Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13570, for Ebenezer Johnson, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Johnson, Ebenezer
S. 13570
carded
CONTENTS

32859
Connecticut
Abner Johnson, aged,
of _____ in the State of Conn.
who was a Ranger in the _____ commanded
by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded
by _____ in the Revolution
for 9 months
Records completed.
Inscribed on the Roll of Asford
at the rate of 72 Dollars 00 Cents per annum.
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Exdg
December 6, 1832
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of April
1834 and due to
Hon. Freeman Smith
Arrears to the 4th of December 1831
Semi-annual allowance ending
Dec 6, 1831
Revolutionary Claim. Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Meigs Postmaster Clerk.
Book 62 Vol. 3 Page 20

State of Connecticut } County of Hartford }
On this ninth day of March eighteen hundred fifty four before me, a justice of the Peace in and for said county personally appeared John Peck and made oath in due form of law that he is administrator of Ebenezer Johnson who was a soldier in the Revolution and a seaman — that he drew a pension of $30. per annum at the time of his death, — that he died on the 6 th day of December eighteen hundred and fifty two, — that he lived at the time of his death in the town of Bristol and previously lived in Farmington state of Connecticut, — that Lucinda Peck of Bristol, and Adina Johnson of Watertown, Eben- ezer Johnson of Litchfield, Clarissa Peck of Norwich are the only children of the aforesaid Ebenezer Johnson now living. — That he asks for the allowance of an increase of the pension of the said Johnson that may be found due for his services as seaman in the Revolutionary War, and for the allowance of the same to be paid to him the said Peck and he furthermore desires the pension, if allowed, to be made payable to him (the said Peck) order as administrator at Hartford.
Sworn to and subscribed and acknowledged before me the day and year above mentioned.
John Peck Administrator
Irney Peck Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut, } County of Hartford } ss District of Bristol Probate Office March 4 th 1854
Dr. Henry A. Seymour register of Probate in and for said District do hereby certify that John Peck of Bristol has been duly appointed administrator of the es- tate of John Peck  Oliver Johnson late of Bristol, dec'd, a Resident pensioner of the United States, and has given bond in the sum of Five Hundred dollars for the faithful performance of the duties of said Administrator.
For testimony Whereof I have set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court the day and year above written.
Henry A. Seymour Clerk of Probate

State of Connecticut County of Hartford
On this 9 th day of March eighteen hundred and fifty four before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, per- sonally appeared Israel G. Wright and Rowland M. Andrews residents of Bristol in said county, known to me to be credible witnesses and made oath in due form of law that they were well acquainted with Ebenezer Johnson deceased, late of Bristol in said county, and who was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States at the rate of $30. per annum, — that he died in said town of the on the sixth day of December eighteen hundred and fifty two, and that Lucinda Peck of Bristol, and Adna Johnson of Watertown & Ebenezer Johnson of Little Fitch and Clarissa Pitcher of Norwich are the only children of the said Ebenezer Johnson, and they are now living, — the said Ebenezer Johnson left no widow, and they further state that they are disinterested,
Israel G. Wright Rowland M. Andrews
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above mentioned,
Ivory Peck Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut.
I, John H. Walcutt Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern, That Tracy Peck was, from the fourth day of July, A. D. 1852, to the fourth day of July, A. D. 1854, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Hartford in said State, duly appointed and commissioned—having full power and authority by the laws of said State, to take the Acknowledgment of Deeds and to certify the same; also to administer Oaths, to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give Certificates thereof; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to his official acts and attestations.
And I further certify, That I believe the foregoing signature of the said Tracy Peck to be genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said State, at Hartford, this 13 th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty four.
John H. Walcutt, Secretary of State.

2
02980 Declaration Apt. 35.

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of March 3 rd June 1832 State of Connecticut County of Hartford ss
On this 10 th day of March 1835 person- ally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Bristol in said County of Hartford Ebenezer Johnson a resident of the town of Southington in the County of Hartford and State of so Connecticut, aged ninety years Who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1742 in a company of Waggons commanded by Captain Gersham Little during the campaign of the war. That he served in said company as a waggner from about the first day of March 1742 in the Connecticut line as he supposes until about the 1 st day of December 1742 when he was discharged

He does not know that the corps of Waggons belonged or was attached to any regiment or brigade, or that he served under any other field of original Officer or any other than his Officer, except Captain Little. At the time he enlisted and entered the service, he resided in that part of Farmington which is now Bristol, in the County of Hartford, and State of Connecticut. That he was in no battle. That he was mustered at Hartford in this State and from there came to Farmington in this State, where he laid up on three weeks, and took care of the team, and from there marched to Fishkill in the State of New York, and then crossed the North River to Newburgh which was then Head Quarters of the Commander in Chief, and from there he went out with the Waggons and team, in various directions, as returning to Newburgh, but he cannot recollect the various places where he went from Newburgh. He received a continental charge but has lost it. From age and consequent loss of memory he cannot recollect the precise day on which he entered or left the service, but is confident he served nine months as a Waggons or teamster, in the year 1742, and for that he claims a pension. He thinks he received ten dollars a month for his services.

