Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6790, Giles Davidson, Va.
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Va.

Davidson, Giles
S. 6790

Born in Va.

carded
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Virginia 12.920

Giles Davidson
of Amherst in the State of Virginia
who was a pri. in the company commanded
by Captain Bailey in the Virginia 
line for 1 year & 11 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 76 Dollars, 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of June '33
and sent to J. Thompson
Amherst C. H. Va.

Arrears to the 4th of March '33 - $153.32
Pens-amt. allowance ending 4 Sept. - $38.33
                               (total)     $191.65

(Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.)

Recorded by Wm. Miller, Clerk
Book E, Vol. 6, Page 6.
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Virginia:  Amherst County Tourt

On this 21st day of August 1832 personally appeared in open
Court before the Justices of Amherst County now-sitting Giles Davidson a
resident of the said County and State of Virginia aged Seventy years
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 7th 1832.

That he was born in the county of Buckingham and State of Virginia
in sometime in the year 1762, a knowledge of which fact he derived
from the family Register of his father which he has seen in the possession
of his brother Edward Davidson.  That at about the age of Sixteen years
he joined a Company of militia detailed from the County of Buckingham
and commanded by Capt. William Diuguid to perform a tour of three
months duty at the Barracks in the County of Albemarle and State
aforesaid:  that he joined the said company as a Substitute for young
Lee, and that after he reached the Barracks he enlisted in a Company
commanded by Capt. Garland Burley, who in part recruited a force
for the special purpose of guarding the British prisoners at the said
Barracks, and that he was employed by the said Burley in that service
about twelve months after the close of his militia our when was discharged.
From the great lapse of time he does not remember whether he
received at the same time any written discharge, but if he did it has been lost.

That after this period he was in the County of Stensy in the 
State of Virginia when Capt. Shelton of that County was seating up for
a volunteer company, to put down or overawe the Tories who had
created some alarm in the hollows of Dan River on the Frontier of Virginia 
and North Carolina, that they were employed in visiting the neighborhood
and dwellings of persons suspected to be disaffected to our cause
and in preventing injuries from those known to be Tories.  That the head
quarters of this Company was at the house of a Tory by the name of
McGowan who resided in Stensy County and State of Virginia.

That he was engaged in this Service, not quite the three months for
which he engaged, the Services of the Company not being deemed longer 
necessary:  that he did not take any written discharge from this Service 
nor was it usual in those times, to grant to the militia or to volunteer
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militia such discharges; nor does he know of any living witness by whom he
can prove the last named Service.

That after the last mentioned period having returned to his native
County of Buckingham, he was again drafted into the militia Service
and marched with Capt. William Perkins and served with him three
months: that during this Service he was engaged in the affairs with the
enemy at Hotwater ? and at James Town and he remembers seeing
whilst in this Service (who were also engaged in the same parts) majors Stoffman
and Boyce and Captn Caldwell of the regular Army.

That the last mentioned Service having expired and he having
returned to the County of Buckingham he was immediately called again
into the militia Service and on the last of August or first of September 1780
he believes (but from the lapse of time he does not pretend to accuracy as
to dates) he marched from the County of Buckingham under the Command
of Captain Silas Watkins: that after the Company met at the place of ?
which was in the neighborhood of Yorktown Capt Watkins relinquished the
command of the Company and returned home and Capt William Giles took
charge of it: that the Company was at York Town and he with it during
the Seige of that place; that he was present when it was surrendered and
that he together with his company and other troops formed a part of the guard
who conducted the prisoners to the Winchester Barracks, and that he was
there discharged either the last of November or the first part of December
1781: that his Service during this tour was about three months and that
all the Services he performed during the war of the Revolutions as herein
before detailed was performed by him in the character of a private Soldier.

That he has no documentary evidence to support his said claim
and that he does not know of any living witnesses who have any knowledge
of them except William Lavender Sen. and Josiah Giles whose examinations
are hereto annexed.  That shortly after the close of the war of the
Revolution he removed to the County of Amherst where he resided ever
since.  He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or
annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the
pension roll of any agency in any State.

[signed] Giles Davidson

Subscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid.
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Amherst County Court

This day personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for the
County aforesaid William Lavender Senr. of said County who made oath that he is
a soldier of the Revolution and that during his Services therein he became
acquainted with a certain Giles Davidson who is now a resident of the County of
Amherst.  That the said Davidson served with the affiant about one year at the
Barracks in the County of Albemarle where they aided in guarding the British
prisoners taken at Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga.  That the said Davidson
was a private soldier and attached to a Company commanded by Captain
Burley.  That he the affiant afterwards met the said Giles Davidson sometime
in the month of September 1781 somewhere in the neighborhood of York Town
and that he was then a private doing duty in a Company of militia from the
County of Buckingham in the State of Virginia, that the said Davidson
served during the whole seige of York Town and after its surrender by the
enemy he accompanied the affiant who with others formed the guard to conduct
the prisoners taken at that place to the Winchester Barracks Va. where
the affiant and said Davidson were discharged he Service.  Given under
my hand this 20th day of August 1832.

