record of the ages of the family we left by my father, as I sincerely believe.
I sworn & subscribed before me at Morris town, Dec. 12 th 1837.
Isaac Johnson
Silas Bonditch
18 John's Creek Lane to my house one pump 0 = 8 = 0

Rev. War Section. awf
July 18, 1923.
Harriett M. Tucker, Roseville, Ill.
Madam;
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 7938 , it appears that Joseph Johnson was born Jan. 21, 1746 and while residing in Hanover Township, Morris Co., N. J. served in the militia in 1776 & 77 was in dragoon service under Arnold and infantry service under Hall, also commanded a brigade of teams and wagons in the years 1777- 78- 79, and was in the militia in 1781. He died in Hanover, N. J. Dec. 29, 1831.
Soldier married at Parsippany, N. J. early in the year 1767, Martha Vail, who was born Nov. 19, 1747, she was allowed pension on her application executed Dec. 12, 1837, while a resident of Hanover, N. J. She died Apr. 5, 1839.

Their Children-
John Born Dec. 25, 1767, married Jinney Squire, Oct. 10, 1790, she died Feb. 10, 1791 and he died June 21, 1807. Mase or Massey " Aug. 5, 1769, married Rodgers. Nancy " Sept. 20, 1772, married Minton. Henry " May 7, 1776, died Aug. 26, 1777. Isaac " Dec. 13, 1779. Sarah " Mch. 10, 1783, died Sept. 27, 1806. Joseph died Dec. 29, 1831, aged 5 yrs. 10 mos. & 29 das And a daughter, name not stated, who married a Johnson, had two sons, Isaac and Henry D.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

1923 July 18 - Heir to Harriet M. Jackson
Rey WIDOW, &c.
File No. 7938
Martha Johnson Wid. of Joseph Johnson Wagon M c N. J. line
Act: July 4/36
Index:—Vol. A, Page 378
[Arrangement of 1870.]

to New Jersey - 2,199.
to Martha Johnson
widow of Joseph Johnson, deceased,
who died on the 29 th of December 1831, of Morris Co. in the State of New Jersey, who was a Wagon Master in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by _____ in the New Jersey line for 11 months 28 days wagon master, 1 month 14 days dragoon, & 6 days private. Inf'ty.
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey, at the rate of 245 Dollars 42 Cents per acre, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st  the day of July 1838, and Lewis Condick, Esqr., Morris Town, New Jersey
Arrears to the 4th of March 1838 $1717.94 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept. " " 122.71
$1840.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d . . . }
Recorded by G. T. Rhodes Clerk, Book A , Vol. 2 , Page 127 .
Let. to Hon. Lewis Condick, July 26, 1838.
Lib to J. Rogers July 30. 1842
Exam. by Dr. Young Nov. 29/50 returned. Exam. by E. F. Brown Dec. 2/50 returned.

Papers accompanying the application of Mrs. Martha Johnson, widow of Joseph Johnson, of Morris Co. New Jersey.

New Jersey Martha Johnson
Suspended - Letter to Hon. J. P. B. Mansfield
Feb. 19. 1838 to Hon. Lewis Condict 22. June '38,

Now 2 years as bazaar master
deduct former payments due 5 April 1839.
Isaac Johns and Mary Rogers and surviving children, Isaac Johns and L. N. Addis and
Parent

Martha Johnson, widow of Joseph Johnson, New Jersey will act July 4. 1836, at $ 245:42 per Annum. Be pleased to say to what time she has been paid.
Pension office, } 10 th 4 th March 1839 July 30. 1842. } DH

New Jersey
Joseph Johnson Wagon Master
1778. Sept. 5. Recd of H. Com Gordon
1779 Jan. 12 " " Lt Com of Spars, James Gamble
" Sept 3 " " Calib Ward, Recd.
11 Mo 28 days Wagon Master
1. 2 1/4 " Private of Dragoons,

1783
Newark N.J.
Feby 10/51
William Pennycuick
Relative to the distribution of the arrears of Widow's Pension —
Cole
Referred to Com r of Pensions for a reply -
Sept 2 nd 51 Feby 12/51

