Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2677, Pardon Davenport, R.I.
Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE
R. I.

Davenport, Pardon
Comfort

NUMBER
R. 2677
Page 2

"The age and time of the births of the children of Pardon Davenport and Comfort his wife are as follows,

Susannah Davenport was born January the twenty seventh in the year Seventeen hundred Eighty one.

Philip Davenport was born December ye 1t A. D. 1782

Gideon Davenport was born January ye 11th 1785"

State of Rhode Island }
Newport County.

Town Clerk's Office, Tiverton Feby 22d 1834

I certify the above to be a true copy of the record, with exception of the date of the birth of said Susannah Davenport, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures, as follows,

"Susannah Davenport was born January ye 27th A.D. 1781"

Asa Gray Town Clerk

I Asa Gray, above named depose and say, that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town of Tiverton, in the County and State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town, with the exception above named, as certified by me,

Asa Gray, Clerk of the town of Tiverton

Sworn before me this 25th day of February 1839

Chas Durfee Justice of the Peace
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4652

Comfort Davenport
R. I.
Act 4 July '36

m '79 d 18.

Hon. J. L. Tillinghast
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the 4th July 1836

State of Connecticut
County of Windham } Ss.

On this 12th day of July AD 1839 personally appeared before me John Fowler Esqr a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Windham and State of Connecticut

Comfort Davenport a resident of Woodstock in said County of Windham and state of Connecticut aged Eighty two 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 4. 1836

That she is the widow of Pardon Davenport who was a private and a Corporal and Sergeant in the militia in the war of the Revolution. That according to her best knowledge and belief her said husband entered into all his services in the war at Tiverton, in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island, where he resided at the time of the Revolutionary War -

That he served three months in the latter part of the year 1776, in the vicinity of Newport in a regiment commanded by Col. John Cook, and was on Rhode Island in said service when the enemy came to Newport in December 1776. - That all through the years 1777-1778 & 1779 he belonged to Capt. Isaac Cook's Company of Militia in said Tiverton, in Colo. John Cook's Regiment.-

The British held possession of Rhode Island almost three years to wit, from December 1776 up to near the first of November 1779. Rhode Island was separated from Tiverton by a channel in some places less than a mile in width - It became necessary to keep guards along the shores in Tiverton and Little-Compton to prevent the incursions of the enemy, and the Militia of said Tiverton were called out in two divisions, one division served a month, when they were relieved by the other division which served a month, and then the first division served again. - One half of said Militia were continually on duty - I have heard my said husband tell much about  his service on the shores in Tiverton and of his being on Rhode Island - and I have heard him say he was chosen a Corporal in Capt. Cook's Company - after we were married, my husband went on to Rhode Island a soldiering several times - one of these times he was taken sick and came home, the time he was taken sick I believe he was under Colo. Baley.

From what I have heard my said husband in his life time relate of his services, and from my recollection of his services after our marriage, I do believe he served his country in the war of the Revolution in actual military service, three months in the year 1776 - six months in 1777, six months in 1778, and five
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months in 1779. That all his services in the years 1777 & 1778 & 1779 were performed in tours of a month at a time, and that in one of these tours in August 1778 he was on Rhode-Island in Sullivan's Expedition; the others he served in said Tiverton - that at least Eleven months of said time he served a Corporal, and the other as a private soldier - After our marriage and in the year 1781 he served at least two months, and one of these months he was a Sergeant. - One of these months he was at Newport, and the other at the North end of Rhode-Island.  she has no documentary evidence of any of his services, but for Proof she refers to the accompanying affidavits.

She declares that her said husband was born in Tiverton, in the County of Newport at State of Rhode Island, that he was older than herself but she has no record of his age. - that she was born February 1st - Seventeen hundred and fifty Seven at Little-Compton in said County of Newport, and her father's name was Moses Palmer... that soon after her marriage with her said husband, they went to house keeping in said Tiverton. that they resided in Tiverton, till the year 1803 when they removed to Pomfret in Connecticut, and since her husband's decease, she has moved to Woodstock aforesaid.

