Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19155, William Davenport, Va.
Page 1

(3—1776)

SERVICE
Va.

Davenport, William 
Davis, Mary
Former widow

NUMBER 
W. 19155

CONTENTS
Page 2

William Davenport is entitled to the proportion of Land allowed a Captain of the Continental Line for three years service
J. Merewether

Council Chamber
Dec 3 1785
P. Henry
Warrant No 4019 for 4000 acres issued to William Davenport 16 of Decr 1785

A Copy from the records of the Land office of Virginia is under my hand & seal of office hereto affixed at Richmond, this 12 May 1837
W. [illegible]s off.
[seal affixed]
Page 3

Let. W Todd Jany. 26 '39
d[itt]o to same Feb. 8 1839
papers copd. for Jno. Bonem,
Pre.f. feb 28. 1843
d[itt]o to Hon. J. H. Badly H. R. 9 Feb 1846
copies of certain affts (see men'd in them) handed to Jno Bonum, prest. Jan 2d 1847

1430
Richmond Virginia
Mary Davis, formerly widow of William Davenport dec'd Va
who died during the revolution of Mathews in the State of Va.
who was a Captain in the Company commanded 
by himself of the Rgt. commanded by [blank] in the Va. line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond Va.
at the rate of 480 Dollars 00 Cents, per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of Sept. 1837 and sent Jno. Bonem Present
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1837  $3.120.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar '88  240.50
Page 4

State of Virginia  County of Mathns [sic]} SS.
On this 29th day of May 1837 personally appeared before us Mary Davis a resident of the county of Mathews and State of Virginia and in the county and state aforesaid  Aged Eighty five years, who, being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benifit of the Provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July 4th 1836 and the Act explanatory of the Said Act passed March 3rd 1837  That she was married to William Davenport who was a Lieutenant & captain in the Revolutionary War.
That the said Davenport Enlisted in the continental Line in about March 1776 under one Mathews as a Lieutnt and whilst under the said Mathews he had a scrimage at the Great Bridge & some time after that Mathews was taken prisoner.  then the said
Davenport was captain & was sent to the East Ernshore [sic] to command a fort under one Parker or Smith, but I don't know how long he stayed.  but after he returned home he went to the North & Stayed some time but I do not recollect how long he stayed,  but whilst he was gone to the North the Enemy Broke open our house, & cut open our Beds & took some clothing from us. &c. but after the said Davenport returned home he was in and about Norfolk & Jewel Point & some of his time at York & on York River, at which Places just before the Seige of York he took a Large English schooner, commanded by one Captain Ross, and that her husband Davenport still continued in service til the seige of York to the best of her Recollection & belief...  and that her husband Davenport some time after the Revolutionary War, was to the best of her recollection appointed to make a treaty with the Indians. he & some others went out together & the last I heard of him was in Georgia & after that I heard that he was killed by the Indians, which was some time after he went out, to the best of my knowledge & belief.  That she lived in Norfolk, Virginia when she was married to the said Davenport & where he Enlisted, but after the War begun they moved two miles back of Norfolk and in 1776 or '77 moved to Smithfield in Isle of Wight county and stayed there about two years & from there moved to WilliamsBurg & stayed 2 years till the army came & I had to move to King & Queen Court House
Page 5

but stayed but a short time at King & Queen Court House and in or about March 1784 moved to Gloucester County, Kingston Parrish now mathews county where I Married Edward Davis my Late husband who died with Pleuracey on the 1st day of April 1819 in his Eighty first year of his age
She further declares that she was married to the said William Davenport in March 1770 by Parson Davis & That her banns was cried in church three Sundays before she was married.  and That her husband the aforesaid William Davenport was killed some time after the Revolutionary War, and that she was afterwards married to Edward Davis who died on the 1st Day of April 1819, and that she was a widow on the 4th July, 1836 and still remains a widow as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed,
Mary her x mark Davis

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before us Justices of the Court and we do hereby certify that Mary Davis who has subscribed and Sworn to the above declaration is a woman who has ever sustained a Character for Varisity, and we do further certify That she cannot attend the Court by Reason of bodily infirmity, Given under our hands and seals this 29th of May 1837.
Isaac Foster  JP [seal drawn]
W. M Brounley  JP [seal drawn]

Virginia.  I Shephard G. Miller  Clerk of the County of Mathews, do hereby certify that Isaac Foster and William M. Brounley Esqrs. before whom the foregoing Declaration was made are Justices of the Peace in the County aforesaid, duly commissioned & qualified and that their signatures hereto, are genuine.
[Seal affixed]  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court, this 30th day of May 1837.
Shepard G. Miller  C.C.
Page 6