Newark N. Jersey.
Feby. 10. 1851.
Sir.
By a copy of a certificate signed by the Secy. of the Interior on the 31 st of Feby. 1851. in the case of Martha Garrison widow of Joseph Garrison payment of increased pension is ordered at the rate of 600 Dollars pr. annum from 4 March 1831 to 5 April 1839. & to be paid to Isaac Garrison & Mary Rogers her children.
The object of my enquiry is to know in behalf of Isaac Garrison who is the adm or of the P. Martha Garrison, & who has the money in hand, whether the other children of the P. Martha are not entitled to their shares. She left at her death one other child who has since died leaving children, she also had a child who died before her, but left children. Are not these grandchildren entitled to their parents share? I suppose the certificate has been made as it is under a misapprehension of facts, & supposing the above to be the only children of the P. Martha. At the date of the apd. certificate the only children living of Martha Garrison are the two herein stated.
Will you do me the favor to say how this is, that Mr. Garrison

the admr. may disburse the money safely & that no mistake may occur in respect to it.
By the laws of N. Jersey in distri- buting the personal estate of a decedent, it would be shared by children & grandchildren. The grandchildren representing their parents. But the act of 1892 as the construction put upon it, may be different.
To avoid difficulty in future will you have the goodness to inform me how much it is & whether the certificate is as it should be.
With very high regard Yr. Obed. Servt.
Wm Pennypacker
Mrs.
Mrs. H. H. Stuart
Secy. of the Interior -

Martha Johnson
St.
f 241. May. Wash. 1836.

Morristown Morris County N.J. Oct 17, 1880 Hon. J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions Sir
You will please allow my agent A. W. Young Washington D. C. to examine the papers on file in your office, upon which a pension was originally granted to Martha Johnson widow of Joseph Johnson
Yours respectfully
Isaac Johnson
Administrator of Martha Johnson Dec.

Edwards
Feb. 1 - Edwards 6194
Dec 19
1828

Morris Town N.J. July 19 th 1838.
Dear Sir,
In your letter to me of 25 th June, 38. you state, that "on re-examination of the papers of Caleb Ward, with the aid of the Documentary evidence of the case of Mrs. Martha Johnson, it has been decided that Ward is entitled to an additional former allowance of pension, viz: for fourteen months & twenty eight days, as a transect. — I have just rec d . Mr. Ward's old Certificate, which I forward as you requested, that a new one can be issued. When prepared, please enclose it to me for him. — Does not the same evidence confirm the claim of Mrs. Johnson? — She is very aged, & no one now needs. —
John Moran called on me a few days since. — I read to the old man, your letter of June 15 th disallowing his claim.
He desires me to ask of you the return of his papers, consisting principally of Certificates from his officers, of having enlisted at different periods — discharges, & the reasons of discharge &c: — If not inconsistent with the rules of office, he will be greatly obliged by their return. — They are unlike pension applications of ordinary character.
Very respectfully,
Yours &c:
Lewis Condict.
Allende to

Washington Nov: 27 1850.
Bernard Moore Esq. Chf Clerk Pm off .
Sir Some days since I dropped a note to the Com r . & enclosed a letter of authority from the heirs of Martha Johnson, on the New Jersey Roll, pensioned under the act of 1836. Mr. Paine informs me, that my letter to the Com r . with enclosure was sent over to Mr. Cole. I should be pleased to see the papers in that case, as also those in the case of Hannah Shepherd on the same Roll pensioned under the act of 1838. The letter from Hon. Mr. Hampton, Mr. Shepherd's Agent is her with enclosed.
Very respectfully Your obedient J. W. Young

Hon. J. S. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions Sir
You will please allow my agent Edmund H. Brown Esq. Washington D. C. to examine the papers on file in your office, upon which a pension was originally granted to Martha Johnson but no part of the said pension if recovered is to be paid to my agent without further authority from me.
Monmouth Nov. 25 th 1850
Yours
Respectfully
Isaac Johnson

