Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14590, Joseph Davis, R.I.
Page 1

SERVICE R.I. Davis, Joseph Number W. 14590
Lydia
Contents [blank]
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3105
Rhode Island
Joseph Davis
of Providence on the State of R I
who was a Private in the Company commands
by Captain [blank] of the eight commands
by Col Brown in the R I 
line for 21 mos 2 days
Inscribed on the Roll of R I 
as the rate 70 Dollars 22 Cents fo annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834
Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of Dec
1832 and [illegible] S Y
Atwell Glochester R I
Arrears to 4th Sept 1832 $105.3
Semi=anl, allowance ending 4 March 33 35.1
$140.44
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832 
Recorded by J H McBlair Clerk
Book D Vol [illegible] Page 107
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Set to J S Tourtellott
25 July 39
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Seal of the Court
Attest Wm R Watson Clerk of Court of Com
[illegible] County of Providence R I 
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
County of Providence Ss.
On this Seventh day of August A.D. 1832 personally apperaed in
open Court, being a special Court of Common Pleas within and forsaid County, now in session
Joseph Davis a resident of Glocester in the County of Providence
and State of Rhode Island, aged 80 years, who being first duly swornaccording to law, dothon hos oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefir of the Act of Congress, passedJune 7, 1832, viz. I wqs born in said Glocester on the 8" day of October
1757. I have no record og my age. I have always and in said Glocester On the town of the battle of Lexington in April 1775
I was called out in Capt Abraham Winsor Comp R I militia
I marched towards Providence R I before [illegible] when we were
oedered back & in my return I enlisted in Cap John Wells
Comp of minutemen from year  Saml May was Lieutenant
We was on duty until Febuary 1776 in different parts of the state
most frequently at Providence R I & at Newport R I When
not in the field we were employed in exercising ourselves
martial manuvers at our [ollegible] of meeting in Said Glocester. Us
we bound to do military duty or any take times I was in
actual service as different parts at least 3/4 most times 
In 1777 while the British was at Newport I was drafted
in Capt Winsor Comp Col Chad Brown regiment R I militia
I was stattioned at Bristol R I one month while I was where
a house was burnt In July 1778 I was drafted in the same Company & joined the army under Gen Sullivan. We went to
Rhode Island over Howland ferry & encamped at Burrilville
during a severe storm. When we marched down to the town
[illegible] & remained when until my time was out while I was 2
or 3 days before the battle on Nov 29 of August. I was then
discharged having served about one month. In the winterof 178 9 I waa drafted in the same Company & I was stationed
on the north part of Rhode Island one month From the winter of 1778 to the [illegible] of 1778 I was frequently drafted in the same Company & was stationed at Providence, Bristol
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& Rhode Island. I cannot originate the peticular
times but [illegible] whas I served at least 3 months ineach year, making 12 months service during Said period.
[[llegible] Gen Sullivan, Cornell, LaFayette, Col Greene
with his black regiment & lake Timothy underneathe won
with the troops on Rhode Island? I never recieved any
written discharged.  Jeremiah Sweet, Timothy Sweet
William Wade are persons who resides in my neighboorhood
& who can testify as to my character for verasity & when
testify of my services as a Soldier of the Revolution. The  
testimony of such [illegible] with in as I swore of in hereunto annexed.
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I hereby relinquih every claim whatever to a pension or annunity except the present, and declare
that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any Sate.Witness to the regulationof Joseph Davis
Wm R watson
Joseph [his mark x]  Davis
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. in open court
Attest Wm R Watson ClerkWE, Stephen Hawkins & William Wheeler
residing in said Glocester hereby certify, that we are well
acquainted with Joseph Davis who has subscribed and sworn to the abovedeclaration; that we believe him to be 80 years of age; that he is reputed and
believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we
concur in tha opinion.