She further Declares that she was married to the said Pardon Davenport on the nineteenth day of December in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy nine, at said Little-Compton, by Jonathan Ellis, Minister of the Gospel in sd town. that her husband the aforesaid Pardon Davenport died on the third day of March 1818, and that she has remained his widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed

She declares further, that they were married at the house of the Minister, that she knew of no person living who saw them married, and she has no record of their marriage

Comfort Davenport

State of Connecticut
Windham County } Ss

Be it known that on the twelfth Day of July Eighteen hundred and thirty Nine before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Comfort Davenport and made solemn oath to the truth of the above Declaration by her subscribed - and I hereby certify that the applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court - 

John Folwer Justice of the Peace
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I Theo. B Chandler Edw. Judge of Probate for the District of Woodstock in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut do hereby Certify that John Fowler Esq before whom the written Declaration was made is duly enrolled as a Justice of the Peace in and for said Windham County that the within signature of his name is in his hand writing and that full faith and credit ought to be given to his acts as such

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the public seal of said Court at Woodstock this 12th Day of July AD 1839

Theo. B. Chandler Judge of Probate for the District of Woodstock
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Moses Palmer Was Born in the year 1721. may 8th, and his wife Susannah Palmer was Born in the year 1724 march 30th -

Here followeth the names of Their Children -

Richard Palmer was Born in the year 1747. august 19th
Philip Palmer was Born in The year 1749 July the 2d.
Gideon Palmer was Born June 23d 1751.
Mary Palmer was Born January 1st: 1753
Moses Palmer was Born in The year 1755 February 18th -
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Comfort Palmer Was Born February 1st 1757
Ruth Palmer was Born November 14th 1758 -

Capt. Moses Palmer Died at Fort Hinsdale upon his Return home from the Expedition against Crown Point November the 26 Day 1759 -

Pardon July 27 1797
Cyers June 2 1801
Sam August 13, 18[illegible]
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An Hymn compos'd by Peleg Burroughs: 1782.
on the Bible.

1. This Book-of-Books, to us is given,
To shew our souls the way to Heaven!
This Book-of-Books the Lord hath sent,
To make us Godly and content.

2. The truth this Book to us imparts,
doth search and try our very hearts:
The Spirit which did it endite [indite],
Doth make us understand it right.

3. If we believe what's here reveal'd,
Twill make us humble as a child:
For truly it to us doth show,
That we deserve eternal [illegible]!

4. Yet may our souls rejoice and sing,
The Praises of our Heavenly King;
Who sent his Son, to die and Rise!
That we might Live above the Skies!

5. O come, let's hear the voice of God!
And tremble at his holy word:
Shew forth our faith by works that's right,
And serve him both by Day and Night.

Conclusion.
This Book of Books, contains the Song-of-Songs which unto Jesus and his Church belongs.
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Susanah Davenport was Born jeneauary 27. 1781
Philip Davenport was Born December the 1d. 1782
Gideon Davenport was Born january. the 11d. 1785
Audry Davenport was Born April the 17 1787
Noah Davenport was born 1789
[illegible] Davenport was Born March 1791
Phebe March 18 1793
Eliza April 5 1795
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2677

P.O. Comfort Davenport
Service: wid. of Pardon
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4552

Let. Hon. J.L. Tillinghast
Sept. 9, '39

2677

Act 4 July '36
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I Lydia Wilbour of Little Compton county of Newport and state of Rhode Island aged eighty two years do depose and say that I very well knew Comfort Palmer of this town. We were nearly of the same age went to school together and lived near neighbors wll she was married to a young man from the adjoining town of Tiverton named Pardon Davenport. I did not see them married but I knew of their marriage at the time. I cannot tell the exact time of their marriage, it was a great many years ago they moved to Tiverton soon after their marriage and after some years they moved away some where else. 
Lydia her X mark Wilbour
Signed in my presence 
Adaline Willow

