Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16167, for Reuben Johnson, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Johnson, Reuben
S. 16167
CONTENTS
Carded

Connecticut 22.54/5.
Hezekiah Johnson
of New Haven in the State of Conn t who was a Private in the Co commanded by Captain Starr of the Rgt. commanded by Col Canfield in the Cont line for 6 months,
18.9.19
Inscribed on the Roll of Connec t at the rate of 20. Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 th day of Oct. 1833 and sent to Gen l Griswold Guilford. - Conn t
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1833. - 50.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Oct 31. 10.00 $60.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by M c R. Palmer Clerk Book E. Vol. three Page 21.
H e d - June 23 - 1836 a.B.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of Connecticut, } ss. Probate Court Guilford District County of New-Haven, }
On this Seventh day of August 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before the Probate Court of Guilford District now sitting, Reuben Johnson - a resident of Madison in the County of New-Haven, and State of Connecticut, aged 70 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 Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832:—That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:— Viz.
I first entered the service of the United States in the year 1779 and at the time the British landed at New Haven. I belonged to Capt. Timothy Munnys Company of Militia which was sent to New Haven & was on duty there three or four days, next I was detached for one month in the year 1781 as a Guard on Long Island and stationed at Setauket. Blank was there when the British landed & burnt some buildings & killed two of our men & wounded two more. I served at this time one month. Amos Sackett was Sergeant of the Guard. I was in the same year detached in July & put under command of Capt. Starr & marched to West Point on the Hudson River. Col. Banfields Regiment was in service between three & four months & was dismissed. Levi Chittenden is the only man living in my neighborhood who served with me. I was next detached & stationed with the guard on the shore of Long Island Sound. The Selectmen was Sergeant of the Guard & stationed at Guilford Point Rocks, & Hoghead Point & drove past Nattaw. I served six weeks - and was often called out at the time to repel the enemy who infested the sea shore & often committed depredations on the inhabitants.

I have no written discharge or any documentary evidence of my service. —
I was born in Guilford in the year 1762 have no record of my birth. —
When called into service I resided in Guilford & always lived in Guilford until the late division of the town & now live in Madison formerly a part of Guilford — I would name Rev d Aaron Dutton and Elder Munger to testify as to my services in the army and as to my character for credibility, I am also personally known to Joel Blackley William Blackley Esq rs Joel Munger Esq rs Col Samuel Willcox & John F. Muzzey Esq rs who can testify as to my credibility & services as a Soldier in the Revolution.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to any pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State, except that of the State of
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Reuben Johnson before me Reuben Elliott Judge
We, Aaron Dutton a Clergyman, residing in Guilford and Ebenezer Munger residing in Madison hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Reuben Johnson who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be 70 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a sol- dier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Aaron Dutton Ebenezer Munger before me Reuben Elliott Judge
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investi- gation 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 Aaron Dutton who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in Guilford and that Ebenezer Munger who has also signed the same, is a resident in Madison and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. Reuben Elliott Judge
I, George Griswold Clerk of the Probate Court of Guilford District do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Reuben Johnson — for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Seventh day of August 1832
George Griswold Clerk

18910 The Application of Reuben Johnson of Madison - New Haven County State of Conn for a Pension under the Law of 1832
Taken before Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate for Guilford District in the presence of

Court of Probate for Guilford District Aug 7. 1832
Be it remembered that on the day & year aforesaid personally appeared before me Reuben Elliotte Judge of Probate Levi Whittenden of said Guilford to me personally known known and who I certify to be a credible witness and being first sworn on his oath declares & says that he was in the United States Service in the year 1831 under the command of Capt. Starr and that Reuben Johnson was a Soldier in his Company that we were marched to the North River and that I Johnson did duty in his Company till we were discharged, and we were in Service three months and a half and further the deponent saith not
Levi Whittenden
Sworn & Subscribed the day & date above before me Reuben Elliotte Judge
Personally appeared before me Reuben Elliotte Judge of Probate for Guilford District Samuel Bartlett to me personally known and who I certify to be a credible witness and being first sworn on his oath declares and says that that he was on guard at Seuts Island Sachems Head and was at Seuts Island when the British were there, and he very well remembers that Reuben Johnson belonged to the guard on Seuts Island and that I Johnson did duty in his Guard for one month - and further the deponent saith not
Samuel Bartlett
Sworn and Subscribed the 7 th day of August 2 1832 Before me Reuben Elliotte Judge of Probate

