Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4250, for William Johnston, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Johnston, William Sidney
W. 4250
CONTENTS

25.919
Ohio - Pittsburgh
William Johnson
of Richland, Co in the State of Ohio - who was a Sgt in the Company commanded by Captain Farlin of the Regt commanded by Col M c Farlane in the Penn a - for Militia -
2 Yrs $120.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio - P. A at the rate of 120 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 st day of May and sent to - 1834 J s Faulk, Pomeroyville Wayne Co. Ohio,
Arrears to the 4th of Apr 1833 300.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Mar '34 50.00 $ 350.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. J. Springer Clerk, Book 8 Vol. 8 Page 116
V

3085 M c , Pittsburgh.
Sidney Johnston widow of William Johnston Dec d a pensioner, est d June 1832 who died on the 27 th April 1838 of Huron in the State of Ohio who was a Sergeant in the Com y commanded by Captain Paxton of the reg t commanded by Col m Pherson in the Penn a line for 2 years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburgh at the rate of 120 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1834. 27 th April 1838
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 th day of Oct r 1839, to sent to and Lewis D. Stange, Norwalk, Ohio.
Arrears to the 4 th of Sept r 1839 $162.66 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th Mar ch 40 60 00
$222.66
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 rd Concurrence }
Recorded by D m C u ncy, Clerk Book A. Vol. 2. Page 166.

29. 323
William Johnson Ohio
Adm 2 years, serf
John Hawks Jeromeville Wayne County Ohio

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
27 th Jany 1834
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of William Johnson
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1796. 6. Infy Serf. Cap. Paxton 81. years   Col. Cooben York Co   1. 6. " Col. McPherson Pas  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of } On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers :
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Mrs Johnson 4664 Sidney Johnston Ohio.

State of Ohio Huron County So.
On this 29 th day of July A D 1889 A D 1889 personally appeared before the Supreme Court for said State sitting in Norwalk in said County The Widow Sidney Johnston a resident of New Haven in said County of Huron in said State aged Eighty years the 16 th of January last past who being first duly sworn and according to Law in open Court with her oath declared she now makes the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed the 4 July 1836 That she is the Widow of William Johnston deceased a Revolutionary Soldier and on his  first discharge and in said War she learned from her old age related the Captain of the Company or of the Colonel or other Officers of the Regiment in which he served. — According to her best recollections she then residing in Gettysburgh then York County State of Pennsylvania entered as a Volunteer Militia man on the first of July A D 1776. and then served six months term. — after which he returned home that soon afterwards he was again called & went into the army — as a militia man but how long he served the Deponent cannot tell That he served off & on most of the whole war. That he was called out into service at least many times. How long at each time the Deponent cannot say. That her said Husband had a first  ordinary Sergeant's Warrant who don't know now what became of it. — She further declares that

She was married to her said husband on the 16 th day of April A D 1776 - at her Father's house at said Gettysburgh in the Adams County in said State of Pennsylvania by the Rev d Mr Ray a Clergyman who died many years ago - That her said Husband the said William Johnston died April 27 th A D 1838 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period That the Leaf annexed to these papers and declaration purporting to be a record of the births of the said William Johnston & Sidney Johnston - the time of marriage the births & times of the birth of their children - and the time of the death of the said William Johnston was cut out of an old Family Bible belonging to said William & Sidney - on the 29 th day of July A D 1839 in presence of John Johnston & Benjamin Carson by said John Johnston
That said Bible in was by the Government of the United States on or about the A D 1834 year placed on the Pension List of the United States at the rate of One hundred & twenty dollars per year - That after the said William's decease the Declarant applied for & received that proportion of said Pension which was due at the time of his death & which he had not before received - and the Pension Certificate was forwarded to the Paying Pension Agency by a Mr Macomb of Mansfield Richland County Ohio who made out the Pension papers which she presumes is now on the files of the Pension Office in Washington - as will more fully appear by proof hereto annexed - and she

