Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32,908, for Samuel Johnson, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Navy (Mass.) Privateer
Johnson, Samuel
S. 32,908
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing entries.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing entries.

13.047 Massachusetts
Samuel Johnson
of Norfolk Co. in the state of Massachusetts who was a Ship Queen of France Marine in the regiment commanded by Colonel Cap. Joseph the Olney for the term of 1 year R.I.
scribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 — Dollars per month, to commence on the 3 d of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 of July 1819 and sent to Judge Samuel Ware Wrentham, Norfolk Co. Mass.
Arrears to 4th of March 1819. 10 mo. 28 4 30. 31 88.49 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 Sep 1819. 48 —
80 7.46 1.3 88.49
$ 136.49
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued
Samuel Johnson sent September 25. 1819 to Judge Samuel Ware, Wrentham, Mass. for his pension.

Samuel Johnson. mariner
The release of Ireland not ac- cepted many of the
Rejected.
Admitted

I Samuel Johnson a citizen of the United States now residing in Walpole in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on oath declare, that I was born in Providence R.I. A.D. 1753 that about the middle of October A.D. 1775 I entered myself as a Midshipman on board the Continental Ship Queen of France commanded by Capt Joseph Olney, and that after making a cruise Capt Olney was succeeded by Capt John Peck Rathbone. Adam William Shapley was First Lieutenant Joseph Vose second Lieutenant
Samuel Edwell Third Lieutenant
Honory Skinner sailing Master all of whom except Skinner I believe have deceased — that the said ship soon after entering on board said ship I was promoted to second Mate and then to Chief Mate and that I served in said Captain in the war of the Revolution up the Continental establishment against the common enemy until September A.D. 1779 being a period of more than three months & until I was discharged by the aforesaid commanding commander. I further declare that I am wholly destitute of property, that I am considerably in debt, that I have been a very unfortunate man, that I was impressed into the British Navy A.D. 1807 and detained in service until the commencement of the war 1812 that I was a Prisoner of war in 3 different Prisons until the war ended June 1805 & I arrived from Dartmoor Prison to New London & from my reduced circum- stances in life I stand in need of assistance from my country for my support Samuel Johnson
of S...

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Norfolk ss.
On this thirteenth day of April 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Southern Circuit, personally appeared the sd. Samuel Johnson , aged 78 years, resident in the said Circuit, who being by me first duly cautioned according to law, on his oath made the following declaration, by him signed, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war."

I Daniel Ellis of Walpole in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and say that I am acquainted with Samuel Johnson mentioned in the forego- ing affidavit and believe that by reason of his indigent circumstances, he stands in need of assistance from his country for his support Daniel Ellis
I Warren Clap of Walpole aforesaid do hereby testify to Samuel a affidavit and record me from Clap
And I, the said Judge, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Samuel Johnson did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, on the continental establishment; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
James Ward
to the said My made both subscribed and sworn. J. S. Ridge
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
ss.
1818.
I HEREBY CERTIFY, That is one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Southern Circuit, consisting of the Counties of Plymouth, Norfolk, Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket in said Commonwealth—that the same Circuit Court of Common Pleas is a Court of record—that the signature to the above cer- tificate is the true signature of the said Judge, and that the seal thereunto affixed is the seal of the said Court.
} Clerk of the Judicial Court for the County of

I Daniel Ellis of Walpole in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and say that I am acquainted with Samuel Johnson mentioned in the forgo- ing affidavit and believe that by reason of his reduced circumstances, he stands in need of assistance from his country for his support Daniel Ellis
I Warren Clap of Walpole aforesaid do testify and say that I am acquainted with Samuel Johnson mentioned in the foregoing affidavit and know that by reason of his reduced circum- stances, he stands in need of assistance from his country for support Warren Clap
Norfolk ss. Apr 3 d 1818. Personally appeared the said Daniel Ellis & Warren Clap and severally made oath to the truth of the above affidavits by them subscribed and the same I believe to be true.
183 for me James Ware. Ap. Judge

