Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2508, Franklin Davenport, New Jersey
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE |  | NUMBER
New Jersey | Davenport, Franklin | S2508
Carded
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DAVENPORT, FRANKLIN
(N.J.) S-2508
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28 July 1833 | 44
New Jersey
Franklin Daven
of Gloucester Co. in the State of New Jersey 
who was [illegible] in the [blank] commanded
by Captain [blank] of the Regiment commanded by Colonel [blank] in the New Jersey line, for the term of 1 yr as Brigade 2n wing 8 mo. as private from 1 January 1777 to to the year 1778.
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey
at the rate of 326.66/100 Dollars per year commence on the 4 day of March 1832.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 of July
1832 and sent to the
Hon T. Frelinghuysen Land W.S.
Arrears to 4th of March 1832. 
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4th Sept 1832
326.66
163:33
489.99
Revolutionary Claim,
Acts [crossed out: March 18, 1818.
and May 1, 1820.] 7 June 1832
Recorded D. Vol 4, page 146
[margins:]
See letter
to Perest
Died July 27 1832
Agency book
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State of New Jersey Gloucester County ss
Best Remembered that on this tenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before Ephraim Miller, one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Cornmon Pleas of the said County of Gloucester in the said State of New Jersey (the same being a Court of Record under the Laws of the said State.) General Franklin Davenport, a resident in the Town of Woodbury in the said County of Gloucester in the said State of New Jersey aged Seventy seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth upon his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June the Seventh one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein set forth and stated - that immediately after the Battle of Lexington in Seventeen hundred and seventy five, he joined a volunteer Company of Militia of the State of New Jersey at Burlington in the said State of New Jersey where this declarant then resided and commanded by Capt James Sterling that he remained in said Company and did duty therein as a private until the enemy landed in New Jersey in Seventeen hundred & seventy six, that he acted and served as Brigade Major under Col Griffen Newcomb & Penrose from the twenty seventh day of December Seventy hundred and seventy six to the twenty Sixth day of January Seventeen hundred and Seventy seven in New Jersey as appears by a Resolve of the Continental Congress bearing Date 27th June 1777 granting him pay for such service (Journal of Congress seal 3d page 255) That he was present at the Battles of Trenton and Princeton in that capacity, that he was in constant and active service during the whole time the
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Enemy lay in Philadelphia opposite to Gloucester County in this State, that he was in two Actions with detachments of the enemy's Army in New Jersey while  their head Quarters were at Philadelphia, One at Coopers Creek, the other at Saunders hill on Mantua Creek and that he then commanded a piece of Artillery as Captain Leut under the command of Captain Samuel Hugg. That he was in the Quarter Master's Department from the commencement of the year seventeen hundred and Seventy eight as Brigade and Assistant Quarter Master as will appear by the Commissions from Col Ellis and Moore Furman, Deputy Quarter Master Genl of the State of New Jersey hereto annexed. That he continued as such in the service of the United States until the winter of Seventeen hundred & seventy nine -- after which time the enemy never appeared in West New Jersey at the monthly pay of Seventy five dollars. That he has been ever since in the Militia of the State of New Jersey as Colonel of a Regiment, Brigadier General of the Gloucester Brigade and Major General of the first Division of the Militia of the State, which latter Commission he now holds.

And this declarant further states upon his said oath, that he was born in the year of our Lord one thousand  seven hundred and fifty five in the City of  hiladelphia, that he has no record of his age, that he was living in the City of Burlington in New Jersey a student at Law in the Office of John Lawrence Esquire when he first entered the service, that he has lived where he now lives at Woodbury in the County of Gloucester in this State, ever since the year seventeen hundred and seventy six, that he entered the service of the United States as a volunteer, that he served chiefly under Cols   Ellis and Newcomb of the New Jersey Militia, and a great deal with Genl Philomen Dickinson who commanded the New Jersey Militia. That his acquaintance
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with the Officers of the army of all Grades was very extensive from the length and variety of his services - that he served under Genl Washington at the Battles of Trenton and Princeton as Brigade Major as before stated, the Commissions which he received are before stated and accompany this Declaration. His acquaintance with people of this State is extensive, and he is known he believes to all of them who have ever been in public life since the days of the Revolution. This Declarant refers to the names of Col Aaron Ogden, Governor Vroom, Genl Garrett D Wall to Richard M. Cooper, Thomas H Hughes & Governor Dickerson & Theodore Frelinghuysen of the present Congress of the United States, and to James Mattack and John Moore White Esquires who reside in the same Town with him.