Further declares that the records on the leaf of said Bible annexed is all in the hand writing of her said deceased Husband except the last entry of the death of her said Husband which is in the hand writing of her Son John Johnson now living
And the Declarant says that she has no documentary evidence respecting her application theretofore has been mentioned and that she is now the widow of said William & has always remained his widow & has never again been married since his said death all which will more fully appear by the papers annexed hereto
Sworn and subscribed the day and year above written & it is also certified that the said Sidney is credit to a person of truth & veracity and I David Gibbs Clerk of said Supreme Court do further certify that the foregoing are the proceedings of said Court in the case of the widow Sidney Johnston's application for a Pension
Her Sidney Johnston Mark Witness: Lewis B Sturges
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of Office in Norfolk in said County this Twentyninth day of July A D 1889. D. Gibbs Clerk Sup Ct

William Johnston was born September 13 1752 him and Sidney Lorimor was married April the 16 1776 1776 Sidney Jo was born January the 16 1759 Mary Johnston born February the 5 1777 Martha Johnston born June 10 1780 Margaret Johnston born November 27 1782 John Johnston born August the 7 1785 Angus Johnston born April the 7 1788 John Johnston was born February 19 1791 Andrew Johnston was born October the 8 1794 Esther Johnston was born March the 10 1799
Wm Johnston Died April 27 1838
April.
State of Ohio. Huron County ss Personally appeared before the Supreme Court of said State sitting in Probate in said County that John Johnston son of William Johnston deceased, aged

2 April.
State of Ohio. Huron County ss
Personally appeared before the Supreme Court of said State sitting in Newalk in said County John Johnston son of William Johnston deceased aged about Fifty four years and Benjamin Carman aged about Fifty eight years. And being sworn on their oaths declare & say that the said Benjamin died in the presence of said John. cut out of the Family Bible of William Johnston deceased & Sidney Johnston husband & wife. The above expressed leaf of said Bible purporting to be a record of the births & deaths of the members of said Family. and also of the marriage of said William Johnston & Sidney Larimer her name before their said marriage. and the said John also declares that the entries on said record. are in the hand writing of his said Father William Johnston deceased except the last record of the death of his said Father which is in the hand writing of him the said John which was made by him two days after the death of his said Father on the 29 th day of April A D 1838 —
Sworn & subscribed the day and year above written. Dfh is further certified that the said John Johnston & Benjamin Carman are credible & persons of truth & veracity
John Johnston
Benj r Carman
Atty J. Gibly Clerk Given Sup t Court

Before CHRIST cir. 161.
34 So every man praised toward the heaven the glorious Lord, saying, Blessed be he that hath kept his own place undefiled.
35 He hanged also Nicanor's head upon the tower, an evident and manifest sign unto all of the help of the Lord.
36 And they ordained all with a common decree, in no case to let that day pass without solemnity, but to celebrate the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which in the Syrian tongue is called Adar, the day before Mardocheus' day.
37 Thus went it with Nicanor: and from that time forth the Hebrews had the city in their power. And here I will make an end.
38 And if I have done well, and as is fitting the story, it is that which I desired; but, if slenderly and meanly, it is that which I could attain unto.
39 For as it is hurtful to drink wine or water alone, and as wine mingled with water is pleasant, and delighteth the taste; even so, speech finely framed delighteth the ears of them that read the story. And here shall be an end.
Before CHRIST cir. 161.
The End of the APOCRYPHA.

29.325
William Johnston
Prussian Lancers
Under. act of 7 th June 1832.
Served 2 years & 20 Days. as orderly sergeant.
Attest.
John Faulk. ss)
Jeromeville
Jeromeville P.O.
Wayne Co. Ohio.

State of Ohio.
Richland County ss.
Personally appeared before me John H. Sandy who being duly sworn deposes and saith that he is well acquainted with William Johnston the Applicant for a Pension, that I became acquainted with said Johnston in the year 1776. that I know he was in the Drafted Militia of the state of Pennsylvania for six months that I know he was drafted for said time in York County in the state of Pennsylvania, and that he entered the service on the first of October 1777. under Captain Paxton and Lieutenant William Lynn, and that he served under Major Reed, from the 1st Octr 1777. until the first of April 1777. that I saw the said Johnston when he joined the army at Gettysburg in the state of Pennsylvania, that I know that he returned home from the army to his Residence at the expiration his six months service, that he came home some time about the middle of April 1777. that I saw him in the army during the period above mentioned, and that I am knowing that he served as he states in his annexed Declaration, and I do further certify that I know that the said William Johnston did once more enter the army as a volunteer soldier. In a Company of Volunteers under Capt. Lynn, and Lieutenant William Miller, under Col. Chas. Thompson, and served under said officers from the first of June 1777. to the 20th of December 1778. that I know he volunteered and joined the army under said officers above mentioned and

