Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2738, Joseph Davis, Continental Va.
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Continental
Va.
Born in Md.

Davis, Joseph

NUMBER
R. 2738

CONTENTS
Born in Ind.
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J.J.

Joseph Davis

Declaration
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State of Virginia}
Harrison County}      on the  __ day of December 1832
Personally appeared before the court of Harrison County now sitting Joseph Davis a resident of Harrison County and State of Virginia aged 65 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 7th 1832- That he resided in the County of Fauquire and State of Virginia, that in the month of February, about the 15 the day in the year 1781. That he entered the service of the United States, as a substitue for William Pepper and was attached to a company commanded by a Captain Jennings and Marched to Fredericksburg was transfered to a Company under the command of Captain John Willis and attached to Col Toll's Ridgement. Soon after a requisition was made for volunteers to assist Lieutenant Skinner in conveying a number of horses to Col. H. Lee then in South Carolina, that declarent did engage in said service as a volunteer, that he went on with said Lieut Skinner to ninty-six in South Carolina and ther joined the Continental Army Commanded by General Green, that he declared that being young was employed by Col Lee as waiter, Continued in said the service until about the 25th of September in ^the^ year above stated, was near the Battle at Utawl  Spring, but not engaged in it, that he then being sick with the ague and fever, was permitted to go to his uncle in North Carolina till he should recover and after remaining there until the last of October that he proceeded on to Virginia and arrived home about the 15th of December 1781. That he had ^a^ written discharge, Signed by Col Henry Lee. but has been lost or mislaid
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That he was born in the County of Dorchester in the State of Maryland, in the year of Our Lord 1767 on the 24th day of October as he has been informed,
having no record of his age - that he was a private in the army when the above services were rendered that since the Revolutionary war he removed from Fauquire County to Loudon  County from thence to Rockingham
County Virginia from thence to Monongalia County thence to Harrison County, where he is now living- That he has no documentary evidence by which to confirm the above service, and knows of no living witness by whom he can prove the above service. That he begs leave to refer to Thomas Knotts, Jese Martin & Jese Nixon living in the said County of Harrison who can testify as to his Character. 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 any State. Sworn to and subscribed.
   Joseph Davis
We, Hamilton Goss }
and Demcy Carroll   }     of the County of Harrison a Clergyman residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Davis who
has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 65 years of age- that he is reputed and
believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed this 26 day of January
Jacob Coplin JP 
Hamilton Goss
D. P. Carroll
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations
proscribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, as he states. 

I David Davisson Clerk of the Court of Harrison County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the orriginal proceeding of the said ^Court^ in the matter
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matter of the application of Joseph Davis for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 26th day of January 1833
D. Davisson C.H.C.
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W. Davis--
this man called on Nathan Goff
left this paper. it is in his
own hand writing - I am
informed that his claim has
been rejected-
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I was born in the State Maryland, in Dorchester County
in year of Our Lord 1767. In the year 1780. my father being
dead, my Mother removed to Virginia, in Fauquire County.
In all of that year there was a draught for 18 months, and
it fell to the lot of William Pepper to go into that service
and not being willing to leave home, he hired me to take
^his place.^ I think that on ^the^ 17th day of February 1781 these men
were called upon to rendesvous at Fauquier Courthouse
I then, and there appeared before Colonel H. Brook and was
received by him in the place of Wm Pepper; the same
day took up the line of march for Fredericksburg under
Capt. G. Jennings, who took us to Fredericksburg, and delivered 
us to Colonel Tole a Continental Officer, who was there
waiting the arrival of those draughts. I was there enrolled
in Capt John Willis's Company but before the Ridgment was
filled I was transfered to Col. H. Lees Corps of light horse
then in South Carolina whereas Lieutenant Skinner stoped
at Fredericksburg, from Philadelphia having in charge
Several of Lee's horses and three of ^his^ Dragoons having more
horses than they could manage well; he applied to Col
Tole for assistance; myself and one more (James Bland),
were sent with Lieut Skinner with our own consents
we went on as fast as we could passed Gui[l]ford Courthouse
N.C. 15 days after the Battle at that place, proceeded
to a place called Ninty-six, there we joined General
Green's army which besieged the British army under 
Lord Rowdon at that place. I then was placed in Col
Lee Corps and attached to the second troop Commanded
by Capt Rowdolph; The British were reinforced and
and Gen Green Raised the siege. I continued in the army
untill after the Battle at Utaw Springs 18 miles from
Charleston S.C. I then was taken sick was not able to
march with ^the^ Corps, but followed when I recovered.
came up with them ^at^ Petersburg Virginia.
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This was in November 1781. Lord Cornwallis had then
surredered his army to Genl Washington, I then
applied to Colonel Lee to let me go home to which he
agreed; he then gave me a discharge and ^I^ got home
about the middle of December in said year 1781
and thus my military Career ended in ^the^ Revolutionary war in ^the^ 15th year of my age.
Joseph Davis
================================
This man appears to be an hones man
says he wrote his own declaration
Col'o Joseph Johnson was his agent
he dose not know of any person by
by whom he can prove his services
=That the above is a correct statement
of his services- that he proved his 
[illegible] by John Reynolds Esquire and
D. P. Carrel == and by J. H. Goss Clergyman

