Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16312, for Samuel Johnson, New Hampshire

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
N 26.
Johnson, Samuel Betsy
16 3/2
CONTENTS

5062
Mrs. Mary Jane Eastman
Mary Johnson widow of Samuel Johnson who was a Private in the Revolutionary War .
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 30 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of March , 1844 and sent to Mrs. Eastman Harnangton N.H.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book 4 Vol. 1 Page 251
Reported
Lt. Nehemiah Eastman age 31. 1844.

Declaration of Betsey Johnson under the Act of 1838 -

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th of July 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows—
State of New Hampshire
Stratford County ss— On this 31 st day of Jan y — A.D. 1844
personally appeared before the subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Stratford aforesaid, Betsey Johnson a resident of Middleton in said County aged seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7 th 1838, entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" that she is the widow of Samuel Johnson, who was a private in the Army of the revolution— that she does not know in what Company or Regiment he served in , nor does she know the name of any of his officers, or when he served, — that she has no documentary widow of his service — that she understood her said husband to be a native of Lee in New Hampshire, and resided in Middleton N.H., at the time he went into the army— that she would refer, for evidence of her said husband's service, to the annexed affidavits of Hannah Garland — Jethro Horn & Benjamin York, and also to the Certificate of Thos. P. Fernald Esq. — which is annexed with the Extracts from the pay Roll of the new Levis —
She

She further declares that she was married to said Samuel Johnson, according to her best recollection and belief on the 24 th day of January A.D. 1783, but being of great age and having no record of the marriage it is possible she may be under a mistake as to the day, but not so as to the month or year and that her husband the aforesaid Samuel Johnson died some time in the month of May either in 1813 or 1814, according to her best information, recollection and belief—That she was not married to him, prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seven hundred and ninety four, viz, at the time above stated. Witnesses G. L. Whitehouse Henry Eastman Betsy had Johnson mark Sworn and subscribed on the day and year as above written— Before— George L. Whitehouse Judge of the Court of Common Pleas Strafford County N.H.
And I further certify that the above named Applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity consequent upon her great age, attend Court, which is the cause of this Declaration being taken out of Court—
George L. Whitehouse Judge C.C. Pleas Strafford Co. N.H.
I hereby certify that the date in the third line from the top of this page was altered from 1782 to 1783 by me, before signature, by the direction of said Betsy Johnson— G. L. Whitehouse Judge C.C. Pleas Strafford

State of New Hampshire Strafford county, ss
I John H. Smith, Clerk of the court of Common Pleas within and for said County, hereby certify that George L. Whitehouse Esq. was on the thirtyfirst day of January A.D. 1844 and still is a Judge of the said court duly commissioned and qualified and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said court this first day of February A.D. 1844,
John H. Smith, Clerk

Hannah Goulands affidavit

I Kennebec Gentland of Middleton in the County of Stafford and State of New Hampshire aged eighty four years, depose and say that I moved with my bus- band from last time my home in Barrington in said State ac- cording to my recollection and belief, in the year 1778— that at the time of our removal to said Middleton, a man by the name of Josiah Johnson residing in said town within about one mile of our house—that said Johnson informed me, and I always understood, that he removed from Lee in said State to said Middle- ton—that said Josiah Johnson had a son by the name of Samuel Johnson, whom I was first acquainted in said family, who afterwards went from said Middle- ton, into the Army as a soldier—that I was at his father's house on the day said Samuel Johnson went into the army, but I do not recollect the name of any officer or soldier who went with him, but often un- derstood by report that one Anthony Pravy was in the same company—and that I do not recollect how long said Samuel Johnson was gone in to the service—
I further state that after said Samuel Johnson returned from the army he was married, as I then and ever afterwards understood, to one Betsey Whitehouse daughter of John Whitehouse of said Middleton, tho' I was not present, by the late Rev. Nehemiah Ord- way—that said Ordway then was then an ordain- ed minister residing in said Middleton, but after- wards moved away, and I have understood long ago dead—that said Samuel Johnson resided with his family in said Middleton a considerable number of years—I should think from fifteen or twenty years—that he moved to Wolfborough as I understood afterwards to Canada; while his family was residing there, as I understood many years ago, he died—and that I had never any doubt and have not now any doubt that the said Samuel Johnson died as it was reported he did die—
I further depose and say that said Betsey John-

