Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,369, Forrest Davis, Md.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Md. Davis, Forrest S.30,369
CONTENTS
[two blank columns below]
Page 2

Kentucky 29.704
Forrest Davis
of Hardin Co, in the State of Kentucky
who was a Sergeant in the company commanded
by Captain Reid of the Regt. commanded
by Col. in the Maryland
line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky
at the rate of 120 Dollars per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 2d day of Feb.
1835 and sent to Hon. T.
Chilton H.R.

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '36 420.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March '35. 60.00
$480.00

{ Revolutionary Claim, }
{ Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by D. Brown
Book E2. Vol. 7 Page 12
Page 3

Forrest Davis
Declaration
15625
Page 4

Declaration In order to obtain the benefit of the act
of Congress passed June 7. 1832

State of Kentucky Hardin County Sct.

On the 15th day of October 1832 personally
appeared in open Court before the Justice of the
Hardin County Court, the same being a court
of Record, having a clerk & seal, and
now sitting Forrest Davis a resident of the above named
County & State aged 70 years last December 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 7. 1832

That he entered the service of the United States under the
following named officers and served as herein stated - It was
in the forepart of the year 1780 that I Forrest Davis at
Fort Frederick in the state of Maryland, enlisted for the term of
Three years and served that length of time, part under
John Reid Capt. Nathaniel B Magruder Lieut. and 
Gabriel Jacobs Ensign, but as the Capt and Ensign
both some time after my enlistment resigned their commissions
I served the remainder of the three years under
said Magruder who gave me a discharge from service
which discharge I have long since lost - The company
I belonged to was said to be an Independent company

In the winter after my Enlistment Capt Reid took
a part of his company, myself being one of the number to
guard some british prisoners as far as Elizabeth Town
in the State of Jersey for an exchange I believe

Capt Reid returned with his men to the said fort, and after
some small interval last some of us with a commissary
(Mr Gwynn) to guard some more prisoners from the Fort
as far as Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania

In the spring following Capt Reids company were all
removed to Frederick County in Maryland to guard a
magazine about one mile from Frederick Town where I
remained until the term of my enlistment expired, and
Page 5

it was two years of said term that I acted as Sergeant in said
Company

Your applicant now offers in proof of the above named service
the positive proof of Lodowick Davis who was an enlisted soldier
for the term of three years and him and myself served together
for many months in the same company and under the same
officers named above and the corroborating testimony of Benjamin
Gray (both of Warrick County and State of Indiana) and have
furnished their depositions which now accompany this document

- I can now recollect the names of some of the officers which 
were in service about the time I was namely Capt David
Lynn, John Lynn, & Milikiah Bonham

The said applicant hereby relinquishes every claim 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.

Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Forrest Davis

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that
the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier
and served as he states
Green Adams
Page 6

I Samuel Haycraft clerk of the court of
Hardin County do hereby certify that the forgoing
contains the original proceedings of the said
Court in the matter of the application of
Forrest Davis for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
seal of office this 16th day
of October 1832
Saml,, Haycraft clk
Page 7

15625
Forrest davis
Kentucky
From 24,176 Sergeant
2 yrs $120

Saml Haycraft
Elizabethtown
Ky
Page 8

BRIEF in the case of Forrest Davis
County of Hardin in the State of Kentucky
(Act 7th 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? 70

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[chart column headers: | Period. | Duration of Service. | [sub-header here: | Years, Months, Days. |] | Rank. | [sub-header here: | As a |] | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. | [sub-header here: Gen.] ]

| enlisted in 1780 "and it was two years of said term I asked as sergeant in said company" | 3, [blank], [blank] | Private & Sergeant | capt: Jno Reid, Lieut Magruder - He mentioned no other officers as having commanded him |

5. In what battles was he engaged? None

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? does not say. enlisted at Fort Frederickson

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof or traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence or by the rolls? living witnesses

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly
attached & the clerk who certifies to the official character of the magistrate
has no seal

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned. 
Chs W Forrest
Examining Clerk.
Page 9

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C. , _____ , 19 ___

In reply to your request of [blank] , received [blank]
for a statement of the military history of Forrest davis
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in the (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
S. 30369.

