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On this 2 day of
October 1832 personally appeared in open court before the worshipful Wright
Stanley and Jabez Owen and George Shannon, Esquires, composing the Court of
Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Williamson County now sitting at Franklin,
Tennessee, Gideon Johnson aged 78 years 7th November 1832 who being first
duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of an Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.
That I enlisted in the army of the United States some time in the last of
the month of July 1776 for the term of twelve months under Capt. John
Armstrong from Surry County, Lieutenant Joseph Tate from Guildford County in
North Carolina. I resided in Guildford County N.C. at that time and joined
the army in the county at a place called Spring Garden. Capt. Armstrong’s
company joined the Second Regiment of the Continental line at Salisbury
shortly after my enlistment, as well as I can recollect, which regiment was
commanded by Col. Alexander Martin. We lay at Salisbury about three months
when we marched thence to a place near Hollisworth Mills on Duncan’s Creek
which I think is a branch of the Catawba River. Receiving information that
there was a body of Tories collected either on Robear’s creek or Duncan’s
Creek about fifteen miles distant. We were marched thither in the night and
surrounded them near day break when we were fired on by their sentinels and
our men closed in upon them and took, as was reported, 100 prisoners whom we
marked to headquarters on Duncan’s Creek where we guarded them two days when
they were sent to Charlestown, South Carolina. Shortly after that we
rendezvoused at Salisbury, I going by home by furlow [sic] whence I, in the
company of Capt. Samuel Martin who had recruited a company of 50 men with
some delinquents, marched to Charleston, S.C., where we joined the main army
the latter part of the summer 1777. I in the meantime having been employed
in assisting Capt. Samuel Martin in recruiting men, he being a recruiting
officer of the U.S. army, and in scouting after the Tories in N.C. On
account of the sickness of the troops in Charleston we left that place,
where I took sick, and was halled to Campden in a wagon, where we lay 8 or
10 days. From that place the army marched towards Salisbury, N.C., and I
being too sick to travel further was left at the Widow Sutton’s on Seven
Mile Creek under the care of Sergeant Reuben Curtis. At the end of ten days
I went to Charlotte, N.C., where I met with Capt. Samuel Martin with whom I
traveled to Salisbury where I arrived about the last of October 1777 where I
think I received a discharge signed by Col. Alexr. Martin, which I have lost
not thinking it would ever be important to me.
Some years after this when Col. Alexr. Martin was chosen Governor of N.
Carolina, the year I cannot recollect, it being necessary for him to have a
life guard, I was chosen by him as one of his life guard and became such in
Gildford [sic] County and marched with him thence to a place called Nutbush
in Granville County where we, after remaining some time, were dismissed and
returned home after an absence of about four weeks. Captain Josiah Gates
commanded this company of Life Guards. It was represented to us when acting
as his guard that that tour should answer as a three months’ tour but
whether I got a discharge for the same I do not now recollect.
In 1778 or winter of 1779, I carried an express from Col. James Martin of
the County of Guilford to the western part of the state into Birk, Burkum,
and Wilk’s countys and delivered the same to Col. and Maj. Ervin, Col. and
Maj. McDowel and to Mr. Greenlea of Bunkum County. In this expedition I
underwent much hardship on account of inclement weather and high waters and
returned home after having been absent about four weeks.
I was born, as I have been informed by my father, in Amelia County,
Virginia, on the 7th day of November 1754. I have a record of my age now
with me which I got from my father and in his own handwriting. I lived in
Guildford County, North Carolina, when I was called into service. Sometime
after the Revolutionary War the county of Rockingham was taken off the north
part of Guildford, in Rockingham I resided until 1819, when I removed to
Davidson County, Tennessee, where I resided till the year 1826 when I
removed to Williamson County, where I have ever since resided.
I know of no person, except Abner Johnson and John W. Crunk, by whom I can
prove my services personally, all my other companions in arms whom I have
known in this country having departed this life. Neither have I any
documentary evidence by which I can prove any said services.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the
present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of
any state.
[signed] Gideon Johnson
Sworn to in open court 2nd October 1832
[signed] Thos. Hardeman, Clk.
We, Garner McConnico, a clergyman residing in the County of Williamson and
state of Tennessee, and Joshua Farrington and Nicholas Scales residing in
the same county and state hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
Gideon Johnson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we
believe him to be near seventy eight 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.
[signed] Garner McConnico; J. Farrington; Nichs. Scales; Robert McClellan X
his mark.
