Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3258, William F R Davis, Md.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE | | NUMBER
Md. | Davis, William F. R. | S.3258
carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

Ohio, 19.884.
Wm F. R. Davis
of Green [Greene] Co. in the State of Ohio
who was a Private in the Co. commanded
by Captain Reed of the Regt. commanded
by _____ in the Maryland
line for 10 mos.

Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio
at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 23d day of Sept
1833 and sent to J. L.
Grover, Xenia, Ohio.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833. 83.33
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar '34 16.67
$100.00

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by [illegible Wm. R. Johns?], Clerk,
Book [illegible] Vol.  8 Page 6
Page 3

No. [lined out: 17935]
19.884
Wm. F R Davis

[lined out: Re[illegible] 5.14.15.17]
Adm 10 Months

$33.33
2'
--------
66.66
16.67
--------
83.33

J.L. Grover
Ohio
Clerk
Exania
Green [Greene] County
Ohio
Ohio
21. Feb. 1833
Page 4

BRIEF in the case of Wm F. R. Davis
of Greene County
in the State of
Ohio
(Act 7th 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? 69 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.
| Years, Months, Days | As a | Gen.
In 1780..|..2 [under Months column]..| Private | Capt. Ladowich Yhost 
1781 ...| ..not stated....| [illegible] Sergeant | John H. Nichols Capt.
[illegible date] | enlisted for 3 years & served
by himself & substitute to the
due of the War} | Private | Capt. John Read
5. In what battles was he engaged? _____
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Montgomery County, Maryland
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence - Basil Davis
proves he saw declarant after his return from one of his tours of duty, when his [illegible]
had the appearance of his having been a soldier-
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Yes.
The declaration is on several disconnected prices of paper
*Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
B.F. Pleasants Examining Clerk
Page 5

Wm F R Davis 
Declaration 

17935
v
Page 6

Declaration 
In order to obtain the benefit of the act 
of Congress, passed June 7th 1832. 
State of Ohio 
Greene County ss }
On this 17 day of September in the 
year of our Lord eighteen hundred & 
thirty two, personally appeared in open 
court, before the Judges of the Court of 
Common Pleas now sitting in & for the 
County of Greene, Wm F R Davis a resident 
of said County of Greene & State of Ohio 
aged Sixty nine years in desember 
next, who being first duely 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 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the 
United States under Captain Lodowick 
Ghost a Militia officer in the month
of March 1780 in the County of 
Montgomery in the State of Maryland 
the place of his then residence & also 
the place where he was born, though at the time of his birth it belonged to 
the County of Fredrick, he was then 
in his seventeenth year of age, and 
entered the service as a substitute 
for his brother Richard, his Lieutenant 
was Tom Williams, he was marched 
in this company to Fredrick Town, to 
guard the prisoners, which were taken 
with Burgoin, and on arriving at 
that place, he with seventeen others
Page 7

were detailed as a guard to guard the 
Magizean about one mile + a half 
from Fredrick Town, under the 
Lieutenant (Williams) in which 
service he remained two months 
the full term for which he entered 
the service, he was discharged or 
dismissed, but did not receive any 
written discharge, he returned 
home, & in the month of May 1781 
he Joined a company of Volunteers 
called Select Militia, under the 
Command of Captain John H. Nicholds 
the Lieutenant was Thomas 
Nicholds and was marched to 
George Town in the now district 
of Collumbia, at which place 
we remained as a guard untill 
the latter part of June following 
he was orderly[?] Sargeant in this company;
the company were then dismissed 
 & returned home, this service 
was in consequence of an expected 
attack on George Town, by 
Some British vessels which 
were said to be in the 
Potomac river. Their were several 
other compaines also at George Town 
at the same time, and the same light 
house also but he does not know 
that they were formed into or attached 
to any regiment, he thinks their were
Page 8

no field or general officers present.
In the month of September 
of the same year (he cannot state 
the day of the month) he inlisted. 
in the County of Fredrick, for the 
term of three years, under Captain 
John Read a Scotts Gentleman;
his Lieutenant was McGruder[?] he 
was stationed with this Company 
at the Magazean a short distance 
from Frederick Town, as a guard 
being the same place where he 
performed the first Town as 
Militia man as before 
Stated, they continued there untill 
the month of April following 
(1782) after Cornwallace was taken.
The prisoners taken with him or part of them
was brought
to Fredrick Town in December 
succeeding he thinks, in the time 
he was however permitted by his 
captain to return home on furlow 
for two weeks or thereabouts, for 
the purpose of furnishing a substitute 
for the residue of his time 
which he furnished, & which substitute 
was accepted & retained by 
the officers and he returned 
home and entered the service 
no more. The troops being all 
Shortly afterwards disbanded 
as well as he can recollect, in 
the whole time of his service he 
was not at any time attached 
to any regiment as he remembers
Page 9