Martha Johnson, dec d
Adm n 2 yrs Wagon Master $400 per annum,
due to $600 per annum, de d y former pay's at $245.42. per annum, commg 4 March 1831 & terminating 5 April 1839, payable to
Isaac Johnson, Adm n for the benefit of himself and Massy Roger, only surviving children
See 3 Bch New Jersey Master & Pay Rels 17/7/1780
H. H. Addison
Present

Washington Dec. 16 th 1858
Dear Sir,
Enclosed you will find the application of the heirs of Mrs. Martha Johnson late the widow of Joseph Johnson deceased, for an increase of pension. Also a certificate showing that Isaac Johnson is Administrator on the estate.
The above were forwarded to me with instructions to request an early decision. The claim was allowed under the act of July 4 th 1836, New Jersey roll.
I am, Very respectfully, Memo of St
W. L. Oldison
James E. Heath Esq. Comm r of Pensions

St. Morristown Morris County, N.J. Oct 22. 1830 Hon J. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Dear Sir
I received from A. W. Young Esqr of the 8 th inst a communication respecting a pension due to my mother Martha Johnston, widow of Joseph Johnston. I answered his communication a few days since enclosing a letter to you appointing said Young as my agent, to collect what was due my mother, she being dead and I acting as her Administrator, I do hereby revoke all that has been done in the mat- ter and wish all further proceedings delayed until further advised
Yours Respectfully
Isaac Johnson Administrator of Martha Johnston Dec

Washington Oct 22 nd 1850.
Sir
Enclosed is a letter from Isaac Johnson Adm r of Martha Johnson the w fe . He desires you to allow me as his agent, to examine the Papers now on file in your Office, upon which his wife the Martha Johnson draws pension &c. His purpose is to present a claim, as the legal representative of Martha Johnson, for an increase of Pension, and my object in examining the Papers is, to enable me to put his claim in proper form for the consideration of the Secy of the Interior. The grounds upon which the Adm r makes this request is, that Mrs. Johnson was the widow of a Haggan Boston, at a pay of $600. per Annum, and she was pensioned at only $241 per Annum - and hence his claim to an increase -
Very respectfully
Your Obdt Servt.
R. M. Young
Ed d Edwards Esq Com r of Pensions

3158
Adolf Johnson Martha Johnson
Doctor C. G. McHenry
now in
Washington.

Trenton, N. J. Feby. 20 th 1838.
Dear Sir,
# Benj. Halsey, was a member of the County Committee of Safety for Morris Co. & a prominent Whig in '76.
When I saw you here a few days past, you were kind enough to offer me your aid in presenting to Mr. Edwards, any papers of mine, & to give such explanations as might be in your power. I avail myself of your kind offer, in asking your attention in behalf of Martha Johnson, widow of Joseph Johnson dec d . a Brigade Wagon Master in the service of the U. S. — The Declaration & depositions of some witnesses, I sent to my friend Mr. Maxwell a few days past, & they probably are before the Comm ee . of Pensions. — I enclose herewith to your care, sundry loose old papers, receipts, memoranda, &c: known & identified to be in Johnson's hand writing, whose antiquity — contents — appearance &c: all corroborate strongly, the evidence taken before Magistrates. These fragments are wafed loosely to each other & to another paper, to prevent loss, & are numbered from No. 1. to No. 10. Beside these, there are also, a few leaves of a little old memorandum book, which he probably carried in his pocket. These old papers have luckily been saved & found among rubbish, whilst many others, probably more explanatory have been destroyed, supposed of no value. — They all relate more or less to his Wagon Master concerns — containing charges for money &c: to men enlisted & engaged with him. Among others, frequent mention is made therein to Moses Ely, & Caleb Ward, the only surviving enlisted wagoners in his command, & whose depositions are given. They both enlisted & served 2 years, if I recollect aright, under Johnson. Ely is now a pensioner for this very service, as he says. — One of these men, Ely, or Ward, with Johnson, took 2 loads of bar iron to N. Haven Connecticut, under a pass from Benj. Halsey Esq r : a Magistrate in Morris Co. which pass, is among these papers, with a receipt thereon, of its permit to return delivery to signed by Matthew Mead, one of the Justices of Peace, Newbold Connecticut. See No. 2. —
Peter Gordon, is well known to have been a Deputy Commissary or Q. Master in the U. S. service; & No. 9, of these papers is a receipt signed, "P. Gordon" — for some