you now resides in said Middleton when I now reside —
Witness G L Whitehouse
Hannah her X Garland mark
I am Garland State of New Hampshire. Strafford ss. Personally appeared before me the undersigned, the above named Hannah Garland and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by her subscribed is just and true — January 31. 1844.
George L. Whitehouse Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for said County
State of New Hampshire
Strafford county ss. I, John H. Smith, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County, hereby certify that George L. Whitehouse Esq. was on the thirty first day of January A.D. 1844 and still is, a Judge of said Court, duly commissioned and qualified, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his, are genuine —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said court this first day of February A.D. 1844 —
John H. Smith, Clerk,
Hannah Garland affidavit

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 16812
Betsey Johnson
Widow of
Samuel Johnson
Disbursed
Act March 30 48
Index: Vol. A , Page 380
[Arrangement of 1870.]

8189.
New Hampshire
Report
Dolley Johnson widow of Samuel Johnson
who was a pensioner under the Act of — and who died on the in May 1813 or 1814 of Strafford in the State of N. Hampshire who was a Private in the commanded by Captain — of the — commanded by — in the Revolution line for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Portsmouth at the rate of 20 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of March 1836 and sent to S. Eastman Harrington, N. H.
Total amount, $ 100.00
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Th. Vaux , Clerk, Book L Vol. 1 Page 33

Certificate of

State of New Hampshire Secretary of State's Office
I Thomas P. Treadwell, Secretary of the State aforesaid, do hereby certify the foregoing to be true extracts, from the "Pay Roll for the New Levis raised by the State of New Hampshire in the year 1780 to serve in the Continental Army for the Term of Six Months", the same having been examined & compared by me. The original Roll may be found in Vol 4. pages 355 to 369 of the Records returned to this Office from the War Office Jan'y. A.D. 1841
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said State this first day of Jan'y. A.D. 1844
Thomas P. Treadwell Secretary of State

Pay Roll for the New Levies raised by the State of New Hampshire in the year 1780 to serve in the Continental Army for the term of six months
   Names Time in Service Amount of Wages Allowance for Blanket Clothing etc. Interest from Jan y 1 st 1781 Am o in good money Am o in New Currency Rec d Orders on the Treasurer in full     Ben a Ham 200. Days 6. 4 12. 5. 4 5. 0. 0 0. 13. 9 17. 19. 1 — per order Geo. Gains   Samuel Johnson 6. — 12 — 5 — . 13. 7 17. 13. 7 — p order Sam l Hall   Benjamin York 5. 14 10. 18. 8 5 — . 12. 8 16. 11. 4 49. 14. p order Caleb Rodgdon  
Amount of Wages 5,437. 14. 8
Bounties 2,390.
7,827. 14. 8
Travel money paid by Col o Bartlett 15,210. 12 —
1780 June Ditto by Mrs Peabody 6,077. 8
Ditto by Schol t Houghton 5,686. 10
26,974. 10
paid Schol t Houghton for Mustering £ 4. 4. 5 N. Emption
169. 16. 8
27,143. 6. 8 = 493,10. 6 } exchange 53 for one £ 8,321. 5. 2
Charges Mustering
Col o Bartlett N. E. 29. 5 — 1,170. 0
Col o Peabody 481. 19
28,795. 5. 8

5310 Feb 6 1844 Betsey Johnson
Declaration under act of 3 d March 1843
$20
10.50
A. Eastman Farmington N.H.

Declaration In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 3 d March 1843 granting pensions for one year to certain widows, who have received pensions under the act of July 7 th 1838—
State of New Hampshire Strafford County ss. On this 31 st day of Jany A.D. 1844. personally appeared before the subscriber one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County of Strafford, Betsey Johnson a resident of Middleton in the County of Strafford aforesaid aged seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by an act of Congress passed on the third day of March 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Samuel Johnson who was a private in the army in the war of the Revolution, but as she has no documentary evidence of his service she would refer, for evidence of such and for the amount she may be entitled to as a pension, to the evidence filed in her application for a pension, under the act of July 7-1838. She further declares that she is still a widow — Witness G. L. Whitehouse Henry Eastman  Betsey Johnson Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written — Before me. George L. Whitehouse Judge of the Court of Common Pleas Strafford Co. N.H.