That he joined the army in the County of York, in the state of Pennsylvania, that I know he returned home from the Service to his residence in Cumberland Township in the County of York, about the latter part of December 1778. or the fore part of January 1779. that I know he joined the Regiment of Col. M c Pherson at Little York, in the state of Pennsylvania. That I know the said William Johnston was in the Battle or Engagement fought at Brandywine Creek, that I was myself in the Battle or Engagement fought on or about the 11 th of Sept r 1777. that I saw the said Johnston at the Place, and saw him shortly after the Engagement, and that I saw this applicant frequently during his said term of Service between the first of June 1777. the time of his entering the service as a volunteer, and the 20 th of December 1778. that I know he served said Period as he has stated in his anonymous Declaration, that I was a citizen of York County in Pennsylvania, and from my residence in that County, my services in the Army, I became acquainted with the said William Johnston and his services in the Army as aforesaid. I am of age, eighty one years of age. To subscribed this his 8 th day of Dec r 1833.
John M c Carthy mark Isaac Osburn Associate Judge I the said John M c Carthy of the County of Pike Delaware do hereby certify that John M c Carthy who has subscribed hereto to the above deposition is a credible Person and that his statements are entitled to full faith & credit this 8 th day of Dec r 1833 Isaac Osburn associate Judge

We the subscribers, being Inhabitants of the County of Richland In the State of Ohio, do Hereby Certify that we are Personally acquainted with - William Johnston, the Applicant for a Pension, that we have known him for several years past, that we Believe him to be eighty one years of age, and that he is reputed to be a Soldier of the Revolution, that we do not hesitate to say that we believe him to have served in the War of the Revolution, and that he justly sustains a good moral Character, and that his statements are entitled to full faith and credit, that he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and In good standing in this County, -
Morgan Gardner
Simon Bigelow
Henry Shaffner
Levi Coddington
John Douglass
James Cummings
William Latta
John Stringer
Wm - Morris
Joseph Stringer George Barrick
James Smith
Henry W etherall

Declaration
In order to obtain the Benefit of the act of Congress, passed June the 7 th 1832.
State of Ohio, Richland County ss
on this 4 th — Day of December in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Three personally appeared before me Isaac Osborn — one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, in & for the County of Richland in the state of Ohio, William Johnston a resident of the Township of Plymouth, in the County of Richland in the state of Ohio, aged eighty one years and two months who being by me first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th . 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That he entered the service of the United States in the State of Pennsylvania, in the County of York in said state, in the Militia of the state of Pennsylvania, in the month of October 1776 as a drafted militia man, that this applicant entered the service as a drafted militia man on the first of October, 1776, and served under a Captain whose name

was Captain "Payton" the Lieutenant was, one Lieutenant "William Lynn" the Colonel was who commanded the Regiment to which this applicant belonged was Col - "Cobane" or "Coben" and the Mayor was one "Mayor, Reed" and the adjutant who commanded was one Adjutant "William Reed" that this applicant served the said Six months, as such Drafted - Militia Man, under the above named officers, as an "Orderly Sergeant," in the said Company of "Captain Payton" that this Applicant served from the first of October 1776 to the first of April 1777. faithfully as such orderly Sergeant the whole Period of Six months that this applicant marched from the Township of Cumberland in the County of York in the State of Pennsylvania on the first of October 1776. to "Gettysburgh" and from thence he was marched to a Place called "Little York" in the State of Pennsylvania, where this applicant was with the Militia under the above named officers stationed for the said time a Balance of the time, until the Expir- ation of his said Six months, that this Applicant served his six months at "Gettysburgh," and "Little York" in the State of Pennsylvania as above mentioned

