Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S.29,111, Joshua Davis, N.H.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE N.H.
Davis, Joshua
NUMBER S. 29. 111
CONTENTS
Page 2

[printed and handwritten]

15848
Massachu[settes]
Joshua Dav[is]
of [illegible] in the State of Mass
who was a private [illegible] command[ed]
by Captain Forester of the Regt command[ed]
by Col. DaMer in the not line for 7 mo
Inscribed on the Rolls of Masstes
at the rate of 22 Dollars 22
to commence on the 4th day of March,
Aug 7-1833
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day
1833 and sent to [illegible]
Arrears to the 4th of [illegible] $56.6
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 33 11.6
$61.2
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 18
Recorded by [illegible] Cl
Book E Vol. 2 Page 17
Page 3

Date of death Mar in 93
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Declaration [62 crossed out]
No. 1.   10,534:
Joshua Davis
Asst sworn
This case contains three papers
Nos. 1.2.3.
Page 5

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough, to wit,
At the Court of Probate
begun and holden at Amherst within and for the County of Hillsborough on the twenty seventh day of August A.E. 1832 On the Application of Joshua Davis claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following Interrogatories were propounded to him to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were born?
Answer,
In Townsend Ms[Massachusetts] May 15 1744
2. Have you any record of your Age, and where is it?
Answer,
I have no such record but my name is recorded on the town book of Townsend.
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? Answer,
In Mason N.H. In 1738 I moved to Hollis where I lived 19 years. I then moved to Mason again where I lived 10 or 12 years I then removed to Hollis 4 or 5 years. I then moved to Wilton N. H. where I have since lived.
4. However were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom?
Answer,
I was always a volunteer, and served on my own notion.
5. State the names of some of the regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served, such Continental, and Militia Regiments, as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service?
Answer,
Capt.[Captain] Mann of Mason. Col.[Colonel] Conner. Gen.[General] Gates. 
6. Did you every received any written discharge from service?
Ans,[Answer]
I never rec[eived] any such discharge.
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution?
Answer,
Benjamin Blanchard. Benjamin Steel. Rev[erend] Mr. Richardson. Dr. John Piethaire. Dr. Parkhurst. Johnthan Keyes. Lovejoy Steel.
Joshua Davis mark X.
In presences of. Nath[anie]l Jewett
A.L. Wherton Regr[Registrar]
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State of New Hampshire
County of Hillsborough ss.
On this twenty seventh day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court of Probate , now sitting at Amherst within and for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire Joshua Davis of Wilton N.H. aged eighty eight years Who being 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 entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say
1. That in the fall of the year AD 1775 he engaged to go to Cambridge two months and enlisted in the Company of Capt.[Captain] Noah Worcester and Col.[Colonel] Durkees Regt.[Regiment] of the New Hampshire forces, with this Company he march from Walles to Cambridge and was then stationed near the Colleges where he served and his term of two months and was dismissed.
2. In AD 1776 he engaged to go to Ticonderoga for five months, and enlisted in the Company of Capt.[Captain] Daniel Emerson of Walles, in the Regt.[Regiment] Commanded by Col.[Colonel] Wingate - of the New Hampshire forces, in which Company he served five months and was dismissed -
He never received any written discharge, when he left the service.
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He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity whatever except, the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll, of the agency of any State, subscribed the day and year aforesaid Joshua Davis in presence of Sam[uel] Davis of Exeter
We Edmond Parker Judge of Probate  Charles Gearrar residing in the town of Wilton and Stephen A. Barnard a Clergyman residing in the town of Wilton in the county of Hillsborough hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joshua Davis who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be 88 [eight eight] years of age, that his is reputed and believed to in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the 28th day of August 1832. 
Charles Gearrar
Stephan A. Barnard
Edmond Parker Judge of Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and 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 Stephan A. Barnard who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergy man resident in the town of Wilton and that Charles Gerrar of Wilton is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I Charles A. Atherton Registrar  &[and] Edmond Parker Judge of Probate aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains, the original proceedings, of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Joshua Davis for a pension
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 28th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand-Eight hundred and thirty two
C[harles]A Atherton, Reg[istrar]
Page 8