Nathan Goff
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April 1, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Joseph Davis, R. 2738
BA - J/MCS

Gertrude Smith
Clarksburg, Box 125
West Virginia

Dear Madam:  

Reference is made to your request for information relative to Joseph Davis, a Revolutionary soldier who applied for pension from Harrison County, Virginia.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, R. 2738, based upon the military service of Joseph Davis.

He was born October 24, 1767, in Dorchester County, Maryland. He stated that in 1780, his father being dead, he moved with his
mother to Fauquier County, Virginia, names of his parents not given.

After the Revolution he moved from Fauquier County, to Loudoun County, from there to Rockingham County, from there to Monongalia
County and from there to Harrison County, Virginia.

While a resident of Harrison County, Virginia, he applied for pension on January 26, 1833, and alleged that he enlisted about February
15, 1781, served as private in Captain G. Jennings' Virginia company, was transferred to Captain John Willis' company in Colonel Towles' Virginia regiment, was next detached to assist Lieutenant Skinner in conveying horses to Ninety-Six, South Carolina, and there he joined the Continental Army serving under Captain Rowdolph ( probably meant for Randolph) and Colonel Henry Lee; being quite young he served as waiter to Colonel Henry Lee and was discharged by him in November or December, 1781.

His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of the alleged service in accordance with the requirement of the pension law.
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Joseph Davis referred to an uncle who lived in North Carolina during the Revolution but he did not give his name. In 1853 reference was made to the heirs of Joseph Davis, no names given. There are no further data relative to the family of this soldier.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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Act of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873. [crossed out]
REJECTED

2738

P. O.
Joseph Davis

Service: Printer List of 1852 Rejected
& Suspended Claims shows cause
of rejection

Discharged: "services as a waiter"
 [all other fields blank]
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1935 Apr. 1. hist to Gertrude Smith  M.C.S.
1935. Apr. 30. Gertrude Smith informed date
of marriage, etc. not on record   M.C.S.
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33379
Joseph Davis
Virginia

Rejected see let:
of the 18th Feby 1833
to the Hon. J. Johnson
Hon. J. J. Allen Dec. 24 '34
"    J. Johnson. Jan'y   HJM
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[black document]
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Hon. J. Johnson
Feb. 18, 1833
0C

Recorded Vol. 8
Page 313.
.
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Hon. J. Johnson
H. R.

H. J. Johmson
Feb. 18, 1833
oc
Page 17


War Department
Pension Office
Feb 18, 1833

Sir
The declaration of Joseph Davis has been examined. He claims for services performed from the middle of Feb 1781 to the 20 Sep of that year. It would appear
^(from his declaration)^ that he was only thirteen years of age at the time he entered the service and that
^soon after entering the^ service he engaged as a volunteer to take charge with others of some horses to be conducted from Virg'a to Col Lee then in S. Carolina, and that after he arrived there he acted as waiter to Col. Lee. Were this claim not objectionable
on account of the age of the applicant the service
performed by him would not entitle him to a pension under the act of June 7, 1832. His claim his accordingly been rejected and his declaration filed with other rejected cases in the office agreeably to the regulations of the Dept.