And I further certify that the within named declaration is personally known to me,
George L. Whitehouse Judge C. C. Pleas Strafford Co. N.H.
State of New Hampshire Strafford county, ss. Court of Common Pleas.
I, John H. Smith, Clerk of the said Court for said county, hereby certify that George L. Whitehouse Esq., was on the 31 st day of January A.D. 1844 and is a Judge of said Court, duly commissioned and qualified, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my name and affixed the seal of said Court this first day of February A.D. 1844.
John H. Smith, Clerk,

J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.

Fannington N.H., Jan'y. 31 st 1844
J. L. Edwards Esq.
I send accompanying this the Declaration of Betsey Johnson for a Pension under the act of 1838 and also under the Act of 1843. The question as to the length of his (Johnson's) service is not very easily settled, but as it is certain from the evidence here sent that he must have served at least six months, I concluded to send the papers as they are, meaning, if I shall be fortunate enough to discover other and further evidence of service to send it to your office. None of the new levies of 1780 were for less than six months. Johnson was among the new levies of that year and, therefore, he must have served not less than that term, and as the story goes he must have served from 3 to 6 months more, but there are so few men living hereabouts that belonged to that generation that it is next to impossible to get evidence of the events of those days. The widow is perfectly confident that Johnson - her husband - served at two several times, but unfortunately, can't tell when or with whom, as officer -
All I will now add is - if I find any further proof I will send as before stated -
Yours respectfully Nehemiah Eastman

Farmington N.H. Free March 18
Mar. 22
Mr. Amos
J. L. Edwards Esq-
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Fannington N. 76. March 18. 1844 J. L. Edwards Esq-
I know your Rules and do not wish to put you to the trouble to write in answer to this, but will merely observe that it is now, I think, some more than two months since I sent the declaration of Betsey Johnson widow of Samuel Johnson, for a pension under the act of March 3 d 1843 to your office, to which I have had no return - that said Betsey Johnson, I understand, is very sick, and it is feared may not continue long; If, therefore, there would be a deviation from your rules in her favor, it might be of great service to her, in this extreme case - I will say no more -
Yours &c
Nehemiah Eastman
50 1/2
March 1843

1050.2
Percy Johnson
N.H.
act 7. July 38 m 83.
adm
6mopi
20.
M. Eastman Farmingdale N.H.

Benjamin York affidavit

I Benjamin York of lawful age depose and say that I was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and served in said war about eighteen months and that I was well acquainted with Samuel Johnson who was also a soldier in said revolutionary war that said Johnson and I enlisted into the service about the same time that I enlisted , and I should think Johnson served in the war about as long as I did. I was acquainted with said Johnson before we went into the war and saw him frequently in the war, when we enlisted both of us lived in or near Middleton in the state of N. Hampshire I recollect I was in a very severe Battle with said Johnson and that in some places the blood was over shoes his
Benjamin York mark
State of New Hampshire Grafton County - Laidaff December 9 1843 Then personally present the above named Benjamin York and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is in his belief true - Before me Daniel Clarke Justice of Peace
I hereby certify that the above named Benj r Yorks character is considered good for truth and veracity D. Clarke Justice Peace
State of New Hampshire
Grafton County, ss - I Nathan B. Folsom, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County & State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Daniel Clarke is an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned & qualified; that his commission was dated on the 29 th day of June A.D. 1843, & with alibi on the 29 th day of June A.D. 1848, and that his two signatures above written are genuine.
Given under my hand & the seal of said County this 13 th day of December A.D. 1848/9

I Benjamin York of lawful age depose and say that I was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and served in said war about eighteen months and that I was well acquainted with Samuel Johnson who was also a soldier in said revolutionary war that said Johnson and I enlisted into the service about the same time that I enlisted , and I should think Johnson served in the war about as long as I did. I was acquainted with said Johnson before we went into the war and saw him frequently in the war, when we enlisted both of us lived in or near Middleton in the state of N. Hampshire I recollect I was in a very severe Battle with said Johnson and that in some places the blood his was over shoes.
Benjamin York mark
State of New Hampshire Grafton County - Landaff December 9 1843 Then personally present the above named Benjamin York and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is in his belief true - Before me Daniel Clarke Justice of Peace.
I herby certify that the above named Benj y Yorks character is considered good for truth and veracity D. Clarke Justice Peace.
State of New Hampshire
Grafton County ss - I Nathan B. Fenton, clerk of the court of Common Pleas of the County & State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Daniel Clarke is an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned & qualified; that his commission was dated on the 29 th day of June A.D. 1843, & with alibi on the 29 th day of June A.D. 1848, and that his two signatures above written are genuine.
Given under my hand & the seal of said County this 13 th day of December A.D. 1848 N. B. Fenton clerk