[table column headers: | DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGHT OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | [sub-headers here: | CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | ] | STATE. |]

| 1780 | 3 yrs. | Pvt & Sgt | Jno Reigs Indepent [illegible] Lt. Nathl B. Magruder | Md. |

Battles engaged in, None stated -
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Montgomery Co. Md.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 15, 1832. al
Residence at date of application, Hardin Co., Ky.
Age at date of application, B. Dec. 1761
Remarks: It is not stated whether he was married -
Page 10

[two panel page; left panel below]

30369
Revy INVALID.
File No. 30,369
Forrest Davis
Serg Rev War
Act: June 7" 32"
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 102
[arrangement of 1870.]

[right panel below]

1921, Dec. 23 hist to Mrs. W.H.
Crowder - En.
Page 11

issued [crossed out: no] correct
certificate at $120
per annum as Sergt in
line of one filed within
and intrest pension agent
to pay difference sent certificate
to Hon. T. Chilton.
Page 12

[two panel page; left panel below]

19391
Kentucky

Forrest Davis
of Harden Co in the STate of Kent
who was a 1 sergt in the co commanded
by Captain Reid of the regt commanded
by Colo [blank] in the Md
line for 6 mos
2 yrs Sergt $120

Inscribed on the Roll of Kent
at the rate of 20 Dollars ~ Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of Sept
1833 and Saml
Haycroff Elizabethtown

Arrears to the 4th of March 40.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 10.00
50.00

{ Revolutionary Claim, }
{ Act June 7, 1832. }

Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 7 Page 7

[right panel below]

see letter 29
July 1834 to Saml
Haycrof. Elizabethtown
Page 13

State of Indiana
Warrick County } Ss

I Christopher C Graham
an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid
do certify that the above deponant Lodowick Davis is to my belief
at least Sixty Seven years of age, and that I am and have been for
a short time partially acquainted with the said Lodowick Davis, and from
general report and knowing him to be a minister of the Gospel believe
him to be a man of good standing, whose oath may be relied
on -.-

Given under my hand and seal at the county
aforesaid on this tenth day of June in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three -
C.C. Graham JP. M.C. [hand drawn cloud with the word Seal inscribed inside]
Page 14

I hereby certify that Christopher C. Graham
whose official Signature is affixed to the
within certificate is an acting Justice of
the peace for the County of Warrick Ina,
duly qualified as such, and that full
faith and credit ought to be given to all
his official acts.
R. Boon
late member of Congress.

Boonville Ina
June 10th 1833.
Page 15

State of Indiana Warrick County, Ss

Personally appeared before me on this day
Lodowick Davies of said County and deposeth and 
Saitheth, that he is acquainted with Forrest Davis
of Harden County Kentucky; that he the Said Lodowick
enlisted in to the service of the Untied States in
the year Seventeen hundred and eighty one; that at
the time he entered the army the said Forrest was
and had been, as he is informed, and verrily believed
as Soldier under the service of the United States, enlisted
and served in the State of Maryland in a Company
called the Independent Company under the Command
of Capt. John Reid, Lieutenant N. B. Magruder
ensign Gabriel Jacobs, that to my knowledge the
said Forrest was regularly discharged and serving
the Term of three years; part of which time
the Said Forrest acted as Sergeant in Said Company
and was acting as such when he was discharged
from Service - that this deponant a few weeks since
recd a letter form sa'd Forrest that the same was dated
in July or August last that he knew to be the
hand writing of said Forrest - that in 1831 he had
a personal interview with said Forrest and
further this deponant saith not.
Lodowick Davis
Sworn to and subscribed
before me on this 8th Sept 1832
C. C. Graham
Page 16

State of Indiana
Warrick County } Ss
I John A Graham clerk of
the Warrick Circuit Court for Said County certify
that C. C. Graham where signature is affixed
to the foregoing deposition was on the day which
the same was taken an acting justice of the peace
for said County Commissioned and qualified to act
as such and full faith and credit are and 
ought to be given to his official acts when properly
certified as such.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
Set my and and Scrawl the adopted 
Seal of Said County this 8th day of
September 1832.
J. A. Graham. C.M.C.C.

