Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2,160, William Davis, Va.
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Service                                              Number
Va.                Davis, William            S. 2.160
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1310  
Ohio
William Davis
of Butler in the State of Ohio
who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Washington of the Regt commanded by Col. Morgans in the Virginia line for 2 years from 1777-
Continental and Va. 
Records completed. Dec. 19/04.
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio- - - - 
at the rate of 80- Dollars - - Cents per Am
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of Nov. 1832. - - - and sent to J. Woods
Hamilton. O.
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832.                   120.-
Semi=anl.allowance ending [Illegible]      40-
March 1833.                                            $160.- 
         3
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk, 
Book D Vol. 10 Page 56.
Lets. to ["P. Agt. & E. Woodruff June 14 1839." crossed out]
Death no on A. B.
ILL
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William David
Ohio
No 2356.
Look on Va Roll and for paper on file
See Register for his name
for 1777, 2 years,
Private $80.
["Hon" crossed out] J. Wools
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Brief in the case of William Davis
of Butler County in the State of Ohio
(Act 7 June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he? 80 years
State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period Enlisted 1 June In 1177.
Years 2 
Time not illegible 3 months

Rank.
As a Private

Names of General and  Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen.  
Col Morgan's Regiment
Capt William Washington
Virginia Continental Line
2 words illegible

5. In what battles was he engaged?  Germantown
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Stafford County Virginia
7. Is his statement support by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Traditionary 
            On Roll.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct

Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
C Sitte   Examining Clerk.
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2356

William Davis
A Revolutionary Soldier
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The State of Ohio Butler County
Court of Common Pleas
July Term 1832  Ss

On this first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before the Honorable the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County of Butler in the State of Ohio William Davis a resident of the County of Butler aforesaid 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 seventh eighteen hundred and thirty two.
That about the first of June seventeen hundred and seventy seven in Stafford County Virginia he enlisted for two years in the company commanded by Captain William Washington who was attached to Colonel Mercer's regiment of the Virginia line on the continental establishment.  deponent marched under Col. Mercer to Sandy point;  thence to Philadelphia and then to Germantown.  he was in the battle of Germantown and fought in the division commanded by General Stephen    after the battle the army retreated and encamped on Shippack creek about twenty miles from Germantown deponent continued in the service until the full end of the term for which he had enlisted, he was honorably discharged at Valley Forge in the state of Pennsylvania.  his discharge which has long been lost was signed by Quarter Master Johnston.  deponent has forgotten the names of some of the officers under whom he served
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After deponent left the regular service he served three months in Virginia in the militia of that state  He has applied twice for a pension but has never received one.  his papers were sent to Washington City and he believes they are on file in the office of the Secretary of war.  deponent knows of no living witness by whom he can prove his service, but he is known to Squire Little Michael Pearce Stephen Guard and others residents of the county of butler by whom he can as he believes prove that he sustains a good character for truth and veracity and that he is reputed and believed to have been a soldier of the revolution.  he has no written record of his age but states that he was born in Stafford County Virginia he believes in the year seventy hundred and fifty two and he believes that he is now eighty years of age.  he has lived in Butler County Ohio between twenty five & thirty years.  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 the agency of any state
William Davis  x his mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
John Reily Clerk

We Squeir Littell post master of Newton Ohio & Michael Pierce residents of the County of Butler in the state of Ohio do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Davis and have known him for about 20 years  that he is reputed and believed in his neighborhood to have been a soldier of the revolu
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tion, and that he sustains a good character for truth and veracity and that his statement we believe him to be eighty years of age is entitled to full credit and we concur in the opinion that he was a soldier in the War of Revolution.
Squier Lettell
Michael Pearce
Affirmed sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open court
John Reily Clerk

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter , and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.  and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Squier Littell and Michael Pearce are residents in the said county of Butler, and are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
I John Reily Clerk of the court of Common pleas of the county of Butler aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of William Davis for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at Hamilton this fourth day of August One thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
John Reily
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December 30, 1933.

BA-J/ILL  OM
William Davis
S. 2160

Vinnie P. Davis
111 Oakwood Avenue, Oakwood
Dayton, Ohio.