Court of Probate for Guilford District Aug 7 th 1832
Personally appeared before said Court
Ebenezer Munger personally known to the Court and who is a credible witness and being duly sworn on his oath declares & says that he served in the Coast Guard in Guilford and that Reuben Johnson belonged to said Guard and boarded at Timothy Battell's and further the deponent saith not
Ebenezer Munger
Sworn & Subscribed this day & date above before me Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate
I George Greenwold Clerk of the Court of Probate for Guilford District in New Haven County Do Hereby certify that Reuben Elliott the subscribing authority to the foregoing deposition is judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford & that his signature annexed thereto is his genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 7 th day of August 1832
George Greenwold Clk.

State of Connecticut } New Haven County } Probate Court Guilford District
On this 19 th day of August A.D. 1833—
Personally appeared in Open Court before Reuben Elliott Esq. Judge of said Court
Frederick Johnson who has made the foregoing declaration and being first sworn according to Law Doth on his oath, further declare and say That in his services under Capt Amos Heckler Sergt. of the Guard I was not detached as stated in my former declaration but served as a substitute being under age & hired by my father & cannot recollect the person's name, being young & heedless the long lapse of time that has intervened has wholly obliterated it from my mind—
In my term of service under Capt. Starr I was detached & marched through Newtown & Derby & to the last mentioned place we obtained some good old Pork to put in our knapsacks. We arrived at West Point & were attached to Col. Canfield's Regt. & served constantly three months in actual service & was on duty in camp and was also 15 days on the road to & from West Point Making three months & 15 days from the time I was detached until I arrived home again— That He has no doubt but that his term of service under Theophilus Fowler at Point Rock & Hoagland Point was one & a half months instead of six weeks as is commonly or frequently expressed

We further declare & says that by reason of age the consequent loss of memory & the long lapse of time that has intervened He cannot recollect more precisely than he has stated the names of his officers or the period of his service but is confident that He served in all at least Six Months as a privated Soldier & for such service Claims a pension
Reuben Johnson
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me Ruben Elliott Judge
I George Griswold Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford Do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original and Additional Proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Reuben Johnson for a Pension
George Griswold Clerk

22.54.5
18910
Reuben Johnson Connecticut
Return the
Adm 6 Months
$ 20
Geo Griswold Guilford New Haven Conn

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show 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, showing the Service of Reuben Johnson New Haven
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enl 1779 — 1 — provt Capt Muerger — — New Haven 70 Deeds   1781 — 1 — Sergt — Col — Long Island Gulford Traditional evidence & 2 Witness   " from 364 — — — — Starr Canfield — West Point Connecticut   " — — 1 12 — Sergt Fowler — — Gulford —  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. 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 day 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 he 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 enquiry 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.
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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Rev. and 1812 War Section.
Aug 3
September 11, 1925
Senator Hiram Bingham, United States Senate.
My dear Senator:
In response to your letter of the seventh instant, I have the honor to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 16167, it appears that Reuben Johnson was born in 1762 in Guilford, Connecticut.
While residing at said Guilford, he served as a private in the Connecticut Troops as follows-
In 1779, three or four days in Captain Timothy Munger's Company.
In 1781, one month as Guard on Long Island Sound under Sergeant Amos Leete.
From in July 1781, three months and one half in Captain Starr's Company, Colonel Canfield's Regiment.
Six weeks as Guard on Long Island Sound under

Sergeant Theophilus Fowler, dates not stated, he served other tours, no details given.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 7, 1832, while a resident of Madison, New Haven County, Connecticut. He died June 23, 1836.
In 1833, soldier referred to his father as being alive in 1781, but did not state his name. There is no further data on file as to his family.
Very truly yours,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

16.167 INVALID.
File No. 16.167
Reuben J. Lewis at Sept. Rev. Rev. Mr.
Act: June 7 th 39
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 447
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1925-Sept 11- Hrisik to Senator Warren Brougham See letter in Amos Sterens- S.3.1986 aut.