State of Rhode Island
County of Newport
Be it known that on the 21st day of February AD 1839 before the subscriber a justice of the peace within and for said county of Newport personally came Lydia Wilbour and subscribed and made oath to the truth of her above deposition and I further certify that said Lydia is a credible person. 
Before me, 
Asa Gray Justice Peace
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I Lois Brown of Little Compton county of Newport and state of Rhode Island of lawful age do depose and say that I was acquainted with Comfort Palmer formerly of this town, she and I were cousins. She and her mother who was a widow lived at my father Philip Taylor's house in this town - the said Comfort married Pardon Davenport of Tiverton, they were married by Mr. Ellis the minister in Little Compton they went from my father's hosue to the minister's and were married there. I did not go with them but I very well remember the time I was then a young girl. I think not more than fourteen years of age - I am now seventy three said Pardon and Comfort moved to Tiverton soon after their marriage and lived there a number of years. I visited them many times while they lived in Tiverton, they afterward moved away to Connecticut and said Pardon I heard died many years ago. 
Lois Brown

State of Rhode Island
County of Newport
Be it known that on the 21st day of February in the year 1839 before she subscriber a justice of the peace within and for said county of Newport personally came Lois Brown and subscribed her above deposition and made oath to the truth of the same and I further certify that said Deponent is a credible person. 
Before me, Asa Gray Justice Peace
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I Nathaniel Taylor of Little Compton in the County of Newport
and State of Rhode Island aged Seventy five years do depose
and say, that Comfort Palmer, daughter of Moses Palmer
of this Town was my Cousin, her father Moses Palmer
was a Captain in the French War and died and was buried
where the village or town of Rome, now is in the State of New-
York-- her mother who remained a widow lived in the same
house with my father and her daughter the said Comfort
lived with her - they lived there at my father's at the time
said Comfort was married to Pardon Davenport, I knew
of there marriage at the time it took place but did not
see them married - they went to the minister's house.
they were married about the time the British troops
evacuated Rhode Island and Newport, and to the best of
my recollection, the same year, but I cannot tell the
month-
Nathaniel Tayler
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport
Be it known that on the 21st day of February in the year 1839
before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace within and for the
said County of Newport personally came Nathaniel Taylor
and subscribed and made oath to the truth of his above dep
position, and I further certify that said Deponent is a credible
person.    Before me     Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
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I Thomas Wilcox of Tiverton in the County of Newport and
State of Rhode Island, aged Eighty one years do testify and
say that I was acquainted with Pardon Davenport, formerly
of this town.- said Davenport married Comfort Palmer
of Little Compton, I was not to the wedding, but I well re-
member of hearing of it at the time, and I also remember
that it was in the time of the war, but what year I do not
recollect. - I lived a near neighbor to said Devenport both
before his marriage, and afterwards when he went to house
keeping with his said wife,- they had a family of children
and were reputed and respected as married people, and I
have no doubt were lawfully married. Said Davenport and
his said wife moved away from this town a good many years
ago and I have heard has deceased. Thomas Willcox
State of Rhode Island}
County of Newport} SS.
Be it known, that on the nineteenth day of January
A.D. 1839 before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in
and for said County personally came Thomas Willcox
and subscribed and made oath to the truth of his
above affidavit. And I further certify that sd Willcox
is a credible person.     Before me
Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
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I William Cook of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State
of Rhode Island, a Revolutionary Soldier aged Eighty three years
do depose and say, that I was well acquainted with Purdon
Davenport formerly a resident of this town, and whose widow
Comfort Davenport, now residing in the State of Connecticut is
an applicant for a pension - through all the time of the war
of the Revolution, said Davenport and myself resided within
a mile of each other in said Tiverton - the first military service
of said Pardon, in the Revolutionary War, was in the three
months service in 1776, in Col Cook's Regiment, and I think
in Capt Gifford's Company, but am not certain whose compa
ny - I was not in said service myself, but I was at
their encampment on Rhode Island and at Newport
as many as two or three times and I saw said Pardon
there a soldier in said service. I had a brother now dead
who was a Sergeant in Capt. Manchester's Company in the
same service. I think their times were not out in said service at
the time the British landed at Newport in December 1776
our troops retreated off the Island when the enemy landed, and
I was called into the service in Capt. Isaac Cook's Company of Mi
litia in Tiverton, and in said month of December 1776 was sta
-tioned on the shore in Tiverton opposite Rhode Island, said Pardon
was there also a soldier but whether in the militia, or still con
tinued in the three months service I am unable to say in the
year 1777 I was with said Pardon two months in Capt. Cook's Com
pany of Militia in Tiverton, in Col. John Cook's Regiment, there months
I think were February and April, and one of them we were sta
tioned at Ephraim Davenports house and one at Joseph Almy's in
Tiverton. I then entered into the State service and continued in
the same till March 1778 when I was discharged, and was
in the month of April, I think, called out in said Militia Com
pany again and served in the same every alternate month from
April 1778 till November 1779. Said Pardon was chosen a Corpo
ral and served in said Company all this time in that ca-
pacity, and was in actual military service at the guard posts in
said Tiverton in tours of a month at a time, from April to Decem
-ber in 1778 four months and one month on Rhode-Island in Au
-gust 1778 in Sullivan's expedition in the same Militia Company-
In 1779 he served in tours of a month at a time at least
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[handwritten] 
five months, in the same Company stationed at the guard posts on and near the shores in Tiverton. I was with him in all these services from April 1778 to November 1779 and he was all this time a Corporal. When I was in the State service I was stationed a part of the time in Tiverton and I know said Pardon continued in said militia company and from my recollection of his services I believe he served as many as five month from June 1777 to March 1778 inclusive in tours of a month at a time at the guard encampments and stations in Tiverton, and in said Militia Company about the time the French troops left, and I think in August or September 1781 said Pardon and myself served together one month at Butts Hill toward the north end of Rhode Island in Capt. Peleg Simmons Company, and we were under Col. Church. Said Pardon Davenport married widow Palmer's daughter Comfort, I was not to the wedding but I well remember of hearing of their marriage at the time it took place. They soon after their marriage went to house keeping near my residence in said Tiverton. I am unable to tell the exact time of their marriage, but I remember it was not far from the time the British left Rhode Island, and I think it was in 1779 or 1780. I know they were married before the time we served at Butts Hill in 1781 above stated. They had gone to house keeping some time before that time, and I had worked for them at shoe making at their house before said service in 1781. Said Pardon and wife moved from this town many years ago to Connecticut as understood, and I have heard has deceased.

