Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3958, Edward Davidson, Va.
Page 1

SERVICE
Va.

Davidson, Edward
Judith

NUMBER
W.32958

CONTENTS
Page 2

1195
Virginia Richmond
Judith Davidson
widow of Edward Davidson
Va
who served in the Revolutionary 
war, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on
he 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the
15 day of August 1848
and send to
Hon. J. S. Bocock
Appomatox. CH
Virginia

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 149 Vol. 3

Reported
Page 3

Augt for
M. S. Bocock

Cole

Judith Davidson
AA
7554

admitted

Hon. T.S. Bocock
H.R.
Appomatox City
Virga
Page 4

State of Virginia ⎬ SS
Appomattox County
On this 20th day of 1848 personally
appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the
peace in and for the County and State aforesaid
Judith Davidson, a resident of the County
of Appomattox and State of Virginia, who is
personally known to me aged Eighty five years
who being first duly sworn according to Law
doth on her oath, make the following 
declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the
provision made by the act of Congress, passed
on the 2nd February 1848 granting pensions
to Widows of persons who served during the
Revolutionary war, That she is the
widow of Edward Davidson decd, who
was a private in the Army of the
Revolution, and that she received under the
act of the 17th June 1844 Eighty dollars
per annum, payable semi annually
on the 4th March and 4th September in
every year.
She further declares that she is still
a widow
Judith X her mark Davidson
Witness
J. H. Davidson
W. E. Patteson
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year
above written before me
Wm D. Christian _ JP

State of Virginia
Appowalton County Court
I Henry F Bocock Clerk of the Court
of the County aforesaid and State of Virginia do hereby certify
that William D Christian who has signed the foregoing certificate
is a Justice of the peace in and for the said County duly commissioned
Page 5

and qualified as such and that the foregoing signature
purporting to be his is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I hereto set
my hand as Clerk of the Court of
said County and affix my official
seal this 22d day of July 1848
H F Bocock Clk
Page 6

Revy
WIDOW, &c.

File No. 39588
Judith Davidson
Wid.
Edward Davidson
Prvt Rev: War

Act: Feby, 2/48.
Index:--Vol. A, Page 167

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 7

Judith Davidson Va Act July 7
1838. When paid $80

H H S
June 4 1842

no payments made
IH
W Harry
Page 8

7554
Richmond Virginia

Judith Davidson
widow of Edward Davidson
who was a Private
in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the
4 day of February 1846
and sent to W.P. Bocock, Esq.
Buckingham C. H.
Virginia

[Act of March 3, 1843.]
& June of 1844

Recorded in Book A.
Vol. 2. Page 136

[Illegible]
Page 9

5411
Virginia

Judith Davidson
widow of Edward Davidson, dec
who [the rest of the line, crossed out] as a pensioner under the Act of
and who died on the 17 April 1827
Buckingham Co in the State of Virginia
who was a private in the compy commanded
by Captain Morton of the regt commanded
by Col Lawson in the Virginia
line for 2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond
at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836

Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of May
1840, & Sent to Rolfe Eldridge

Esq. Buckingham C.H. Va

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1840..................... $320.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep 40..    40.00
                                                                   $360.00
{Act July 7, 1838.}

Recorded by
D. McCurdy, Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 2, Page 177.

See letter to H. E. W. Hubard
Jany 5, 1842
Letter to 3d Auditor Aug
2d 1842
Paid at the Treasury under the
act of April 6th 1838 from 4th
March 1836 to 4th March 1841
Agt notified Augt 31st 1842
Page 10