Know all men by these presents that we Edward Davis & John Patterson are held and firmly bound to Robert Brooks Esqr. Governor of this Commonwealth in the just and full sum of One hundred & fifty dollars payable to the said Treasurer and his successor to which payment well and truly to be made we bind ourselves, jointly & severally & each of our joint & several heirs, executors, & administrators, firmly by these presents: Sealed with our seals & dated this 1st day of March 1797.
The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas there is a marriage shortly intended to be had and solemnized between Edward Davis & Mary Davenport.  Now if there should be no lawful cause to obstruct the said intended marriage then the above obligation to be void or else to remain in full force & virtue.
Edward Davis [seal drawn]
John Patterson [seal drawn]
Teste Richard Billups

I Shepard G. Miller, Clerk of the County Court of Mathews, hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of a bond filed in my said Office.
[Seal affixed]  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this 30th day of May 1834.
Shepard G. Miller  C.C.
Page 7

I Frances Singleton of the County of Mathews & State of Virginia aged about 67 or 68 I do hereby certify that I was well acquainted with Captain William Davenport who married my half sister Mary Hunley.  and I do hereby certify that whilst the said Davenport & my sister Lived in Williamsburg that I went with my mother to see them on a visit.  Then it was in the Latter part of the Revolutionary War & then the said Davenport was captain, in service , & still continued til the End of the War.  And further that I always understood that the said Davenport some time after the Revolutionary War went to the Western Country against the Indians, and that I always understood that he was killed by the said Indians, & that the said widow Mary Davenport my half Sister moved to this county in 1784 or 1785 to my fathers House & after that she married Edward Davis on the 2nd Day of March 1797.  for I was at the wedding  & I believe that the said Edward Davis Died on the 1st day of April 1819. with the Pluracy as I all ways understood & believed to the best of my Recollections.
Given from under my hand & seal this 30th day of May 1837
Frances Singleton

State of Virginia County of Mathews to wit} ss
Psonaly [sic] appeared before me Christopher Tompkins Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid  Frances Singleton a resident of sd County and this day signed the the foregoing affidavit in my presence and made oath that it contains the truth to the best of her knowledge & belif  And I do hereby certify that she is a woman of Veracity and has ever sustained that character.  Given under my hand & seal this 20th day of May 1837
Chrisr. Tompkins  JP. [Seal drawn]
Page 8

Virginia.
I Shepard G. Miller  Clerk of the County Court of Mathews do hereby certify that Christopher Tompkins Esquire, before whom the within affidavit was made, is a Justice of the Peace in the County aforesaid, duly commissioned & qualified according to the constitution and Laws of this State. and that his signature hereto is genuine.
[Seal affixed]  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said Court this 30th day of May 1837.
Shepard G. Miller  C.C.
Page 9

I James Thomas a Revolutionary Pensioner of The County of Mathews & State of Virginia aged about 74 years do hereby certify that I was well acquainted with William Davenport of the town of Norfolk form 1774 to 1776  that the said Davenport Enlisted in 1775 or 1776 in the continental Line of Virginia & he continued in service to the best of my knowledge & belief  & I do further certify that the said Davenport was in a very serias scrimage at the Great Bridge in 1775 or 1776 & further that he was in scrimage at Norfolk just before the Said Town was Burnt & at that time the Said Davenport boarded his wife Mary Davenport who was Mary Hanley before he married her; at my fathers House just back of Norfolk to [stay] 1 1/2 or two miles from town, she Boarded there 6 or Eight months. During that time he was frequently there ) That the said Davenport and Mary his wife cohabited as man & wife & that they had a child with them that was about 2 or three years old Named Elizabeth Davenport Daughter of William Davenport & his wife Mary who is now living in this County and the legitimate hier of sd [said] Davenport.  & at that time the Said Davenport was under Genl Stevens & Col Woodford.  and that some time after that the said Davenport, went to the North & stayed some time.  & after that he returned & caryed apparel of soldiers to the North with him from Portsmouth, Virginia.  And I do hereby Certify that I always understood that the said William Davenport went to the West some time after the Revolutionary War & was killed by the Indians & That his wife Mary Davenport moved to this county some time after that & the said widow Mary Davenport has resided in the said County Ever since.  & That she married Edward Davis but I do not recollect the day or year.  but I know that she married the said Edward Davis who Died on the 1st day of April 1819 with the Pluracy, in or about his 80 or 81st year of his age to the best of my knowledge and belief & that she has remained a widow Ever since That period.  Given from under my hand & that this 26th day of May 1837
The widow also is now living in this County &c. interlined before signed.
James Thompson [seal drawn]
Page 10