William Cook

State of Rhode Island County of Newport

Be it known, that on the 15th day of February A.D. 1839 before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Newport, personally came William Cook and subscribed his aforegoing Deposition and made oath to the truth of the same, and I further certify that said Deponent is a credible person.

Before me

Asa Gray Justice of Peace
[/handwritten]
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[handwritten] 
I Ichabod Simmons of Tiverton in the County of Newport in the State of Rhode Island a revolutionary soldier aged Seventy Eight years on my own oath do depose and say, that at the time of the Revolution and before I was acquainted with Pardon Davenport of this town, said Davenport and myself served together in Capt. Isaac Cook's Company of Militia in Tiverton from the time the British landed on Rhode Island in December 1776 till I went into the Continental service in the Autumn of 1777 said Militia Company was attached to the Regiment of Col. John Cook. I am unable to say positively how much said Davenport served at that time, but according to the best of my recollection he served a month at a time, and as often as every alternate month. I was often on duty with him at the guards stations on the shores in Tiverton near Fogland Ferry, and have seen him engaged in the service in detachments of said Company at many other times. I verily believe from my recollection of his services, that he served in said Company at least five months from December 1776 till September 1777 engaged in the military service of his Country on the shores of Tiverton, I have always understood that said Davenport served in the three months service in Col Cook's Regiment in 1776. and that he was at Newport in said service when the British come in, and our army retreated off. I have heard Ichabod Williston of this town, who has lately deceased, and who was a soldier in said Regiment in the three months service in 1776 tell of said Davenport being in said Regiment with him. Said Davenport served one month in the year 1781 at Newport. I was there in the service at the same time but we were in different companies. From the best of my recollection said Davenport was in Capt. Perrigo Company and that he was a Sergeant in said Company, it was warm weather when we were at Newport and I think the latter part of Spring or first of summer, said Davenport moved away  from this town a great many years ago, and has since deceased as I have heard.