State of Virginia
At a Court held for Buckingham County at the
Courthouse thereof on Monday the 9th day of March 1840.
On this day personally appeared before the County
Court of Buckingham, Judith Davidson a resident of the said County,
aged Seventy five 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed July
7th 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to
certain widows:" That she is the widow of Edward Davidson decd
late of the County of Buckingham who served two years as a private
Soldier in the army of the revolution, that she has no knowledge of the
particulars of his service but what she has since heard, and refers
to the affidavits of James Morton and William Walker dated the
22d day of January 18?0. That her said husband was the same
person whose service is proved by the affidavits of said Walker and
Morton above refered to, and hereto annexed. That she has no documentary
evidence in support of her claim, and is ignorant whether
whether any exists. She further declares that she was married to the
said Edward Davidson in the month of March, in the year Seventeen
hundred and eighty six, that her husband the said Edward Davidson
died on the 17th day of April in the year eighteen hundred & twenty seven
that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service,
but the marriage took place previous to the first of January 1794
viz: at the time above stated. She further states that she has not
been enabled to obtain any town, County Parish, Church, family or
the record proof of her said marriage, and of the time when it
took place. That she has never been married to any that person
since the death of her said husband, and that her said husband
never received any pension.

Judith X her mark Davidson

The following are true copies of affidavits produced in Court & filed in
this office in support of the declarants claim to a pension _
The affidavit of William Thornhill sent of the County of Buckingham
in the State of Virginia taken at the Store house of William W. Ferguson
[illegible] in the said County on Wednesday the 26 day of February 1840.
This affiant being first duly sworn deposeth and saith, that he
knew Edward Davidson decd late of said county, who is spoken
of in the annexed affidavits of James Morton, and William Walker
of Cumberland. He lived before, and after his marriage, & up to the
Page 11

time of his death (about 10 or 15 years ago) within eight miles of this
affiant, and left a widow Judith Davidson who before her marriage
was Judith Pendleton who is still living, and has never married since
the death of her said husband. Said Davidson and his said wife were
married not very far from where this affiant then lived till lives,
and though he was not at the wedding he heard of it at the time,
and some of his neighbours told him they were at it with their wives -
and this affiant saw the married comple and their friends passing on
the road by his house on their way from the residence of the said
Judith to that of the said Davidson on the day after the marriage -
From particular circumstances within his memory he can speak
with certainly as to the time. It was in the month of March in the
year seventeen hundred and eighty six - This affiant never heard
the legality of their marriage questioned. though the parties lived
together a long time and raised a large family, and both were
at all times person of as much respectability as any and further
this affiant saith not
William X his mark Thornhill

Virginia Buckingham County, to wit:
mark
The above affidavit was this day subscribed
and sworn to by William Thornhill senr. who is a man of good
standing, and of as much credibility as any man, before me a
justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid _ Given under
my hand this 26th day of February 1840 _
Wm W. Ferguson J.P.

the affidavit of William Stephens of Buckingham County Virginia
taken at the same time, 26 day of February 1840, and at the same
place with the affidavit of William Thornhill senr- This affiant
being first duly sworn saith that he lived in the same part of
the County, and was well acquainted with Edward Davidson decd
late of Buckingham, and who is spoken of in the foregoing affidavits
of William Thomhill and others. He knew the said Davidson &
his wife Judith formerly Judith Pendleton well before their
marriage and afterwards. He was present at their marriage
which he has no doubt was in all respects legal, the ceremony
was performed in the usual way, and he has never heard the
legality questioned. The said Davidson and his wife were both
at all times people of as much respectability as any and lived
together as man and wife for many years, till the death of sd
Edward which happened several years ago, & raised a large
family. The year of their marriage this affiant cannot recollect
Page 12

but has no doubt it was between the year 1781 and 1790 _ Judith
Davidson the widow of the said Edward is still living, and has never
married since the death of the said Edward _
William Stephens

Virginia_  Buckingham County, to wit:
The above affidavit was this day subscribed
and sworn to by William Stephens who is a man of as much credibility
and as good standing as any in my County, before me a justice of
the peace in and for the County aforesaid. Given under my hand
this 26th day of February 1840
Wm W. Ferguson J.P.

The affidavit of Wilson Hix of lawful age taken at the Courthouse of the
County of Buckingham Virginia on the 9th day of March 1840
This deponent being first sworn deposeth and saith that he lived
a near neighbour to Edward Davidson decd late of the County
of Buckingham at the time of the death of the said Davidson, that
he was one of the appraisers appointed by the Court of said County
to appraise the estate of said Davidson which was done in the
month of Novr in the year eighteen hundred and twenty seven,
and that the said Davidson died sometime in that year, namely
in the year eighteen hundred and twenty seven as aforesaid _
deponent further saith that said Davidson left a widow Judith
Davidson who is still living, and further saith not.
Wilson Hix'

Virg_ Buckingham County, to wit:
Wilson Hix in this day personally appeared before
me a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, and made
oath to the truth of the above affidavit _ and I do hereby certify that the
said Wilson Hix is a man of credibility _ Given under
my hand this 9th day of March 1840
T. C. Gannaway J.P.

