Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5647, for Rufus Johnson, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
born
Johnson, Rufus Mary
PP 5647
Mass.
CONTENTS

mentioned.
Mary Johnson N
Levi Wells Mother of the Peace.
G. G. Ames
And I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original Witness my hand and seal this 11th day of March 1852.

State of New-York, } ss. Onondaga County, }
Be it known that on this 14 th day of May 1853 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the county, and state aforesaid, personally appeared Ransler Johnson of Pompey county of Onondaga and state of New York and made oath in due form of law that he is a son of Mary Johnson deceased, widow of Rufus Johnson, who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution
That he has lately been informed, that said pension ought to be allowed, that he is directly interested in said claim as such child That he makes this affidavit, to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my said agent or attorney may use in prosecuting said claim.
Sworn and subscribed the day } and year aforesaid before me, }
Levi Wells Justice of the Peace.
Ransler Johnson
I Levi Wells Justice of the Peace, in and for said county, do hereby certify, that Ransler Johnson who executed the foregoing papers, is a reputable resident of the county of Onondaga and is I believe directly interested in said claim as therein set forth.
Levi Wells Justice of the Peace.

Know all Men by these Presents, That, I Ransler Johnson of Seneca Co. N.Y. do hereby consti- tute and appoint George C. Ames of Washington D.C. my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to prosecute the claim of
Mary Johnson deceased, widow of Rufus Johnson was served as a private in the Revolutionary war
and I hereby authorize my said agent and attorney to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim on file in the Departments at Washington City, or elsewhere additional evidence or arguments, and to receive the certificate that may be issued for said claim, to appoint one or more substitute for the purpose herein expressed, to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present; hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said agent and attorney shall lawfully do in the premises.
And I do hereby revoke all other agents and attorneys heretofore appointed by me.
Witness my hand and seal this 14 th day of May 1853.
Signed and delivered in presence of
Ransler Johnson
Norman B. Johnson
Levi Wells
State of New-York, } ss. Onondaga County, }
BE IT KNOWN that on the 14 th day of May 1853 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared Ransler Johnson above named, and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his act and deed.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last above mentioned.
Levi Wells Justice of the Peace.
Mary Johnson
G. C. Ames

7871 Mary Johnson N.Y. act 9. July 38 June '41
A.
No 7871. Mary Johnson Wife of Rufus Johnson for a Domicile - 5mo. 6 days only! M 84
Hon. V. Birdseye H.R.
Hon.
Victory Bridge H.R.

State of Connecticut } County of Litchfield } p. Harnilton
Ms
Candace Catlin of the town of Harnilton in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut being duly sworn deponeth and saith - That she is aged eighty four years & upwards and that she was well acquainted with Rufus Johnson in his life time - That she also was well acquainted with Mary Butler - That this Deponent knew of the marriage of the said Mary Butler to the said Rufus Johnson - That this Deponent was present when the marriage ceremony was performed - That said marriage according to the best recollection & belief of this Deponent took place in the year eighteen hundred and eighty four - That George Catlin Esq. then an acting magistrate in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut performed the ceremony - That said Rufus & Mary lived together until they removed from the State of Connecticut to the State of New York when as Deponent has been informed said Rufus Johnson died - That said marriage took place in the town of Harnilton in the County & State aforesaid. And farther says not
Subscribed & sworn before me
This 1 st day of June 1841 } Candace Catlin. Abijah Catlin Justice Peace

State of Connecticut, { Litchfield County } ss Haverinton,
I, Joshua Williams, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Haverinton, do hereby certify, that Abijah Carlin Esq. is an acting Justice of the Peace for the County of Litchfield, duly commissioned & qualified according to Law, to administer Oaths &c, that his Commission will expire on the 20 th of June last, & that the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is genuine,
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Public Seal of said Court this First day of June A.D. 1841.
Joshua Williams. Clerk

State of Connecticut
Simsbury County ss.
June 2 1841
2 Town Clerk's Office Washington
This may certify that the marriage of Rufus Brattle to Johnson to Mary Brattle is not recorded in this Office; - and further that the records of Marriages, in this Office is very imperfect
NB
Attest Andreas Alsworthy Town Clerk

State of New York County of Onondaga } ss.
On this twenty fourth day of Au- gust personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Onondaga Mary Johnson a resident of the town of Pompey in the County of Onondaga and State of New York aged seventy seven 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 acts of Congress passed July 4. 1836 and the act explanatory of said act passed March 3. 1837 & of the act passed on the seventh day of July 1838. That she was married to Rufus Johnson who was a soldier in the Massachusetts line in the army of the Revolution in a Regiment commanded by Colonel Bigelow & that the particulars of his service will appear by the muster rolls of said Regiment now re- maining in the War Office in the City of Washington.
She further declares that she was mar- ried to the said Rufus Johnson whose name appears on said rolls on the thirteenth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty four, that in her husband the said Rufus Johnson died on the twenty first day of April one thou- sand eight hundred and twenty two and that she has at all times since burial and remained a widow, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto an- nexed.