Stephen Hawkins
William Wheeler
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year adoresaid. in open courtAttest Wm R Watson Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department; that the above named applicant was a
Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to
them that Stephen Hawkins & William Wheeler who have signed the preceeding certificate, residents in
said Golcester
and that this statement is entitled to credit. & an credible person & I was not [illegible] under in the
vicinty of said applicant
I, WILLIAM R WATSON, Clerk of said Court of Common Pleas, do
hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court
in the matter of the application of Joseph Davis
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of
office this seventh day of August in the year 1832
Wm R Watson
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1628
Jos Davis
R I
Private 21 mo & 2 days
[illegible]
admin
Has not mention
with proper
the
lenght of his service
with as his papers
properly authentication [x'ed out entry]
$ 70.22
S Y Atwell
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1628
BRIEF in the case of Jos Davis
Glocester of Prov in the State of Rhode Island
Act 7 June, 1832
1 Was the declaration made before a Coirt or a Judge? Client
2 If before a Jidge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3 How old is he? 80
4 State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period Apr 75 till July76 Years Months days [blank] As aRank  Minute Man Gen [illegible] Winsor Capt Geo Wells
Period In 1777 Yesrs Months Days [blank] Rank Private [illegible] Winsor Col Chad Brown
Period July 78 Years about ! month Days Private Rank Names of General and Field Offices under whom he served do [space] do
Period winter of 78'9 Years about Months 1 Days[blank] Rank Private Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served do [blank] do
Period from winter of 78 to peace Duration of Service years [blank] months [blank] days[blank] Rank as a private Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served do [blank] do
Period 83 served 3 months a year making 12 Years [blank] months]blank] Days [blank] Rank As a private Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served do [blank do
5 In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned
6 Where did he reside when he entered the service? Glocester
7 Is his statement supported by living winessess, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
2 living witnesses
8 Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
The [illegible] does not [illegible] under the seal
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case
above mentioned. W C Easton
Examining Clerk
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R Island 2977
Lydia Davis
widow of Joseph Davis
who died on the 1 December 1838
of Providence in the State of R Island
who was a Piv in the company commanded
by Captain [blank] of the Reg commanded
 by Brown in the R Island
line for 9 R I
Inscribed on the Roll of R Islandas the rate 30 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum
to commence on the 4thday of March 1834 [crossed out] 2 Dec 1838
Certificates of Pension issued the 10 day of Aug
39 and said the J S Toartallot
[illegible] R I
Arrears to the 4th Mar [blank]
Semi annual allowance ending [blank]
Revoltionary Claim Act July 4 1836 
Recorded by R Burdine Clerk
Book [illegible] Vol 2 Page 85
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4579
Lydia Dacis
widow of Joseph
R I
Oct 4 July 36
& joint resolution
of 7 July 38
[illegible]
9 mo [illegible]
30$
pen com
Died
J S Tourtellot esq
Chepacket
R Id
4579
Lydia Davis appli
cation for a Pension
act of July 4th 183[?]
and joint resolution of July
7th 1839
R I
4 July 1836
Lydia Davis
[illegible] of Joseph
May 18
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation In County of Providence
On this day of May [illegible] 1939 ib Glocester in 
the County of Proidence aforesaid [illegible]
appeared before me [illegible] [illegible] one of the Justices
of the Court of Commerce [illegible] and for said
County and State Lydis Davis a resident of said
Glocester aged 85 years, who, being first duly sworn
according to the law, doth, on her oath, make the follow
ing declaration, in order to obtain the benefir of the [illegible]
Pension made by the act of Congrss [illegible] July 4th1836 and the Joint resolution of July 7th 1838
That she is the widow of Joseph Davis late of said 
Glocester deceased who was a private in the war of the 
Revolution and late a [illegible] of the United States
under the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
as will appear by the records in the war defactmentThat the said Joseph Davis her said husband served
in the war of the revolution as a private in the mali
tal the times and places [illegible] for the in his appli
cation for a pension under said act of June 7th
1832 and now on file in the war department
to which she refers.