State of Virginia Mathews County to Wit:
Personally appeared before us Jno. N. Sale & Wm M. Brownly two of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid.  James Thomas a resident of sd County and this day signed the foregoing affidavit in my presence and made oath that it contains the truth to the best of his knowledge & belief.  And We do hereby certify that he is a man of veracity and has ever sustained that character 
Given under our hand & seals this 26th. May 1837.
John N. Sale [seal drawn]
W. M Brownly J.P. [seal drawn]

Virginia.  Mathews County 
I Shepard G. Miller Clerk of the County Court of Mathews do hereby certify that John N. Sale and William M. Brounley Esquires, before whom the foregoing affidavit was made, are Justices of the Peace, with county aforesaid, duly commissioned & qualified according to the Constitution & laws of this State.  That their signatures hereto are genuine.
[Seal affixed]  In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said Court, this 20th day of May 1837.
Shepard G. Miller C.C.
Page 11

[Writing practice]

Mary Davenport 
JorJ den j Jor dan
Molly & Betsey Sisters and
Effectionate Both

[illegible] Jesus Christ Amen
Chacy jordan  14
Elazebeth deven   port
N l. P.

Mr Wm Davenport
15
Elizabeth Davenpoort
daughter to William and 
Mary Davenport was
Born November the 27th 
in The year of 1771

Elizabeth
[illegible]
John Micheal
Sr
1822
1771
Davenport Capt.
April the 19th day

C Chacy Jordan
Page 12

Letitia Singleton and Mary Mackie:
Two Beautifull Young Ladies
Will: B: Haynes


Letitia Singleton
Wm. Haynes TBK
Page 13

A COMPANION TO THE ALTAR:
Shewing the Nature and Necessity of a Sacramental Preparation.
Engrav'd & Printed only for John Beecroft at the Bible & Crown in PaterNoster Row, according to Act of Parliamt.
MDCCLXXI.
Page 14

February 12, 1935.
BA-J/ILL
William Davenport
W. 19155

Mrs. C. E. Stevenson
804 West 48th Street
Kansas City, Missouri.

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information regarding Mary Davis whose name is shown on the list of pensioners printed in 1840 as a resident of Mathews County, Virginia, aged eighty-six years, residing with Mary Davis.
A search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and the record of William Davenport is given herein from pension claim, W. 19155; his widow, Mary, who later married Edward Davis, was a pensioner of Mathews County Virginia, in 1840, presumably the one cited above.
William Davenport resided a few miles from Norfolk, Virginia, at the beginning of the Revolutionary War; the date and place of his birth, and names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Norfolk, Virginia, he enlisted in 1775, under a Lieutenant Mathews and was in a severe skirmish at the Great Bridge, and at Norfolk when it was burned; from February 1776, he was a Lieutenant and Captain in the Virginia troops, was in command of a fort on Eastern shore, was with the troops in the north, and continued as an officer until December 1779; he served subsequently until the Siege of Yorktown.
After the Revolutionary War, William Davenport went to the West to negotiate a treaty with the Indians, and was supposed to have been killed by them.  The date of his death is not shown.
William Davenport married in March 1770, in Norfolk, Virginia, Mary Hunley.  Elizabeth, their only child, was born November 27, 1771.
During the years of the war, soldier's wife, Mary, resided
Page 15

near Norfolk, Virginia, then in Smithfield, Isle of Wight County, Virginia, for about two years, afterwards lived in Williamsburgh, Virginia, "until the enemy came", when she moved to King and Queen Court House.  In the spring of 1764, she moved to Gloucester County, which was later Mathews County, Virginia.
Mary Davenport, their widow of William Davenport, married March 2, 1797, in Mathews County, Virginia, Edward Davis of said Mathews County, Virginia.  He died April 1, 1819 in Mathews County, Virginia, then in his eighty-first year.  The date of birth of said Edward David and the names of his parents are not shown.
Mary Davis, the widow of said Edward Davis, was allowed pension on account of the service of her former husband, Captain William Davenport, in the Revolutionary War on her application executed May 29, 1837; she was then aged eighty-five years and resided in Mathews County, Virginia, where she had continued to reside.
In 1837, George W. Kieran, a grand-son of Mary Davis, was a resident of Mathews County, Virginia; the names of his parents are not designated.  In 1837, one William Davis, of Norfolk Virginia, aged seventy-one years, stated that he had been acquainted with both William Davenport and his wife, Mary, but did not state any relationship to Edward Davis who married said Mary Davenport.  In May 1837, one Frances Singleton of Mathews County, Virginia, aged sixty-seven or sixty-eight years, stated that Captain William Davenport married her half-sister, Mary Hunley, and that she (Frances) went with her mother to Williamsburgh to visit them, also, that when Mary Davenport came to Mathews County, Virginia, in 1784, she lived in "my father's house"; she did not state the names of her parents.
Very truly yours,
A.D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