The affidavit of John T Bocock of the County of Buckingham taken at
the Courthouse of said County on Monday the 9th day of March 1840
This affiant being first duly sworn deposeth and saith, that he has
been well acquainted with Edward Davidson decd late of
Buckingham County since the fall of the year seventeen hundred
and eighty six, at which time the father of this deponent moved
into the County of Buckingham and settled within about three
miles of said Davidson who was then a married man _
Page 13

This deponent then lived in the family of his father, and has ever
since lived a very near neighbour to the said Davidson during
his life time, and to his widow since his death. Both the said
Davidson during his life, and his said widow Judith Davidson
were and always have been persons of good character and
respectability, the said Edward Davidson died in the year eighteen
hundred and twenty seven leaving his widow Judith who is still
living, and has never since been married - and further this
deponent saith not.
J. T. Bocock-

Virginia Buckingham County, to wit:
I John T Bocock this day personally appeared
before me a justice of the peace in and for the County & State aforesaid
and made oath that the above affidavit subscribed by him contains
the truth. And I do hereby certify that the said John T Bocock
is a man of entire credibility. Given under my hand this 9th
day of March 1840
T.C. Gannaway J.P.

And the court being satisfied that William Thornhill senr-
William Stephens, Wilson Hix and John J Bocock who have given
the foregoing affidavits in support of the declarants claim
to a pension are credible persons, doth [illegible] the same to be
Certified _ I Rolfe Eldridge Clerk of the said County
Court of Buckingham in the State of Virginia do hereby certify
that the foregoing is a true transcript from the records of
the said County Court _  And I do further certify that Wm W.
Ferguson and T. C. Gannaway before whom the foregoing
affidavits were taken, are acting justices of the peace in & for
the said County duly commissioned and qualified according to
law, and that their signatures to the original filed in my
office are genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of my
Office this 14th day of March in the year
Eighteen hundred and forty
Rolfe Eldridge CBC
Page 14

The affidavit of Capt. William Walker of Cumberland
County Virginia taken at his house in said County on
the 22d day of January 1840. This affiant being first duly
sworn deposeth and saith that he was well acquainted with
Edward Davidson decd late of Buckingham County Virginia, that
he entered the service with this affiant in the revolutionary war
in the spring of 1776, under Capt John Morton of Prince
Edward County Virginia, and that he served two years
as a private soldier in the fourth Virginia Regiment commanded
he thinks at the beginning of the service by Col Robert
Lawson, & attached to the brigade commanded by General Stevens,
and afterwards by her Charles Scott to the best of his recollection,
that this affiant and the said Davidson were both
discharged together at the Valley forge in the spring of the
year 1778. & that he was a good soldier & a respectable
Citizen. This affiant knows that he was not married
when he entered the service not till several years after
he came out of it, and further this affiant saith not
Wm Walker

Virginia Cumberland County towit:
the above affidavit was this day duly subscribed &
Sworn to by William Walker who is a man of high &
acknowledged respectability, before me a justice of the peace
in and for the County aforesaid. Given under my hand this
22d day of January 1840
John Miller J.P.
Page 15

The affidavit of James Morton of the County of Cumberland
in the State of Virginia taken at the residence of Doctor William S. 
Morton of said County on the 22d day of January 1840. This
affiant being first duly sworn deposeth and saith that he
enlisted and was at first the orderly or 1st Sergeant in the Company
raised for the Revolutionary service early in the year 1776, by
Capt John Morton of Prince Edward County Virginia who was the
father of this affiant, and shortly after this company was raised
this affiant was commissioned an ensign & afterwards a
lieutenant. Said company was enlisted for two years and
was attached to the fourth Virginia Regiment in the 
Continental service, at one time under the command of General
Adam Stevens. This affiant well remembers that William
Walker, who has given the annexed affidavit concerning Edward
Davidson decd late of Buckingham County, and also the said
Edward Davidson were private in the company above referred
to, and marched with it into the service & served for a considerable
length of time, he thinks, the full time of their enlistment
two years, but of this he cannot now speak positively having
himself continued in the service during the war. This affiant
know said Davidson well in the service where he was a
good soldier, & know him afterwards having seen him at
his residence in Buckingham County long after the war. He
was not married till he left the service. and further saith not
James Morton