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me Johnson Hall } May 1841 Judge of Onondaga Co. } Robinson and Pleas }
State of New York ( ss: Onondaga County }
I Charles T. Hicks, Clerk of the said County do certify, that the Hon. John- son Hall before whom the prece- ding affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County, and that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature. Witness my hand and seal of Office this 18 th day of June 1841.
Cha s T. Hicks Clerk.

State of New York Onondaga county ss. 3
MS
Jepe Rutter of the town of Pompey in the County and State aforesaid being duly sworn says - That he is aged seventy four years and upwards and that he is the brother of Widow Mary Johnson named in the declaration hereto annexed - That the said Mary was regularly & legally married to Rufus Johnson in said declaration named in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty four and in the spring of that year but that the day & month has escaped the recollection of this Deponent - That this Deponent was present at the marriage ceremony which was performed by George Cattin Esq at Farmington Litchfield County, in the State of Connecticut - That said Cattin is now dead - that the parents & sister of Deponent were present who are since dead - That said Mary & Rufus Johnson lived together as man & wife & had children & that they continued so to cohabit until the year eighteen hundred & twenty two when said Rufus Johnson died at Pompey aforesaid - That this Deponent knew said Johnson during the War of the Revolution & that he was absent for a considerable time during said War & that it was reported & generally understood in the neighborhood that he was serving in the army of the Revolution - This Deponent further says that he lived near said Johnson at the time of his death & has since continued to reside in the same neighborhood with his Widow & that

She has ever since remained a widow - That said Rufus Johnson died very suddenly in the night as it was supposed in a fit - That the said Rufus & Mary Johnson have three children now living viz. Ruspalan Johnson aged fifty three who resides in Pompey aforesaid, Rodney Johnson who resides in Pompey & is aged about fifty years and Russell B. Johnson who resides in Canandaigua, in the County of Ontario & State of New York & is aged as near as this Deponent can now recollect about forty seven years - And further this Deponent says not - Sworn & Subscribed the 27 th } Joseph Butler day of August A. D. 1840 } before me Levi Wells Com d . of Deeds.
State of New York, } ss. Onondaga County, }
I, Charles T. Hicks Clerk of the said County, do certify that Levi Wells Esquire before whom the pre- ceding affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the said County, and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature. Witness my hand and seal of Office, this 18 th day of June 1841.
Cha s T. Hicks Clerk

3871
NY -
Mary Johnson
June 2 1844
let to Hon. Victor Brindley June 24, 1841 ✓ do to Horace Wheaten July 11, 1843 let to Abijah August 19, 1843 G. L. Locks Road Collector June '44
D

No 7871 Mary Johnson N.Y. 5647
Dear V. Birdseye June 24 '41 " H Wheaton July 11 '43 Let to A. Joy Aug 19 " " " " Hon H. Wheaton March 6 '44 " " A Joy April 2 '46 " Same May 19 '47 " " June 21 '47 S. act 7 July 1808
Col. to Dear Joy August 23 '47 Refers to acct of H. Wheaton Aug 17 '50 Set Ares for June 27 = 1851

May Johnson See letter of Comt. to me of June 27. 1851 from Abad Loyo

W. S. Jackson, H. Rep.
p. 4.
August 13/50
In the case of Mary Johnson applicant for a pension. Ask an early reply in but appeal from Cr. of Pensions
Settled to Card Bureau of Pensions Aug. 15 1850.
C Cr. of Pensions for a Report Dept of the Interior Aug 15/50

In the case of Mary Johnson, widow of Rufus Johnson, the widow an applicant for a pension from New York, an appeal is taken See second letter of May 19. 1847 in which he admits that Rufus Johnson "her husband's service as an of the Six months given in 1780 for five months & twenty ten days" - Now we contend that this was a Six months enlistment, & a Six months term fully in accor- dance with the true intent & meaning of the law if he was discharged 13 days before the end of 6 months, it may not have been in his power to have prevented it, & the widow should not be debarred of a pension; in consequence of it Secty of the Interior will please reply to this as his Earlier Commence Washington Auger 13. 1880 \frac{3}{3} Very Respectfully, & M. G. Jackson H. G. B.

