Morrison's Pensions


Pension Application for David Johnson

S.43722
B.L.Wt. 7334-100 Corpl Issued June 8, 1789.
Continental, New York Line.
State of New-York, SS.
            To the Hon. Richard Riker, Recorder of the City of New-York, and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor’s Court of the City of New-York, which is a Court of Record of the State of New-York.
            The Declaration under Oath of David Johnson formerly a Private Soldier engaged in the Service of the United States during the Revolutionary War, now a Citizen of the United States and resident of the City and County of New-Your, respectfully sheweth,
            That the said David Johnson enlisted sometime in the month of May 1776, after joining said Regt. Deponant was attached to Capt. Alexander Hamilton’s Compy of Artillery Col. Lamb’s Regt.  Deponent also saith that he was at the Battle of White Plains, at the Battle of Brunswick 1777, fighting Genl. Howe’s Army.  Deponant also saith that he was at the Battle of Brandywine and Germantown in the year 1778 was also at the Battle of Monmouth and Springfield and At the surrender of Lord Cornwallis’ army 1781.   Deponant also saith that he was very much burnt, while in the line of his Duty in New York.  Deponant also saith that he received and honourable Discharge from under the hands of Genl. Washington on the 9th Day of June 1783 which will more fully appear by his original herewith enclosed.
            And the declaration further sheweth, that the said David Johnson is now a citizen of the United States, resides in the city of New-York, and is, by reason of his reduced circumstances in life, in need of  assistance from his country for support.
            Therefore the said David Johnson conceives himself entitled to the benefit of the Act of Congress of the United States, entitled, “An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War,” approved 18th March, 1818, and requests your Honor will examine into the truth of the matter aforesaid, certify and transmit the testimony in the case, and the proceedings had thereon to the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War, to the end that such relief may be had in the premises, as is by law in such case made and provided.  And in support of the facts above set forth, the said David Johnson refers to his original discharge herewith attached.  (Signed) David Johnson
            Sworn before me this first day of April 1818, R. Riker, Recorder of the City of New York.

New-York Mayor’s Court.
            In the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor’s Court of the City of New-York, held at the City-Hall, in and for the said City, before the Judges of the same Court of June term, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty.
            Present the Honorable Peter A. Jay, Recorder, City of New-York, SS.  Be it remembered, that on the twenty-fourth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty personally appeared in the Court of Common Pleas, called the Major’s Court of the city of New-York, in open court, the said court being a court of record for the city and county of New-York, According to the charter of the said city and the laws of the state of New-York, David Johnson Aged sixty one years, resident in the City And State of New York, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the revolutionary war as follows:  That in the year 1775, he enlisted in the company commanded by Capt Quackenboss in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Richmore, for six months, and served out that time, after which he again enlisted for three month, and was At the Storming of Quebec under General Montgomery.  In May 1776 the Deponent again enlisted in the company commanded by Captain Alexander Hamilton in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Lamb, being a Regiment of Artillery on the Continental Establishment for the War – and that he served under that Enlistment until the Peace, when he was honorably discharged, which discharge has been sent to the Honorable the Secretary of War with the application made for a Pension—that the Deponent was at the Battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, Springfield, and at the Siege of Yorktown.—and that his original declaration is dated the First day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen and that is pension certificate is no. 3093.
            And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of march, 1818, and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled, “An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war”, passed on the 18th day of March, one thousand eight hundred And eighteen; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I Any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed to wit: Two Beds, with Bed cloathes, Two Bed Steads, Six Chairs, Two Tables, One Pair of And Irons, a few Pots & Kettles, Wearing Apparrel, of myself & Family—I have no means of support, whatever except my Pension, and the wages which I can earn as a Rope Aker and those of my oldest Son, who is also a Rope Maker, I have a Wife aged about Sixty Three Years—One Son Aged twenty two, the Rope Maker above mentioned—One Son aged Seventeen, who is learning the Trace of a Butcher & receives no wages—And one Daughter aged Thirty Two, who is married to a Sailor and does not a Assist me—The name of my Eldest Son is William Smith Jackson the Name of my youngest Son is David Johnson, the Name of my Daughter is Sarah Heneger—That this deponent and his Children are not able to support him and then without assistance, And that he is now in debt for House Rent and unable to pay it—That when he can get work At his Trade he receives wages at the rate of Twenty Five cents per Day, that he used to have more, but that he is now old and cannot earn so much as formerly.  (Signed) David Johnson
            Sworn in Open Court this 24th day of June 1820.  Benj’m Ferris, Clk.

Letter dated June 4, [1923?] written in response to a letter of inquiry.
            I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.43722, it appears that David Johnson enlisted in 1775 and served six months in Captain Quackenboss’ Company, Colonel Richmore’s New York Regiment and later served three months and was at the storming of Quebec under General Montgomery.
            He enlisted May 27, 1776 and was a corporal in Captain Alexander Hamilton’s Company, Colonel Lamb’s Regiment of Continental Artillery, he was in the battles of White Plains, Brunswick, Springfield, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, Siege of Your and was discharged June 9, 1783.
            He was allowed pension April 1, 1818 while a resident of New York City.
            In 1820 he stated that he was sixty-five years old and at same time referred to his wife (name not given) as aged sixty-three years; to his married daughter, Sarah Heneger, aged thirty-two years, to his son, William Smith Jackson, aged twenty-two years; and to his son David, aged seventeen years.
            There are no further family data.

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