Virginia Cumberland County Court
The above affidavit was this day subscribed and sworn to by James Morton
who is a man of the highest standing for truth and respectability, before
me a Justice of the peace in and for the County & State aforesaid
Given under my hand this 22 day of January 1840.
John Miller J.P.
Page 16

Virginia Cumberland County to wit.

I Miller Woodson Clerk of the County Court
Cumberland, certify that John Miller whose name
appears to foregoing certificate, is an acting Justice
of the peace in and for the County of Cumberland
and that the signatures purporting to be his are
genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereto
subscribed my name, and affixed
the seal of the said County this
27th day of January 1840
Miller Woodson C.
Page 17

We the undersigned Citizens of the Countie of of Cumberland, Prince
Edward & Buckingham in the State of Virginia do certify
that they have long known Major James Morton & Capt
William Walker who have signed the annexed at [illegible, several words]
to the Revolutionary service of Edward Davidson decd
& can state with perfect certainty that they are both men of
high character [crossed out: &] third the integrity and of the most 
unimpeachable veracity - Given under our hands this 27 day of January
1840.
Miller Woodson
Danl. A. Wilson
Jno W Wilson
V. Parrish
Geo H. Matthews
Saml C Anderson
Wm M Thornton
Ew. L. Somyss
Geo. W. Daniel
Page 18

State of Virginia- Buckingham County, to wit:
I Rolfe Eldridge Clerk of the County Court of
Buckingham in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that the Revd
Greenberry Green a minister of the Gospel returned to the Clerks
office of this county, the register of a marriage in these words
on the second March one thousand seven hundred and eighty six
'I celebrated a marriage between Edward Davidson and Judith
Pendleton _ signed, Greenberry Green' with the exception of the
date, which is expressed in the original in fair legible figures
as follows: On the 2 March 1786
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand and annexed the seal of the said County
Court this 17th day of March in the year one
thousand eight hundred and forty
Rolfe Eldridge CBC
Page 19

Register of marriages
Page 20

Jan 26/46
Judith Davidson's declaration
for a pension _

March 3d 1843
Admd
[faintly, in the background, the next 5 words:] get No 38 VA 5411
$80
Va

To
W. P. Bocock
Buckingham C.H
Virginia

refer to Hon E. W. Hubard
for information

8431
438
Page 21

State of Virginia
Appomattox County ⎬ SS
On this fourth day November 1844, personally
before me Thomas H. Flood a magistrate in and for the
County of Appomattox, Judith Davidson, a resident
in that part of the said County of Appomattox which
was lately a part of the County of Buckingham, aged
about eighty years. who being first duly sworn, according to
law, doth on her oath make the following declaration
in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made
by the act of Congress passed on the 3d March, 1843,
granting pensions to widows of persons who served during 
the revolutionary War, That she is the widow of
Edward Davidson, who was a private in the army
of the Revolution, & that she received a pension of
eighty dollars a year under the act of July 7th 1838,
entitled "an act granting half pay & pensions to certain
Widows"
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Judith X her mark Davidson

Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year
above written before
Th H Flood J.P.