Quid N. Y. Augt 3 rd '47
Sir
I do not, without reluctance trouble you again, in the case of Mary Johnson noted in yours of the 7 th June, but on examining the papers in the case I come to the conclusion, that there may be a miss understanding - pardon me therefore for referring you to the paper of first, in obedience to yours of the 19 th Augt 1843. I forwarded on the 28 th Sept 1843 a sort of supplemental claim, or up-Canadian from the widow & Jan y 1844 I forwarded through Hon R. Wheaton the Compt r of Cont s Cert t of Service of a certain Rufus Johnson for 5 M ts 6 days - I do not make a claim for this Service, but you are to judge if you are fully satisfied that it was performed by her late husband, then if you are also satisfied that he performed the 5 M ts & 17 days in Mar, how would then stand the case, I wish the Government protected as well as the widow Hon J. L. Edwards Compt. of Pensions
Your O bl Serv t Fred Joy

Orion Aug. 8th 1843
Hon J. L. Edwards
Esq
Mary Johnson, widow of Rufus Johnson, of Onondaga Co. N. Y. has made me her agent, under her own hand — The history of her case I have in 8 letters, viz, that her husband served three years in the Revolution, that he enlisted, where he then resided in the town of Harrington Litchfield Co. Connecticut, they think the three last years of the war, that he was absent the three years, came home once on a furlough, returned to the army served out his three years & rec d an honorable discharge — That there must have been some mistake in supposing he belonged to the Massachusetts line, or at any rate, he lived at the time of his enlistment at the place above named, the only discrepancy may be in supposing he belonged to the Massachusetts line, it may have been in Connecticut line, may I ask you to look at the case as above stated, & may I be allowed to ask for a copy of your objections in the case, unless the above should remove them
Respectfully Your Obedient
Friend Joy

Ovid N.B. March 7 th 1857
Sir
In August 1850 I appealed through Hon W m J Jackson the case of Mary Johnson late an applicant for a pensioner of New York
I have rec d no report
Most Respectfully
Your Ob d Servt
Orde Joy
Hon Alex r H Stuart Secy of Interior Washington D.C.
Recd 17 Aug 57
Rec d & Pensions Off. Act d Secy for recommendation D.C.

Ovid May 24th 1847
Sir
In reply to yours of the 19th in the case of Mary Johnson, I may be allowed most respectfully & with deference, to refer you, to yours of the 6th March 1844 - in which you admit 5 months & 6 days - in yours above referred to you admit 5 months & 17 days - I may be in error, if so, I do not wish you to fall into the same error, when I say, I had supposed the 5 months & 6 days was of Cond. Service, & the 5 mo. 17 d. Mass. as Mrs Johnson under date of 11th Sept 1843 made an amended declaration, or an affidavit, in which she states her husband was of Harwinton Litchfield County Ct - H - Some there may have been several of the name of Rufus Johnson in Cond. as well as Mass. I may not understand the case, or your letter of the 6th March 1844. of course I make no claim, I only refer to what you have written & I do not want a pension, unless you are well & fully satisfied it is justly due -
Respectfully
Your Ob t Servt
Abad Loyo
Hon M c Edward
Comt. of Pensions

Pompey N.Y. July 5. 1843
J. S. Edwards Esq. Sir,
Will you be kind enough to inform me as soon as possible, the decision you may have made on the application for a Pension of Mrs Mary Johnson the Widow of Rufus Johnson , a Soldier of the Revolution. Hon. N. H. Earll formerly a member of Congress from this County, found his name on the Roll, he served under Col. Biglow of the Massachusetts line. Affidavits of Marriage were forwarded by Ch. B. Sedgwick Esq., through Mr Birdseye, who handed them to the proper Officer, something over a year since, which is the last information they have received of the application. The friends & the old Lady herself are very desirous to hear the result of their application, & whether any further testimony is required. Please answer this as soon as consistent.
Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt Horace Wheaton