Sworn to in open court 2nd [and] 3rd October1832
[signed] Thos. Hardeman, Clk.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigation of
the matter and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War
Department, that the above named applicant was a soldier of the Revolution
and served as he states. And said Court further certifies that it appears to
them that Garner McConnico, resident in Williamson County and that Joshua
Farrington and Nicholas Scales who have also signed the same, are residents
of said county and are credible persons and that their statements are
entitled to credit.
Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the seventh of June
1832.
State of Tennessee ))
Williamson County )) S.S. Circuit Court January Term 1840
On this twenty second day of January 1840 personally appeared in open court
before the Circuit Court of Davidson County now sitting, Gideon Johnson a
resident of Davidson County and State of Tennessee; aged 86 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 entered the service of the United
States under the following named officers; and served as herein stated.
He entered the service in the month of June 1775, he thinks in the 7th
Regiment of the Continental line of North Carolina as a regular soldier
under the command of Colonel Alexander Martin, in which there were four
companies; First company commanded by Captain John Davidson of Rowan County,
Second company and to which defendant belonged, commanded by Captain John
Armstrong of Surry County, Third company commanded by Captain [blank] Picket
of Anson County, Fourth company commanded by Captain John Bell of Guilford
County, which four companies composed said Regiment. Defendant states that
he first turned out as a volunteer under Lieutenant Joseph Tate; who was
Lieutenant under his Captain, John Armstrong, at Spring Garden, Guilford
County, North Carolina, for a term of (he thinks) twelve months;
rendezvoused in the latter end of the same month at Salisbury and (he
thinks) left Salisbury in September following. While at Salisbury a
dissatisfaction arose amongst the troops and a second enlistment became
necessary and was proposed by Colonel Alexander Martin for a term of
eighteen months for which time said defendant volunteered, he thinks about
the last of July or first of August 1775.
The troops when leaving Salisbury were ordered south; kept headquarters at
Hollingsworth’s Mills on Ennoree[?] river about four weeks after which the
troops were ordered south on a meandering route to the Hickory Camps, he
thinks, near the borders of South Carolina. From thence he thinks in the
month of January following; they were informed there was a company of Tories
collected on Duncan’s Creek, to which place the troops were ordered and
marched under the guidance of our informants. On our arrival at said
Duncan’s Creek we had a small skirmish with the Tories – they fled, save 300
prisoners we took and marched back to Hickory Camp, guarded them there two
days and nights, thence they were sent to Charleston, South Carolina, under
a guard of militia. From Hickory Camp we marched south in the direction of
Ninety Six through the country watered by Tiger river, Congaree, Watere[?]
and etc., falling down below Ninety Six. There we bent towards Bell’s Mills
on Deep river in the direction of Fayetteville in North Carolina; thence we
returned to Salisbury where we stayed five or six weeks, and where many of
the troops were furloughed for a small space of time.
We were from there marched to Charleston, through the swamps of Santee
River, and arrived at Charleston some time in August just in time to see the
British embark, when they evacuated Charleston or Sullivan’s Island, near
Charleston, where we continued until (I think) the latter end of October
following, occupying the old British barracks, from which place we were then
ordered to march in consequence of the bad health of the troops, of whom
many had died. On our first or second days marched at night going towards
Camden on Goose Creek, deponent for the first time was taken sick and put in
a waggon, he thinks, about twenty miles from Charleston; and hauled from
there to Camden, he thinks, 130 or 140 miles – there in consequence of
sickness of the troops we lay about three weeks, some two or three men died
there. From there we marched to Seven Mile Creek at Widow Suttle’s. Deponent
was given out for dead and left in the care of Sergeant Reuben Curtis for an
attendant. Deponant thinks he lay here about three weeks, from whence
defendant started alone, leaving his gun, shot bag, and belt, not being able
to carry them, has never heard of them since. He pursued the army alone
(having left Sergeant Curtis sick) to Charlotte in North Carolina; where he
stayed with Samuel Martin, about two weeks. From thence by the assistance of
the said Samuel Martin, he went to Salisbury, where he joined the remaining
fragment of his Regiment, he thinks, some time in the month of November
1776. After remaining at Salisbury a short time defendant, by permission of
Colonel Alexander Martin, left for his home in Guilford County, being very
weak; arrived there he thinks in November; near the latter end. He afterward
saw Colonel Martin who gave him a discharge, his term of eighteen months
being ended.
Some time in the month of January or February in the year 1777 or 1778
declarer was engaged by Colonel James Martin of the Militia of the county of
Guilford to bear some expresses, he thinks to Joseph and Charles McDowell
living in Wilkes County, North Carolina, both bearing commissions in the
United States service, and to Major Alexander Erwin and Major Green Lee
living he thinks in Burke County and state aforesaid, for which service
Colonel James Martin gave him a discharge for a term of three months served
as a militiaman.