He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity upon the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State whatever.
Given to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Elmer Johnson
and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a waggoner in the Revolutionary army and served as in States
Charles G. Cook Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Bristol aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elmer Johnson for a pension.
In testimony whereof have set my hand & seal this 16th day of April 1835
Charles G. Cook Clerk

Supplemental Declaration of Ebenezer Johnson - In order to obtain the benefits of the acts of Congress of the 7 th of June A.D. 1832 - - His original Declaration having been made before this Court on the 30 th day of June 1837 -
State of Connecticut
County of Hartford Ss. On this 18 th day of July A.D. 1837 - Personally appeared before me George Witchell Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Bristol, in the County of Hartford aforesaid, - - Ebenezer Johnson - a resident of Bristol in the said County of Hartford, and State of Connecticut, aged twenty two years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath, make the following Supplemental, or additional Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832 - - - to wit - The Judge of said Court of Probate, propounded the following inter- rogatories to the said Ebenezer Johnson, for a person on account of his revolutionary services - and the answers, in answer to the said interrogatories or questions were made by said Ebenezer Johnson - viz - - - - -
1. Where and in what year were you born? - Answer - I was Born in New Haven Connecticut in the year 1765 - - -
2. Have you any record of your age, if so, where is it? - Answer - I have my Father's Family record in an old Bible, in which my Birth is recorded.

3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
Answer, When called into service I lived in what is now called Bristol, it was then called Farmington. I have since lived in said Bristol, in Wolcott in Southington & in the present town of Farmington all in the State of Connecticut, & I now live in Bristol.
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute - and if a substitute, for whom?
Answer I enlisted as a Seaman & drove a Team & Cart belonging to the U. States.
5. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served; such continental & militia regiments as you can recollect, under the general instructions as of your service.
Answer - Gen. Washington, Gen. Putnam, Col. Shepard, Major Gage with & Major Sheldon. The war was not embraced in much if any fighting, but as I then understood there was a suspension of arms my service as a Seaman was to carry baggage from place to place by the New Haven River. Cart division, Major H. for the use of officers I was on Board of a small Frigate so called on said River for a few weeks.
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
Answer, I received a discharge at New Haven.

From some Officer the particular Officer I cannot name till I kept it several years. But I have not seen it for many years & it is now lost
7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity & their belief of your services as a Minister of the revolution. - - -
Answer - I am known by the Rev. Deaconess Allen, Hon. George Mitchell Judge of Probate Court, Hon. Sarah D. Pease Miss Mada Bradley Sarah D. Pease, Thomas Barnes Merchant, Chandler, Norton, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Hooker, Charles G. Jones Clerk of the Court of Probate.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid - -
Ebenezer Johnson
We the undersigned a Clergyman residing in the Town of Bristol in Hartford County in the State of Connecticut and Tracy Peck residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ebenezer Johnson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declarations; that we believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he is respected & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Minister of the revolution, and that we are in that opinion

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,
Benjamin Allen, Judge.
Irney Peck
And I the said George Mitchell judge of the Court of Probate as aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the said department, that the above named Ebenezer Johnson was a Revolutionary Veteran and served as he states -
and I the said George Mitchell further certify that Osborn Allen who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the aforesaid town of Bristol, and that Irney Peck who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Bristol, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit - - And I the said George Mitchell do further certify that I am well acquainted with Edward Hunt & Amasa Brimley both of Bristol aforesaid, both of whom are engaged in business and live some distance from my office & to get them to my office would be attended with expense & inconvenience whose depositions have been severally taken & executed before Irney Peck Esq. a justice of the Peace and as herein to be inserted, and I do know them both to be credible persons and witnesses, and their statement are entitled to full credit - - And I do hereby

that the foregoing contains the original proceedings before me in vacation in the matter of the application of Ebenezer Johnson for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said
Court this 18 th day of July 1837.
George Mitchell Judge of Probate Bristol District

3
Declaration Supplement
July 37-

Bristol, Connecticut, August 7 th 1837
Sir, your letter of the 27 th ult. to Tracy Peck has been read to me by him, and if I have made any contradictory statements, I must and do say in the sincerity of my heart that I had no such design to avoid, conceal or keep back the truth, and if there be such contradictions in my papers, that I cannot have the benefit of the law of Congress, I must be deprived thereof. But one thing is certain, that I did the service as stated in my declaration. I was an enlisted man, & faithfully & honorably did the service in the war of the Revolution, for my Country. - - -
I do hope to be forgiven if I am suspected or supposed to have made out wrong or contradictory declarations.
I did the service and several old soldiers are knowing to the circumstances, & many know it by reputation. I never thought that my said service, and as an enlisted man, would be called in question. - - -
It is a great many years since I performed that service and then was but a boy and if I have said anything wrong it is through forgetfulness or mistake. In ideas & not by design, - the fact of my having made a declaration in April 1835 has passed my memory. I did remember

That I met Calvin Butler Esq. of Plymouth at the house of Henry Pels Esq., but really supposed and thought, that Dear Sir Walter himself made out & signed dispositions to be used in the application of Thomas Jerome for a pension. I should now think that I then made out a deposition - but it seems that I was mistaken - and I sincerely ask to have of the department their forgiveness, and also to have the department to be so good, as to give my application further consideration & if any thing be wrong in my papers give me notice wherein I will endeavor to give it further explanation - and will take the liberty to repeat, that I did the service & if the papers have been made out wrong, or in formal I hope the depart- ment will overlook it, & inform me what to do at this time with my papers to prepare them to meet with a favour- able result - and make your commu- nication no before to Henry Pels Esq. I am an old man - and forgetful, and am poor - very poor - I am not able to pay Sir Pels for his kindness, in doing my writings - I am not able to pay any thing, neither does he expect any thing unless I should be so fortunate as to be placed on the pension list - I then might make him & present my wife & myself are dependent on our friends for a humble support - Yours Respectfully &c Nathaniel Durdall -
E. D. E. B. & Co. 1818.