The claim of James ^pprs of 1818 application ret. to applicant^
which account, for there being no reference
in [???] Jas Fleming R.3605 to Letter Feb. 18, 1833

Hon. J. Johnson
H. R. 
of Va.
Page 18

Fleming Senr has been again examined. Unless he can shew at what time he went into actual service after he received his commission, and the time at which he returned to Maryland from N. Jersey his claim cannot be allowed. His claim for services as a Lt. previous to his having been commissioned is allowed. His papers are herewith returned and also his commission.

The claim of Wm Ford ^S.8506^ & Wm Martin ^S.5736^ have been allowed, Enclosed a certificate for them.

Charles Shaw's ^See Chas Shaw S.7484^ papers are returned with a brief. The objections to are contained in the negative answers in red ink given to the questions.
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D H Wood
Nov 26 /53
Page 20

389

Pension Office
Nov 26 1853

Sir
Agreably to your request I have examined the Rolls of Lee's Legion, but do not find the name of Joseph Davis in any capacity nor do I find the name of William Pepper.


D. H. Wood Esq.
Present
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April 2. 1853
Rel: to case of
Joseph Davis
D
Va.

Rejected under Act
7th June 1832
-Mayo-

F. A. Dickins
Present
Page 22

Washington
31 March 1853

Sir
On examination of the papers of Joseph Davis a rejected application for a Pension under the Act of June 1832 from Virginia, I find that he represents that a part of the services are in Lees Legion. And now as there are some records of that corps on file in the Pension Office I have to ask that the claim be reexamined and these records referred to-

Yours very respectfully
Francis A. Dickins

To the
Commissioner of
Pensions
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Jos. Johnson
Jany 12 '38
OC

Rec. Vol. 40 pa. 391
Page 24

Depart of War
Pension Off
Jan'y 21 1836
Sir
Joseph Davis alleges that at the age of 13 or 14 he volunteered and took the place of a man who had been drafted for 18 mos. --  that he rendezvoused at Fredericksburg Va. -- [??] 1781, that soon after he was detached to go to the south with horses for Col. Lee --  that he remained in So. C. in service under Col Lee until ^20th^ Sept. the same year when having been taken sick he was permitted to leave the army and that he proceeded to Va. in. Oct.  -- In support of this allegation, Davis has produced no proof neither do the rolls in this office furnish any. His time could not have exceeded 7 mo months [sic] , and why he should have been discharged after he had recovered from his illness is not known, and that he should have been is a matter of some surprise. The claim cannot be admitted without some proof other than his own oath I return herewith his letter and have the honor be...
Hon. J. J. Johnson
Ho. Rep.
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Nov. 22, 1853.
Requesting re-examination in case
of Joseph Davis, Va.
Rexam.
[initials]

Revolution'y

D. H.
Wood,
Present.
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Washington D.C.
Nov. 21. 1853

To the
Com of Pensions

Sir:-
I respectfully request that the rolls of Lee's Legion be examined to know if Joseph Davis is reported as the substitute of William Pepper.

Some months since I filed a letter thro' Mr. Francis A. Dickens, from Davis' heirs authorizing me to examine into
this case but I do not find it with the papers. 

Yours Truly,
D. H. Wood
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[text crossed out: John Melson , W. Jefferson, Madis- County, Ohio.]
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Hon J. J. Allen
House of Rep's
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War Department
Pension Office
December 24 1826

Sir:

Upon a reexamination of the papers in the case of Joseph Davis, I find that he alleged that on the 15 of Feby. 1781, he then about 14 years of age, he "entered the service of the United States as a substitute for William Pepper and was attached to a company commanded by Capt Jennings and marched to Fredericksburg Virginia, was transferred to a company under command of Capt Willis."

