Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7092, for Robert Johnston, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
Nb
Johnston, Robert
S 7092.
Born in N.C.
buried
CONTENTS

3812
North Carolina
Robert Johnston
of Bladen Co in the State of N.C.
who was a Jun. in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col o Owen in the N.C. for Militia for seven months , from 1781 .
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 29. Dollars 16 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 th day of Jan y 1833 and seal Wm. J. Coburn
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832  43. 74 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 March 1833  14. 58
Doll s 58. 32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Henry H. Sylveste Clerk, Book D Vol. 8 Page 33

15.838
Robert Johnston
Phila. Pa.
N.Y.
Served for 7 months in the cavalry from 1781 - $29.16 per ann.
June

BRIEF in the case of  Robert Johnson  of Bladen Co  in the State of N.C.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 70 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1780. 81. As a Gen.   In 1782 various expeditions 7 mo. Light Horse Col. Purdie  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Bladen County N.C.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 
Witnesses
 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? defective 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.

Robert Johnston 15838. v

State of North Carolina Bladen County
Superior Court of Law Fall Term 1832.
On the eleventh day of October 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Hon ble . Robert Strange one of the judges of the Superior Courts of Law & Equity for said State, presiding in the Superior Court of Law for said County - Robert Johnston, a resident of the County of Bladen, State of North Carolina, aged seventy 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 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.
He was one of a Volunteer Company of Light Infantry under the Command of Capt Jared Irwin, who for two or three years before the termination of the Revolutionary War, commanded said Company. He was an active and intrepid partisan Officer, who with his men was almost constantly engaged in service, against the Tories, who were numerous and active, being mostly emigrants from the Highlands of Scotland. Capt Irwin's head Quarters were at or near Elizabethtown, unless when obliged to retire before superior numbers of the Tories; The Company in their numerous expeditions against the Tories - exposed to severe hardships and privations, were almost constantly engaged in active service, for two or three years, but he is willing to claim but a small portion of that time, the time being so long since the service was performed, that he

almost constantly engaged in active service, but he is willing to claim but a small portion of that time, the time being so long since the service was performed, that he would prefer being under the mark, rather than over it. He is confident that he served seven months. He recollects being on the following expeditions under Capt Irwin, but does not recollect the length of time he served in those expeditions, except as above stated.
About the 1 st June 1780 or 1781, but does not recollect which, he engaged in an expedition as a Private in a Company of Volunteer Light Horse, under the Command of Capt Jacob Irwin, and Lieut Argalus Pointer, accompanied by Col James Richardson, one of the Field Officers of the Bladen Militia; their object was to attack the Tories, who had collected in considerable numbers, in the upper part of Bladen, (now Roberson) County, under the Command of Col Hector O'Neil. They heard of the Tories being on the Raft Swamp - marched there, and ascertained where they were encamped, and that they were way-laying the in ambush: there was much difficulty in crossing the Swamp, and in consequence thereof Col Richardson marched his force to Stewarts Mill on a Creek leading into Rockfish Creek, with a view of getting round the Swamp and surprising them - but on arriving there Capt Peter Roberson who was a Volunteer, but not in commission - volunteered, at the head of fifty men to perform that service - encamped at the Stewarts Mill, the night after their arrival there, and when in the act of shooting two notorious Tories, who had been taken a few days before - They were

surprised by McNeil's men, and defeated - being attacked in front & rear at the same time; but succeeded in cutting their way thro' them. Col Robeson, who had been Colonel of the County, but was then out of Commission accompanied the Whigs: there was with them a Company of Cumberland Militia under Capt Havis, one of whose men by the name of Armstrong  Irwin was killed; after the defeat every man made his way home, and two or three days afterwards collected at the Plantation of Robert Edwards, on the North side of Cape Fear the River, ten or twelve miles below Fayetteville, where he was permitted to return home, on account of his leg being so much swelled, that he was unfit for service.
He was engaged in another expedition ago under the same officers, against the Tories in Bladen Co (then Robeson), under the command of a Capt. Andres. Capt McDaniel with a Company of Bladen Light Horse were also in the expedition. They came upon the Tories suddenly, and put them to flight so completely, that they left their horses, and made their way fled into swamp. All their horses were taken. A man by the name of land  Matthew Richardson was belonging to Irwin's Company was killed & wounded.
In the Year 1781. He was engaged in another expedition against the Tories - who had collected in considerable numbers in Elizabethtown, Bladen County, having encamped there; overrunning the surrounding Country. Capt Irwin with his or sixteen Light Horse was  owing  to the inferiority of his force was obliged to cross the Cape Fear River - A Plan was concerted between him, Col Robeson & Col Brown, to surprise them and was carried into effect. He was  was  surprised  surprised  and  and  was  was  carried  carried into all the assassins  assassins to a hundred