[Handwritten:] Note-
I made the search & located this widow- (1840) Mrs Finch said to read claim & furnish history as notes were 1835 & Miss Ford was out sick. I.L.L.
Page 16

DAVENPORT, WILLIAM
(VA.)  W-19155

D. Hopkins
to 
Wm. Davenport } Recd.
Page 17

Recd.  I William Davenport full payment for all and [illegible]
dues or demands from the begining of the World to this [illegible]
Recd. This 29th November 1792
Ferd'd Hop[illegible]
for
David H[illegible]
Page 18

June 14. 1897 – History Miss. Estelle Hudgins – Norfolk, Virginia
June 23. 1897. Letter to Miss. E. Hudgins.
1906 March 14 History to Mrs. M. A. Austin.  M.B.H.
1911 Feb. 13. to Albert E. Fay
1913 Sept. 22 History. to Mrs. B.R. Bray   ILL
Letter in W.F. 7019
1925. Jan. 15. Hist to Hon. F.N. Zihlman for War D  aus  AWF.
1935. Feb. 12. History. to Mrs. C.E. Stevenson -S.C.C.

Rev 19.155
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 19155
Mary Davis
Widow of William Davenport Capt. Rev. War
Act: July 4 1836
Index:—Vol. A, Page 171
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 19

V
Mary Davis wid of Wm. Davenport dcd.
[illegible] Gnl. Kervan [or Kewan]
July 11. 1837
Admitted
Act 4 July 1836
Page 20

DAVENPORT, WILLIAM
(VA.)  W-19155

Recpt. in full
Page 21

Recd. of Wm Davenport his Note for £6-18-07 [or O1/4] which when paid will Be in full of his Booked acct with a de Graffenriedt at Chester Court House Books & Sandy River Books   for A de Graffenriedt
May 7th 1794
Wm Hobson
Page 22

DAVENPORT, WILLIAM
(VA.) W—19155

Capt. Wm Davenport

Mr. Borum.
Page 23

[All spelling original]

Colo. Thos. Meriwether
Richmond 
Market Still  Novr 16th 1785

Dr Sir,
This will be handed you by my son he waites on you for a order for Capt Davenports land.  with this will be also handed you a letter from Mr Richard Mathews to home the Capt sold & his letter to Mr. Mathews on the mater, thou [though] I flater myself will be of sofitiant athurety [sufficient authority] for your giving the order and, I can assure you Davenport removed in Sarvis [service] on the Easterng Shore of Virginia to the time Genl. Muhlenburg certifies, as I am now the owner of the land I must observe to you it will be a rail loss to me If cannot get the warant, and should you be in any doubt of Capt Davenport haveing recorse to you for the warent I pledge any honor to you I will Indamenfy [indemnify?] you
I am Dr. Sir with much respect
Your rail friend & obdnt sarvt.
Geo. Mathews.

Winchester July 24 1783.
I do hereby certify that William Davenport entered the continental service in the Virginia Line as a Lieutenant in February 1776 & continued in the service to December 1779 when he resigned his commission having served three years upward successively as a Lieutenant. & Captain in the Virga. Line.
F. Muhlenberg  B.Q.

Augusta 17th, Novr: 1785.
Colo. Thomas Meriwether.
Sir
Sometime in August or September 1783 I delivered you a letter from a Capt William Davenport requesting that a warrant should be issued to me for the Land he was entitled to for his service in the Army.  that warrant I could not obtain for want of the necessary proofs of his services.  I have since transferred my right to Genl. Geo Mathews.  Should you not recollect the reception of the above mentd. letter, there will be handed you with this a letter from Davenport to Genl. Mulenberg which will evince the justice of my claim.
I am Sir 
Yr very Obt. srt.
Richd. Mathews.
Page 24

Executive Department
Richmond Va  May 11 1837

The foregoing are true copies of papers filed in this department.
Wm H Richardson  [illegible] Comr. [Commissioner]
Page 25