or to the command of any general 
officer, nor was he in any engagement, 
during the time nor did 
he render any service out of 
the State of Maryland. He further
States, that in the year 1780 
in his first Service as a Malitia 
man as before stated, They
were ordered to remove the prisoners 
to York Town in the State of 
Pennsylvania, they started and 
marched two days & the order 
was countermanded, and they 
returned with the prisoners to 
Fredrick Town - He further 
States that he does not know of any 
person by whom he can prove his 
serviceses except Basil Davis 
whose deposition is herewith 
attached. That he hath a record of his age in his posession. he hath no documentary
evidence of his services, nor did he 
ever receive a discharge in writing 
as he can now remember.
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
Page 10

He Saith he has lived since the 
revolution in the State of Maryland 
untill the latter part of the year 1792 
when he removed to the State of Virginia 
to Fagner [?] County where he remained 
untill the fall of the year 1823 when he 
removed to the State of Ohio, to the County 
of Greene where he still resides.
He names Richard Cummingham & 
Basil Davis as persons who have been 
well acquainted with him 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and 
year aforesaid 
Wm F R Davis 
Attest J Y Grover Clk

We Richard Cunningham and Basel 
Davis both resident in the County
of Greene in the State of Ohio do hereby 
certify that we are well acquainted 
with Wm F R Davis, who has sworn to 
and subscribed the above declaration 
that we believe him to be of the age he 
States himself to be, in his said declaration 
and that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood in which he lives to have 
been a Soldier of the revolution, and 
that we concur in that opinion 
Rd. Cunningham
Basil Davis
Sworn to subscribed in Open 
Court Sep 17th 1832 
J. Y Grover Clk
Page 11

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 Richard Cunningham &
Basil Davis who have signed the preceding certificate
are residents of Greene County & State of Ohio and are 
credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I James L Grover Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas of Greene County Ohio also do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the Original
proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the
Application
of William F. R. Davis for a pension
-
In testimony whereof I have here
to set my hand & the seal of Office
at Xenia this 24th day of Sept
AD 1832 J L Grover Clk
Page 12

State of Ohio }
Greene County ss }Before me Jas A Scott a Justice of the 
peace within & for the County of Greene and State of Ohio 
aforesaid personally came Bazel Davis late of Sugar Creek 
Township in the County aforesaid who after being solemnly 
sworn according to law says that he the said Bazel Davis 
has been personally acquainted with William F. R Davis 
of the Township of Sugar Creek in the County aforesaid for 
fifty five or sixty years, that deponent well recollects of seeing 
the said William F R Davis imediately on his return from a 
Tour he had served in the Revolutionary War, and deponent 
further states that the said William F R Davis had on at 
the time of his Return Such clothing as was then worn by the 
Regular Soldiers of the Revolutionary Army. that it was 
then understood, and deponent then believed and does now believe 
that the said William F R Davis was at that time a Regular soldier 
in the army of the Revolution and that he has always been 
reputed as a Revolutionary soldier since the Revolutionary 
War & further saith not   Basil Davis
Sworn and subscribed this 
5th day of August 1833 
before me Jas A Scott J. P.

State of Ohio }
Greene County Ss } I hereby certify that from my personal 
knowledge of Bazel Davis who has signed the preceding 
affidavit is a Resident in the County of Green as aforesaid, 
and is a credible person and that his statement is 
entitled to credit Given under my hand at Xenia in 
the County & State aforesaid this 5th 1833
 Jas A Scott J. P.
Page 13

The State of Ohio ⎬ 
Greene County Ss.   }
I James L Grover Clerk of the Court of Common 
Pleas of said county do hereby certify 
that James A Scott Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit 
of Basil Davis was this day made, is an acting Justice 
of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned 
and qualified and that to all his acts as such full faith 
and credit is due and should be given as well in County 
of Record as thru out, and that the signature purporting to be his 
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my 
name and affixed the seal of said Court 
at Xenia this 5thday of August 1833.
J. L. Grover Clerk
Page 14