Copied Schedule No of Samuel Johnson
13047
July 1819 London
1820
Con.
Sep 1819

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
NORFOLK, ss.—CIRCUIT COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, SPECIAL SESSION, JULY 17, 1820.
On this seventeenth day of July 1820 personally appeared, in open Court, being a Court of Record for said County, proceeding according to the course of the Common Law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a Record of its proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, Samuel Johnson aged sixty seven years, resident in Walpole in said County, Labore who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War, as follows:
I entered as a mariner on board the United States Public Ship called the Queen of France, Capt Joseph Olney commander about the middle of October A.D. 1778 and served in that capacity till about the middle of September A.D. 1779 under the said Joseph Olney and Capt John Dick Rathbun who succeeded him, at which last mentioned time I was honorably discharged by the said Capt Rathbun and with his advice to take the command of a privateer which I afterwards commanded for a cruise of about three months, for which service I have a certificate for a pension dated July 19. 1814 and numbered 13047
And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons, engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Samuel Johnson
Sworn to and declared, on the seventeenth day of July A. D. 1820 before Jamies Ware Judge of C. C. C. Pleas for S d . Circuit
I, Horatio Townsend Clerk of the said Court do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedule hereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value, of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is fifty two dollars and ninety one cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twenty fourth day of July 1820
Horatio Townsend Clerk.

A Schedule of all the property goods & effects of the within named Samuel Johnson applicant for a Pension under the Act of May 1 st 1820 necessary wearing apparel beds & bedding excepted.
  One Chest east 2.50   One portable writing desk east 1.25   One Cabinet containing two razors & a frame 1.25   One Looking Glass, Lather bag, Razor strap 1.25   One Silver watch & case 13.00   One ink stand & a black lead pencil .50   One pen knife & one Jack knife .75   Four Dols east 3.75   Cash 10.00   Cash due on a note of hand 18.00   One pocket knife .66   52.91 
I the said Samuel Johnson have no regular trade or occupation I maintain myself by my labor have no family except my wife who is about fifty four years of age but is unable to do more than support herself by her labor
Samuel Johnson.

Providence 7 th June 1819.
I certify that I have always understood, and still firmly believe, that the Ship Queen of France, commanded by my late Brother Joseph Olney, in the revolutionary War, was a public Vessel, in the service of the United States.
Geo. Olney
State of Rhode Island
Providence June 7 th 1819.
I hereby certify that on this day, personally appeared, Mr George Olney, the subscriber to the above statement, and made solemn oath to the truth of the same, before me, I also certify, that the above certificate, was written by the said Olney in my presence, at the request of Samuel Johnson, to be used as evidence in said Johnsons application for a pension — Jeremiad B. Howell Just: Peace

Providence R.I. June 1 st 1859
I hereby certify that the Ship Queen of France an old French Ship of twenty Guns, commanded in the first place by Joseph Olney & afterwards by John P. Rathbun was in the service of the United States at the taking of the Jamaica Fleet (so called), & that she was also in company with the Frigate Providence at the Siege of Charleston S Carolina where she was surrendered to the British Forces at the Fall of that Place
* When serves then a Capt. Marines
# Note for Mr. R. Island Ware

Copious Henry again

The Deposition of Ephraim Ferry of Providence in the State of Rhode Island who being engaged according to law testifies & says that in the year 1779 this depo- nent was agent for the purpose of disposing of the prizes which should be taken by the Decree of France a Vessel of War in the service of the United States & commanded by Joseph Olney - This deponent further testifies that said Vessel called the Decree of France was formerly an old French ship purchased by Silas Deane Esq, then an agent to the United States, in France, from for the United States service - and after her arrival in this country, she was mannaed & equipped & sailed on several cruises, first of John Hopkins under the Command with the Warren & Ranger in company - & afterwards she sailed on the second cruise in company with the Frigate Providence & Ranger under the Command of Commodore Abraham Whipple - First she sailed to Charleston S.C. where she was sunk as he has always understood when that City surrendered to the British 1780 according to this deponents best recollection - and this deponent further testifies that Samuel Johnson now of Walpole Massachusetts - whom he distinctly recollects - was Masters Mate on board of said Vessel during her first & second cruise & must have served on board of her more than nine months Ephraim Ferry

State of Rhode Island to In Witness whereof June 1819
I certify that on this seventeenth day of June 1819 personally appeared before me, the within named Cyprian Story, & made solemn oath to the truth of the within deposition by him subscribed
Jeremiah B. Howell Just. Peace
And I further certify that the within deposition was taken at the request of Samuel Johnson, to be used as evidence in said former application for a pension.
Jeremiah B. Howell Just. Peace
Cyprian Story aspen

Invalid WIDOW, etc.
Cray — • —
File No. 32908
Samuel Johnson Manner Ship Queen of France Rev War
Act 18th March 1818
Index : Vol ..... , Page .....
[Arrangement of 1870.]