She furthers declares that she was married to the said
Joseph Davis in September in the year seventeen hundred & seventy one
1771 that he said husband the afore said Joseph Davis
died at said Glocester on the twenty first day of Decem
ber in the year eighteen hundred & thirty eight 1838 and that she has remained  a widow ever since that
period as will more fully appear by reffererence
to the proof hereto annexed. She further declares that
she cannot from old age and the consequent [illegible] of mem
ory state the day of the month on which she was
married thus she is positive that it was in the month
of September previos to her being nineteen years
old in October following and that it was of a [illegible] day
Lydia X Davis
Witness Jesse S Tourtellot
[illegible] to and suscibed on the day & year afore written before me X mark
over
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and I certify that said Lydia Davis who's well
known to me is a credible person and that her statement
now entitled to credit and that she is from old age and
bodily infirmity unable to attend Court
Job Armstrong Jut [illegible]
Town Clerks Office Glocester
May 7th 1839
I Clovis H Bowen Town Clerk of said town
of Glocester in the County of Providence duly appoin
ted & legally qualified, do hereby certify that I have
carefully examined the record of marriages to for said 
town in the office, and do not find the marriage of
Joseph Davis to Lydia Bacon therein recorded.
I furthere certify from my own knowledge that
a great many marriages have been [illegible] in said
town, of which records has been made in thisoffice Clovis H Bowen Town Clerk
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Providence of Glocester May 7th 1839 There
personally appeared the aforenamed Clovis
H Bowen town Clerk of said town of Glocester
who subscribed the aforegoing depositin and
made solemn oath before me to the truth of
the statement therein contained and I certify that said Clovis who is well known to me is a credibleper
son and that his statements are entitled to cred
it Job Armstrong Just [illegible]
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Mary Reynolds of Glocester in the County of Pro
vidence and State of Rhode Island aged 82 years be
ing first by engaged according to law do testify
[illegible] that I am the widow of James Reynolds late of
said Glocester deceaded and am now a [illegible]
of the United States under the act of Congress
passed July 7th 1838. I further say that I am
well acquainted with Lydia Davis of said Glocesterwidow of Joseph Davis late of said Glocester dece
ased, the said Joseph was my brother I was
present when the said Joseph Davis and the said
Lydia were married the said Lydia's maiden
name was Bacon They were married at said
Glocester by Elder Joseph Winsor. I cannot state
positively by the day or year when said marriage
took place, I reccollect however that it was in the month of September, that it was previous to the
commencement of the revolutiin and I have no
reason to doubt that said marriage took place in the year 1771 seventeen hundred & seventy one
his
attest J S Tourtellot Mary Reynolds X mark
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Providence of Glocester May 3 [illegible] 1839 Then person
ally appeared to above named Mary Reynolds
who in  my presence subscribed the afore
going deposition by making her mark
being unable to write her name and
made solemun oath to the truth of the statement therin contained. And
I certify that said Mary Reynolds
who is well known to me is a credi
ble person and said that her statements
are entittled to credit
Job Armstrong Just [illegible] [illegible]
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I William Davis of Glocester in the County
of Providence and State of Rhode Island
age 43 years being [illegible] engaged accor
ding to law do testify and say that I am a 
son of Joseph Davis late of said Glocester
deceased and Lydis Davis widow of the said
Joseph who now reside in Glocester aforesaid
and still remanins the widow of the said
Joseph. I further say that the said Joseph
who was a pensioner of the United States un
der the act of Congress passed June 7 1832
died at said Glocester on the twenty first
day of December [illegible] 1838. I was present
at the time of the death of the said Joseph
that he left a widow who is Lydia Davis who
now resides in said Glocester that she has not
[illegible] married since the decease of the said
Joseph but still remains his widow
as aforesaid. I futher testify and say that there were of the children of the said Joseph
and Lydia my brothers & sisters eightn older