460 bush. Chopt Wheat 396 bush. Corn.
some military stores , rec d . of "Capt. Johnson". Peter Gordon is a pensioner, & the identity of his signature may be tested by his papers on the files in Col. Edwards' office, & they will also show his connection with this same branch of the public service, in which Capt. Johnson was engaged. Another Officer well known in this Department named "Gamble", is also mentioned in some of these papers; No. 10 - Isaac Johnson, son of the Captain, [perhaps his Ex h .] identifies these papers as his father's. David Ely & Ward, Henry Vail belonged to Johnson's Brigade. His name will be found in Captain Johnson's little old memorandum book; No. 11, a Compt. book. Vail, (now dec d .) was also pensioned, & his papers will be found on the files.
In connection with Johnson's case, permit me through you, respectfully to solicit of Col. Edwards, in the light of these papers of Johnson, Vail & Ely, a re-examination of the case of Caleb Ward above named. I make it at the earnest request of Caleb Ward, who is a very deserving, & needy man. Ward receives a pension of $20. as I learn, & Ely of $80. - both performing 2 years service of the same kind. In addition to wagon duties, Ward also performed other Military service, & perhaps his Declaration did not set forth properly, his service under Capt. Johnson. Possibly in the first press of business in the Office, the Examining Clerk overlooked some portion of his claim. My impression is, that if Colonel Edwards himself can devote 20 minutes to its re-examination whilst you are with him, he will see, that with the papers in Capt. Johnson's case & Ward's together, he will be equitably & legally entitled to an enlargement of his pension. Perhaps the records of the Commissary & I. M. Department may also show the names of Capt. Johnson's Wagoners.
I found also a Certificate of Capt. Arnold, showing some duty by Johnson in Arnold's Light Horse at another period of the war; - how long - is not stated. I will send it. No. 12.
Excuse these details - trifling in themselves - but they show a strong claim for service, by testimony which cannot be doubted.
Yours truly,
Lewis Gordon.
Dr. C. G. McPherson now at Washington

Estate of Martha Johnson Dye
Certified copy of Letters
W. Addison March

I, William N Wood Surrogate of the County of Morris do certify, That on the twenty sixth day of September December A.D. 1839 administration of the goods and chattels, rights and credits which were of Martha Johnson late of the County of Morris who died intestate, was granted by me to Isaac Johnson of said County who is duly authorised to Administer the same agreeably to law.
Witness my hand and seal of office the twenty sixth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine.
William N Wood
I, Jeremiah M D Lemp Surrogate of the County of Morris do certify the foregoing to be a true copy of the Letter of administration granted to Isaac Johnson of the goods and chattels rights and credits which were of Martha Johnson late of the County of Morris, deceased, as the same remains of Record in my office.
Witness my hand and seal of office the Twentieth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty.
Jeremiah M D Lemp

Mrs Johnson C. Ward
FREE
James I. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington.
pm 26 July 2

Morris-town, N.J. June 27 th 1838.
Dear Sir,
Your letters of the 22 nd & 23 rd inst s have both been rec d . relating to the case of Mrs. Martha Johnson, & Caleb Ward. I will obtain the old Certificate of Mr. Ward, & forward it to you, that a new one may issue for an additional allowance of fourteen months & 28 days. Permit me to ask, does not the proof of Ward's service in the Wagon Department for 14 mo. & 28 days, establish also the service of Johnson for an equal period? Ward's only service as he states, whilst in the Wagon Dept t . was under Capt. Johnson, & this fact is confirmed by Eliz. & as nearly as I can recollect, they both speak of their enlistment & service, as being not less than 2 years. Is not Eliz. promised for 2 years. Does not Johnson's memorandum book of various charges to his Drivers, embrace a longer period than 14 months & 28 days? Putting together the deposition of Ward & Eliz. & comparing them with the various remnants & fragments of Johnson's papers, it would seem to me, that they sustain Mrs. Johnson's claim for a full pension, especially when we add his service as a Dragoon in Arnold's Troop, & also as a private in Capt. Hall's 6 th Inf y .
From what I can learn, I believe most of the Wagoners who enlisted as Team Drivers, were farmers, owning Teams. Their teams were appraised & purchased by the U.S. & generally, their original owners were their drivers - who spoke of them as their teams, - as the Coachman usually speaks of - "my Carriage - & my horses" &c.
If however, upon revising & comparing the whole evidence, you think it will not admit a full pension for M rs Johnson's claim in the Wagon service, I trust you will allow it for as long a period as either Ward or Eliz. served, adding thereto, his Dragoon service under Arnold, & Inf y service under Hall.
Very respectfully,
Your friend
Robt. Frost.
Lewis Bondict.
Jas. F. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions.