Bristol (Connecticut) August 7 th 1837
Sir, yours of the 27 th of July regarding the application of Ebenezer Johnson has been received.
It seems that said Johnson in April 1835 presented his application to the Department for a pension, and that a part of his papers are in my hand writing. I have actually forgotten the fact, I did suppose that Thomas Jones (who is now deceased) took said Johnson's deposition in his application - but it seems that I was mistaken - and it may be that I Johnson & I Jones both made out their applications I cannot now tell how it was for my own recollection - I do well remember that said persons & others went to Butcher Esq. at my house & there made out papers & that I helped about the business.
Calvin Butcher Esq. lives in Plymouth in Litchfield County, he is an attorney at law & a respectable man & a minister.
I am not a professional man I am not attorney & there is no attorney in this town - and I am often called on to make out writings - and I do sincerely hope that Mr. Johnson will not be deprived of the benefits of the law in consequence of any ignorance in me, or infirmity in my writings.

But I can assure the Department that I never had a wish to drive or impsecute the Pension Office - I suppose that Henry L. Ellsworth Esq. Commissioner of the Patent Office knows me & I am well to refer to him to say what he thinks of my character & standing - and presume that Mr. Butler would be willing to make the same reference - I suppose that Mr. Ellsworth would say that he has seen no better examples of the secrets of this state, - - -
With respect to assigning no reason for the delay in not making his application for a pension under the act of 1832 - I must say that I did not know that that was a regulation of the Department - please be so good as to pardon my ignorance & informality -
But I must be permitted to request earnestly that the claim of J. Johnson for a pension should arrive to a correct result, of which I have no doubt, in case the facts as they are should be presented to the Department -
Respectfully yours
Samuel H. Mitchell Secretary
Tracy Peck
Mrs. J. L. Edwards } Commissioner Pension

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Ebenezer Johnson a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Mid 1775. Dec 1775. Private. John Stark. John Stark. N.H.  
Battles engaged in, Bunker Hill
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Waltham, Mass.
Date of application for pension, Apr 10 1841
Residence at date of application, Waltham, Mass.
Age at date of application, 65
Remarks:
In 1837 he referred to his wife and gave her name as Mary . Ebenezer Johnson & Mary his wife were then living. Ebenezer Johnson & Mary his wife were then living. Ebenezer Johnson & Mary his wife were then living.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

13570 INVALID.
Reorgan
First marriage Nancy to Mrs. B.H. Johnson first married
File No. 371
Ebenezer Johnson Teamster Boer War
1920 June 18 First to Mrs. Ellen F. Judson.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: — Vol. 1 , Page 192
[Arrangement of 1870.]

See affidavit of the Baker Thomas Smith

Not identified with Slide 17519. No other marked Elmer M. ... of Brown Not identified with Slide 21476 ... with Slide 129 ... No other Many of ... Com ...

From Dumfriesville N.H.
Wm L.P. Waldo
Col. of Penna Washington D.C.

March 5 th
Ebenezer Johnson
Box 200 32
James E. Heath Esq. Commr. of Pensions
Wadsworth

Office House of Reps. U.S.
J. E. Heath Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington
15/10 P. M. C. Adams

Plymouth, Mass. April 20 th 1835
Sir, Mr. Johnson wishes the communications for him directed to the Post Office in this town
Very Respectfully Yours & etc. Sir,
Calvin Butler Agent for Oberon Johnson
Honb. J. L. Edwards Comm. of Pensions

Washington, March 3 1851
Sir
Enclosed please find Power of Attorney, from Ebenzer Johnson of Connecticut an Applicant for a pension under the act of 7 June 1832.
I wish to be allowed the privilege of examining the papers filed in support of this Claim.
Very Respectfully Yours Ob t Serv t Geo. L. D. M.

Oliver Johnson 600
Of Ad 7 June 1832, 18 gms to his daughter Julia to be paid out of her share at 500 per annum, May 21 March 1831
2ndly to Dec 1832, payable to the said Ad for the benefit of his daughter Julia, Adah Johnson, Oliver Johnson, Stephen Pitkin, and surviving children
Wm Sumner Smith, W S Smith

Washington, Dec. 21, 1867
Dear Sir, The business of the session is a number in the way of the completion of our business. I am the at present, I respectfully invite you to be present the first week of the next session. I am Respectfully yours
John D. Sleeper Clerk of Congress

Washington City
June 11 th 1841
Sir
I have the honor herewith to enclose to you a copy of the accompanying Resolution which refers the Committee to your office for information. The Committee have directed me to in form you a statement of the same from the papers on file in your office.
I have the honor to be Sir J. P. Kennedy Secretary of the Navy
J. P. Kennedy Esq. President

32.980 1/2 1/2
Connecticut
Ebenezer Dinsmore
defended
let Calvin Bullen
30 April 1835
19 May 1835
Ms. A. 9. 2. 24
Ms. A. 9. 2. 24
Ms. A. 9. 2. 24
Spec

Pension Office.
January 8. 1841.
Sir,
I have the honor to return you the Resolution of the House of Representatives, enclosed in yours of 4 th inst; and to transmit to you the papers of Ebenezer Johnson, to which the Resolution refers, marked Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5, of which, please to acknowledge the receipt.
Copies of my letters to Mr. Beck of 27 July 1837, and to Mr. Butler of 4 th August 1838, will shew the reasons upon which his claim has been disallowed.
I have the honor to be, Very respectfully Your Ob t : Serv t .
J. L. Edwards
Hon: Jonathan Taylor. House of Representatives.