"Soon after this "he says "a requisition was made for volunteers to assist Lieut Skinner in conveying a number of horses to Col Lee, then in So Carolina, that the declarant did engage in said service as a volunteer, that he went on with said Lieut Skinner to ninety six, and then joined the Continental Army and was employed  by Col Lee as a waiter and continued in said service until the 20 of September 1781."

There are strong objections to the admission of this claim besides that of the declarants age at the time. It appears that after the expiration of his term of service as substitute he volunteered as above stated to assist in taking the horses to Carolina - that he there joined the army in the capacity of a waiter. The whole service here claimed amounts to 7 months and 5 days, allowing it to have been continuous, but no part of it can be service in the character of Military service, except the first named tour, which might have been two or three months.
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The claim was therefore properly rejected, although the whole grounds of its rejection were not at that time fully stated. I return herewith Mr. Davis' letter.

I have the honor to be
   Your Ob Servant
   J L Edwards
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Hon. J. J. Allen
Dec 24 1834
O.C.

[bottom cut off]
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Hon.
  J.J. Allen
     H.R.
Page 33

Department of War
 P. O.
  December 24 1834

Sir:

Upon a re-examination of the papers in the case of Jos. Davis I find that he alleges that on the 15th of Feb'y 1781 he then about 14 years of age, he "entered the service of the United States as a substitute for Wm Pepper and was attached to a company commanded by Capt. Jennings and marched to Fredericksburg Va. -- was transferred to
a company under command of Capt. Willis. " 

"Soon after this, "he says "a requisition was made for volunteers to assist Lieut Skinner in conveying a number of horses to Col. Lee then in S.C. that the declarant did engage in said service as a volunteer, that he went on with said Lieut Skinner to Ninety six, and then joined the Continental army & was employed by Col Lee as a waiter and continued in said
service until the 20th of Sept [1]781."

There are strong objections to the admission of the claim, besides that of declarants age at the time. It appears that after the expiration of his term of service as a substitute
he volunteered as above stated to assist in taking the horses to S.C. --that he then joined the army in the capacity of a waiter. The whole tour has
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claimed amts. to 7 mos. & 5 days ^allowing it to have been continuous^ but no part of it can be viewed in the character of military service except the first named tour, what might have been two to three months.

The claim was therefore properly rejected, although the whole grounds of its rejection were not at that time fully
stated. 

I return herewith Mr. Davis' letter.

[??]
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{Date Stamp: Received Dec. 10 1934 [illegible] DIV. READER 6 VETS. ARM}

Box 125,
Clarksburg,
W. Va.
December 8, 1934.

Hon. A. D. Hiller,
Assistant to Administrator,
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

I note in the list of Revolutionary Soldiers
who made application for pensions under Act of June 7,
1832, and were refused, is one Joseph Davis, Harrison
County, Virginia, who made application for pension for
Services as a waiter.

Would you please advise if in this application,
he stated where he was born, the name of his parents and
name of wife, or any other information concerning his
family.

Also, how long he served in War, where he
served, under whom, and any other information concerning
his services that he may have given in this
application.

Thanking you, I am
Respectfully yours,
Gertrude Smith
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{Receipt stamp:  Received Apr 24 1935 MAIL SUB. DIV. VETS ADM. 75 READER [?]}

Box 125,
Clarksburg, W. Va.
April 23, 1935.

Hon. A. D. Hiller,
Executive Assistant to the Administrator,
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D. C.

Re: Joseph Davis R. 2738
BA-J/MCS

Dear Sir:

Would you please refer to this file
and advise if this Joseph R. Davis was married, whom he married and date of marriage?

Yours very truly,
Gertrude Smith
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April 30, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Joseph Davis, R. 2738
BA-J/MCS

Gertrude Smith
Clarksburg, Box 125
West Virginia

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter of April 23, 1935, requesting information in regard to the marriage of Joseph Davis, R. 2738. 

The papers on file in pension claim, R. 2738, based upon the military service of Joseph Davis, do not give any information in regard to the marriage of this soldier.

Said papers give no family data other than that contained in letter sent you April 1, 1935.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator