Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 44120, William Davis, R.I.
Page 1

(3–1776)

SERVICE
R. I. 

Davis, William

NUMBER
S 44120

CONTENTS
[blank]
Page 2

[left side of document] 
Copy sent to George 
Dunlevy Esq Point Harmer
Ohio — of continuance of 
Transfer 22 Nov 1820 . . .

Date of death not on CB —

[right side of document]
7859
Ohio, pen
[“Newyork” is crossed out]
====================
William Davis 2nd
of Coventry in the state of New York 
who was a private in the regiment commanded by 
Colonel Angell of the R Island 
line, for the term of 3 years 
=====================
Inscribed on the Roll of New York 
at the rate of 8 ~ Dollars per month, to commence on 
the 8 of May 1818 
=====================
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 of March 1819 
and sent to D. Prentice Esqr Bainbridge 
Chenango Co N York 
=====================
Arrears to 4th of March 1819. 9 mo 2.8/31 — 74.22 
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sept 1819 — 48 ~ 
========
$124.22 
========
{Revolutionary claim, }
{Act 18th March, 1818. } 
Continued 10 Nov. 1820.
Transfd. 22 Nov. 1820. from 
4th March 1820
Page 3

State of Newyork
Chenango County ss 
On the Eighth day of May 1818 before 
me the subscriber one of the Judges of Chenango Common Pleas 
personally appeared William Davis aged 56 years resident 
in Coventry aforesaid County of Chenango — who being by me, 
first duly sworn according to law doth, on his oath make the 
following Declaration in order to obtain the provision made 
by the late act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for 
certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of 
the United States in the revolutionary war” That he the said 
William Davis enlisted as fifer on the 6 day of June in the year 1777 
at Providence in the State of Rhode Island in the company
commanded  by Captain William Potter of the second Rhode =
Island Regiment under Col. Israel Angell under General 
Varnum, That he continued in the service of the United States until
the 3d day of June 1780 when he was discharged from service in 
Morristown State of New Jersey by Col. Israel Angell aforesaid 
which discharge this Deponent has now in his possession — 
That he was in the battle at Monmouth — and in the Battle at 
New Port — and that he is in reduced circumstances and stands 
in need of the assistance of his country for support — 
Sworn to and declared before me 
the day and year aforesaid — William Davis 
Peter Betts [signature]

I Peter Betts Judge of Chenango Common Pleas as aforesaid, do  
certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said William 
Davis did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the 
Preceding declaration against the common enemy; and of 
now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had 
before me to the Secretary for the Department of war pursuant 
to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress 
May 8th, 1818 —
Peter Betts [signature]
Page 4

State of New York —
Clerks office Chenango County }
May 22d 1818 - }  I hereby certify that the within named 
Peter Betts Esquire is a Judge of the Court of Common 
Pleas in and for said County and that the within 
Signature is his hand writing — 
Michael G. Bright Dep Clk [signature]
 
Chenango County ss. I Casper M. Rowse Judge of Chenango 
Common Pleas hereby certify that by the Oath ofDavid Prentice 
whom I know. so appears to my satisfaction that the within 
William Davis is poor in indigent circumstances and having no 
real or personal property, and a family depending on him 
for support he stands in need of assistance from his country 
for support and that he is a man of credibility  
Casper M. Rowse [signature]
Judge

State of New York
Clerks Office Chenango County ss February 13th 1819 
I hereby certify that the above named Casper 
M. Rouse Esquire is a Judge of the 
Court of Common in and for said County 
and that the above signature is his 
hand writing 
David G Bright Clk [signature]
Page 5

William Davis,s
(Musician)
Affidavit —
May 8th, 1818
~
Bainbridge Chenango
County New York 
~
Angells Regt to R. Island 
Correct by Roll
[illegible] the Judge
has attested to 
certifying (admd.) as to 
indigent circumstances
Page 6

William Davis.

The name of William
Davis No 7859 is not
found on the Ohio Roll;
if his name is on any 
other roll a blank
affidavit of transfer is 
transmitted to be legally
executed before this case
can be acted on —
War Dep: Pension Office
Sep: 12. 1820

(Con transfer)
Page 7

The State of Ohio. Washington County ss
On this 24th day of July 1820 personally appeared in Open Court being a Court 
of Record for said County William Davis aged near 59 years resident in the  
Township of Union in the County of Washington aforesaid late of Chenango 
County in the State of New York who being first duly sworn according to 
his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as 
follows, viz. In the Rhode Island line 2nd Regiment Colonel Israel Angell 
Captain William Potters Company as a Fifer, His original Declaration was 
dated May the 8th 1818. His Pension Certificate is numbered 7,859. 
And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the 
United States on the 18th day of March 1818. And that I have not 
since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property, 
or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring 
myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled “An Act to 
provide for certain Persons engaged in the land and Naval service of 
the United States in the Revolutionary War” passed on the 18th day 
of March 1818. And that I have not nor has any person in trust for 
me, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor have 
I any possessions other than what is contained in the Schedule hereunto 
annexed and by me subscribed 
Schedule 
No real Estate. 6 knives & Forks. 3 Pewter basins, 3 Pewter Plates, 1 pewter 
platter, One old Iron Candlestick, 3white earthen Plates, 6 Tea Cups 
& Saucers. An old Tin Cullender. One 1/2 gallon Stone Jug. One 2 gallon 
Stone Jug. 4 small bottles. a pepper & mustard Pot. 6 Pewter Table and 
6 Pewter Teaspoons. 4 small vials. An old Iron Pot. A five qt Kettle 1/2 
Gallon Kettle Iron. a broken Skillet. A trowel. One Axe & one Hoe, a pair of 
old fire tongs & a peale, an Old Hatchet — 3 old water pails. One hammer 
One Pig, 2 old shoe knives & 5 Shoe awls. a pair shoe Pincers An old 
drawing knife & an old Hand Saw. 2 Flat Irons.
Outstanding Debts as follows. — Viz. Dyer, L Davis by special contract 
$51.00 Docter Colton for attendance & medicine $5.00. Sundry Small 
debts for grain &c 5 or 6 dollars. Geo Dunlevy 50 cts James Whitney 25 
cents. — William Davis 
My occupation is a Farmer but am unable to do any thing. I am afflicted with
Page 8

with a numbness in my limbs and extreme pains across my Kidneys and other 
parts of my body. — My Family consists of a wife Mary Davis, aged 64 
years who is unable to do any thing — A Daughter Reformie Davis, aged 27
years a Son Dyer S Davis aged 20 years which Children we depend upon 
for support 
William Davis 

Sworn to and declared on the 24th day of July 1820 before the Court of 
Common Pleas of Washington County in Session 
Attest Geo Dunlevy Clk 

The Court doth Certify that the Statement of the Declarant isn relation
to the State of his health and bodily infirmity & inability to procure a
subsistence by labour is true.
Attest — Geo Dunlevy Clerk 

I George Dunlevy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas with in and for 
the County of Washington in the State of Ohio do hereby certify that the 
foregoing oath and the Schedule that is annexed are truly copied from 
the record of said Court. and I do further certify that it is the 
opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the 
property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is Eleven dollars
& Seventy cents.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand And
affixed the seal of said Court on this thirty first day 
of July Anno Domini One thousand eight hundred and Twenty. — 
Geo. Danlevy, Clerk of the Court of Common 
Pleas Washington County Ohio 


[a seal appears at the bottom, left of the document]
Page 9

William Davis’s, application 
for transfer from New York to 
Ohio Roll — from sixth March
1820 — 
Transfd. on the 22 Nov: 1820 
Sep 19 
and 
notes sent to Geo. Dunlevy, by 
Ck of C.  Joint Harmire, Ohio.
Page 10

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER. 

The State of Ohio  
County of Washington ss.
On this twenty fifth day of September 1820, before 
me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of 
Washington personally  appeared William 
Davis — who, on his oath, declares that he is the 
same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded 
by Captain William Potter in the regiment commanded 
by Colonel Israel Angell — in the service of the United 
States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the state of 
New York — from whence he has lately removed; 
that he now resides in the state [“(district, or territory)” has been crossed out] of Ohio 
County of Washington where he intends to remain, and wishes his 
pension to be there payable, in future. 
William Davis 

Sworn and subscribed to, before }
me, the day and year aforesaid. }

James Whitney Justice of the peace 

NOTE. The oath to be taken before a duly qualified magistrate, whose official 
character and signature must be properly authenticated.
Page 11

State of Ohio }
Washington County ss: } As Clerk of the Court of Common pleas within and for said 
County I do certify that James Whitney, Esquire, who hath signed 
his name to the within Certificate, was at that time, and now is an acting Justice of 
the Peace within and for the Township of Marietta in said County, duly elected Commissioned 
and qualified agreeably to the Laws of said state. And that full faith and credit are 
and Ought to be given to all things by him thus certified as well in Courts of Justice as 
elsewhere. — In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix my 
Official Seal at Marietta in said County this Twenty fifth day 
of September Anno Domini One thousand Eight Hundred and 
Twenty.
Geo Dunlevy Clerk. 

164.
William Davis
7,859
transferred from New
York.


[Seal appears at the bottom left of the main portion of the document]
Page 12

July 25, 1933
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

William Davis—S.44120
BA-J/AWF

Quartermaster General 
Memorial Branch 
War Department 
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Madam:  

Reference is made to your request for information 
in regard to William Davis, a soldier of the 
War of the Revolution, who served as fifer from 
1777 to 1780, and died in Ohio. 

The data furnished herein were obtained 
from the papers on file in pension claim, S.44120, 
based upon the Revolutionary War service of William 
Davis. 

The date and place of his birth are not given, 
nor are the names of his parents shown. 

William Davis enlisted at Providence, Rhode 
Island, June 3, 1777 and served as a fifer in Captain 
William Potter's company, Colonel Israel Angell's 
Second Rhode Island Regiment; he was in the battles 
of Monmouth and Newport, and was discharged at 
Morristown, New Jersey, June 3, 1780. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed 
May 8, 1818, then aged fifty-six years and 
living in Coventry, Chenango County, New York. 

On July 24, 1820 he was residing in Union Township, 
Washington County, Ohio, and then referred to 
the following — his wife, Mary, aged sixty-four years; 
daughter, Reformee, aged twenty-seven years; and son, 
Dyer S., aged twenty years. On September 25, 1820, William
Page 13

Davis stated that he had “lately removed” from 
New York to Washington County, Ohio. 

The application for headstone for William Davis 
and a circular from your office are returned herewith. 

Very truly yours 

A. D. HILLER 
Assistant to Administrator
Page 14

Chenango County ss.  David Prentice being duly 
sworn maketh oath and with that he is 
acquainted with the above named William Davis 
and that he is poor in indigent circumstances and 
having no real or personal property, and having 
a family depending on him for support he stands 
in need of assistance from his country for 
support and that he has a good reputation for 
truth and veracity   
David Prentice [signature]

Sworn this 13th day of 
February 1819 before me 
Casper M Rowse Judge [signature]
Page 15

Requested William Davis 
fife from ‘77 to ‘80 - died 
in 1826 in Ohio.
application for Headstone -
& circular returned with - this 
history - All F. July 25 -33


[Post mark reads 
“RECEIVED 10:30 
JUL 22 1933
MAIL SUB-DIV
[illegible] 
READER 66”]
Page 16

WAR DEPARTMENT 
OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL 
WASHINGTON 
JUL 21 1933 1933 

Memorandum for   
The Surgeon General, 
Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department, 
Commandant, United States Coast Guard, Treasury Department, 
The Commissioner of Pensions, Interior Building, 
General Accounting Office, F Street, between 4th & 5th, N. W. 

1.     The attached application has been submitted to this office for Government 
headstone to be erected at the grave of the decedent named thereon.  In order that 
the proper inscription may be placed on the stone it would be appreciated if your  
office would verify the name and service on the application, checking and making such 
corrections in red ink as may be necessary to show the correct spelling of the name 
and complete designation of the organizations. 

2.     In addition, please advise State from which decedent came. 

[hand written: 2 encl D]
Page 17

OFFICE OF 
VILLAGE CLERK 
VILLAGE OF HOMER, 
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY 
* * * * 

Homer, Ill., Dec 2d 1913 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D.C. 
     Dear Sir: Could you give me any information 
about a Revolutionary soldier named William Davis 
as to the place, date and age of enlistment and date 
of discharge. There is in the family his pension 
certificate dated in 1818 in the department of New York 
he was later transferred to the department of Ohio 
having removed to what is now Vinton Co. Ohio. there 
is also a paper which speaks of him as Major Wm Davis 
The pension certificate is signed by John C. Calhoun 
further information I have not 
Respectfully 
E. L. Bowen
Page 18

[left side of document:]

44120
INVALID.
Revy 
——————
File No. 44,120
William Davis
Serd Rev War
——————
Act : 18” March 18
Index :—Vol. 3, Page 123

[Arrangement of 1870.]


[right side of document:]

1913. Dec 11 — List to Mr.
E. L. Bowen.  M.B.H.
————————————
1933 — July 25 - list
to Memorial Br. Any.
Page 19

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 
3–525 
—————-
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS. 
Washington, D. C., _____, 19___ 
——-
——-
——-
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)” is crossed out] application for 
pension on file in this Bureau. S 44120 
=========================================
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. 
     June 3. 1777 
LENGTH OF SERVICE. 
     June 3 1780 
RANK. 
     Fifer 
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. 
  CAPTAIN. 
     Wm Potter 
  COLONEL. 
     Israel Angell 
STATE. 
     R.I. 
Battles engaged in, Monmouth & Newport 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enl at Providence RI. 
Date of application for pension, May 8,1818: his claim was allowed. 
Residence at date of application, Coventry, Chenanga Co. N. Y.; moved to Washington Co 
Ohio in 1820 
Age at date of application, 56. 
Remarks: In 1820 soldier’s wife, Mary, was 64 years of age, daughter, Reformer, 
27 years & Son, Dyer S., 20 years 

Respectfully, 

Commissioner.