Brief in the case of Ebenezer Johnson Howard County and State of VT act 7 June 1854
Claim, ( original or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
There is no record as of date of this claim. The only evidence is a letter from the Comptroller of the Treasury, dated 1854, which shows that at that time the amount of the claim was not paid. This letter is attached to the above allowance.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Wm. G. ...
Name and residence of Agent
W. S. ...
[Signature] Examining Clerk.

(Copy.)
War Department. Pension Office.
August 4. 1838.
Sir,
In reply to your letter of 30 th ulto: respecting the case of Ebenezer Johnson, and complaining of the course of the Department in its several actions on his claim, I would respectfully refer you to the letter of 27 th July 1837 to Mr. Beck, which you probably have not seen.
This claim is again asserted (by the tenor of your letter at least) for service as Teamster, & the objection in my letter to you of 15 th May 1835. (viz: that the fact of his being engaged and paid by a Conductor of Teams in the Dr. Master's Department, instead of drawing his pay from the paymaster, was proof of his employment under civil contract,) characterized as unsatisfactory and frivolous.
The question is not whether he was in the service of the United States, but whether he was an enlisted teamster, under

the resolution of Congress, 17 th Aprie 1779, or was one of those employes in the transport Service, which the Dr. Master General was authorized, by the resolution of 23 rd Aprie 1779, to engage upon terms which the Comman- -der in Chief then might approve. In determi- -ning this question, the payment of his wages by the Staff Officers having charge of the Bri- -gade of Piams, to which he belonged, was deemed, strong evidence that he was employed under the latter resolution, and which could be re- -butted only by proof of a very high grade. This is still the view which the Department is constrained to take of his case. The corps of "Unlisted Continental Piamsters" was placed upon the footing of soldiers by special act.
Those Waggoneers only who belonged to that corps are entitled to the provisions of the act of 7 June 1832. and the evidence is insufficient to shew that the claimant belonged to that corps.
Calvin Butler, Esq. Newmants,
Conn.
I am, respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
(signed) P. L. Edwards.

(Copy.)
War Department.
Pension Office.
(July) 27. 1837.
Sir,
The supplemental declaration of Ebenezer Johnson made on the 18 th inst. has been examined and filed with the other papers.
In the caption of this declaration it is stated, that his original declaration was made 30 June 1837. When that declaration was examined, as it made no reference whatever to a former application which had been rejected, it was considered original, and hence he was required by my letter of 8 th inst. to supply its omissions, and assign satisfactory reasons for the delay of making his claim. In this supplement, intended to meet the objections in the letter of 8 th inst. no allusion is made to the rejected application, nor any attempt to remove the objection, founded upon the assumed delay.
It is now ascertained that he preferred a claim two years ago, (and a

part of the papers is in your handwriting,) which was examined and suspended on 30 th April 1835, upon the ground that, he had not stated by whom he was "enlisted - mustered in, commanded & paid." In a supplement he stated that he was paid by a captain Dulle, who had charge of the Company of Teamsters. He was informed by a letter to Mr. Calvin Butler, that the fact of his being paid, by capt. Dulle, at that period of the war, was decisive of the character of the service. Having been rendered under civil contract he was not entitled.
In the late renewal of his claim, through you, he studiously avoids the facts upon which his claim had been rejected; and so far from making any reference to that application, he impliedly denies that such an application had been made, by asserting that his original declaration was made on 30 th June 1837; - when in point of fact, his original declaration was made on the 16 th .

April 1835.
I am, respectfully Your Obl: Servt: (signed.) P. L. Edwards.
J. Peck, Esq. Bristol, Conn.

Ebenezer Johnson, Connecticut
Act 7 June 1832.
Ad ? 9 mo pri - $30. per Annum from the 4 March '31.
Payable to him.
Cut to
Geo. B. Ames Present.

State of Connecticut County of Hartford } ss Farmington
Know all men by these presents that Ebenezer Johnson now of the town of Farmington but formerly of Bristol both in said County an applicant for a pension under the act of June 7 th AD 1832 which is respectfully do hereby authorize and empower & appoint Abijah Gattin my true and lawful Attorney for me and my name to prosecute & pursue either before Congress or the Commissioner of Pensions my claim for a pension aforesaid & to receive from the said Commissioner any certificate that may be issued in the premises. And I also do hereby authorize said Gattin to appoint any other Attorney or Attorneys under him hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney or Attorneys may do in the premises. Dated at Farmington this 25 th day of January 1851 where my hand & seal
Levi Smith } Witness Mark Haddell
Ebenezer his Johnson mark
State of Connecticut County of Hartford } ss Farmington 25 th Jan'y 1851
Personally appeared Ebenezer Johnson personally known to me as the identical person above named & acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be his free act & deed before me
Levi Smith Justice of Peace

George C. Ames of Washington City is hereby substituted as my Attorney to act in the premises.
Elizabeth Callier
27 July 1851

Ebenezer Johnson x
Dec. 21. 1840. Ref. to Com. Rev. Pensions.
Feb y 12 1841 - report against - see printed report N o 249
Testimony insufficient Report unfavorable
Mr. Tru. Smith

26th Congress 2d Session
Congress of the United States
In the House of Representatives December 21, 1840.
On motion of Mr. Fnu. Smith,
Resolved, That the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions be directed to inquire into the expediency of granting to Ebenezer Johnson a pension for services rendered by him during the War of the Revolution.
Attest:
D. Garland Clerk
(Wide evidence at the Pension Office)

June
Bristol G. Johnson June 8 th
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions City of Washington District Columbia
In-act Cl.