from the first of October 1776 to the first of April 1777. The time at which this applicant was verbally dismissed, or discharged from the Service By his Captain "Payton" above mentioned, that this applicant was so discharged, or dismissed, from the Service at "Little York", in the state of Pennsylvania, on the first of April 1777.
That this applicant, once more entered the Service of the United States, as a volunteer and served one year and six months, as such volunteer, In a Volunteer Company Commanded by one Captain "Linn", and the Lieutenant was one "William Miller" and the Colonel was one "Colonel M c = "Therson", and this applicant says that he served under the said officers, from the first of June 1777. to the Twentieth day of December 1778. that this applicant says that he served said time faithfully In said Company under the officers, lastly above named, as an "orderly sergeant" under Captain "Linn" as above mentioned, that this applicant volunteered & joined the army in Cumberland Township, in the County of "York" In the state of Pennsylvania on the first of June 1777. and served constantly as an orderly sergeant to the Twentieth day of December 1778.

being one year and six months and Twenty Days Service as a Volunteer, In said Company Under the Command of said officers - lastly above mentioned - That this Applicant served In said Service as an "orderly Sergeant," as above mentioned, That this applicant Marched from the Township of Cumberland, where he entered the Service to "Little York" and there - Joined the Regiment Under Col. M c Pherson, In the State of Pennsylvania, and the Regiment, were sent to a Place Called "Lancaster," remained there some time, and from thence they were Marched South towards "Brandywine" where this applicant was In the Battle or Engagement, Called the Battle of "Brandywine" Fought on the Eleventh day of September, 1777. that the Battle was Fought on "Brandywine Creek," The British were on one side of the Creek, & the Americans on the other that the British gave the first Fire, which was returned by the Americans, that the armies Fought for a while on the opposite Banks of the Creek. The Militia Gave way, & the British Crossed the Creek, and Came over on the side where the Americans were first Posted, that the British took some of the Americans Prisoners, But the most

of the americans retreated or got away that Col. "Stoll" & Captain "Jacob Bounard" fought in said engagement, and this, Applicant fought under, Captain "Linn" and Lieutenant "William Miller" and Col. "M c Pherson" his officers above named all of whom were in said engagement on the eleventh day of September, 1777. that the day on which the action was fought was, a warm & clear day for the month of September, that the action was a Hard fought Battle, and a very severe one, that the armies fought as much, or more than half an hour, on the opposite Banks of the Brandywine Creek, severely before the British Army crossed over to the side where the americans were posted, that the "Rifle men" under command of Col. = Rallins, gave the British the first return fire, when the British were at some distance on the opposite side of the Creek, when in a short time the enemy advance nearer and the Musketry of the american army gave a strong fire upon them & the Battle for considerable time was, severe, & sharp. that great numbers were killed on both sides, during the action, and that great numbers were killed on the Banks of the Creek & actually fell into the Creek, & so many were killed

and fell into the Creek that the Bodies of the slain floated on  extraordinarily obstructed or dammed up the waters in places in the Creek, and this applicant says that Col Rollins, who commanded the American Riflemen was wounded in the arm by a Musket Ball, from the British during the engagement above mentioned. That this applicant, was ordered to be Philadelphia and from thence to - a Place a few miles from  Callender , Germantown, and from thence to a Place in New Jersey called Middle Brook, in New Jersey where the army was for some time stationed, and from thence they were sent to a Place in New Jersey, called Brimbley's Point near Elizabeth Town, in the state of "New Jersey" and from thence they were sent to "Little York" in the state of Pennsylvania, in the fall of the year 1778, where on the 20 th day of December 1778, this applicant was verbally dismissed or discharged from the service by his Captain De Linn, under whom this applicant served his said last mentioned term of duty as a volunteer as above mentioned, that this applicant had two "orderly sergeants warrants" during his said two terms of duty above mentioned,

that the Sergeants Warrants, which this Applicant held, were signed in the first Six months Year, By Captain Paxton and By Captain "Linn" in the Second Year of Duty - as above mentioned - being the Captains under whom this Applicant served his said Two Years of Revolutionary Service. above mentioned and that he did not preserve or keep the said Warrants, but believing that they were of very little, or no consequence or value, did not preserve them, and that the same are many years since lost or destroyed & out of the power of this applicant to produce them at this time, that this applicant never received any written discharge from any, or either of his officers, at the time of his discharge from the Service, that he was verbally discharged both times By his Captain, after serving his six months in his first Year of Duty, and after serving one Year and six months and Twenty Days, in his second Year of Duty - as above set forth, that during the said Two Years, and Twenty Days, this Applicant says that he was not engaged in any Civil pursuit whatever but that he was, wholly devoted to & serve his County as above mentioned.