V3158 — av
New Jersey
morris Co.
M m . Martha Johnson, widow of Jos. Johnson
694 272 676
on Hills Roll - Abigail Johnson, file
11 mo 28 days W.M.
14 1/2 P.M. 2 days
adm d
11 mo. 28 d Wagon Master
1. 14 - Dragoon
6 days priv Infy
$245.42/100
no deduction
Return to L. Conduit
Morris town
N. Jersey

State of New Jersey Essex County ss:
Before the subscriber, a justice of peace in & for said County of Essex, personally appeared before Moses Ely, of Livingston township in said County, an aged citizen, of respectable standing, known to me to be a man of truth & fully entitled to belief, & being by me duly sworn according to law on his oath saith as follows, viz: — I am in the 82 nd year of my age, — was a soldier in the Army of the revolution, & performed Military duty as such. I was personally well acquainted with Captain Joseph Johnson of Morris County, New Jersey, who was Captain or Commander of what was called a Brigade of Teams & wagons in the Continental Army of the United States, & I was under his command, as an enlisted Team Driver for a period of two years, viz 1778, & 1779, & signed my name to a written instrument for that purpose. Our duty was to cart Military stores, flour, beef, pork, camp kettles, tents &c. horse feed, ground corn &c. from one post to another, viz: from Trenton to Newburg, Kings ferry, & other places on North river. The Teams were 4 horse teams & heavy wagons, & were appointed when taken into the U.S. service, by persons appointed. Our forage & provender were always drawn from the public stores. There were about 17 or 18 teams in Capt. Johnson's Brigade, & sometimes they were divided. Captain Johnson was constantly with his Brigade, & rode on horseback, giving orders & pressing to unload & to reload. When our teams were divided, Captain Johnson would give charge of a subdivision to some one who was an Assistant or Lieutenant. Henry Vail, was one of his Assistant officers, & sometimes Caleb Ward took charge of a division. — We always received our orders & our pay from Captain Johnson. Caleb Ward was belonging to the Brigade of teams when I joined it. Joseph Ely, David Gory, Isaac  James Hendricks, John Crane & James Hendricks & several others belonged to Capt. Johnson's Brigade.
Captain Johnson was in the service constantly, as an officer, at least two years, & I believe for a longer time. I served under him myself two full years. He always took account of our loading, & when we delivered our goods, he himself took receipts from the U.S. State office at the post where the goods were delivered. — I was well acquainted with Captain Johnson's family & was often at his house in the time of the war. His oldest son, was then a stout boy, 12 or 13 years old, could drive a team in company with others. He had one daughter, who was younger. They lived in Hanover, Morris County. My first enlistment under Capt. Johnson was early in the spring of the year (probably 78), & when I had served out that period, I again enlisted & served a second year under him, & left him then in the service.
I once took a load at Trenton for Newburg, under Johnson's orders, & crossed the mountain near Middlebrook in Somerset, in dead winter, & was overtaken by a severe snow storm & came near perishing in the storm & snow banks. I spared that was  able alone. I once took a load of