Deponant thinks in the month of May, June, or July 1779 he again volunteered
as a life guard to Colonel Alexander Martin, to guard and convey him to
Wilmington, he being appointed Governor of the State of North Carolina to
fill the place of [blank] Governor who was taken prisoner by the British; in
consequence of some express which Col. A. Martin met, we did not escort him
quite to Wilmington. Josiah Gates being Captain we marched back to Guilford,
for which service declarer got from (he thinks) Colonel Martin a certificate
for a three month term of service as a militiaman.
Deponent further states that he was at home plowing in his field, when he
heard the firing of the cannon and platoons[?] at the battle of Guilford on
the 15th of March, he thinks, 1781 or 1782. He immediately took out his
horses, seized his gun and hastened hither, though not at that time in
service himself he had a substitute (Elisa Curray). He met the baggage
waggons near Guilford making their way to a safe place out on Dan River. He
turned around and led them on till he knew they could not mistake the way.
He then hastened to the place of action and joined his country men in that
engagement. It having nearly ended, reconnoitered[?] and assisted in burying
& etc. for about nine days. This service was voluntary for which declarer
has no receipt; nor did he expect, demand or wish any.
Deponant had been previous to this summoned as a guard to the Legislature at
Salem in North Carolina in which service he was engaged about three or four
weeks. The receipt from Colonel James Martin and the lost receipt from
Colonel A. Martin making in all a term of two years service. He viewed said
documents as being of entirely useless to him and he thinks he destroyed the
same in the year 1819 when he left Carolina to remove to Tennessee in
Davidson County where he now lives and has lived ever since.
Deponent further states that his name is already on a pension roll of the
agency of the State of Tennessee, was placed there on the 20th day of August
1833 and receives a pension of fifty dollars payable semiannually; that said
pension is not proportionate to his term of Revolutionary services for the
want of living testimony to the facts herein before stated. That he has
since making application before found living witnesses of whom he did not
know, which accompanies this declaration. Many things have also come to his
own recollection since, which are true and not named in his former
declaration.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except
the present and he declares that his name is listed on the pension roll of
an agency of the state of Tennessee in the amount stated above.
[signed] Gideon Johnson
State of Tennessee ))
Davidson County ))
I, Robert B. Turner, Clerk of the Circuit Court of the County of Davidson
aforesaid certify that at a Circuit Court held for the county aforesaid in
the state of Tennessee at the Court House in Nashville on the 22nd day of
January 1840, Gideon Johnson who signed the foregoing declaration appeared
in open court and swore oath in said declaration stated as of his own
knowledge are true and those facts stated as on the knowledge and
information of others he believes to be true.
October 14, 1939
Mr. Robert Martin McBride
Union Springs, Alabama
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War
record of Gideon Johnson (or Johnston) who was a Captain in the North
Carolina Militia.
There is no claim for pension on file based upon service in the
Revolutionary War of a Captain Gideon Johnson (or Johnston) who served with
the North Carolina troops. The record of the only Gideon Johnson (or
Johnston) who served with the North Carolina troops is furnished you herein:
The data which follows were obtained from papers on file in pension claim
S.4455, based upon service of Gideon Johnson in the Revolutionary War.
Gideon Johnson was born November 7, 1754, place of his birth and name of his
parents not shown.
While residing in Guilford County, North Carolina, Gideon Johnson enlisted
in June 1775 or July 1776 and served at various times until about March 24,
1781, amounting in all to about two years as a Private under Captains James
Armstrong, Samuel Martin, and Josiah Gates and Colonels Alexander Martin and
James Martin, in the North Carolina troops, during a period of three months
of his service he was guard to Governor Alexander Martin. He was in an
engagement on Duncan’s Creek and was in the battle of Guilford Courthouse.
After the Revolution he lived in that part of Guilford County, North
Carolina which was later Rockingham County and continued to live there until
1819, when he moved to Davidson County, Tennessee and had in 1826, moved to
Williamson County, Tennessee where he was living when allowed pension on his
application executed October 2, 1832. In 1840, he was residing in Davidson
County, Tennessee.
No reference was made to wife or children.
In 1832, one Abner Johnson, aged 74 years, stated in Maury County,
Tennessee, that he served in the Revolution a part of the time with Gideon
Johnson. In 1833, one William Johnson was Justice of the Peace in Williamson
County, Tennessee, their relationship is not stated…..
Very truly yours,
A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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