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to William and Hugh Davis, soldiers from Stafford County, Virginia, in the Revolutionary War, who moved to Butler County, Ohio.
A search of the Revolutionary war records of this office has been made in your behalf and no record found of a claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon the service of Hugh Davis as described by you.  The record of William Davis has been found and is furnished herein as shown in the papers on file in his claim for pension, S. 2160, based upon his service in that war.
William Davis was born in the year 1752, in Stafford County, Virginia, the day of his birth and names of his parents are not shown.
He enlisted in Stafford County, Virginia, as a private in Captain William Washington's company, Colonel Mercer's Virginia regiment, marched to Philadelphia, was in the battle of Germantown and was discharged at Valley Forge, having served two years.  He served subsequently three months in the Virginia militia, officers names not shown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 1, 1832, at which time he resided in Butler County, Ohio;  he had resided in that county then between twenty-five and thirty years.  There is no reference to wife of children of this pensioner.
Very truly yours,
A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator.

date of enl. omitted as Col. Mercer was dec. in 1777 & Wm Wash. was maj.-
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Davis which require further proof or explanation.
I.  Does the declaratioon shew where the applicant resides?  Yes
II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  Yes
III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?  Yes
V.  *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?  Yes
VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  Yes
VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?  Yes
VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?  Yes
IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?  Yes
X.  Is the Clerk's seal affixed?  And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?  Yes
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2
XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  no Clergyman
XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  no
XIII.  If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV.  †If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI.  ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  Yes
XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  Yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: 
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less that the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:  For ______ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a __________ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a __________ ; and for such service I claim a pension."
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3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
†QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
‡QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
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Edwd  Woodruff
June 14, 1839
G.C.


Record  V 48 page 319
Page 14

War Dept
Pension Office,
June 14, 1839.

Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 8th Inst. I have to inform you that the pension agent has been instructed to pay the pension of William Davis of Butler County on the production of the usual vouchers.


Edwd. Woodruff, Esq.
Cincinnati
Ohio
Page 15

Commercial Bank of Cincinnati
Pension Agency June 8th 1839

Sir,
Application has been made at this Office for the payment of the pension of Eliza Malott claiming to be a pensioner under the Act of 7th July 1838 as the widow of John Malott decd.
We have no pensioner of that name on our Roll  will you be pleased to inform us whether we shall inscribe her name thereon, and the amount, and time said payment shall commence?
Application has also been made for payment of a pension to Wm Davis a pensioner under the act of 7th June 1832.  We have two pensioners of that name on our Roll;  against the name of one is written "Not to be paid, by order of the Commissioner of Pensions" and there is some doubt as to which of them we should pay the amount of pension being the same in each Case.  One of them resides in Butler County and no place of residence is indicated as regards the other.
Will you be pleased to direct as to what we shall do in this case?
Respectfully [illegible]
JF Armstrong
Pension agent

To J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 16

[STAMP]
Cincinnati
June 2

Free

J.L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City.
D.C.

June 14
Attn to [illegible]
Wm Davis
Ohio roll
1 Nov 32.
Page 17

Cincinnati June 8th 1839.
J.L. Edwards, Esq. Comr. of Pensions

Dr Sir-
On presenting a power of atty from William Davis, to whom a pension was granted as per certificate of 1st Nov. 1832, to commence from 4 March 1831 for the purpose of drawing his pension from the Commercial Bank of Cincinnati, for the half year from 4 Sep 1838. to 4 March 1839 we were told that "there were two Wm Davis' on the roll, against the name of one is written "not to be paid" by order of Comr. of pensions" - and that they were at a lost to know to which one, the order applied.
They could not paid it they said, until advice from you was obtained.  I feel confident that the order cannot apply to the Wm Davis, on whose behalf I write you - as he has drawn his pension regularly from March 1831 - & payment was never before refused.  He has lived upwards of 30 years in Butler County, Ohio, adjoining Hamilton County.  The Bank could not tell me where the other Wm Davis lived, but said that he had never drawn his pension.  These circumstances, together with the annexed affidavit of William Law, with whom i have long been favourably
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acquainted, I presume will induce you to direct the Bank, to continue the payment of his pension designating him, if you please, as Wm Davis of Butler County, Ohio;
He is a very aged man, and stands greatly in need of his pension money.
You can, if you please, direct your instructions to me, to be placed in the hands of your pension agents here or write to me direct.  Hoping that this will meet with your early attention.
I am
Your Obt Servt
Edward Woodruff
Page 19