Ovid April 23 d 1847
Sir
See your letter of August 19. 1843
I enclose Secy. certificate of the service of Rufus Johnson — You can be your own judge whether it refers to the service of the husband of Mary Johnson mentioned in yours of the 2 d April 1844 — you will be able to ascertain whether Mary Johnson did not make 2 applications, or add to her first, an amended application, I suggest this, as I have done so little with this case in so long a time, I do not even give an opinion, but if there has been an application, & an amended application, I hope both may be put in the same bundle, that the Department will see all that the widow has said in this case, of course I know nothing as to the merits of the Certificate, & I submit it entirely for you to say what it amounts to & how it compares with her two applications, if there be two on file, I judge from letters rec d that the widow died Dec 1844, there may have been 2 or more R. Johnsons, of this, you will be your own judge Your Ob t Serv t Wm L Edwards Counsel & Business
Friend Jay

J. L. Edward, Com. of Pensions Washington D.C. August 17, 1850.
relative to the case of Mary Johnson. Papers, 2 in number, enclosed.
et

Pension Office August 17 th 1850.
Sir,
I have the honor herewith to transmit the papers, numbered from 1 to 12 inclusive, relating to the case of Mary Johnson, on which Hon. W. F. Jackson appeals, and a brief of the evidence.
The marriage of the claimant is not proved in accordance with the rules of this Office.
She claims that her husband served in the Massachusetts line, though he was a citizen of Connecticut, at the time of his enlistment. The record furnished by her from the State Department of Massachusetts shows only a service of 5 months and 17 days. It is evident that there were two of the same name from Essex County in service at the same time, one having served for a little more than 5 months from July 12, 1780, and one a little more than 5 months from July 4, 1780.
There was, indeed, a Rufus Johnson who served just 6 months in Col. Dike's Regiment of the Connecticut troops, and there is a possibility that this was the claimant's husband. But she introduces no evidence to identify him as the same, and I mention it simply for the purpose of putting you in possession of all the facts fur-

nished by our records, and of giving the claim- ant the benefit of such corroboration of her state- ments as it may seem to afford.
I have the Honor to be Very Respectfully, Your Obedt Servt. J. L. Edwards
Hon. T. M. T. McKennan, Secretary of the Interior.

Apr '47
C
8 July 1980 Disu 12 Dec 1980
3

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
April 17 th 1847.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Rufus Johnson is borne upon a Pay Roll of the 6 Months men of the town of Bedford, as a private from July 4 to December 12 1780, including allowance of 9 days for travel, 5 Months and 17 days.
Upon a descriptive list of the 6 th division of 6 Months men marched from Springfield under the care of Lt Jackson of the Artillery, July 9 1780 as a private of Bedford, Middle Sex County, Mass. at the age of 16, 5 feet 3 inches high - complexion dark.
Upon a Pay Roll of Capt Addison Richardson's Company, in Col Wade's regt, from the County of Essex, as a private from July 12 to Oct. 10
John Russell to the Secretary of War

1780, including allowance of 12 days for 240 Miles travel, 3 Months and 11 days
No roll of Col Hatch.
Not upon rolls of Bigelow.
The preceding is all the evidence of service of any one of the names shown by the military records in this department
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said appli- cation, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Barron,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish from the Rolls in his office of the service of my late husband Rufus Johnson - he resided at the time in Farmington Litchfield County Connecticut and served six months or more as from that State, then enlisted in the Massachusetts Line probably under Col Hatch & Col Beagalom where he served three years, as probably stated in her first declaration on file, whether his name be found under Col Beagalom or not, he served 3 years in the Massachusetts troops as one of them, he also served some as a waggoner
The widow died Dec 6 - 1843 leaving several children they are not enabled to state the service for their father more fully than above stated
Witness my hand this 30th day of March 1848 - for the Children of
Signed by said Arad Joy as of Mary Johnson agent in my presence Arad Joy agent
James Foster Justice
The said Arad Joy appears by documents exhibited before me to be the lawful agent of Mary Johnson James Foster Justice
"Search for Rufus Johnson" - Answer to be directed to Arad Joy Ovid Seneca Co New York

5647.
P. O. _____
Mary Johnson Service: _____
Rufus Brooklyn Co NY Mch 18th Bigelow
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
REJECTED
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Mrs. Johnson
10