Bristol - Committee - June 6 th 1839
Sir,
Will you be so good as to return to me all my pension papers - which are now on file in the pension office as I suppose, you informed me sometime since that my application was rejected - and consequently I must quietly submit to the decision.
But I have to say & to say that I faithfully served country for the full period stated in my said application - & while others who enlisted into the same company with me & served with me have had a pension granted them for that service - I cannot see why I cannot also have a pension for the same service - My request is to have all my papers now in your office returned to me - Respectfully yours - J. L. Edmonds Esq. } Ebenezer Johnson Clerk of Pensions - }

1 34105 | 32,750.1
Ebenezer Johnson
Conn t
June 38-

1 34105 | 32,950.1
Ebenezer Johnson
Conn
June 38-

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832 -
State of Connecticut,
County of Hartford ss. - On this 30 th day of June 1837. Personally appeared before the Court of Probate, within for the district of Bristol within the County & State aforesaid, Ebenezer Johnson, a resident of Bristol in said County of Hartford & State of Connecticut, aged seventy two years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declara- tion, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, - That he enlisted in the service of the United States as a Seaman- ster, in the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty two, that one Gershon Duttle, then of Bristol aforesaid, which said town of Bristol, then belonged to the town of Farmington in the County & State aforesaid, had enlistment orders, to enlist him to serve in the army of the United States as a Seamanster, that he the said Ebenezer Johnson, was en- listed by said Duttle, in Bristol afore- said, which Bristol then belonged to Farmington aforesaid, that he the said Johnson & many others who were enlisted by said Duttle, went to Hartford in Connecticut, and were there mustered & examined by one Bull, that he the said Johnson was so enlisted by said Duttle in the month of February or March 1782,

and after having been mustered at Hart- ford as aforesaid, he & others returned to Bristol aforesaid, and was there put into the possession of an ord- nance & cart belonging to the United States, the said ordnance, the being branded on their barrels, U. S. The said ordnance & cart were also branded with the letters U. S., meaning that they were the property of the United States, and drove said team from said Bristol in company with a number of other teams from said Bristol to Newburgh on the Hudson River. in the State of New York, carried no loadings when he arrived at said Newburgh, he was put under the com- mand of Major Shidmore, - and that he was then sent down with a team to Verplank's Point on said River & crossed said River at Kings Ferry where to the army & was sent back with his team into the country for forage flour &c for the use of the army Carted wood, in the fall for the use of the army & did many & various things for the army under the command of Major Cogswell & Shidmore, that for a few weeks later in the fall he was put aboard of a five gun privateer which, which privateer was command- ed by Capt. Sherman, which private- er was used on said River to move the baggage of the army from one place to another, on the said River.

That he was in the service of the United States for nine months or nearly was discharged on West Point on said River about the twenty fifth of Novr 1702, - That he was paid for said service by the United States, and received a bounty from said States as he thinks of ten dollars - The said service was for the United States & was not on a private contract That when he was put on board of said privateer as aforesaid, it was in consequence of a draft & the tot fell on him, there there being a requisition for two men of which he was one and aforesaid - - -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present & he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State - - - I swear to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid, Ebenezer Johnson
And the said board do hereby declare their opinion that the above affidavit was a true statement as aforesaid in the time of the Revolutionary war & served as he states,
I Charles G. Gales Clerk of the Court of the Court of Probate within for the District of Bristol in Hartford County in the State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings

of the said Court in the matter of the petition of Eleanor Johnson for a pension - - - - -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 30 th day of June 1837.
Charles G. Davis Clerk.

State of Connecticut Hartford County - For this thirtieth day of June A. D. 1837, Personally appeared before me Frank Peck one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County aforesaid, Ira Hooker, of Bristol in said County of Hartford in said State aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say that he is the twenty eighth year of his age and that he now is a pensioner of the United States, and during the Spring, Summer & fall of the year one thousand seven hundred eighty two, that he was in the service of the United States, and was at Newburgh, Kingsbury in that vicinity on the Hudson River in the State of New York, - he also further deposes to say, that he was at that time and now is well acquainted with Ebenezer Johnson, of Bristol aforesaid, - That said Ebenezer Johnson, was in the service of the United States, as a drummer, drove a United States team, was in the service of the United States to his knowledge from some time early in the Spring of said year of 1782 until late in Nov of the same year, that the Disputants a number of the same company of drummers with said Johnson - for a few months in the Spring of said year, - that before said Johnson, the Disputant & the other Drummers left Con- tinent for Newburgh, that they all went to Hartford where they quartered, by a Mr Bull, & said Ralph Forney was at said place & seemed to have some agency in the business, - the Disputant

Louis Glendon Johnson, were in the service of the United States together for a few months as a foreman, and paid by the United States, drove teams & carts belonging to said States. - That is, the deponent left driving a team when they arrived at said Newburgh & was otherwise employed, but knew that said Johnson remained with them in service as a foreman, Major Cogswell & Shildrick who were in the United States Office as the deponent understood & believes that had the General charges of said teams & that he said the deponent further saith that said Johnson, himself & the others in that service were treated as being in the service of the United States & were paid by the United States - and were not on private contracts - but did any thing which said Major Cogswell & Shildrick directed to have done - and further the deponent saith not -
Ira Hooker
State of Connecticut -
County of Hartford ss. on this thirtieth day of June 1837, personally appeared the Ira Hooker of Bristol in said County & being duly sworn, made solemn oath, that the above foregoing deposition by him subscribed contains the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth, - and I certify that I am well acquainted

with said Ira Hooker, and know him to be a man of truth & veracity a credible Witness -
Subscribed, sworn & certified before & certified this 30 th day of June 1837 Before me
Irney Peck, Justice of the Peace
State of Connecticut
County of Hartford ss,
I Charles G. Dyer Clerk of the Court of Probate within & for the the District of Bristol in said County of Hartford, do hereby certify Irney that Irney Peck before whom the preceding power of attorney was executed is a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Hartford aforesaid & I believe that the signature pur- porting to be his is genuine
In Witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office & subscribed my name this thirtieth day of June in the year 1837
Charles G. Dyer Clerk