[hand drawn cloud with the word Seal inscribed inside to left of above declaration]
Page 17

State of Indiana
Warrick County } Ss

Personally came before me on this 10th day of Sept
1832 Benjamin Gray of said County being of
Lawful age deposeth and saith that about the year
1780 he resided in the State of Maryland and
County of Montgomery, that he was personally acquainted
with Forrest Davis who resided in said State
of Maryland and County of Montgomery, that
from information received from various sources
from different persons residing in said last mentioned
County and State he verrily believes
that said Forrest was a regular soldier under
the authority of the United States, that he had
a personal interview with said Forrest on his
return home, that said Forrest then informed this
affiant that he was then on his return home
from said Service and further this deponant
saith not.
Benjamin Gray
Sworn to and subscribed
before me this 10th Sept 1832
Christopher C. Graham Justice of the peace of said county [hand drawn cloud with the word Seal inscribed inside]
Page 18

State of Indiana
Warrick County } Ss
I John A Graham clerk of the Warrick
Circuit Court Certify that Christopher C Graham whose
signature is affixed to the within deposition was on the day
of which the same was taken an acting justice of the peace
for Said County Commissioned and qualified to act as such
and full faith and credit are given to his official acts
where properly certified as such.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of office
this 26th day of September 1832
J. A. Graham clk
[hand drawn cloud with the word Seal inscribed inside to left of above declaration]
Page 19

Jan 17.
Rockport Inda
Sept 7th 1834

12/
Mr Forrist dAviss or his Son Lot
Plaindeling Plaindealing
Medd County
Ny

This from Lodowick Davis

Hon. T. Chilton
HR
Page 20

State of Indiana
Spencer County } Sct

Personally appeared before me Jacob Myres
a Justice of the peace in and for said County Lodowick Davis
of Spencer County and said State aged 70 years, and made 
oath that he well knows that Forrest Davis was enlisted into
the service of the United States in the time of the revolutionary
war for the term of three years, which was the term of service
for all that were sent to join what was then called an
Independent Company raised under the authority of the State
of Maryland, of which John Reid was the first Captain
Nathaniel B. Magruder Lieut, and Gabriel Jacobs ensign
and this deponent further states that when himself was
enlisted into said service by said Gabriel Jacobs in 1781
and sent by him to join Reids company who were employed
about guarding a Magazine near Frederick Town in
Maryland, That he found said Forrest Davis, now
a resident of Hardin County Kentucky (unless lately dead)
acting as one of the Sergeants in said company and he
was said to be 1st Sergeant, Alexander Austin being
the other Sergeant, and he this deponent further says that he
has certain knowledge of the discharge of said Forrest Davis
from the said service by Nath.l B. Magruder - then Captain,
as Reid had previously resigned his commission, after said
Forrest Davis had served as a regularly enlisted Soldier
the full term of time (namely 3 years) agreeably to the tenor
of the enlistment & when he was discharged it was as 
a Sergeant in Magruders company -- and also this diponent
saith that after his own discharge from said service
he was employd by said Forrest to go to Bladensburg in
Prince George's County Maryland and sell the certificate
of the balance of money due him for his services to Bennett
(alias) Benedict Woodard; the said certificate given by said
Nathl. B Magruder.
Lodowick Davis
Sworn to and subscribed 
this 6th day of September 1834
Jacob Myres. J.P.
Page 21

I further certify that the within named
witness is a man who is intitled [entitled] to
full credit
to any Statement he makes given under
my hand this 6th day of Sept 1834
Jacob Myres J.P.

