Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12725, James Davenport, Va.
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(3-1776)
Service                                        
Va. (Virginia) Davenport, James
Number 
S12725
Carded
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4195
Kentucky
James Davenport 40 Fayettte Co in the State of Kentucky who was a private, in the company commanded by Captain Craig of the reg commanded by Matthews, in the Virga ma 
live [crossed out] for two years, inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 80. Dollars - cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of Jany 1833 - and deed JM Mc Calla Present, Arrears to 4th of Sept. 32 - $ 120.-
semi=anl. allowance ending 4 march 3.3 40.-
$ 160.-
{Revolutionary Claim act june 7, 1832.}
Recorded by WM Allison Clerk, Book [Illegible] vol. 9. page 36
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I do hereby certify that the foregoing certificates of George Dunlap are genuine, and were executed  in my presence and were laid before the county court of Fayette county, of which he was at the time of the execution of a member of the ***: and that were read before said court.

January 14 1833 M M McCalla
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State of Kentucky
Fayette County 

On this 13th day of August 1832 personally as  appeared in open court before the Worshipful Justices of the County Court of Fayette now sitting James Davenport, a resident of said County, aged 90 years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7th of June 1832.
That he was born in Louisa County Virginia and is now 90 years old; that he had a record of his age in an old pocket book, which he lost not long since, whilst living on Eagle creek; that he resided in Spottsylvania County, Virginia, at one time when he was called into service, and in nearly all his town he went from that county; also one from Hanover County. That since the Revolution, he has resided in Kentucky, where he now lives in Fayette County. He entered the service in the Revolutionary war from Spottsylvania County as a volunteer minute man, in 1775, and marched to the Appahannock seven miles below, Fredericksburg Col. William Washington he thinks was there. He served two months then. He served a town of three month under Capt. Craig at Williamsburg and afterwards a six months to commanded by Col Matthews, during which time he was in a skirmish with the British guard. Major Armistead beat up for 100 volunteer for that purpose, and he was one. We had two men killed and one wounded, and he believes the British lost 7 or 8 killed. This was as he thinks in 1776. In 1777 & 1778 he served eight months, part of the

S.S.
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time under Col dandiqe, in Capt Andersons company from Hanover. They were called releif [relief] men, and were releived every forty days. He served two tons at a time, and all together 3 or 4 tons, he served also at Norfolk & parts month under Capt. Dogiel of Hanover during that time. In the year in which was defeated at Camden, S.C. he marched from spottsylvania in Capt Tho. Miners company who resigned at Hillsborough N.C and returned home, when Capt. John Holladay took command. The company was in Col. George stubble fields regiment, and crossed James river at Richmond and marched to the south and was in gates, defeat, in which his captain, Holladay was killed. He returned home he thinks about October in that year.
In 1781, he served a tour of three months at Williamsburg and after returning home, he thinks about june he joined General Lafayette army, under Capt. Minor, and marched under his command until finally it arrived before York, where he remained in service until the sernunder [surrender] of the British Army, which was on the 17th of October 1781. He served in all two years and about eleven months as he believes. In all his services, he was either a volunteer or draft. And never recieved a discharge, nor was has he any documents to prove his service nor are he know of any living witnesses, who are within Mach, except the testimony of john & James Graves, annexed hereto.
For his character and standing he refers to William Fisher, Henry, James and Martin Sidney.
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who are his near neighbours. There is no minister of the gospel living in his vicinity.

He was acquainted with many officers during his service by sight among others General Washington, Lafayette, and Cols. Dark, Ball, Gaskins, and Inny & General Gates, besides those whom he has already named.

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.

Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.

James Davenport

We Martin Sidner and Jas Sidner, residing in the county aforesaid, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Davenport who has subscribed and sworn to the above delclaration; that we believe him to be 9- years of age; that he is re puted and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in the opinion . Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

Martin Sidner
J. G. Sidener

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories, prescribed by the was department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
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and the court further certifies that it apears to them that Martin Sidner and Jas Sidmer who have signed the preceding certificate, are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Same Blair, presiding Jus

I, James C. Rodes clerk of the County Court of Fayette County aforesaid, do certify that the foregoing contains the origian proceedings of the Said Court in the matter of the application of James Davenport for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 13th day of August 1832.