was obliged to cross the Cape Fear River - A Plan was concerted between him, Col. Robeson & Col. Brann, to surprise them - and was carried into effect by appearing to abandon the Countz by crossing Neuse River; but they suddenly returned, and crossed the Cape Fear River, one mile below Elizabeth - surprised the Tories - defeated them and killed their Commanding Officer Col. Shewby - who was mortally wounded in the action; a Tory Captain named Baldwin was wounded - having his leg broken - several privates were also killed & wounded - The Whigs were sixty three in number, & the Tories three or four hundred.
He was engaged in another expedition, in 1781.
under the same Officers, in the same Company, Col. Thomas Green of the Bladen Militia at their head - They joined General Butler Commanding several Regiments of back Country Militia, at the Brown Marsh Bridge - marched thence to Baldwin Marsh Castle in Columbus near Bladen - crossed it, and marched up the same to Baldwin's Plantation - where there was an engagement between between Genl. Butler's Command & the British under Major Mearns from Wilmington - He did not participate in the engagement, being on Piquet Guard - Butler was defeated, being completely suppressed defeated, his men having fled on the first fire - The Bladen Militia, and the Duplin Militia under Capt. Dodd, it was said behaved with much gallantry - After the men were

collected after the defeat, they were marched to White Hall twelve miles below Elizabethtown, where they crossed the Cape Fear River, and marched up the River to Leaddeli's Ferry, two miles below Elizabeth, where Branton Irwin & his Company left Butler, and after returning home for two or three days, again joined him, ten or eleven miles above Fayetteville, where it was understood that General Rutherford with several Regiments of Back Country Militia, was before us. - Col Roberson, of Bladen, who was a Volunteer under General Butler, was sent by him to General Rutherford, & was accompanied by him (Johnson) & three other men. Generals Butler & Rutherford with their respective forces, formed a junction, the same evening, at a large branch leading into Rockfish Creek, whence they marched to the Raft Swamp, one of the in Robeson County, where they met with a considerable body of Tories, under a Col. Elrod - who defeated them; took their horses & baggage, and some prisoners, and encamped the same night at Ch' Phauli's Mills in the same County - thence marched back to the Brown Marsh; thence to Marsh Castle, where Butler and Rutherford separated, and the Bladen men under Irwin were permitted to return home
He was again called into service in November 1782, under Capt John Willis, afterwards General Willis, on a tour of three months service, in a Company of Bladen Militia, as a substitute for one Richard Plummer; embarked The Company embarked at the plantation of one Peterford, on the Cape Fear River; and proceeded thence, on an expedition against the

take for one Richard Plummet; and made the company embo- died at the plantation of one Peterford, on the Cape Fear River; and proceeded thence, on an expedition against the Tories, into the upper part of Bladen, (now Robeson) County, for the purpose of getting in the Tories, under what was called the Act of his Grace; collected a considerable number of them, and drove a large number of their cattle to Belfont Oldfield, and were discharged and were discharged at the fork of the Cross-roads near Belfont, about two miles below Elizabethtown. He never received a discharge, could have got one, but never applied for it. He resided in Bladen County when he entered his respective terms of service
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to & subscribed the day & Year aforesaid Robt Johnston
Answers to the questions prescribed by the War Department and propounded to Robert Johnston the aforesaid applicant for a pension on account of Revolutionary services
ans 1 I was born in Bladen County N.C. the 18th March 1762 " 2 I have a record of my age at home in a family Bible. " 3 When called into service I was living in Bladen County N.C. where I also lived during the Revolutionary War & ever since and now reside there

ans 4 I volunteered first and served as a substitute my last term. 5. Major McKee, & Major Raiford & another regular officer whose name I now don't recollect, I don't recollect any continental regiments. I recollect the militia regiments I've stated in my declaration. The general circumstances of my service are related in the preceding declaration. 6. I never received any written discharge. 7. Gov. John Owen, Genl James Owen, Isaac Wright Esquire Robert Harvey & John Beard Esquires, John Ruff Frederick Miller & James Smith & others I could name
We Robert Harvey & John Beard residing in the County of Bladen hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Robert Johnson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy 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 & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Henry John Beard
And the said Court hereby declares its opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the 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 Robert Harvey, and John