Ichabod Simmons
[/handwritten]
Page 20

[handwritten] 
State of Rhode Island County of Newport

Be it known, that on the 16th day of January A.D.  1839 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Newport, personally came Ichabod Simmons and subscribed and made oath to the truth of his within deposition, and I further certify that said Simmons is a credible persons. Before me,

Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
[/handwritten]
Page 21

Trifold page, middle section, right bottom
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 22

Providence August 29. 1839
Dear Sir,
I enclose to you herewith the application and
papers of Mrs. Comfort Davenport of Woodstock Conn. Widow of
Pardon Davenport, for a pension under the act of July 4, 1836.
The papers, separate pieces, are 11 in numbering.
_____
1 Declaration of Comfort Davenport with authentication & certificates
2. Certificates of A.B. Brownell, P.F. Little & Asa Gray
3. Certif. of Asa Gray to authority & signature of Justice to Depost.
4. Deposition of Ichabod Simmons, with certif. of oath &
5. D.     "     William Cook,    &
6. D.     "     Thomas Wilcox,  &
7. D.     "     Lydia Wilbour     &
8. D.     "     Lois Brown,        &
9 D.      "     Nathl. Taylor,      &
10 Asa Gray's Certif. of births of children of Pardon & Comfort Dav
-enport.
11. Folded Leaf (4 pages) from family Bible containing entries of
births of children of Palmer, Davenport.
_____
To these I beg your immediate attention & that you will
send your reply, & the pension Certificate you may award, under cover to me
as soon as circumstances will permit, as I understand from the
Son of the applicant, Mr. Gideon Davenport who is here, that she
is now in mediate need of the provision.
Hon. Jat. L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
Yours with great respect
Joseph L. Tillinghast
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerk's Office, of the Court of Probate for the town of
Tiverton in the County of Newport and State aforesaid
I Asa Gray, Clerk of said Court of Probate, a Court of
Record, do hereby certify that Asa Gray is a Justice of the
Peace within and for said County of Newport, duly ap
pointed, commissioned and sworn, and fully authorized
to act in his said capacity, and the signatures of his
name to the Depositions of Ichabod Simmons, William
Cook, Thomas Wilcox, Lydia Wilbour, Lois Brown, and
Nathaniel Taylor hereto annexed are his genuine signatures
I further certify that Charles Durfee is a justice of the
Peace within and for said County of Newport duly ap
pointed, commissioned and sworn and fully authorized
to act in his said capacity, and the signature of his
name to the affidavit of the Town Clerk of Tiverton, hereto
annexed is his genuine signature.
I further certify that Alexander R. Brownell
whose certificate in his own proper handwriting is hereto
annexed, is known to me to be the Town Clerk of the town of
Little Compton in this County.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of Office this
twenty sixth day of February in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and thirty nine.
Asa Gray Clerk of Court 
of Probate
Page 24

-
I Alexander R. Brownell of Little Compton, in the
County of Newport and State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations, do depose and say that I hold
the office of Town Clerk of said town of Little Compton
1
in the County of Newport and State aforesaid and have
the keeping of the records of births and marriages in said
Town, and upon diligent search I cannot find the
marriage of Pardon Davenport and Comfort Palmer
recorded in said Records. And I further say that
there have been many marriages in this town that
I
were never recorded.
A.R. Brownell
Sworn before me at Little Compton August 17th 1839
F. Little Justice of the Peace
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerk's Office of the Court of Probate of the town of Tiverton
in the County of Newport and State aforesaid
I Asa Gray Clerk of said Court of Probate Court
of Record do hereby certify that Philip. Little is a justice
of the Peace within and for said County of Newport residing in
Little Compton in said County, duly appointed Commissioned &
Sworn & fully authorized to act in his said capacity and the signation
of his name above written is his genuine
signature. In testimony whereof I have
I
hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this
nineteenth day of August A.D. 1839
Asa Gray, Clerk of Prob. Court