State of Connecticut
Hartford County ss, Bristol -
On the seventeenth day of July one thousand eight hundred & thirty seven personally appeared before me Irney Peck one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for the county aforesaid Edward Hart of Bristol in the aforesaid county and State, who being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say, that he is in the seventy eighth year of his age, and that he is now a pensioner of the United States, on the Connecticut agency, - and doth further depose and say, that he is now, and has been well acquainted with Ebenezer Johnson , who is now residing in Bristol aforesaid, for more than fifty years, and doth know him to be more than seventy years of age, and that the said Ebenezer Johnson , is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a drummer in the army of the Revolutionary war, and that the Deponent doth concur in that opinion - and the Deponent doth further depose & say that he has understood for more than fifty years past that said Johnson was a member of the army of the revolution and did serve therein as a drummer and that he the Deponent now does for many years has believed, that fact, and

the Deponent has never heard the service of Ebenezer Johnson doubted or questioned and further the Deponent saith not — Jesse H. Hart
State of Connecticut
Hartford County } ss Bristol
Be it remembered, that on the 17 th day of July A.D. 1837 Personally before the subscribing authority — I, David Hart, who hath subscribed the pre- going deposition, and made solemn oath to the truth of the same, in due form of law before the subscribing authority — and the subscriber also hereby certifies that he is well acquainted with the said Deponent and knows him to be a credible person & witness that his statement is entitled to credit —
Sworn before me —
Francis Root Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut,
Hartford County Ss, on this 18 th day of July A.D. 1837 - personally appeared before me Ireny Pickett Esq. one of the Justices of the Peace within & for the County of Hartford aforesaid, Amasa Bradley of Bristol in said Hartford County - and who being duly sworn according to law doth depose & say that he is now in the sixty ninth year of his age, and that he is now well acquainted with Ebenezer Johnson of said Bristol, and that he has been acquainted with him from the time that they were Boys, that the deponent was young though he will remember the war of the revolution and that the said Ebenezer Johnson went from home into the war as a Seaman, that he has often heard said Johnson speak of his said service and the deponent further deposes & saith that he will remember the absence of said Johnson & then understood and believed that he was in the service of the Army as a prisoner that he now believes that he did that service, and that that belief is general & that no doubts, now exist in the neighborhood nor never have upon the subject -
And further the deponent saith not
Amasa Bradley
State of Connecticut,
Hartford County Ss, Bristol
Be it Remembered, Herein the 18 th day of

July A.D. 1837. Personally appeared before the subscribing authority. - - Amasa Bradley who hath subscribed the foregoing disposition made solemn oath to the truth of the same, in this form of law, and this subscriber also here- by testifies, that he is well acquainted with the said Amasa Bradley and knows him to be a credible person and witness, and that his statement is entitled to credit -
Sworn before me
Irney Pick Justice of Peace
State of Connecticut
County of Hartford ss. Bristol Probate District
I George Mitchell Judge of the Court of Probate within & for said district do hereby certify that Irney Pick Esq. a Justice whom the foregoing dispositions of Amasa Bradley & Samuel Hart were taken & admitted, is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Hart- ford, and I believe that the signature purporting to be his is genuine -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Probate Court herein- scribed and same this
14 th day of July A.D. 1837 -
George Mitchell Judge of Probate for the District of Bristol

Bristol Oct 27 1871 Oct 19 Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions City of Washington District of Columbia
July 22 Recd. Ind. E. B. Johnson

Bristol, (Gov.) July 19 th 1837
Sir, I herewith enclose you the Supplemental Declaration of Ebenezer Johnson for a pension, please sent the present to me -
Respectfully your Obedient Servant
Irney Peck
Hon. J. L. Edwards Washington

81
Sept 4. Washington J. Edwards 29. Comm Pensions Washington  Can Mr. Johnson

Sturminster Corn. August 31 st 1838
Sir,
In reply to yours of the 24 th instant respecting Sturminster Johnson's claim I am compelled to say, that instead of narrowing or limiting my cause of complaint, you have very much enlarged them. When I was at Washington, you know you told me expressly, that Johnson's being paid by the Officer under whom he served was no objection to his claim being allowed. That you knew, and every body that knew any thing about such matters knew, that all soldiers were paid by their Officers. And now your letter makes that objection decisive proof that he was not enlisted. This is strange logic. All soldiers were paid by their Officers. Johnson was paid by his Officer. Therefore he was not enlisted soldier. This I cannot comprehend.
The question you say is not whether he was paid, but whether he was enlisted. He proves his enlistment by his own and the testimony of two credible witnesses - all that is ever required in any other case.
Your claim that I stated in the objection of his being paid by his Officer as unsatisfactory and frivolous! I do, and so did you while I was at your Office. I perceive that not one soldier in a thousand knew any thing about the Paymaster's Department. Their Officers drew their pay and handed it to the soldiers. To this you fully assented.