Att.
J. Cl Rodes C.F.C.O
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Sate of Kentucky
Fayette County  SCF
Personally appeared before me a justice
of the peace in and for the county aforesaid
John Graves, whose testimony is entitiled to full
credit, Who stated on oath ,the he was a resident
of Spottsylvannia county Virginia, at the
beginning of the american revoution; that 
James Davenport, who who is now applying for a pension from the general government under
under the act of June 1832, volunteered as a private in Capt Craigs company of volunteers in the year 
1776 as he recollects; however is was
the same year that Lord Dunmore went on board 
the man of war from Williamsburg said Davenport 
and this diplomat served together in the same company.
After that tour of duty, which they served out together,
this diplomat left the county, and was not again
a citizen of that county. And further saith not.
Given under my h and this 8th of August1832
George Dunlap J.P.F.C.

Also personally appeared before me a justice
of the peace in aforsaid county. James Graves who made oath that he
was aquainted with the said James Davenport in Virginia
during the revolution and knew that he served as a minute man in the millitia of Spottyslvania county in the earlier part of the war and that he served in the 
volunteers under Capt. Graig from said county in
1776 for he saw his, the deponents  fathers
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preparing to march in company with John Graves [unclear] brother Given under my hand this 8 august 1832
George Dunlap J. [unclear]
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1544
James Davenport
from 1775 private 2 years $80.
Genl. McCalla
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1544 Brief in the case of James Davenport of Fayette Cty in the State of Kentucky
(Act 7 June, 1832)
1.	Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? A Court
2.	If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3.	How old is he? 90 years
4.	State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period / Duration of Service / Rank / Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served
In 1775 2 months as a private Col. Wm. Washington
	3 months under Capt. Craig
1776 6 months Commanded by Col. Matthews & Col. Armstead
In 1777 & 78 8 months Col. Dandridge and Capt. Anderson
& again 1781 3 months 
In all, says he served 2 y 11 m
5.	In what battles was he engaged? Camden & York
6.	Where did he reside when he entered the service? Spottsylvania Cty, Virginia
7.	Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary & two living witnesses.
8.	Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? And if so, in what respect? They seem to be correct except that the affidavit of the two witnesses was made before a justice peace and the the [sic] Official Character of the justice is not certified by the clerk.
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
T. Murphy Examining Clerk
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Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
KMarch 11, 1925
Mrs. Ed R. Watt
Weatherford, Texas
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 12725 it appears that James Davenport was born in Louisa County, Virginia, the date not stated.
While a resident of Spottsylvania County, Virginia in 1775 he was a volunteer minute man and served two months as such.
He enlisted in 1776 and served three months as a private in Captain Craig's Virginia Company and during same year served six months in Colonel Matthews’ Virginia Regiment and was in an engagement with the British guard.
He enlisted in Hanover County, Virginia in 1777 and during that year and 1778 he served alternating tours, eight months in all, in Captain Anderson's Company, Colonel Dandridge's Virginia Regiment and also under Captain Dozil. 
He enlisted in 1780, served as a private in Captains Minor and John Holladay's Company, Colonel
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George Stubblefield's Virginia Regiment, was at the battle of Camden and served until October 1780, the length of this service not stated.  
He enlisted in 1781, served three months at Williamsburg and in June of said year, he joined Captain Minor's Virginia Company and marched to Yorktown, Virginia where he remained in service in until October 17, 1781, having served in all during the Revolution, two years and eleven months.  
I add this because of [illegible] in 1780 [illegible] has been about nine months.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 13, 1832 while a resident of Fayette the County, Kentucky aged ninety years. 
There is no data on file as to his family.  
For information relative to land that may have been granted by the state of Georgia, you should consult the archives at Atlanta, Georgia.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
Date of death not on [illegible]
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1906 Aug. 21 - History to
Mrs. Charles T. Bonner
1925 Mch-11- Hist to Mrs. Ed R. Watt. [illegible]
Rev War
12.725
INVALID.
File No. 12.725
James Davenport
Priv. Rev. War
Act:  June 7th 1832
Index: -- Vol. _____, Page______
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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War Department, Pension Office
Washington City
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Lexington K. 17a
Sir
I transmit the papers to establish of James Davenport to a pension under [the] act of [illegible].  Please to remit the [illegible] department to me at this place
Oblige
yours respectfully
[illegible], Calla
J.L. Edwards Esq.
Pension office
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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 James Davenport which require further proof or explanation.
I.  Does the declaration show 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?
No
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?
two citizens.
XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
Yes.
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? 
has witnesses.
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?
Yes.
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
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 have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
Yes.
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?
[illegible]
________________________________________________
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 than 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 the 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 be 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 authenticated 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 end of which must pass under the seal of the office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
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Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs
Mrs. Cone Johnson, President, Tyler, Texas
Mrs. E. Kohlberg, First Vice-President, El Paso
Mrs. M.L. Bixler, Second Vice-President, Orange
Mrs. S.J. Wright, Third Vice-President, Paris
Mrs. John W. Wright, Corresponding Secretary, Tyler
Mrs. W.S. Howell, Recording Secretary, Bryan
Mrs. C.L. Bradford, Treasurer, Bonham
Mrs. P.C. Coleman, Auditor, Colorado City
Mrs. A.B. Storey, Fourth Vice-President, Lockhart
Mrs. T.W. Wiley, Fifth Vice-President, McKinney
Mrs. B.G. Bidwell, Sixth Vice-President, Weatherford
Appointed Members Executive Board
Mrs. C.B. Stone, Galveston
Mrs. E.P. Turner, Dallas
Mrs. Bacon Saunders, Ft. Worth
Mrs. J.B. Goodhue, State Secretary to General Federation, Beaumont