Virginia, Appomatox County towit:
I, Thomas H. Flood the magistrate in and for the County
of Appomattox in the State of Virginia do hereby certify
that Judith Davidson the person who has made the
foregoing declaration before me is personally well known
to me, and has been so for more than twenty years.
that I knew her husband Edward Davidson before his
death, and that I verily believe the declaration aforesaid
made by her is true. Given under my hand this 4th
day of November 1844.
Th H Flood J.P.
Page 22

State of Virginia
Appomattox County to wit
I Henry F Bocock, Clerk of the Court of Appomattox
County, certify that Thomas H Flood is a magistrate
as above duly commissioned and qualified as such
and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his
are genuine. In testimony whereof I have
hereto set my hand and affixed my private
seal, there being no public seal belonging
to my office, this 10th day of November in
the year 1845.
Henry Bocock Clerk of
the Court of Appomattox County

Willis P. Bocock of the County of Buckingham in the State
of Virginia maketh oath and saith, that the foregoing declarant
Judith Davidson is personally known to him and has been for
many years; that he verily believes her declaration aforesaid is
true; that he knows the received a pension of eighty dollars a
year for five years under the act of Congress of July 7. 1838, that 
the whole amount of said pension, four hundred dollars,
was drawn at once at the treasury Department at Washington
City & the money brought her by Hon. Edmund W. Hubard
of Virginia in the summer of the year 1842.
He further maketh oath and saith he knows personally
that Henry F. Bocock is the Clerk of the Court of Appomattox
County as above, and that the foregoing signature purporting
to be his is genuine: also that there is no public seal
belonging to the office of said clerk, because the said County
of Appomatox was established in May last out of part of 
Buckingham & other counties, and the affiant hath been recently
authorized by the Court of said County of Appomatox to cause
a seal to be made for the use of its clerk's office in the course
of the coming winter in the City of Richmond
W. P. Bocock
Page 23

Buckingham County to wit: I Thomas M Bondurant a
magistrate in and for the County of Buckingham do hereby
certify that the foregoing affidavit of Willis P. Bocock
was this day subscribed and sworn to before me in my
said County by the said Bocok. Given under my hand
this 27 day of November 1845
Th. M. Bondurant J.P.

I Rolfe Eldridge Clerk of the County Court of Buckingham in the
State of Virginia do hereby certify that Thomas M Bondurant is
a magistrate as above duly commissioned and qualified according
to law, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is
genuine-
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed my seal of office this 27th day of
November 1845.
R Eldridge CBC
Page 24

Edward Davidson A 1827
Judith          M 1786.S

+2 [2 sets of initials, illegible]. Pr. Ed.[2 sets of initials, illegible] M Norton
Cd Rd Laura

+ Wm Walker Wit. both dischd together
at Valley Forge.
Jas Morton. wit._ himself D.W. 1828
[two words, illegible] Preston
Cumberland

.435
Cont line  fr 130
Sergt L16.68
decd pri fr 360 L 15
Page 25

Jan 4. 1842
Va.

Free
Edm W Hubard

Hon EW Hubard
[Illegible]

Mr J. L. Edwards C of P.
Washington
Page 26

Buckingham Mar. 7th 1840

Sir.
I inclose you Judith Davidsons declaration for
a pension and the evidence in support of it. Any 
communication which may be necessary to be made touching
the subject, you will please address to Willis P Bocock esq:
near Clover Hill post office
Buckingham County Va
I am respectfully your
Obt Servant
Rolfe Eldridge
Page 27

H. of R. Jan. 3rd 1842

Dear Sir
I have received a letter from one
of my constituents stating that Mrs Judith
Davidson (widow of Edward Davidson
decd) has a certificate signed by
G. R. Poinsett late sect:y of War, showing
that under the act of 7th July 1838 she is
entitled to a pension of eighty dollars per
year for five years, beginning the 4th day
of March 1836. Though the whole amount
for the five years was due on the 4th of
March 1841 no part of the pension has
yet been paid.
Will you be so good as to examine
I see whether the foregoing is correct. If so
please state in what [illegible] the same will be
paid, as well as the time & mode of
obtaining payment. Your attention at the
earliest opportunity to the above will oblige
Yr. mo. obt. svrt.
Edmd W. Hubard
Page 28

MADISONIAN OFFICE.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.
August 16th 1842

Sir:
Under the Act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing
the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and 
authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States,"
Judith Davidson. _
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va
Agency, at the rate of Eighty Dollars and
_ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th July
1838. has been paid at this Department, from the
4th of March 1836, to the 4th March 1841
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller

To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.