that this applicant says, that he has no living witness other than By the annexed Deposition. Can he had or procured By whom he can prove his above mentioned Service, or any part of them, that his — Contemporaries, By whom this applicant could have proved his Service, were they living — are several years since dead and gone, that this appli- =cant has no written evidence of his Service, or discharge from the Service, that this applicant is now Eighty one years and two months of age, and very infirm & not able to recollect with precision all the circumstances of his Service other or farther than he has above set forth,
William Johnston
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 4 th day of Decr 1833. }
Isaac Osburn Associate Judge

Interrogatories
1. Where & in What year were you Born?
Ans r I was Born in Leicester  Dauphin County in the state of Pennsylvania said County of - Dauphin was at that time  called  Leicester County - on the 13 th day of December September in the year 1752. which makes my age at this time 81. Years and two months. William Johnston
2 d Have you any Record of your age - & if so where is it?
Ans r I Have no record of my age, But Have often seen my Fathers Record of my age, in an old Bible, which is now lost but I have taken a Copy of the date of my Birth from my Fathers Record, & have the Copy I so took, at this time in my possession, I entered the memorandum in my Family Bible, which I made from my Father's Family Record and from these facts I know my age to be as above stated. William Johnston
3 d where were you living when Called into the Service? where have you lived since the revolutionary war? and where do you now live?

Ans. I lived when I was first drafted to serve for six months, under Captain Paxton in the Township of Cumberland, in the County of "York" in the State of Pennsylvania, and since the Revolutionary war I have resided in the County of Allegany, in the State of Pennsylvania, and in the County of Fayette and in the County of Westmoreland in the State of Pennsylvania, until within the last ten years past, I have resided in the County of Richland in the State of Ohio, where I now live, William Johnston
4 th How were you called into the service were you drafted? Did you volunteer? or were you a substitute? & if a substitute for whom?
Ans. I was drafted the first term of duty, in the County of "York" in the State of Pennsylvania for the period of six months and served as an orderly sergeant in the Militia of the State of Pennsylvania, from the first of October 1776, to the first of April 1777, as an orderly sergeant for the whole period of six months under Capt. Paxton and at the time of my second term of duty for the period of

one year and six months, and Twenty Days, I entered entered the Service as a volunteer in a Company Commanded By Capt. Linn, and Served said Time constantly as a volunteer under said Capt. Linn, from the first of June 1777, to the 20 th of December 1778. as an "orderly sergeant" during the said one year and six months and Twenty Days - as above mentioned Under the Command of Capt. Linn, making in all my service, a revolution- ary service of Two Years & Twenty Days -
William Johnston
5. state the names of some of the Regular officers, who were with you & with the troops, where you served; & such other circumstances as you can recollect,
As I served. Under Capt. Paxton, & Capt. Linn, and Col. M c Shane, & Col. "Cobain" or "Coben", Lieutenant "Lyons", Major "Reed" and Adjutant "Reed" all served with me at the Battle of Brandywine, Col. Stoll, and Col. Rollins, served, and Col. Rollins commanded the American Riflemen in the Battle of Brandywine on the 11 th Sept. 1777. and was wounded in the arm By a musket Ball from the British,

6 th Did you ever receive a written discharge from the service & if so By whom was it signed & what has become of it?
Ans. I never received any written discharge from the service?
William Johnston
7 th Did you ever receive a written  Discharge Commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
Ans. I never received a no Commission at any time during my service - But I did receive an "Orderly Sergeants" Warrant, at each Period of my entering the service, which gave me the rank of an Orderly Sergeant at each of the Commencements of my two Periods of service, and they were signed the first one, By Capt. Paxton, my Captain, and the second was signed By Capt. "Linn" my Capt. under whom I served the second four years as such orderly sergeant for two years a twenty days as orderly sergeant, as above set forth during the revolutionary war.