State of Ohio       |
Green County ss | Personally appeared before 
me the undersigned a Justice of 
the peace in & for the said County of 
Green. Wm F R Davis who being duly sworn 
deposeth & 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 period mentioned below
& in the following grades. For two 
Months as a private Soldier, and as a 
Substitute, under Captain Lodwick 
Yhost a militia officer as stated in his 
previous declaration & to which this is 
attached. As a private soldier & Volunteer 
under Captain John H Nicholds one 
month. As an inlisted soldier under 
Captain John Read for three years; he 
served Seven months. In all ten 
months. He states he was born in 
the County of Fredrick in the State 
of Maryland on the 14th day of December
AD 1763 according to the register 
kept by his Father in the family 
bible, but that register is not now in 
his possession nor power to produce. 
He says that he lived in the County of 
Montgomery when called into the 
Service, he remained in the same 
part of the County Since the Revolution 
untill December 1792, when 
removed to the State of Virginia 
where he remained untill December 
1823 when he came to Green County 
Ohio. He states that he does not remember 
of any General officer of the regular
Page 15

Service being with the troops where 
he Served during his whole Service 
nor was he at any time attached to any 
militia regiment. He says that he has 
not in his possession or power any 
discharge, nor does he remember 
that he ever did receive any, and 
is pretty confident he did not 
Wm F R Davis
Sworn to and subscribed 
before me at Xenia Green 
County Ohio on the 5th 
day of August 1833 
Jas A Scott J P 

The State of Ohio Green County ss. 
James L Grover Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas 
of said County, do hereby certify that James A Scott Esq. before 
whom the above affidavit was this day made by said William 
F. R. Davis, is an acting Justice of the peace within & for said 
County duly commissioned and qualified, and that the 
signature purporting to be his is genuine 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto 
set my name, and the seal of said Court at Xenia this 5th August A.D. 1833 
J L Grover Clk
Page 16

Mrs. Don Kocher
118 Pike Street
Sidney, Ohio
Dear Madam:

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
MCS: MLB

Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 5258, that William F. R.
Davis was born on December 14, 1785, in Frederick (which
was later called Montgomery) County, Maryland.
While a resident of that county, he enlisted in March,
1780, and served two months as a private in Captain Lodwick Yhost's Maryland company and was a substitute for his brother,
Richard Davis. He enlisted in May, 1781, and served one
month as private or sergeant in Captain John H. Nichols'
Maryland Company. He enlisted in September, 1781, and served
seven months with the Maryland troops under Captain John Read.
He lived in Maryland until 1792 when he moved to
Fauquier County, Virginia. In December, 1825, he moved to
Greene County, Ohio.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
September 17, 1832.
In 1833 he was living in Sugar Creek Township, Greene County, Ohio.
The Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to
afford any information in regard to C. Ridenour,
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
Page 17

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 F. R. Davis
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 amout [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
Page 18

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 but two citizens
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?
yes
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. No
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?
yes
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? No No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed
by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
No No

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.
Page 19

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. 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 [shown] 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 20

O.W. & N. Div
Revolutionary

L.W.D.
I. 3258

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.

March 17, 1897

Sir:- 

Replying to your request for information concerning the military record of William F.R. Davis, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you are advised that he made an application for pension on September 15, 1832, at which time he was 69 years of age and residing in Greene County, Ohio, and his pension was allowed for ten months' actual service as a private in the Maryland troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Reed. He enlisted from Montgomery County, MD.

Very respectfully,

Commissioner.

Mr. Maurice McKim
Portland, Oregon.
Page 21

Kocher Lumber Company
Don C.R. Kocher, Manager

Lumber, Lath, Shingles, Interior Finish Columns, Mouldings Millwork, Prepared Roofing Etc.

Sidney, Ohio,  April 22, 1931

Pension Department
Washington D.C.

Gentlemen:

Please advise me if there is on your pension list, or if there were on the list the following names as having been soldiers in the American Revolutionary War: C. Ridenour and Wm. F.R. Davis. If there are such names kindly give me what information you have concerning them.

Thanking you I am

Sincerely Yours

Mrs. Don Kooner
Historian
Lewis Boyer Chapter D.A.R.

118 Pike St
Sidney, Ohio

US PENSION OFFICE STAMP: Apr 24, 1931
Page 22

Left Side Page

17-1897 - History to Maurice McKim Portland Oregon

1931, May 29 - Hist to Mrs. Don Kocher

Middle Page

3258
Rev War
INVALID
 
File No.  3258
Wm. F.R. Davis
Private Rev War

Act June 7, 1832
Index Vol A Page 89
[Arrangement of 1879]

Right Side Page

Mar.
Mr.