And this declarant further states that he knows of no living witness who can prove the personal service of this Declarant as above set forth and stated, but the fact of his services generally as an active Officer of the Militia during the whole of the Revolutionary War is of public notoriety, and this declarant refers Confidently to the above named Gentleman for its being so.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is noton the pension Roll of the Agency of any State.

Sworn & Subscribed the date above before me at Woodbury in the County and State aforesaid
Ephraim Miller
W. W. Davenport
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The British were in Phila, at the above time I went to Pittstown to Col. Furman, by orders from Col. Com. Ellis, for the above orders, crossed at Burlington to Bristol, lay at Newton the first night- crossed the Delaware again above Trenton & reached Pittstown the day after-- Next day marched back to Haddonfield- Head quarters, for all the western Militia N.J.
6 miles from Phi.
H.D.
.
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Washington April 14th 1852

Hon. James E Heath
Com. of Pensions

Sir

I have been requested by Mrs Juliana E. Johnston of Salem N.J. The Sister of Mrs Sally B. Davenport Widow of Franklin Davenport who was a pensioner on the New Jersey Roll under the act of June 7th 1832 at the rate of $326.66
per an. to ask a reexamination of the papers of which said Franklin Davenport was pensioned
for the purpose of ascertaining whether there
are not arrears of pension due for his services
us Brigade Quarter Master &c.

With much respect
Mrs Louisa F. Zantzinger
Sister of
Mrs Davenport and
Mrs Johnston
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Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
June 19, 1928.
Mr. Ansel Wold, Clerk,
Joint Committee on Printing,
United States Senate Post Office,
Washington, D. C.

Sir:
In response to your letter of the 18"" instant, I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 2508, it appears that Franklin Davenport was born in 1755 in the City of Philadelphia, day and month not stated.

In 1775 he was living in Burlington, New Jersey, a student at law in the office of John Lawrence, Esquire, and immediately after the battle of Lexington, volunteered as a private in Captain James Sterling's Company of New Jersey Militia and served as such until December 22, 1776.

On December 22, 1776 he was made Brigade Major and served under Colonels Griffin, Newcomb and Penrose until January 26, 1777; was in the battles of Trenton and Princeton and in engagements at Cooper's Creek and Saunders' Hill on Mantau Creek, at which last named place he commanded a piece of artillery as Captain Lieutenant
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COPIED BY ADY

under Captain Samuel Hugg.
He was appointed February 28, 1778, Brigade Quartermaster and stationed at Haddonfield, New Jersey, under Colonel Ellis, and on June 4, 1778, Assistant Quartermaster for Gloucester County and served until the winter of 1778-1779, after which he was always in the New Jersey Militia, as Colonel of a regiment, Brigadier General of the Gloucester Brigade, and Major General of the First Division, New Jersey Militia, which commission he held until his death on July 27, 1832.
He was survived by his widow, Sally B. Davenport. She had sisters Mrs. Juliana E. Johnston and Mrs. Louisa F. Zantzinger? (not clearly written). All three sisters living in 1852, Mrs. Johnston then of Salem, New Jersey. There are no further data on file as to family.

Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT, 
Commissioner
2 enclosures
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[below is all hand-written:]
1900 Feb. 14. Adj. Gen. N. J. infd
commission as Major
Gen. Not on file      AW
1912 Apl. 6. Hist. to Senator Reed
Smoot, letter returned &
1919 Jany. 16. To Hon. Jos. S. Frelinghuysen     USS J
1919 Oct. 30 "    Frank H. Stewart
1924 Apr. 10. Copies delivered in
person to Geo. M. Beckett
Med. Div. Pension,     AW
1928 - June 19. Hist. to Ansel
Wold MMW

[next column]
[hand-written:] Rev War
[hand-written:]___ 2508____
INVALID.
---------------
File No. ___[hand-written:]2508______
[hand-written:] Franklin Davenport
[hand-written:]  Q.Mr. Rev War
---------------
Act:__[hand-written:]__June 7. 1832
Index: -- Vol. [hand-written:_A.__, Page__ [hand-written:]___88__.