10.534.
Joshua Davis
New Hampshire
on role Capt Emerson
Co Col Wingate Regt
16 ob.
March 25 1833
Private J. [Illegible]
P311
[Illegible] Dana Esq.
Groton
Mas
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10.534.
Brief in the case of Joshua Davis
County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 88
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period. In 1775 Fall  Duration of Service. 2 Months Rank. As a Private Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Capt. Noah Worcester Col. Durkee, N.H. "forces"
Period. In 1776 Duration of Service. 5 Months [illegible] Rank. As a do. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Capt. Daniel Emerson, Col. Wingate," N.H. forces"
5. In what battles was he engaged? none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Mason N. H.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary & 2 witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The official character of the Magistrate is not certified.
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.
J. Waugh
Feb. 11 1833
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November 25, 1935
Joshua Davis-S.29111
BA - J/AWF [pencil -awc]
Mr. L. Garrett Myers
80 North Main Street
Salt Lake City, Utah
Dear Sir:
The Revolutionary War record of Joshua Davis
which follows was obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 29111, based upon his service in that war.
Joshua Davis was born May 18, 1744 in Townsend Massachusetts; the names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Mason, New Hampshire, he
volunteered in the fall of 1775, served two months in Captain Noah Worcester's company, marched to Cambridge, was stationed there under Colonel Durkee. He volunteered
sometime in 1776, served five months in Captain Daniel Emerson's company, Colonel Wingate's New Hampshire regiment, and was in the campaign to Ticonderoga.
He moved in 1783 to Hollis and lived there about nineteen years, returned to Mason and lived ten or twelve years, moved to Hollis again and lived four or five years, and moved to Wilton, Hillsborough County,
New Hampshire.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 27, 1832, then living in Wilton, New Hampshire.
There is no reference in this claim to the family
of the soldier, Joshua Davis.
If you desire information in regard to the last
payment of pension, name and address of person paid,
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and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, Joshua Davis, you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., and cite the following date:
Joshua Davis 
Certificate # 15898
Issued August 7, 1833
Rate $23.33 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Massachusetts Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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29111
Revy INVALID.
File No. 29,111
Joshua Davis
Pri Rev War
Act June 7" 32"
Index - Vol, 2 Page 102
[Arrangement of 1820]
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1894 Jan 9
Hist to CH 
Wood Piqua
W [crossed out]
sept 19 96 [illegible]
second to Mrs 
Geo. V Herrig
East Pepperell Mass
LWIO
25 Mch. 23 thank Herbert H 
Smith [illegible]
26 mar 25 last to L. Garrett Myers
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[handwritten]

10534
Joshua Davis
S Dana Esqr
Groton Mass
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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 Joshua 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 amount of pension he is entitled? yes
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? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? -
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? -
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? No
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such and 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? yes

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 les that the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ___ year ___ month, and ___days, I serves as a _________ For _____ months and ____days, I serves 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 each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the rate 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 ore objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely stated 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 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 tow 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 the 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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Affidavit
Jesse Worcester
in the case of Joshua Davies
No. 3.
Page 19

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex  ss. July 25 1838
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace, within and for all the counties in said Commonwealth
Jesse Worcester who subscribed the annexed Deposition
and made solemn Oath that the same is just and true in all its particulars, according to the best of his knowledge and belief.
Sam[uel] Dana
and I do hereby certify that the above named Jesse Worcester is a disinterested and credible witness deserving credit in all pleas.
Sam[uel] Dana jus[tice] Peace
as aforesaid
Page 20

I Jesse Worcester of Hollis do depose and say, that I served in the war of the revolution, as by my declaration on file in the office of the War Department will appear.
And I further testify that I served in the Campaign to Ticonderoga in A.D. 1776 and I well know that Joshua Davis then of Mason and now of Wilton N.H. was there and served in the company of Capt.[Captain] Daniel Emerson for the term of five months-
Jesse Worcester
Page 21

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss. July 25 1832
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace, within and for all the counties in said Commonwealth
Isaac French who subscribed the 
annexed Deposition
and made solemn Oath that the same is just and true in all its particulars according to the best of his knowledge and belief.
Sam[uel] Dana
and I do further Certify that the above named Isaac French is a disinterested and credible witness
Sam[uel] Dana jus[tice] Peace
as aforesaid.
Page 22

I Isaac French of Hollis aged 80 [eighty] years do testify and say that I served in the war of the revolution -
And I well remember and say that in the latter part of the year A.D. 1775 Some troops were wanted to sustain the army after the time of the 8 months men should expire and before the years men could be raised and organized - and Capt. Noah Worcester raised a Company for six weeks in which Joshua Davis was to serve and they marched to Cambridge and were stationed near the Colleges, and were in Col.[onel] Durkees Regiment where he served two months untill the troops from Connecticut should arrive when  the said Joshua Davis was discharged at No.[number] 2 in Cambridge
Isaac French
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Affidavit of Isaac French In the case of Joshua Davis No. 2
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex. Js.
I Isaac Fiske clerk of the Probate Court for said County of Middlesex, Do hereby certify that Samuel Dana Esq. Whose name appears on this, and the annexed Deposition, is a Justice of the Peace within and for said county of Middlesex, and that I believe he is respective signatures, are genuine
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Probate Court, this twenty fourth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Isaac Fiske Ay
[Seal attached]
Page 24