State of Ohio
Hamilton County
City of Cincinnati  Ss

Before me the undersigned Justice of the peace within and for said County personally appeared William Law of lawful age and being duly sworn deposeth & saith that he is well acquainted with William David, of Butler County, Ohio - to whom a pension has been granted by virtue of the law of the United States of 7 June 1832.  that said Davis has resided in Butler County for upwards of thirty years, and is a man every way worth of confidence and credit.  That he has drawn his pension regularly since the 4th of March 1831 - semiannually according to certificate of 1st Nov. 1832 - as appears thereby.  That this affiant has heretofore, but power of attorney, drawn said Davis' pension without any refusel, or obstacle thereto and he knows of no cause why the same should be suspended.  He believes said Davis to be entitled thereto, as a Revolutionary soldier.
William Law
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 7 June 1839
J.H. Getzendanner
Justice of the peace
Page 20

In reply to your request of ________________, received ____________________ for a statement of the military history of William Davis a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [("or his widow's" crossed out)] application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S. File 2,160
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
LENGTH OF SERVICE. 
RANK.
+ ["June 1 1777" crossed out]  2 years  3 mos. No rank listed.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
William Washington
COLONEL.
Mercer
STATE
Va.
Battles engaged in, Oct. 4, 1777 Germantown
Residence of soldier at enlistment, ✓ Enl. in Stafford Co., Va.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 1, 1832.  Alld.
Residence at date of application, Butler Co., Ohio.
Age at date of application, born in 1752 in Stafford Co., Va.
Remarks:
+Washington was Maj. Contl Drg in 1777 & Col Mercer died Jan. 12. 1777 of wds. at Princeton-
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mercer, Col 3 1776
27225b3ml-07
Page 21

Rev. War.
April 16, 1912,
Mrs. Rebecca H. Eib,
R. D. #1,
Rensselaer, Ind.
Madam:
In reply to your letter date the 9" and received the 11" instant, you are advised that the papers in the pension claim of William Davis, Sur. File # 2,160, Rev. War, fail to show the name of his wife, the date of termination of his pension, or any other service than that furnished you under date of January 27, 1912.
For the date of the last payment of his pension, and to whom paid, you should apply to the Auditor for the Interior Department, U. S. Treasury Department, giving him all of the following data: "William Davis, Cert. 1310, issued November 1, 1832, under the Act of June 7, 1832, at the Ohio Agency."
Very respectfully, 
J.L. Davenport,
Commissioner.
Page 22

VINNIE P. DAVIS
111 OAKWOOD AVENUE
OAKWOOD, DAYTON, OHIO
Dec. 4, 1933
[clockface stamp upper right]
RECEIVED DEC 5 1933 [illegible]
Mr. A. D. Hiller,
Veterans Administration
Washington D.C.
My dear Mr. Hillar:
If there is no charge would you give me the names of wife and children of William Davis, who enlisted as a private in the Revolutionary War in 1777 from Stafford County, Virginia and who applied for a pension from Butler County Ohio in 1832 at the age of 80?
Also, have not as you any information about Hugh Davis from Stafford County,
Page 23

VINNIE P. DAVIS
111 OAKWOOD AVENUE
OAKWOOD, DAYTON, OHIO
Virginia from where he enlisted, although he moved to Butler County, also.
Any names or dates would be appreciated.
Thanking you, I remain
Vinnie Davis

[clockface stamp]
RECEIVED
DEC 5 [illegible]
Page 24

1
Rensselaer, Ind Apr. 9 - 1912.
J. L. Davenport, Com. of Pensions: -
Dear Sir: -
We are making application for membership in the D.A.R. through our ancestor Wm Davis, whose record we have rec'd from your office as follows, but is not as complete as they require. There are three additional questions to what we now have. If you can answer any or all of them we will feel very grateful to you.
1. Do the records show more time in service and other engagements than the ones mentioned below?
2. Was his wife's name mentioned at date of application for pension in 1832?
3. At what date did his pension cease
Page 25