[Arrangement of 1870.]
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We Charles Williamson Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Woodbury County of Gloucester State of New Jersey and residing at the same place, being solemnly sworn according to law and James Matlack residing in the same place, who alledging himself to be conscientiously scrupulous of taking an
Oath and being duly affirmed according to law,
Hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with
Genl Franklin Davenport, who has subscribed
and sworn to the foregoing Declaration, that we
believe him to be seventy seven years of age,
that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been an officer of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion

Charles Williamson
James Matlack

Sworn & Affirmed & subscribed this [blank] day of July AD 1832 before me one of the Judges of
the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of Gloucester County ⎬

Ephraim Miller
I the above named Ephraim Miller Judge of the said Court do hereby declare my opinion after the Investigation of the matter, and after putting
the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, That the above named Franklin Davenport the above Applicant, was a Revolutionary officer and served as he has above stated, and I do further Certify that
Charles Williamson who has signed the preceeding [preceding] Certificate is a Presbyterian Clergyman resident in Woodbury Gloucester County New Jersey, and that James Matlack Esquire who has also signed the same is a resident of Woodbury Gloucester
County New Jersey, is a credible person, and
that their statement is entitled to credit
And I do further certify that the said
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Franklin Davenport the above applicant is entirely unable from bodily infirmity to attend
any Court and that the above declaration and
examination, together with the above Certificates all under oaths & affirmation have been taken before me in the sick chamber of the said Franklin Davenport for and by reason of such bodily infirmity--

Ephram Miller

I John C Smallwood Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester in the State of New Jersey, do hereby Certify, That the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Genl Franklin Davenport of Woodbury in the said County and State for a Pension under the Act of Congress passed 7th June 1832, and I do further Certify that the above named Ephraim Miller is a Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester. That the said Court of Common Pleas is by the Laws of the State of New Jersey a Court of Record having a Seal (which is hereto affixed) and that the name of the said Ephraim Miller signed to the foregoing proceedings is the genuine Signature and hand writing of the said Ephraim Miller Judge as aforesaid.

[Seal stamped on left, reading 'Gloucester County, rest illegible]

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court of Common Pleas of the County
of Gloucester in the State of New Jersey, at
Woodbury this tenth day of July AD eighteen hundred & thirty two

Smallwood Clk
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Phil. Jany 18. 1831-

Gen. F. Davenport

Dr Sir

A reply to your letter of 15th Inst. has been
delayed by reason of a few days indisposition. I have a distinct recollection of most of the incidents mentioned in your letter, viz:  That the
that the British army took possession of the City of Philadelphia in the autumn of 1777 I believe in the mo. of Sept, and vacated it in June following-- During which time Col. afterwards Genl Ellis had the command (under the appointment of Gen. Washington) of all the troops stationed in or about Haddonfield [text crossed out and illegible]  That you were appointed by Gen. Ellis Quarter Master to his Brigade & acted as such for a considerable time, but the precise time, or for what compensation do not recollect. That I was with you at Haddonfield almost daily & frequently met you at Gen Ellis's quarters.

That, detachments of the British army were sent out of the City several times with which we had frequent skirmishing, but was necessitated to retire before superior force, always [illegible], resuming our station in the course of
a few days-- I also recollect that you & I were small officers in a co. of artillery, You as Capt Lieut, &yur hand svt, 2d Lieut, under the command of Capt Saml Hugg, That the co. went out to Sanders Hill
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near Dr. Otto's to retard the march of the British to attack Billingsport then commanded by Capt Beesly--

If you will send me a form of certificate (adapted to the purpose you wish/conformable to the facts & circumstances above stated I will sign it & return it to you without delay, and with sincere wishes that it may prove serviceable to an old and always respected friend

With much regard &c

Jno Inskeep

Judge Cooper of the house of Reps can
certify as to W. Inskeep's character, &
his having been Mayor of the City & is
now an Alderman & President of the
Insurance Co. N. America
F.D.
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Genl F. Davenport
Woodbury N.J

Philad. Jan. 18, 1831

Letter from Inskeep
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July 12 1838
Pension Office

Respectfully referred to the
War Department

Treasury Department
July 12 1832
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Woodbury N Jersey
July 10th 1832

Sir,

I have the honor to transmit to the Secty of the Treasury of the US the Declaration and application of Genl F. Davenport made in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress
passed 7th June last-

In consequence of the age and infirmity of the General the papers have been drawn up in hast [haste] but I think in all essential matters in compliance with the act of Congress and
the instructions accompaning [accompanying] the same sent me by our representation Richd M Cooper Esq.