Duplicate
I. W. and S Division
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C. January 12, 18[cut off]
Sir:-
In reply to your request for statement of the military history of Joshua Davis, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will please find below the desired information, as contained in his application for pension on file in the bureau.
Date of Enlistment/ Length of service/ Rank / Officers under whom service was rendered
Fall 1775/ 2 months /Private /Captain Noah Worchester/ Colonel Durkee
" 1776 /5 months /Private /Daniel Emerson /Wingate
Residence of soldier at enlistment - Hollis, New Hampshire
Date of application for pension, August 27, 1832
Residence at date of application, Milton New Hampshire
Age at date of application, 88 years
Remarks: - His pension was allowed
Very respectfully, 
(signed) H.C. Bell
Deputy Commissioner
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Dept of the Interior, Bureau of pensions, To the Commissioner-
Will you please verify the enclosed duplicate of the military history of Joshua Davis. soldier of the Revolutionary War? Please return to yours very respectfully
Mrs. Geo. V. Herrig
East Pepperell Mass.
Sept. 14 '96
Page 26

The Daily Caledonian - Record
Established as Weekly 1837
Daily in 1914
The Only Daily Newspaper in Northeastern Vermont
Herbert A Smith, Editor and Publisher

The Weekly Republican
Established in 1885
The Leading weekly Newspaper of Northeastern Vermont
Charles T. Walter, Editor
Herbert A. Smith, Publisher

The Caledonian - Record Publishing Co. Inc.
Telephones 770 and 771

St. Johnsbury, Vt. February 16, 1925         19
Pension Office
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:
Will you please send me a certificate of the pension record of Joshua Davis, who was granted a pension as a soldier of the War of the Revolution. He was born in Townsend, Mass. on the 29th of May 1744 and died in Mason, N.H. in the year 1840. At the age of # 88 he was granted a pension as a soldier in the revolution.
I desire this certificate for membership to the Sons of the American revolution.
Many thanks for your assistance. Stamped envelope is enclosed. 
Yours very truly
Herbert A. Smith
Publisher
Page 27

The Genealogical Society of Utah
Joseph F. Smith Memorial Building
80 North Main Street
Salt lake City, Utah
November 8, 1935

[Black Stamp]
Received Nov 12, 1935 
Mail Sub-Div 
Reader 14
12T3 ADM

Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
In behalf of our patron, Asa L. Child, we desire a copy of the service and pension records of the following:
1. [Pencil check mark] Joshua Davis [pencil arrow to  Miss Ford] born about 1744 at Townsend Mass., who served in Capt. Dan Emerson's Company from Mason, New Hampshire in 1776. He died at Mason in 1840. His wife was Dorothy Wheeler.
2. [Pencil check mark & v] Timothy Davis, born about 1722 and died in 1800. He was of Townsend Mass. His wife was Hannah Smith. he also served in War of Revolution. 
We thank you for your early attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Genealogical society of Utah
Research Department
 L. Garrett Myers, Supt.
GB:M
Page 28

November 23, 1935.
BA-J/ILL
L. Garrett Myers
80 North Main Street
Salt Lake City, Utah.

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request, in behalf of Asa L. Child, the Revolutionary War records of Joshua Davis, Born in 1744 in Townsend, Massachusetts, and Timothy Davis, born about 1722, also of Townsend, Massachusetts, and died in 1800.
A search of the Revolutionary War records fails to show claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon service of the Timothy Davis described above. The claim for pension of Joshua Davis has been found; that record is furnished herewith.
Very truly yours,
A.D. Hiller,
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Page 29

Rev. and 1812 War Section. [Aws - in pencil upper right corner]
March 23, 1925.
Herbert A. Smith
Caledonian Record
St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 29111, it appears that Joshua Davis was born May 18, 1744 in Townsend, Massachusetts.
While residing at mason, New Hampshire, he enlisted in the fall of 1775 and served two months as a private in Captain Noah Worcester's company, Colonel Durkee's New Hampshire Regiment.
He enlisted in 1776 and served five months as a private in Captain Daniel Emerson's Company, Colonel Wingate's New Hampshire Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 27, 1832, while a resident of Wilton, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. 
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.