2
to be allowed in Butler Co. [caret] Ohio
The latter of course the records will show.
Record as we have rec'd.
William Davis Rev. War record.
Born in Stafford Co Va. in 1752.
First Enlistment 2 yrs. {Captain William Washington
2nd " 3 mo. {Colonel Mercer. Officers
Engaged in battle at Germantown.
Date of application for pension Aug 1, 1832
Res. at date of application - Butler Co. Ohio.
claim allowed.
Sur. File 2,160.
If you could send me as much of this information as you have within ten days it would be a great favor.
Resp'ly
Mrs Rebecca H. Eib.
Rensselaer,
Ind.
R.R.#1.

[stamp]
PENSION
APR
U. 11 S.
1912
OFFICE
Page 26

Joliet, Ill., March 14, 1912
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir, -
William Davis S.2160 served in the Revolutionary War from Stafford Co., Va. He received a pension in Butler Co., Ohio, about 1830. Can you give me a record of his service, also any family data.
Thomas Davis served in the Revolutionary War from Stafford Co., Va. Did he receive a pension? His wife's family name was Breedwell. Can you give me a record of his service, also any family data?
Some time ago you kindly sent me the 1812 War record of John Davis Sur. lotf. 1585. I would say he married his cousin Heathy or Hettie Davis daughter of the above William Davis. I thought this might be of use to you.
Thanking you kindly for favor, I am
Very respectfully yours,
(Mrs.) Mary B. Higgins,
336 Fifth Ave., 
Joliet, Illinois.
Page 27

Rensselaer, Ind. Jan 14-1912.
Hon. J. L. Davenport: -
Sir: - Have rec'd your letter in reply to my inquiry concerning certain soldiers who served in Rev. War, and whose record I am searching in order to prove my eligibility to become a member of the D.A.R.
I am unable to give the names of officers under whom they served, but such other data as I have at present I will give and trust you can from that find the records I so much desire.
Aaron Hougham (sometimes misspelled Hoffman or Huffam) enlisted from Maryland in Rev. War. After discharge lived in Maryland for a time, moved to Kentucky between 1790-1795, moved to Butler Co Ohio
over
Page 28

about 1804-5. Died in Butler Co Ohio in 1824. Will was probated Sept 8 1824. Was married twice, name of Widow Elizabeth.
William Davis born & enlisted from Virginia, in the Rev. War, from Stafford or Prince William Co. probably the former. After discharge lived in Virginia until the latter part of the eighteenth century. Moved to Butler Co. Ohio, the first of nineteenth century, between 1803-5. died in Butler Co, Ohio, at the age of about 97 yrs. He rec'd a pension about 1830 or 1832. 
Had a scar in forehead rec'd in War. S2160-Govt Va-
I am anxious to get what your records show concerning these men to prove my eligibility to become a member of the D.A.R.
Awaiting your reply
I am Resptly
Rebecca H. Eib.
Rensselaer, Ind.
R.R.1.

[stamp]
PENSION
U.S.
JAN 17 1912
OFFICE.

[illegible] JAN 18 1912 am
Page 29

M1
Rev Sec
Troy, Mo.,
June 20-1915.
The Pension Bureau,
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-
Will you kindly send me a certified copy of the pension papers of William Davis, who was born in Stafford Co., Va., in 1753. He enlisted in Stafford Co. and served under Col. Mercer and Capt. Wm. Washington. I am hoping this will give the name of his wife, and all his children.
Very Gratefully,
Mrs. C. A. Copher, 
Troy, Mo.
Lincoln Co.

[stamp]
PENSION
D
U. S.
JUN 24 1915
OFFICE.
Page 30

[left side of page]
1912 Jan. 27 Hist. to Rebecca H. Eib. c
1912 Mar. 23 To Mrs Mary B. Higgins
1912 Apl. 16 Mrs. Eib refer'd to Aud. etc c
1915 June 28. To Mrs. C. A. Copher. c

[right side of page]
Rev War
2160 
INVALID.
File No. 2160
William Davis
Privt Rev War
Act: June 7, 1832
Index: -Vol. A., Page 88
{Arrangement of 1870.}