Sworn to & subscribed this 4 th day of Decr 1833. William Johnston Isaac Osburn Associate Judge
8 th . state the names of Persons to whom you are known in your Present Neighborhood and who can testify as to your Character for truth & veracity & their Belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution
Ans. I will name, William Cummins, John Stevenson, Revd. Gideon Bigelow, James Smith, Revd. Mr. Patterson, Daniel Ayres, Samuel Ayres, and Jacob Snider, Andrew Walkup, John Baker, William Forsyth
& James Crawford & William Latta Sworn to & subscribed this 4 th day of December 1833- Isaac Osburn Associate Judge William Johnston
State of Ohio Richland county } ss
I. William Johnston the applicant for a pension do hereby relinquish every Claim whatever to a Pension or annuity Except the Present, and I declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to & subscribed this 4 th day of December 1833 } William Johnston
Isaac Osburn Associate Judge

We James Robinson a Clergyman residing in the County of Richland, and state of Ohio, and William M Latta of the County of Richland and state of Ohio, being resident Citizens of said County, do hereby Certify, that we are well acquainted with William Johnson the applicant for a Pension who has sworn to and subscribed the annexed or above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty one years and Two months of age as he states, and that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. —
Sworn & subscribed this 4 day of December 1833
Isaac Osburn Appraiser
William M Latta James Robinson V.d.M.

As I the said Judge do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolution- ary soldier, and served as he states, and I do further certify, that it appears to me that James Robinson who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clangymann, resident in the County of Richland in the State of Ohio, and that William Latta who has also signed the same is a resident - citizen of the County of Richland in the State of Ohio, and is a credible person, and that their statements are entitled to full faith and credit, This 4 th day of December 1833.
Isaac Osburn Associate Judge
I the said Judge, do certify that the said applicant is unable by reason of bodily infirmary to go to appear in open court of Record & bear the fatigue of an investigation in open court, This 4 th day of December 1833.
Isaac Osburn Associate Judge

State of Ohio.
Richland County } ss.
I, Ellzey Hodge, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, In and for the County of Richland In the state of Ohio, do Herby Certify that Isaac Osborn whose name & seal is subscribed and affixed to the foregoing deposition & proceedings, was at the date and time of the taking thereof an acting associate and that  Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, in and Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Richland in the state of Ohio, and that the signatures & seals thereto subscribed and affixed are then  are then Genuine — signatures and seals. In testimony whereof I have subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this 16th day of Dec r 1833. Ellzey Hodge Clerk

Rev  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 4250
Sidney Johnson Wid. Wm Johnson Lehigh Pa. line
Act: July 4 th 1836 Sec. 3 d & Joint-Resolution
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 377
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Sidney Johnston Ohio. Pitt.
admitted.
Sergt. 2 yrs. #120. —
Cap. Paxton Col. McPherson Pa.
died April 27. 1838.
Act 4 July 1836
Lewis B. Sturges. Norwalk, Ohio.

4664
4664 Aug 7 36
Ohio
Oct 4 July, 1836
G. Preston
FREE
L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Newark H C Ohio 30 July 1838
J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I am enclosed to you two Pension applications for widows the cases of the Widow Sidney Johnston relict of William Johnston you will observe the name is Johnston and not Johnson - there is a Pensioner now living in Fitchville in this County by the name of William Johnson.
It appears that the Husband was allowed a Pension of $120 I suppose on account of his being a First Sergeant. His Pension Certificate is probably on the Public files being forwarded when she received her proportion after his death.
In case of the Widow Waggoner I have now made out her papers under according to your suggestion the Law of July 1838 tho unless she deviates from the truth she must say she was married at the time she first stated. But if you still think otherwise she desires to be allowed under the Act of 38.
Your prompt attention to these cases will much oblige these old indigent widows
I am making all the exertions in my power to get the proof required by you in the cases of Mrs Mary Cartwright & Martha Burwell but on account of their being immigrants from great distances & their old associates being most of them dead there is much difficulty - trouble & expense attending them.
Yours very respectfully Levi B Sturges