Charles Colman affidavit -
Charles Colman of Brookfield in the County

I Charles Colman of Brookfield in the County of Carroll and State of New Hampshire do hereby declare and say that I am at the present time town Clerk of said town of Brookfield, and as such have the custody of the Books belonging to said town and among them are the Books which belonged to the town of Middleton when said town and said Brookfield were in one, which books are the proper Records of said town of Middleton and extend back as far as 1778—
I further declare and say that I have examined the aforesaid Books for the purpose of ascertaining if there was in said Books any Record therein of the marriage of Samuel Johnson and am fully satisfied that there is not in said Books any such Record— Charles Colman.
State of New Hampshire— Carroll ss. October 10. 1843 Then the above Charles Colman personally appearing made oath in due form of law that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true. Before me Dudley Pike Justice of Peace.
And I further certify that being a Citizen of the town of Brookfield I am well acquainted with the above named Charles Colman, and know him to be town Clerk of said town of Brookfield, and as manfully entitled to credit— Dudley Pike.

The State of New Hampshire
Canoll p.
I Francis H. Chase Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, for said county hereby certify that Dudley Tike is a Justice of the Pleas as within mentioned that his Commission is dated the fourth day of January A.D. 1841 and will expire on the third day of January A.D. 1846. and that the within purporting to be the signature is genuine in my belief
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court and subscribed my name this 11 th day of October A.D. 1843.
F. H. Chase Clerk

Copy of Capt. Carr Company Roll of John Downing off David —

the Names of the Recruits that joined Capt Carr. Company in the 2 d N Hampshire Reg t , year 1780—
  Isaac H. Burley joined  July 24 th : 80  Infantry    Isaac L. Milton   Infantry    Jeremiah Sandborn      Jon a Chase      Benjamin Booney joined  July 26 th : 80     John York      Ebenezer Hanson      John Tuttle      Stephen Noble      Thomas Hodgdon      Samuel Johnson      Paul Roberts      Simon Roberts      Noah Roberts      Otis Stagpole      Abraham Matthews      Ebenezer Hill      Samuel Lear      Samuel Avery, joined  July 28 th : 80     Moses Avery      Richard Garlin      Edward Ellis      Ephraim Young      Benjamin York    
I John Drowning of New Market in the county of Rockingham, and State of New Hampshire here aged fifty one years and upwards, do hereby say, that I am a son of Jonathan Drowning late of said New Market dec d , who was a Sergeant-major several years during the Revolutionary war; that I have in my possession a book, or roll in the hand writing of

The said Jonathan Downing, which, from its appearance was evidently written at or about the time of the dates found therein, and that I have no doubt that the same was written by him during his services as Sergeant Major as aforesaid.
I further depose and say that, the foregoing is an exact copy of the whole of a roll contained in one page of said book, and that the same is disconnected with all other matter.
I further depose and say that no alteration appears to have been made on said roll since it was first written. Jonathan Downing
State of New Hampshire, Rockingham ss. February 12. 1844. Subscribed and sworn to by the above named John Downing who I hereby certify is a credible witness. Before me, David Murray, Notary Public
NB Notaries Public are authorized to take affidavits in New Hampshire, to be used at the Pension Office. See Letter of the Commissioner of Pensions to David Murray dated June 2. 1843.