[signed] Ambrose Rucker

Amherst County Court

This day Josiah Giles personally appeared before me a Justice
of the Peace for said County and made oath that he knew Giles Davidson to be
a Soldier in the revolutionary War and was stationed at the Albemarle
Barracks in the State of Virginia, he was under Captain Burley.  Given under
my hand this 4th August 1832.

[signed] William Dillard

We Daniel Day a Clergyman residing in the County of Amherst and
William Turner residing in the same County do hereby certify that we
are well acquainted with Giles Davidson who has subscribed and sworn
to the above declaration: that we believe him to be seventy years of age
that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have
been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
[signed] Daniel Day
[signed] William Turner

Subscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of
the matter, the reading of the affidavits of William Lavender Senr and
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Josiah Giles the first of whom is personally known to the Court and believed to
be a man of truth and after pulling the interrogations 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 Daniel Day who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman
resident in the County of Amherst and that William Turner who has also signed
the same is a resident in the County of Amherst and is a credible person and that
their statement is entitled to credit.

I Robert Tinsley Clerk of the County Court of Amherst County do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court
in the matter of the application of Giles Davidson for a pension.

In testimony whereor I have hereunto set my hand and
Seal of Office this first day of September one thousand
Eight hundred and thirty two on the fifty seventh
year of the Commonwealth.

[signed] Robert Tinsley

Amherst County to Wit

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for
the County aforesaid and State of Virginia Giles Davidson, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that
by reasons of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively to the precise length
of some of his tours of militia duty performed during the Revolutionary War as set forth in his
foregoing declaration of the Tour performed from the County of K? and the last performed from the County
of Buckingham but that according to the best of his recollection, he served in each of these tours
as a private soldier not less than ? and half months, making five months, which added to his other
services as set forth in the same declarations, also in that same character of a private soldier
makes altogether one year and eleven months and for which services he claims a pension
given under my hand this 21st day of May 1833.

[signed] William Dillard

Amherst County to Wit

I William Dillard a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid in the State of Virginia
do hereby certify that the affidavit of Josiah Giles dated the 4th Aug. 1832 a copy of which is in the foregoing
?, was taken before me in the county aforesaid; and I do further certify that it appears to me
that the said Josiah Giles was at the time of making the said affidavit and state is a credible
heir so far as I know he being a stranger to me, that his testimony is entitled to full credit--Given under my hand this ? day of May 1833.
[signed] William Dillard

Amherst County to Wit

I Ambrose Rucker a justice of the peace for the county aforesaid in the State of Virginia
do hereby certify that the affidavit of William Lavender dated the 20th day of August 1832. a true copy
of which affidavit is in the foregoing record, was taken before me in the County aforesaid and I do
further certify that it appears to me that the said William Lavender Ser was at the time of making the
said affidavit and still is a credible person and that has testimony is entitled to full credit.  Given under my hand this 20th day of May 1833.

[signed] Ambrose Rucker
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Giles Davidson

Yr

9779

Admit as a private
the 1 yr and 11 mo.
$76.66

P. 317

Sp Letter
30 March
J. Thompson
Amherst
Va
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BRIEF in the case of Giles Davidson
County of Amherst in the State of Va
(Act 7th June, 1832)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  Open Court

2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  [no answer]

3.  How old is he?  70 years

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

[column headings]  Period, Duration of Service, Rank, Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.

Period not stated; 3 months; as a private under Capt. Diuguid; as a private under Capt. Burley

He states that he was engaged, not quite 3 mo. in watching Tories; no officer stated.

3 months as a private under Capt. Perkins.

Last of Aug.  and 1 Sept 1781; 3 months as a private under Capt. Watkikns Capt. Giles.

5.  In what battles was he engaged?  York Town

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Buckingham Co., Va

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

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?  Correct

X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.

[signed] Richard Cutts
Examining Clerk
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6790

Rev. War

INVALID

No. 6790
Giles Davidson
Pri. Rev. War

Act:  June 7th, 1832

Index:--Vol. Feb, Page 89

(Arrangement of 1870.)
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Giles Davidson

[also there is about 10 lines of typing placed vertically on the page, but too faded to read]
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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
Giles Davidson, Amherst Co, Va 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?  [no answer]

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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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?  yes

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not
obtaining it? [no answer]

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? [no answer]

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?  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?  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?  [no answer]

________

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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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 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.
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Virginia Amherst County Court

I Robert Tinsley Clerk of the County Court of Amherst County
in the State of Virginia aforesaid do certify that William Dillard and Ambrose
Rucker who have given the three last preceding certificates are Justices of the
Peace for the said County of Amherst duly commissioned and qualified, and as
such authorized by the laws of this State to administer oaths.  and that their signatures 
thereto are genuine.

In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and seal of
office this twenty first day of May one thousand
eight hundred and thirty three and in the fifty seventh
year of the commonwealth.

[signed] Robert Tinsley

[folded paper affixed to page]