The letter of the 27 th July 1837 to Mr. Pugh I had never, and went to Washington prepared to show that the cause of rejection therein stated was untenable. But when there, you entirely abandoned it and thereby made it unnecessary for me to urge reasons against it.
The Department you say is constrained to consider the fact of Johnson's being held by his Officer as decisive of the character of his service continued, not by any established rule or regulation, but by reasoning and adhering to an objection which you had entirely dis- owned and abandoned.
In your letter to Mr. Blissworth transmitted to me you say if I can show that injustice has been done to a claimant in any case, you shall take great pleasure in making restitution to the utmost of of your ability. If injustice has not been done in this case, by refusing the claim for a cause which you yourself say is no cause. I am unable to conceive what is injustice and it certainly is in your power, without violating any of your rules or regulations, to allow the claim.
Very Respectfully
Your obedt. Servt.
Calvin Butler
J. J. Boward Esq.

Bristol Ct Bristol
Dec
July Hon. J. L. Edwards,
Ebenezer Johnson Oct 1832
Commissioner of Pensions, City of Washington District of Columbia

Bristol, Hartford County Connecticut. - }
Sir, I herewith enclose the Declaration of Ebenezer Johnson for a pension - with the Dep- osition of Sarah Hooker - Please make return of the result to your obedient humble servant July 1 st 1837. - Tracy Peck
Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions - }
1837 7/2 65.

I Ebenezer Johnson of Southington in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut an applicant for a Pension under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 being first duly sworn according to law do on my oath depose and say that I enlisted was enlisted by Captain Guthornhill as I stated in my declaration and was mustered by Muster Master Mull, and was commanded during the whole time of my service, by Captain Hill, and paid by him, and I think received my discharge from him. I know that I was not employed under a war contract but was enlisted received a bounty of ten dollars and was at all times subject to martial law and the regulations of war. I can prove my service by the testimony of Ira Hooker and Thomas Jerome of said Bristol whose depositions to that effect accompany this declaration. I recollect Major Elisha Moore and Major Cogswell being in command at Newburgh at the time I was there but but I did not receive orders directly from them

I do hereby certify that in the County of Hartford in the State of Connecticut the foregoing instrument was acknowledged on the 7th day of Jan 1835 Subscribed and sworn to this 4 th day of May 1835 Ebenezer Johnson
State of Connecticut,
County of Hartford } ss, on this eight th day of May A.D. 1835, Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace for said County Ebenezer Johnson, who subscribed the foregoing disposition, who is known to me to be a credible Witness being duly sworn under oath to the truth of the same disposition. . . . .
Certified By -
Irazy Peck Justice of Peace Secretary of Peace State of Connecticut, Hartford, at Hartford May 13 th 1835 -
Thereby certify that Irazy Peck Esq r is a justice of the Peace in Hartford County and that his signature above written is
For which reason I believe is genuine Royal A. Kimman Dowling shall be advised of the State

Respecting Benjamin Johnson's case.
In the spring of 1835 I obtained from Mr. Phelps Esq. of this county, a copy of a letter from you to him, and of a transcript of Congress passed 15 th March 1779. In your letter you state that those who enlisted and served as teamsters after the passing of that resolve, are entitled to pensions. In accordance with that information, I then forwarded Mr. Johnson's application, regularly made and authenticated, in which he declares that he enlisted as a teamster waggoner and entered the service on the first day of March 1742, and served till the first day of December 1742. This declaration was accompanied by the deposition of Lieut. Hooker and Lieut. Jones who both sworn positively to the enlistment and service of Johnson. Soon after I received a letter dated 30 th of April 1835, in which you say "from the state minutes contained in the declaration of Benjamin Johnson, it seems probable he was enlisted as a teamster by the Quaker Masters. He then entered under a civil contract. Unless he shall state the particulars of the officers by whom he was enlisted, recruited, and commissioned and paid, and prove his service by the best attainable evidence, his claim cannot be favorably considered." In the receipt of that letter from you, I then made an additional statement to that, in which, among other things, he stated that he was raised by the officer in command, whom he named, as near as he could recollect. Since after this you wrote, that having been raised by his officer, shows that he gave his service a civil contract, and not being enlisted at this time was right.

This objection was so unsatisfactory, and appeared so frivolous to me, that I abandoned the case, looking it for granted that his claim was to be rejected at all events. He had made his declaration in full before a proper court, which had regularly certified, in which he expressly swore to his enlistment and service. He had proven the facts fully by the deposition of two credible witnesses, who served with him, which is all that is is required in other cases, and all that the published regulations require, and there is told, because he was paid by the officer under whom he served, that the inference is that he served under a civil contract, and his claim is rejected.
Learning however last fall that Mr. Peck of Bristol had corresponded with you on the subject of Johnson's claim, and that there was some prospect of obtaining it, I concluded to go to Washington, with Mr. Todd's case, hoping that I could persuade you that a soldier's being paid by his officer, did not prove that he was not enlisted. When I stated this case to you, and the objection made against the claim, you wholly disowned making any such objection, and said the letter containing it must have been signed without a thorough knowledge of its contents, and referred me to a resolve of Congress of the 17th April 1799, repealing the former resolve. This resolve does repeal the former under head, it also provides for enlisting waggoners for nine months or during the campaign, which would greatly assist Johnson's case. But whether it does or not to be informed of one objection