I James Thomas of the County of Mathews & State of Virginia Aged about 76 years I do here by further certify & declair that I was well acquainted with William Davinport who who was a Lieutenant. & Captain in the Virginia Continental Line in the Revolutionary War.  That Mary Davis who claims a Pension on Account of the Survises of said William Davinport was the widow of said William Davinport for I never knowed, or heard of but one William Davinport that was a Lieut & Captain in the Virginia Continental in the Revolutionary War.  And that he was the same man that Married Mary Hunley who is now Mary Davis.
Given from under my hand & seal this 14th day of August 1837.
James Thomas [seal drawn]

Virginia 
At a Quarterly Court held in the County of Mathews at the Court House thereof, on Monday the 14th day of August 1837.  James Thomas this day appeared in open Court & being first sworn made oath to the foregoing deposition.  and the Court doth certify that the said James Thomas is a man veracity
Teste  Shepard G. Miller  C.C.

I Shepard G. Miller  Clerk of the County Court of Mathews do certify that the above is the original deposition of James Thomas taken in open Court in support of the clam of Mary Davis who was Mary Davinport.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
Page 26

and affixed the seal of the said Court this 17th day of August 1837.
Shepard G. Miller  C.C.
Page 27

Free
Mathews C.S.C. Va
June 2nd

Mr. James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington City D.C.

2062
June 7.
Va
4 July '36
3c fee.
Va. Service
Page 28

Mathews County  May 31st 1837
Dear Sir
Agreeable to the Act of Congress passed July 4th 1836 and the Act Explanatory of the said act passed March 3rd 1837.  That I believe that my grand Mother is Entitled to a Pension under the said act.  I hear with send you her declaration and the Depositions of James Thomas, Frances Singleton, and also the copies of Record from Richmond showing the time he served in the said service. Pleas after an Examination you will pleas wright me.  Direct it to me at Mathews Courthous Virginia.
I Remain Yours Respectfully
George W. Kirwan
Page 29

This is to certify, That it appears from a List in this Office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia Continental Line, during the Revolutionary War, as settled their Accounts, and received Certificates for the balance of their Full Pay, according to an Act of Assembly, passed the November Session 1781, that a Certificate issued on the 6th day of November 1783, in the name of William Davenport as a Soldier of Infantry for £15.12.0, which Certificate appears to have been delivered to himself and was given for services prior to the 1st January 1782.
Given under my hand, at the Auditor's Office, Richmond, this 29th day of September 1846.
Jas. E. Heath  AUDITOR.
p 132 {No Seal of Office}
Page 30

Free

Mathews C.H. Va
August 18

Mr. James L Edwards Commissioner
Pensions Washington City
District of Columbia

Aug. 23,
Va
addl. Ev. [additional Evidence]
Mary Davis
Page 31

[All spelling original]
Mathews County Virginia  August  1837
Dear Sir  I here send the addishional Evidance in proof of Grand Mother Mary Davis who was the widow formly [formerly] of Captain William Davinport [Davenport] .
I have bin to Norfolk where she says she was married to said Davinport but can find no bond for her marriage to sd. Davinport but their is noe Dout but it was their at the time she was married. I can find out no person in Norfolk that is old enuf to know any thing of them Except William Davis, & he Don't know any thing of any church records it being so long back
I have got another Deposition from James Thomas of this county.  And I don't see whou [why] you should ask for more proof. than I have all ready Givin for their Living to gether as man and wife which is proven by three respectful witnesses could be found in any county to my belief; there fore I will submit the whole to you but I hope you will be good Enuf to Let me hear from you as soon as you examin it  but should you be engaged & think you should not have time to Examine these some you will then Let me know whether they are Record or not.  And in soe doeing you will much oblige yours Respectfully George W. Kirwan

Mr. James L Edwards 
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D. of Columbia
Page 32

James Thomas Depos
William Davis Depo:
William H Wilson Certf:
Clerk of Norfolk Virgi
Page 33

State of.
I William Davis of the Borough of Norfolk Virginia Do here by testify and declare that I was well acquainted with Captain William Davenport who married Mary Hunley as I all ways understood and that the said Davenport went out to the Western country some time after the Revolutionary War to the best of my knowledge and belief & that the said Davenport was killed whilst out their for he never returned, to the best of my knowledge  & that his widow married Edward Davis of Mathews County who has bin Dead for about 18years ago.  And I do here by certify That I have visited the said Davinport while he was liveing with his wife some time in the Revolutionary War.  And I do here by certify that Mary Davis who claims a pension for the services of said Davinport whose name is Enroled on the rolls is the same Davinport for I ever heard of but him one That was Named William That was a Captain in the revolutionary War.  That he had one child named Elizabeth Davisport who is the only heir of sd Davinport.  and Mary his wife who is Mary Davis.And I am satisfied that Mary Davis has bin a widow for 18 years at least. Giving from under my hand and seal this 29th Day of July 1837
Wm Davis [seal drawn]