State of New Hampshire. Office of Secretary of State
I. Thomas P. Treadwell, Secretary of the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that David Murray is an acting Notary Public, in and for the State of New Hampshire duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the 24 th day of June 1839 and will expire on the 24 th day of June 1844 and that his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.
Given under my hand and the Seal of said State this 15 th day of Feb'y A. D. 1844
Thomas P. Treadwell Secretary of State

Feb 22 1844
M H Adm. endurance Betsy Johnson 7 July 1838
10583
Comm union for the in said
Edward Esgine
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
5062-43

Farmington N.H. Feb. 16- 1844
J. L. Edwards Esq -
When I sent you the papers, in the Declaration of Betsy Johnson, widow of Samuel John son , I mentioned, I think, that I should be able to furnish further evidence in that case - Since that Declaration was drawn I have ascertained to my own satisfaction at least that Samuel Johnson was in the public service as a soldier in the war of the Revolution, more than once and in my searching, have succeeded in finding the Rolls of their Companies, Copies of which I send her en- closed, properly certified as I expect -
It will be observed that the Roll of Capt. Coons Company shows both the name of Samuel Johnson and Benjamin York , which in my mind goes far to show that B. York in his affidavit attached to the Declaration in this (B. Johnson's) case, states truly in said affidavit that he & S. Johnson  sewed together - The other Rolls (Copies of which) are here sent do not show the name of B. York, but this Service (1776-7) was before Johnson & York were acquainted, probably - How- ever this may be the Rolls at Washington will show all about the Service -
I will only add my hope to hear from you soon
Respectfully yours
Nehemiah Eastman

I Jethro Horn of New Durham in the County of Strafford & state of New Hampshire aged ninety three years do hereby say that I was well acquainted with Samuel Johnson formerly of Middleton in said County of Strafford, before he was married - that I was then a resident in said Middleton and lived within two miles of him and that soon after by a subsequent marriage of said Johnson with a girl by the name of Betsey Whitehorn whose mother was a sister of my mother - that I know said Samuel Johnson went into the army in the Revolution - any war and I think he went to the south and I think he was at No. 4, now called Charlestown in this State New Hampshire but how long he was gone I do not recollect, but I do recollect that they, said Samuel Johnson and Betsey Whitehorn were married not a great while after he (Johnson) returned from the war - I was present at their wedding and saw them married - that the minister who married them was Nehemiah Ordway who was a Congregational minister, then residing in said Middleton, but who afterwards moved from said Middleton, and I have been informed has been dead many years - I further say that said Samuel Johnson after residing considerable time in Middleton moved away and as I have long since understood went to Canada and many years ago died - that I do not at this time recollect the various dates of the marriage - moving away from said Middleton - the time of his (Johnson's) death - the time of the death of said Ordway and the like -
I further state that said Samuel Johnson and I were not acquainted until we both moved into said Middleton - My place of nativity was in Somersworth in said County of Strafford and I understand and have no doubt that said Johnson moved either from Lee or New Market in said State to said Middleton a year or two before I did and that he was a resident of said Middleton when he went into the army as by me above stated -
N.B. The word - were in 6 th line from the top & Johnson in 4 th line from the bottom were interlined before signing - I signed in presence of us
Jethro H. Horn mark
Nancy Horn
Nehemiah Eastman State of New Hampshire Strafford County ss. Oct. 20 th 1843 - Then the above named Jethro Horn, who is known to me to be fully entitled to credit, personally appearing made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him mark subscribed is, in his belief true - Before me Nehemiah Eastman J.P. Peace

State of New Hampshire Strafford county ss. I John H. Smith, clerk of the court of Common Pleas within and for said county, hereby certify that Nehemiah Eastman, is a Justice of the Peace, in and for said county and was such on the twentieth day of October last past, duly commissioned and qualified, that his commission is dated August 8 th 1843 and will expire August 7 th 1848, and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the Seal of said court this first day of February A.D. 1844.
John H. Smith clerk
John H. Smith affidavit
10573

Decree of the Judge of Proteas

State of New Hampshire
Strafford ss. At a court of Probate held at Dover within and for said county of Strafford, on the seventh day of November A. D. 1843. I Penning W. Sunness, Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said county certify that satisfactory evidence has been this day produced before me and is now on file in the Probate Office for said county, which proves that Samuel Johnson late of Boston in Lower Canada and formerly of Cono Middleton in said county of Strafford, died in the summer season of the year A. D. 1813 or the year A. D. 1814.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day & year above written P. W. Sunness Judge of Probate
State of New Hampshire
Strafford ss. I. Winthrop A. Marston Register of the Court of Probate within and for said county of Strafford, certify that Penning W. Sunness is Judge of the said Court of Probate for said county, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court of Probate this seventh day of November A. D. 1843
W. A. Marston, Register of said Court of Probate