TYLER, TEXAS, August 14/06 .

Pension Bureau, Washington
Dear Sirs:
Will you please furnish me with Revolutionary War record, of James Davenport, of Virginia, andoblige [sic],
Yours very truly,
Mrs. Charles T. Bonner
Tyler, Texas

Date stamp Aug 17, 1906 Pension Office
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Ed R. Watt
Weatherford,Texas
Jan. 30. 1925

Com. Of Pensions
Washington,D.C.

Dear Sir.
Will you please tell me if you have a record of one James Devenport,who
fought in th erevoluyionary war ffrom hanover County,Va.
Have you any record of hiim having received a pension
or of his pre-empting land in Georgia?From our 
knowledge of him,he fought in th ebattle of Brandywine,was wounded in the ankle,and
was cripple the remainder of his life.
Thanking you in advancefor any information you may give me 
Respectfully
Mrs Edith Watt
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O.W. and N. Division 3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C., 

SSC Sur. File 12725 Rev. War.

Madam
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of James Davenport, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.
Date of Enlistment or Appointment / Length of Service / Rank / Officers Under Whom Service was Rendered: Captain  Colonel / State

1775 2 mos minute man -  -  Va
1776 3 mos - [Capt] Craig
[1776] 6 mos - [Colonel] Matthews
1777 & 1778 8 mos - [Capts] Anderson and Dozil [Col.] Dandridge
1780 9 mos - [Capts] Thos. Minor John Holladay  [Col.] George Stubblefield
1781 3 mos at Murburgh [?] - [Capt] Minor
June 1781 4 mos Yorktown
2 yr 11 mos

Battles engaged in, Camden
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Spottsylvania Co, Va.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 13, 1832.
Residence at date of application, Fayette co., Ky.
Age at date of application, 90 born Louisa Co., Va.
Remarks:

Very respectfully,