by the 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 Robert Harvey, and John Beard are resident in the County of Bladen, and credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit; And the Court further certifies, as is made appear cannot procure a Clergyman, without great inconvenience. The Court further certifies, that Messrs Jones & Richard Chesire, whose names appear to the annexed certificates, were sworn & subscribed to the same in open Court, & credible persons.
I, Alexander McDowell Clerk of the Superior Court of Law, for the County of Bladen, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings, in the matter of the application of Robert Johnston for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office. Attest, the 11 th day of October 1832.
Thos. McDowell C.L.
State of North Carolina } See Sup r Court of Law Bladen County } Fall Term 1832.
Personally appeared in open Court, this the 11 th day of October in the year 1832, Muggrove Jones who after being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith. That he served during the Revolutionary War, in a Company of Volunteer Light Horse, under the command of Capt Jared Irwin, with Robert Johnston for the space of two years. That they

were in frequent expeditions together against the Tories, and recollects that Robert Johnston was in the expedition against the Tories at Elizabethton - Further this Deponent saith not.
Magnus Jones
Sworn to and subscribed { in open Court.
Wm. M c Dowell C lerk
Personally appeared in open Court, this the 11 th day of October 1832. Richard Cheshire - who after being duly sworn, deponeth and saith -
That he served during the Revolutionary War, with Robert Johnston in a Company of Volunteer Light Horse under the Command of Capt Jared Irwin - that for the space of at least two years; that they were in frequent expeditions together against the Tories, and that he was with him in the engagement with the Tories at Elizabethton - further this Deponent saith not.
Sworn to and subscribed { in open Court
his Rich d . * Cheshire Mark
Wm. M c Dowell C lerk

Reuben
7092
INVALID.
File No. 7092
Robert Johnston Prior Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 125 , Page 196
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Robert Johnson
[Faint, mirrored text bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Robert Johnson which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? No V. * Has he mentioned 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? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? yes XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? in part Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? C
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 the 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.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡ QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.

State of North Carolina } Cumberland County }
Personally appeared before me Esch Arnold one of the Justices of the peace in & for the County aforesaid, Zachariah Paves & Sherwood Force who first being duly sworn according to Law depose & say as follows
I Paves being first sworn depose & saith, that he is acquainted with & hath known Robert Johnston of Bladen County for about fifty years - that during the Revolutionary War, and as well as this deponent recollects between the years 1880 and 1882 - the said Robert Johnston was a private soldier and belong to Captain no Paves Troop of Horse in the service of the United States acting as a volunteer in said Company, - and that he continued as a volunteer in service at times, off and on - for about two years - and that during the aforesaid period the Company commanded by Capt. Paves was ultimately when in service commanded by Col. J. Brown & J. Owen, & this deponent further saith that he believes the said Robert Johnston was in actual service during the two years above named for a space of six months and upwards sworn & subscribed before me this 3 rd day of Oct r 1932 Esch Arnold
Sherwood Force being next duly sworn depose and saith that having read the foregoing deposition of I Paves, he fully concurs in all therein stated

That he believes & knows that from his own knowledge that the deposition of G. Purvis contains the truth & no more. Further this Separand hath not sworn & subscribed before me the 3 rd day of Oct r 1832
Sherrwood Ford
Seal & Arnold

State of North Carolina } Cumberland County }
Personally appeared before me Esau Arnold one of the Justices of the peace in said the County aforesaid, Zachariah Reeves & Sherwood Ford who first being duly sworn according to Law depose & say as follows
I Reeves being first sworn deponeth & saith, that he is acquainted with & hath known Robert Johnstun of Bladen County for about fifty years - that during the Revolutionary War, and as well as this deponent recollects between the years 1850 and 1852 - the said Robert Johnstun was a private soldier and belong to Captain Hines Troop of Horse Cavalry acting as a bat-
State of North-Carolina.
I, Daniel McDiarmid, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Cumberland County, do certify that the name and signature of Esau Arnold which appears to the annexed Deposition of Zachariah Reeves and Sherwood Ford - is in the proper hand writing of the said Esau Arnold and that he - at that date was an acting Justice of the Peace for said County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that full faith and credit is due to his - official acts.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the County Seal, at Fayetteville, this third day of October A. D. 1832. and in the 57th year of American Independence.
D McDiarmid