Camp kettles from Morris town to Newburg, I think it was when the army was breaking up its quarters at Morris town. We usually took 15 days from Trenton to Newburg. going & returning  our team was allowed 40 pounds of hay, & one bushel of chopped grain per day, drawn from public stores when they were near. I believe it was Colonel O'Beal or Abel, who superintended the loading of the camp kettles at Morris town for Newburg.
Moses Ely
Sworn and Subscribed before me this 24th day of January Eighteen hundred and thirty eight Parker Lee Justice of the peace
State of New Jersey.
I James D Westcott secretary of state of the state of New Jersey do hereby certify that Parker Lee Esq before whom the preceding affidavit of Moses Ely was taken and also that Stephen Gould Esq before whom the affidavit of Calia Ward was taken, were at the time thereof and still are Justices of the peace in and for the county of Essex in said state duly appointed commissioned and sworn and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to their official acts respectively. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at the city of Trenton in said state this second day of February A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty eight (1838)
James D. Westcott

State of New Jersey, Essex County.
Before the subscribes, a justice of peace in & for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Caleb Ward, of Caldwell township in said County, an aged & reputable citizen, well known to me as a man of truth & fair character, & being first duly sworn according to law, on his oath saith as follows, viz: — I am now in the 90 th year of my age — was a foldine in the Army of the revolution, & performed Military duty as such. I was personally well acquainted with Captain Joseph Johnson of Morris County New Jersey, who had command as Captain of a Brigade of Teams & Wagon in the Continental Army of the United States, in the revolutionary war, & I was under his command for a period of nearly three years, viz. from May 16 th 1777, or 1778, as an enlisted Team driver. The horses & teams used by us were our own property, not belonging to the Government; when we enlisted, our horses & teams were appraised, (by whom I cannot say) so that in case we were robb'd by the enemy, the value would be returned to us, as we were informed at that time: — when our teams were loaded, our Capt. Joseph Johnson took an account of the different things we had in our wagon, & gave a receipt for them, when we got to our Journey's end, he always took a receipt for the load he delivered. — Our Brigade consisted of 16 or 17 four horse Teams, — our duty consisted in transporting provision of different kinds — Flour — Beef — Pork — Chop'd horse feed — Corn — Blank — Equipage &c from one post to another principally from Trenton to Newburgh & King's Ferry, & other stations on the Hudson river. — I once carried a load of cantinas from Newburgh to the Army then lying near Morris Town — the year I do not remember, but think it was in the year 80: it was fine warm weather.
After the Army left the neighborhood of Morris Town, a good many of the troops were left behind sick, & I had to stay & draw wood for them. — All the time that I was transporting provision &c during the whole period of my enlistment I drew my pay from Capt Johnson & from him always received my orders, he always accompanied us on horseback while on journey riding in front reconnoitring &c. — at night he always directed us where to stop, superintending & directing every thing.
During my enlistment I was well acquainted with Moses Ely, who belonged to Hanson's brigade, & drove a team two years under him: my term of enlistment was longer than his, & after his term had expired & while I was still doing duty, we often met. — his term of enlistment expired in 1779, I think — though I cannot say certainly —
Captain Johnson was a married man before the war began, I used to be often at his house before the war began, & recollect that he had a family of one or two children then: while I served under him I used to see his oldest son, then a stout lad, 12 or 14 years old, I should think.

I have been at his house often, & often since the war, & know his wife well. They lived in Hanover Township Morris Co. - He died some 5 or 6 years last I believe - He was in the service of the United States not less than 3 years - & always when I knew him as Captain. - We were discharged near Trenton, on bally I believe - at least I do not remember ever to have had a written dismission -
Henry Vail also belonged to our Brigade - don't recollect with certainty whether he was an Officer or Private, but think he was an assistant to Capt Johnson - his time of enlistment & Moses Ely's were just about the same length - viz two years - In March 1781 I went with Capt Johnson with two teams, to New Haven our load was made up of Iron, we returned early the next month
Sworn & subscribed before me
this 21 st day of December 1837.
Caleb Ward
Stephen Gane Justice of the Peace

Roseville, Illinois. May 25th, 1923.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir;
Please give me as far as possible the record of Joseph Johnson of The Wagonmaster General's Department, in New Jersey during the Revolutionary War. His widow's claim is NO. 7938, and I would like particularly to know if the Daniel Johnson who served as teamster in this brigade was a son or brother, or what relation he bore.
I shall be very grateful for any information you may be able to give me on this subject.
Yours Truly
Harriett M. Tucker.