by writing and in hopes of removing that to travel off all the way from here to Washington, and thus for the first time be told, that is not the real objection, is really well calculated to make the sufferer such can feel as though the business was never how badly managed.
The inconvenience I complain of is not, in having to comply with the regulations of the Depart- ment, and make out the proof required by them, but when all that is done, to be refused the application for some cause never before named, or without any assigning any; and often at very great trouble and expense, endeavoring to remove the objection, that, be told that it was some other objection. There is no published rule or regulation, that I know of, which in any way requires a summary proof, and yet you say to me, verbally, not in any letter, that unless he produce such proof, his claim cannot be allowed. My is that there is, any more than any other applicant required to prove any one, which no regulation requires? This to me is wholly in- explicable. and I do feel, that when applicants of the Department & Johnson, are once assured by the Department, that if they will prove and establish their claim according to the regu- lations adopted they would be allowed, persons; and that having fully done this they are refused, unless they can furnish evidence, not required, by any regulations and wholly out of their power, and which had not been named till they had met their obligation to all their trouble, it is a serious evil.
It does still appear to me, that on further consideration and reflection, you will be satisfied that Johnson is entitled to a pension, as having fully complied with all the published requirements of the Department. otherwise he and his friends have

to suffer all the loss, trouble and inconvenience I have stated, in consequence of following the published regulations, and written directions of the Department.
While at your office, I found on the Musket of Company of the 23 d April 1864, directing the Inspector to order Genl. to employ so many waggoners as should be necessary for the use of the army, upon the best terms on which they could be obtained, provided such terms were approved by the Commander in Chief.
This was more general than either of the others and I presume regulations were adopted and established under it, by the Commander in Chief and Inspector for enlisting waggoners and that they were accordingly enlisted and now as far as all say they were subject to Martial law and were told they must obey orders when required.
I shall be very glad to be satisfied respecting the same I have stated I think correctly, and when justice is done according to your for published regulations and written instructions and information I trust I shall be satisfied as I had much rather have no cause for complaint than to be complaining
Very Respectfully
Calvin Ballou
July 30 th 1864
Edwards 279.

I Thomas Jerome of Bristol in the County of Hartford in the State of Con- necticut, being firstly duly sworn, depose & say that I was sixty eight years old & that I enlisted into the Military Service of the United States on the 5 th day of February A.D. 1782, in a Company of Wiggins or Simsbury, commanded by Capt. Gershun Little, then of said Bristol, which was then a part of the town of Farmington in said County of Hartford. - I was then mustered at Hartford in said State, by Master Master Bull, together with the other members of said Company. I marched with said Company to Fishkill on the north River in the State of New York under the command of Capt. Little at which place in the Country upon the said River I remained in the service of the United States & on duty in said Company until the 14 th day of December of 1782, when I was honorably discharged at Newbur- gh by Major Shillaber. - I further depose & say & well remember, that Ebenezer Johnson now of Southington in said County of Hartford a man

of about seventy years of age, and who was an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7 th 1832 - did enlist into said Company of Waggoners & Teamsters, commanded by Capt. Gershon Little a few days after I enlisted, and that he was mustered at said Hartford at the same time with each & the other members of the Company - and that he marched with said Company & was a member thereof & performed during therefrom our march to Dishill on the North River & there remained with said Company until the forepart of the ensuing winter. - I know the Compa- ny was enlisted & not under a civil contract & each member received a bounty of ten dollars, - and that we were subject to Martial law - I have been well acquainted with said Johnson ever since we were boys - - I subscribed a sworn this 8 th day of May A.D. 1835,
Thomas Jerome
State of Connecticut County of Hartford } ss. on this 8 th day of May A.D. 1835, personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace for said County of Thomas Jerome, who subscribed the foregoing deposition, who is known to me to be a credible Witness & being duly sworn made oath to the truth of the same deposition. - Certified By Irving Peck Justice of Peace

I Ira Hooker of Bristol in Hartford county in the State of Connecticut a Revolutionary Pensioner under the Act of Congress of the 7 th June 1832 being duly sworn depose and say that I am now fifty five years old that in the winter or early in the spring of 1782 I enlisted into the Military service in a company of waggoners in the Revolutionary army under Captain Gershom Tuttle then of said Bristol which was then a part of Farmington. I with the rest of the company were mustered at Hartford in this State. I marched with the company from this place to Fishkill and Newburgh in the State of New York soon after I enlisted and continued in the service at Newburgh and in that vicinity near the North River until the fall part of the winter; that I was then acquainted with Ebenezer Johnson now of Southington in this county and an applicant for a pension under the act of June 7 th 1832. That I very well recollect that said Johnson was enlisted into the same company with me a little before and that he marched in said company with me to said Fishkill and was and was in the service according to my best recollection

during the time aforesaid. I saw said Johnson a number of times in the service during that time and am confident he moved under said Capt. Miller as long as I did. I know the company was enlisted and did not move under a civil contract and that we were subject to martial law and all the regulations of the army. Subscribed and sworn to this 8 th day of May 1935.
Ira Hooker
47
State of Connecticut, County of Hartford - } ss. On this eight th day of May A.D. 1935, Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace for said County, Ira Hooker, who subscribed the foregoing disposition, who is known to me to be a credible witness being duly sworn, under oath to the truth of the same disposition.
Certified By Irney Peck Justice of Peace.
State of Connecticut, to wit: Secretary, Office, at Hartford May 13 th 1935 -
I hereby certify that Irney Peck is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Hartford in this State and that his signature above written I truly believe is genuine to which certificate I have affixed the seal of this State. Royal H. Kimball Secretary.

RECEIVED MAY 22 1920 BUREAU
RECEIVED MAY 29 1920 S. OFFICE.

In Revolution War 1776—
Rep Sec
Bristol Connecticut—
May 28- 1920.
Commission of Pensions—
Washington D.C. —
Dear Sir —
Will you please give me the military history with details of Ebenezer Johnson. who was pensioned by U. S. Government. He died December 6. 1852 — in Bristol Conn aged 89 yrs.
Mrs. Ellen F Judson
Bristol
Connecticut—
* 112 West St.