Norfolk Borough  July 9. 1837.
I hereby certify that Wm Davis who signed the above this day appeared before me and acknowledged the same to be his hand and seal and made oath that the
Page 34

statements are correct & true, and I further certify that I believe the said Davis to be a man of truth.
[Seal stamped]  Given under my hand & seal of office on the day above mentioned
M. King Mozor.
Page 35

Honbl. J. L. Edwards
Comr. Pensions
Washington City

file 21.1843
Va
Mary Davis

Jno. Borum
Prest.
Page 36

Washington  21 Feby. 1843
Sir: In accordance with your letter to Mr. G. W. Kirwan of date 13 July 1837 on the application made in behalf of Mary Davis, widow and formerly wife of Capt. William Davenport, Decd. I as the attorney furnished the evidence of marriage.  I am again urged to prosecute the claim and will thank you to afford me particular information as to the matter.  And if you cannot allow the claim I may have occasion to withdraw all the papers to apply to Congress.
I am Sir
Respectfully y. ob. s.
John Borum
of Mathews Court Ho. Va.

Hon: J. L. Edwards
Comr. of Pensions

Please direct your answer to me to Washington City Post Office
Page 37

James L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Comr. Feb 4
Mary Davis
Va file '36

Mr Syl 23d Jan

[Post office stamp]
RICHMOND
FEB 1
Page 38

Richmond
Senate Chamber  Jany. 31st 1839
Dr Sir:
Your letter of the 29th has come to hand and I am at some loss to understand its contents.  I wrote to you for information in reference to the claim of Mary Davis, formerly the widow of William Davenport, for commutation
Page 39

Hon: John C. Spencer
Dep. of War

Pension
Furnish the copies.

ML5
MN.5
Page 40

Washington  25 Feby. 1843
Sir:
Some time ago as the Attorney of the heirs of Wm Davenport decd. I filed in the Office of Pensions papers containing evidence of hardship &c.  I now want official copies of some papers without which the heirs are likely to suffer loss and I find the Comr. of Pensions unwilling to furnish them.
I am therefore constrained to ask your interference to the end that I be furnished with the copies.  You will no doubt at once see that I am asking nothing but a right belonging to me as the attorney of the heirs.
Mo. respectfully
Y.Ob.S.
John Borum

Hon: John C. Spencer
Dep of War.
Page 41

V 2062
Mary Davis, wid of William Davenport decd.  Va.
Admd.as Capt 2 yrs $480 per ann. commencing 4 March 1831

Va Conl. [Continental] line

Mr Jno Borum Present
Page 42

J. L. Edwards
Comr. [Commissioiner] of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Page 43

H of Rep: Feb 7th 1846
My dear Sir
Cpt. John Barum has the management of a claim for the heirs of Cpt. William Davenport who are constituents of mine.  I will take it as a favor if you will dispatch his business as soon as possible & afford him every facility in the transaction of it which you can.  
Very respectfully
Th: H. Bayly

Colo. Edwards 
Com: of Pensions.
Page 44

Copies of the Depositions filed in the Case of the Widow of Wm. Davenport
2 depositions of James Thomas
1 do [ditto] of William Davis (one.)
1 do [ditto] of Frances Singleton
John Borum
Present.

Copies of above papers taken & handed to Capt Jno Borum Jan 2d 1847
Page 45

[Illegible]  7 July 179~  
Record of Wm Devenport [Davenport] Wm Douglas's Bond for Nine Pounds seventeen shillings & 9 d which I agree to give [illegible] Credit for.
James Chalmers

Test
Wm Hamlett [or Hamblett]
Page 46

I William H Wilson  Clerk of Norfolk County in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that I have examined the records of the said Court from the year 1768 to 1780 and cannot find any bond for the marriage of William Davenport to Mary Hunley.
Wm H Wilson  Clk.
July 28 - 1837
Page 47

[Three ink stamps:]

FIRST DEPUTY COMMISSIONER 
JUN 18 1897

OLD WAR & NAVY FILES
JUN 1897

ATTENTION
J.L. Davenport 
First Deputy Commissioner.