I would ask for the applicant and his family
attention to this application as early as the business of the department will admit. I do not think it probable that the old gentlemen will remain with us to receive a 2d payment under the Law.

If any further information should be required by the department I would refer to either of our Senators, or to Richd M. Cooper or Thos H Hughes of the house-
 
With great respect & regard
Jno Moor White
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STATE OF NEWJERSEY,
OFFICE OF ADUUTANT GENERAL.

GW
Trenton, February 8, 1906.

The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Sir:

Will you please refer to the Revolutionary pension case of Franklin Davenport, Invalid No. 2508, and see if there is a commission in this case as Major-General of the New Jersey Militia?  If so, please give me the date it was issued, from what date to take rank, and the division to which he belonged.

Very respectfully,
[signature:]R Heber Breintnhall
Adjutant General.

[stamped at bottom of page:  'FIRST DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FEB 9 1906 U.S.']
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J. S. FRELINGHUYSEN,
NEW JERSEY.

[hand-written on right:  Rev. Sec]

United States Senate,
WASHINGTON, D. C.

January 16, 1919.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.,

My dear Sir:

I am gathering biographical material relative to certain of my early predecessors in the Senate from New Jersey, among whom was Franklin Davenport, 1798 - 99, who was a Revolutionary soldier. He filed a pension claim, I understand. I will be greatly obliged if you will have the kindness to favor me with copies of any papers filed in your office in connection with said claim.

Yours very truly,
J.S. Frelinghuysen
U. S. S.
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FRANK H. STEWART ELECTRIC CO.
OLD MINT BUILDING
37&39 NORTH SEVENTH STREET
PHILADELPHIA

ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES
OLD MINT

Oct 26 1919

Mr George M. Beckett
Washington DC

My dear M Beckett :- I have been thinking of erecting a cemetery marker in the cemetery at North Woodbury in honor of Franklin Davenport Woodbury's most famousn citizen now entirely
forgotten.

He died a poor man in the hands of the Sheriff in 1832 and I have been informed that he or his
widow applied for a pension as a soldier of the Revolution. He was General of the N. J. Militia.

Can you find any thing in your department about him

Yours truly
Frank H. Stewart
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Franklin Davenport
Brigade Qtr Master
[illegible]
service
28 Feby 1778

Franklin Davenport
Cert.

Brig. Quar. Mast.
---------
Feb. 28 1778

The British were in [remainder us cut off]
Page 23

Haddonfield February 25th 1778

To Franklin Davenport Esquire

You are hereby directed authorised & commissioned to act as Quarter Master to the Brigade stationed at this Place Subject to the same Rules & Regulations of Brigade Quarter Masters in the Continental Service- Of which all Persons under you are thereby ordered to take Notice.  For the services that you perform while on such duty you will receive from the Paymaster General or someone of his Deputies monthly & every month the sum of fifty Dollars & each Day three Rations.  

As Brigade Quarter Master you have full power to impress Waggons horses & such other things absolutely necessary for the public service- or give Orders for doing the same.  
 
Jos Ellis C. Ct.

S. File 2508
Franklin Davenport
N.J.
Page 24

Fra. Davenport,
Ass. Qur Master,
to the army U. States
----------
4. June 1778.

Franklin Davenport
Certificate
as
A.Q. State of N. Jersey
4th June 1778.
----
Page 25

To Franklin Davenport Esq.f

You are hereby constituted and appointed
Assistant Quarter Master for the County
of Gloster [Gloucester], to the Army of the United States and you are hereby authorised and Impowered to do and perform all things necessary and proper to be done by an Assistant Quarter Master in the said County - and you are to employ such and so many persons as you shall from time to time have occasion for to assist you in the Business of the said Department allowing them a reasonable Compensation for the same, and taking care to Continue them in the Service no longer than the
Necessity of the Case may require.
And
For

S. File 2508
Page 26

[left column:]
For your own trouble & Expences in the premises you are to receive the rate of Seventy Five Dollars per Month, and such Rations as shall be allowed to persons in your Station.  