House of Reps
Washington City
Feb. 6 th 1844
Dear Sir,
I enclose a certificate of the Comptroller of Connecticut relating to the Service of Rufus Johnson a Revolutionary Soldier - Mrs Johnson has heretofore made application thro Mr Birdseye, Mr Gott or Mr Joy. for a Pension, Mrs Johnson being a resident of my town, has requested me to see to her interests. Which I feel bound to do. - I will refer you to the papers already in file in your office containing an affidavit of hers forwarded to you the last of Sept. or first of Oct. - I have to requested that you will advise me of the decision (when made) in this case. or if further testimony is required -
Very Respectfully &c Horace Wheaton
J. L. Edwards Esq

Mary Thurn Widow's Brief Pension Claims

Mary Johnson Pension Claim.
In August, 1841, Mary Johnson Declares That she was married to Rufus Johnson 13 th May, 1784. He died 21 st April, 1822. He was a soldier in Col. Pigeon's Reg t of the Massachusetts line of the Revolution. (ch 2 & A)
Evidence.
1. Candace Cootin, 74 years old, knew Rufus Johnson and knows his widow, Mary Johnson, whose maiden name was Butler. Was present when they were married, which happened, she thinks, in 1784. George Cootin, J. P. performed the ceremony, in Har- rington, Litchfield Co. Connecticut. (ch 4 & A)
2. John Clark of Harrington certifies that the marriage record of his town is very imperfect, and the marriage of Rufus Johnson and Mary Butler is not there recorded. (ch 3 & A)
3. Leese Butler, 74 years old, brother of Clement, says she was upwards married to Rufus Johnson in the Spring of 1784, by Rev. Cootin Esq. at Harrington. Cootin is now dead. They lived together as man and wife till 1822, when he died. knew said Johnson during the Revolution. He was absent from home a considerable time, and it was reported and believed in the neighborhood that he was serving in the U.S. Army. said Rufus Mary had 3 children now living, the eldest 53 years old (in 1840) the next 50 & the next 47- (ch 4 & A)
In 1843 Mary Johnson again Declares That she was married to said Rufus after his

military service was over, and is consequently not acquainted with its particulars. He entered the service from Harrington, Vt. when he then said. Often heard him speak of Col. Biglow, and may be mistaken in supposing he served under him. (Q B.)
4. The Secretary of State of Massachusetts certifies that the name of Rufus Johnson is borne upon a Pay Roll of the 6 months men of the town of Bradford as a Private from July 4 to December 12, 1780 , including 9 days travel, 5 months and 17 days.
Upon a descriptive roll of the 6 th Division of 6 months men marched from Springfield under Lt. Jackson July 9. 1780 as a Private of Bradford, Middlesex Co. Mass.
Upon a Pay Roll of Capt. Addison Richardson's Company, in Col. Ward's Regt. from Essex County as a Private from July 12 to Oct. 10. 1780 , including 12 days travel, 3 months, 11 days.
Not on Col. Biglow's Roll. (Q C.)

2
10
54/43
Dear Joy Ovid Seneca 6a New York
Singh -

State of New York } Onondaga County } ss. Personally appeared before the sub- -scriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County Mary Johnson of Pompey in said County aged eighty years and on being duly sworn according to law, deposeth & saith, that Rufus Johnson, late a soldier in the war of the Revolution was her husband, that as she was married to him after he performed his service in the war of the Revolu- -tion, she does not know so particularly of his service, or under whom he served, but she deposeth & saith that his residence or home during the war of the Revolution was in the town Warrington, County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut, and that he entered the service from that place, & as a citizen of that town, county & State, and that she had often heard the name of Col. Bigalow, and may have confounded it with her aforesaid husband's service, & may have in that been mistaken, as to his residence during the Revolution she cannot be mistaken, & that the above history is entirely cor- -rect. —
Sworn & subscribed before me } Mary Johnson the 11 th day of September 1843 } Levi Wells Justice of the Peace. }
I certify that the above named Mary Johnson is a highly respectable person. — Levi Wells Justice Peace. —
State of New York } Onondaga County } ss: Clerk's Office. } I certify that Levi Wells Esq. was at the date of the above deposition a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, commissioned & sworn and that his signatures above are genuine, Given under my hand and the seal of said County at Syracuse September 22, 1843. Levi P. Gillet Dep Clerk

One Sept 28th 1843
Hon J. L. Edwards
Or Sir You have herewith further History & proof in support of Mary Johnson, widow of Rufus Johnson, claim to a pension
Respectfully Your Ob. Servt Bradley
Incl -
Bradley One Seneca Co New York
2
10
Sep 4 '43