State of Indiana
Spencer County } Sct
I William Bennett
deputy for James Wakefield Clerk of the 
Spencer County Circuit Court do hereby
Certify that Jacob Myres whoes [whose] name
is subscribed to the above and foregoing
certificate was an acting Justice of the peace
in and for said County at the date of said
certificate and still is, having been duly
commissioned and qualified, and to all
his official acts as such full faith and
credit is due as well in courts of Justice
as in matter of record. In testimony
where I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the 
Seal of Said Court at
Rockport this 6th day of
September 1834
William Bennett deputy
for James Wakefield C.P,k

[hand drawn cloud inscribed with the word Seal, to the left of the above declaration]
Page 22

Payments to be made
at Lexington
by the Prest of USB Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners,
in the Agency of
Kentucky

Recorded in the Pension Office,
in Book E Vol. 7
Page 7 by Danl Boyd
Clerk.

Forest Davis
Page 23

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United
States of the 7th June, 1832. Forrest davis
of the State of Kentucky
who was a private in the Army of the
Revolution
is entitles to receive Twenty dollars and
~ cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing 
on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually
on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in 
every year.

Given at the War Office of the United
States, this Third day of
September one thousand eight
hundred and thirty=three
Lew Cass
Secretary of War

Examined and 
Countersigned. }
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 24

State of Indiana
Warrick County } Ss
I Christopher C. Graham
an acting Justice of the peace, in and for the county aforesaid
do certify that the above deponent Benjamin Gray to my belief
is at least sixty years of age, and that I am and have been
for some time well acquainted with the said Benjamin Gray and
believe him to be a man of high standing, unimpeachable veracity and
respectability and that his oath may unhesitatingly be relied on ~

Given under my hand an seal at the county
Aforesaid on this tenth day of June 1833
C. C. Graham J.P.W.C. [hand drawn cloud inscribed with the word Seal]
Page 25

I hereby certify that Christopher C. Graham whose
official signature is affixed to the within
certificate, is an acting Justice of the peace,
duly qualified as such, and that full faith
and credit ought to be given to all his
official acts.
R. Boon
late member of Congress.

Boonville Ina
June 10th 1833
Page 26

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Forrest Davis which require
further proof or explanation.

I. Dows the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resided? 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 wha amount of pension
he is entitled? yes

VI. Has he given the name sof 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
Page 27

2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to 
their belief respecting his age and general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary
service?

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtainint
it?

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? witnesses

XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? No
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct? No.

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to hav a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI. ++ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered? 1.2.3.7.

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, by according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For [blank]
year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank] For [blank] months
and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 28

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 to indefinite,
and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.
It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed
in any civil pursuit.

+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 official character and signature of the magistrate
must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

++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.
->In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 29

Rev Sec
to the Bureau of Pensions
I am trying to establish a
D.A.R. line through Nancy
Elizebeth Davis (who married
Otho Hardin in Hardin Co. Ky, she
died about the close of the war in
Clinton, Ky) to Forrest Davis
of Hardin Co. Ky. Rev. Lol, pensioned
Sep 2, 1833 at the age of 78 -
Look into these Pension papers
and see if Nancy Elizebeth Davis,
Morgan and Nathanal are
mentioned as Forest Davis Children
Page 30

2
Send me list of children also dates
that would be necessary for D.A.R.
State service also - I thank you -
Very truly,
Mrs. W.H. (Grace Hardin) Crowder,
1430 S Boston St,
Tulsa, Okla

[round black stamp inscribed as follows: U. S. PENSION OFFICE D DEC 9 1921]
[oval black stamp inscribed as follows: RECORDS DIVISION DEC 10 1921]
Page 31

[vertically on the page at the top left, follows]
Davis pension 
Direct to S. Haycraft
Eliz Town
Ky.

Ky July 3d
aud

[horizontally on the page follows]
[round black stamp inscribed as follows: ELIZ.TN KY Jan 25]

FREE
J. L Edwards Esqr
War Department
Pension office
Washington City