Given under my hand at Pitts town
This Fourth day of June 1778.

Moore Furman, D. Q. M. Genl.
New Jersey

[right column:]
Paper - Quills - Sealing Wax
Sail Duck - Ozenbrigs, Sadlary 
Ware
4 Horse Teams 30/p day if found-]
45/p day if find themselves

Horse Teams 20/p Day if found
30/p day if find themselves
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(left side)
M 233
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
April, 1, 1924
Chief Rev Sect [Division crossed out]
[Sir crossed out]
I have this day received
from Geo. M. Beckett
cash No.
for $1.50, requesting
copy [post office address crossed out] as per
letter herewith
Respectfully, 
O. J. RANDALL
Chief Finance Div.
H.C.L.
Chief Div. WAR SECTION
(Copies mailed 
to Finance Div notf.
aw
REV. WAR SECTION
Apr. 10, 24

(right side)
Request for Photostating
(To be prepared in duplicate ) M6
Ex. aw
Job No, 739  OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CLERK
Date Apr. 5, 1924
Subject Franklin Davenport Rev S2508
(No.) 1 copies of (No. 6) pieces consisting of (No.) 10 pages to be 
forwarded when completed to the REV. WAR SECTION Division
Remarks:
Approved:
A E Wilson
Chief Div. Rev. War Section
Chief clerk.
Page 28

Geo. M. Beckett
Medical Div
Bureau of Pensions
wants photostat copies
of 10 pages uncertified
from the
Rev. War
pension claim S. 2508
of Franklin Davenport
N. J. Troops
paid Mar. 29, 1924
$1.00/100
A E Wilson
REV. WAR SECTION
Page 29

Inv. File 2508,
Franklin Davenport
Rev. War,
L. M. H. February 14, 1906.
The Adjutant General of New Jersey,
Trenton, New Jersey.
Sir:
In response to your letter dated February 8, 1906
and received February 9, 1906, you are advised the commission
of the above noted soldier as Major General of the N.
J. Militia is not on file in this Bureau.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
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to Hon. Jos. S. Frelinghuysen, USS. Jany. 16, 1919

April 6, 1912.
Hon. Reed Smoot,
United States Senate.
My dear Senator:
In response to your request of this date,
I have the honor to advise you that the Revolutionary War
records of this Bureau show that Franklin Davenport was
allowed pension, Sur. File No. 2,508, on his application
executed July 10, 1832, while a resident of Woodbury, Gloucester
County, New Jersey, where he had lived since 1776.
He stated that he was born in the year 1755, in the
City of Philadelphia, and resided at Burlington, New Jersey
where he was a student at Law in the office of John Lawrence
Esq, when he volunteered immediately after the battle
of Lexington, in 1775, as a Private in Captain James
Sterling's company of New Jersey Militia, and served until
December 22, 1776, when he was made Brigade Major and served
under Colonels Griffin, Newcomb, and Penrose, until January
26, 1777; he was in the battles of Trenton and Princeton and
action at Cooper's Creek and Saunders Hill, on Mantau Creek, and that he then
commanded a piece of artillery as Captain-Lieut, under Captain
Samuel Hugg.
He was appointed February 25, 1778, Brigade Quarter
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File No. 2, 508.
(2 )
Master at Haddonfield, New Jersey, under Col. Ellis, and on June 4, 1778, Assistant
Quarter Master for Gloucester County, and served until the winter of 1778-9, after which 
the enemy never appeared in Western N.J. From that time
he was ever in the New Jersey
Militia as colonel of a regiment, Brigadier General of the
Gloucester Brigade, and Major General of the 1st Division
New Jersey Militia, which commission he held until his death
on July 27, 1832.
He left a widow, Sally B. Davenport who survived him in 
1852. She was the sister of Mrs. Juliana E. Johnston & Mrs. Louisa F. Zantzinger
[illegible crossed out] There is no further family data.
Very respectfully,
J. L. Davenport
Commissioner.