99 Lovitt Ave.
Norfolk Va.
Mr J.L. Davenport
Dear Sir
I wish to thank you for the information you so kindly sent.  My reason for wanting a copy of the pension was to find out the year of birth & death
Page 48

of Capt Wm Davenport (my great great grandfather)  I knew no other way to find this out except his pension as it must have the year of his death & perhaps his age which would give a clue — I am interested in genealogy, the papers I am now writing will be incomplete without the above. You having gone to so much trouble I dislike to ask you, again to let me know if the two above dates can be found on the pension — if so I will get some one to copy them.  Thanking you once more for your trouble.  Very truly,
Estelle N. Hudgins
June 17 [18]97
Page 49

[Ink stamp:]
O. [illegible]  DIV. FILES
MAR 5 1906

U.S. Commissioner of Pensions.
My dear Sir-
Please send me a record of William Davenport of Virginia, who was in the Revolutionary War, stating that his wife Mary Davenport received a pension.  Thanking you in advance and hoping that you will give
Page 50

this your immediate attention.  I am very respectfully-
Mrs M. A. Austin.
Pine Bluff.
Ark.

[Ink stamp:]
U.S. PENSION OFFICE.
MAR 3 1906
Page 51

[Letterhead:]
SOUTHGATE & SOUTHGATE,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW,
COUNSEL IN PATENT CAUSES.
BURNSIDE BUILDING, 339 MAIN STREET
TELEPHONE 1980.
CABLE: SOUTHGATE, WORCESTER.
NEW YORK, N.Y., OFFICE
32 LIBERTY STREET.
TELEPHONE 5507 JOHN.
WASHINGTON, D. C., OFFICE,
McGILL BUILDING,
908 G STREET, N. W.
LOUIS W. SOUTHGATE,
ALBERT E. FAY.

WORCESTER, MASS., Feb 7. 1911.
Hon. J.L. Davenport.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
On account of your name I am taking the liberty to send the enclosed letter to you.  My wife's mother was of this Davenport family of Mount Holly, N.C.
Thanking you for your attention and for past courtesies
I am very respectfully
Albert E. Fay.
Page 52

[Letterhead:]
SOUTHGATE & SOUTHGATE,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW,
COUNSEL IN PATENT CAUSES.
BURNSIDE BUILDING, 339 MAIN STREET
TELEPHONE 1980.
CABLE: SOUTHGATE, WORCESTER.
[Crossed out: NEW YORK, N.Y., OFFICE
32 LIBERTY STREET.
TELEPHONE 5507 JOHN.]
[Crossed out: WASHINGTON, D. C., OFFICE,
McGILL BUILDING,
908 G STREET, N. W.]
LOUIS W. SOUTHGATE,
ALBERT E. FAY.

WORCESTER, MASS., Feb. 7, 1911.
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions
Sir:-
I would thank you to kindly furnish me with such information as your office records disclose of the Revolutionary record of William Davenport of Virginia (probably Louisa Court House).  I understand that he or his wife Mary applied for a pension.
Thanking you for your attention
I am very respectfully
Albert E. Fay.
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[Letterhead:]
SIXTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS
FREDERICK N. ZIHLMAN, MD., CHAIRMAN
JOS. D. BECK, WIS
MAE E. NOLAN, CALIF.
E. HART FENN, CONN.
WM. F. KOPP, IOWA
JOE J. MANLOVE, MO.
GEO. A. WELSH, PA.
VICTOR L. BERGER, WIS.
WM. D. UPSHAW, GA.
FRANK J. MCNULTY, N.J.
WM. P. CONNERY, JR., MASS.
J. EARL MAJOR, ILL.
MEYER JACOBSTEIN, N.Y.
LUTHER A. JOHNSON, TEX.
House of Representatives U. S.
Committee on Labor
Washington, D. C. 

[Ink stamp:]
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER
JAN 15 1925
U. S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS

January 14, 1925.
Hon. Washington Gardner,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
My dear Mr. Gardner:
I am enclosing herewith a memorandum I have received from a constituent of mine, Mr. Wm. Claus of Cumberland, Maryland, concerning certain information he would like to receive.
The War Department has furnished me with what data they have and suggested that you might be able to give me some additional information in the connection.
With kind regards, and thanking you for your courtesy in this matter, I beg to remain
Very sincerely yours,
F.N. Zihlman

G
P
O
Page 54

Kansas City Mo 
Office, Bureau of Pensions Washington D.C. 
In a volume, "Census of Pensioners," taken, I think, in 1840, the sixth census, there is listed in Mathews County, Virginia, one Mary Davis age 86 years, residing with Mary Davis.
If it is possible I would greatly appreciate having the record of the above named pensioner, Mary Davis - My great, great, grand mother was Mary Davis of Mathews County, Va. whose husband was a soldier of Revolution.
Very truly yours, 
Blanche Marchant Stevenson
(Mrs. C. E. Stevenson)
804 W 48th St.

[Margin note next to the first Mary Davis:]
OK  Look on AB. under Va & Widows
Acts of '36 & '38
first for Thos
Page 55

Rev. War Section.
September 22, 1913.
Mrs. B. R. Bray, Norwood, Warren County, Ga.
339 Main Street, Worcester, Mass.
Sir:  In response to your letter dated the 7" and received the 8" instant, you are advised that in the papers in claim, Wid. File No. 19,155, it is alleged that William Davenport enlisted at Norfolk, Virginia, in 1775, in the Continental Line as a Lieutenant under one Mathews who was afterwards taken prisoner; he was in a skirmish at the Great Bridge; at the burning of Norfolk; he was a Captain and was sent to command a Fort on the Eastern Shore under one Parker or Smith; he went to the North; captured a large English schooner on York river, and continued in the service until the Siege of Yorktown.
After the Revolution, he was appointed to negotiate a treaty with the Indians by whom he was supposed to have been killed- the date of his death is not shown.
He married at Norfolk, Virginia, in March, 1770, Mary Hunley, and their only child Elisabeth, was born November 27, 1771.
They resided at Norfolk, Smithfield, Williamsburg, King and Queen Court House, and in Kingston Parish, Gloucester County, where Mary Davenport
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February, 13, 1911.
Mr. Albert E. Fay,
Burnside Building,
339 Main Street,
Worcester, Mass.
Sir:
In response to your letter dated the 7" and received the 8" instant, you are advised that in the papers in claim, Wid. File No. 19,155, it is alleged that William Davenport enlisted at Norfolk, Virginia, in 1775, in the Continental Line as a Lieutenant under one Mathews who was afterwards taken prisoner; he was in a skirmish at the Great Bridge; at the burning of Norfolk; he was a Captain and was sent to command a Fort on the Eastern Shore under one Parker or Smith; he went to the North; captured a large English schooner on York river, and continued in the service until the Siege of Yorktown.
After the Revolution, he was appointed to negotiate a treaty with the Indians by whom he was supposed to have been killed- the date of his death is not shown.
He married at Norfolk, Virginia, in March, 1770, Mary Hunley, and their only child Elisabeth, was born November 27, 1771.
They resided at Norfolk, Smithfield, Williamsburg, King and Queen Court House, and in Kingston Parish, Gloucester County, where Mary Davenport
Page 57

Wid. File No. 19,155--a

married March 3, 1797, Edward Davis who died April 1, 1819, in his eighty-first year.
She was allowed pension as the former widow of William Davenport on her application executed May 29, 1837, while eighty-five years of age and a resident of Mathew's County, Virginia.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
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AWS
Rev. and 1812 War Section.
January 16, 1925.
Honorable Frederick N. Zihlman,
House of Representatives.
My dear Mr. Zihlman;
In response to your letter of the fourteenth instant, with enclosure * from Mr. Willaim Claus of Cumberland, Maryland, I have the honor to advise you that this Bureau is unable to furnish the history of a soldier of the Revolution, unless a claim for pension or bounty land has been made on account of his services, and a careful search of the records fails to show such a claim on file an account of the services of any George Blackwell, Samuel Blackwell, Robert Stith, or any one named Stith of Northumberland County, Virginia.
You are herewith furnished the history of the only William Davenport found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau, who lived in Eastern Virginia and died as early as 1786.
From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W 19155, it appears that William Davenport 

[*]  Returned to Mr Zihlman with this letter
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enlisted at Norfolk, Virginia in 1775 and was a Lieutenant and Captain in the Virginia Troops, was at the battle of Great Bridge and the burning of Norfolk and served until the siege of Yorktown.
After the Revolution, he went to the West to negotiate a treaty with the Indians, by whom he was supposed to have been killed, date of death not shown.
He married at Norfolk, Virginia in March 1770, Mary Hunley, their only child Elizabeth was born November 27, 1771.
Mary Davenport married March 2, 1797, Edward Davis, who died April 1, 1819, and she was allowed pension on account of the services of William Davenport, on her application executed May 29, 1837, while a resident of Matthews County, Virginia, aged eighty-five years.
Very truly yours,
Acting Commissioner.

[Note:]
Grandson of widow- Geo. E. Kernan, not noted as relationship to soldier is not stated.