than myself William Davis
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Providence [illegible] Glocester May 3rd 1839
There persononally appeared the above [illegible]
[illegible] William Davis who im my presedence
subscribed the aforegoing deposition and
made solence oath to the truth of the
statements therein contained and
certify that said William Davis who's
well known to me is a credible per
son and that his statement are en
titled to credit
Job Armstrong  [illegible] [illegible][illegible] [illegible]
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Providence [illegible\ I John W Smith clerk
of the Court of Common Pleas written & for
the County of Providence in said state
being a Court of record do hereby certify
that Job Armstrong Esquire before
when the [illegible] aforegoing afficiant
were sworn in one of the Justice of
on said Court of Common Pleas;
that by law he is duly authorized and
by law he is duly authorized and 
qualified to administer oath and
take declaration; and that his [illegible]
before written signatures are genuine
In testimony whereof I have
[illegible] for my hand & affix
the seal of [illegible] said Court at
this city of Providence, this fif
teenth day of May [illegible] 1839
John W Smith clerk
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J/ADY
Joseph Davis, W. 14590
Mrs. Ralph D. Adams
51West Court Street
Cortland, New York
Dear Madam,
Reference is made to your letter relative to Joseph
Davis, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The record of the only Joseph Davis of Rhode Island
that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this
office, all spellings of the names searched, is furnished
you herein as found in the papers on file in the pension claim,
W14590, based upon his military service in that way.
Joseph Davis was born October 8, 1851[crossed out] 1751 [ok on year] in Glocester,
Rhode Island. The names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Glocester, Rhode Island, Joseph
Davis enlisted in April 1775, served on short tours in each
succeeding year to the close of the war in 1783, amountin
to twenty one months and two days in all [arrow pointing] as private
in the Rhode Island
troops under Captains Abraham Winsor and John Wells andColonel Chad Brown [as private crossed out] and was in General Sullivan's 
expedition on Rhode Island.
He was allowed pension on his application exccuted
August 7, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Glocester,
Providence County, Rhode Island.
He died December 21, 1838, in Glocester, Rhode Island,
where he had always lived.
Soldier married in September 1771, in Glocester, Rhode 
Island, Lydia Bacon. She was born in October 1752, day, place,
and the names of her parents are not shown. 
Soldier's widow, Lydia Davis, was allowed pension on
her application executed May 3, 1839, at which time she was
living in Glocester, Rhode Island.
In 1839, William Davis aged forty three years, son of
Page 17

Joseph and Lydia Davis, was residing in Glocester, Rhode
Island, Soldier and Lydia had eight sons and daughters
older than said William, their names, ages, and residences
are not stated.
In 1839, soldier's sister, Mary Reynolds, aged eighty
two years, the widow of James Reynolds, "late of Glocester,
Rhode Island", was living in Glocester, Rhode Island.
Soldier had another sister living in 1839, her name, age,
and residence were not stated. There are no further family
data.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension,
name of person paid and possibly the death date of widow,
you should apply to the Comptreller General, General
Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington D. C. and 
cite the following data: "Lydia Davis, widow of Joseph Davis,
certificate No. 2977, issued August 10, 1839, rate $30.00 per annum, commenced December 2, 1838, Act of July 4, 1836, Rhode
Island Agency".
Very truly yours
A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 18

1940 May 27 Hist tp Mrs Joseph
D Adams A D Y
Rev WIDOW &c
File No 14590
Lydia Davis
Wid of
Joseph Davis
Priv Rev WarAct July 4 1836
Index Vol [illegible] Page 17[illegible]
Arrangement of 1870
Page 19

4579
No J S Tourtellot 25
July 39
Act 4 July 36
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Applocation of Joseph Davis
for pension
P O No 1628
Page 21

STATE of RHODE ISLAND and PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS
Providence, sc.
I WILLIAM R. WATSON, Clerk of the Common Pleas, within and for
the county of Providence in the State of Rhode Island, do hereby cerify, that Ira
P Evans is a Judge of the court of  Common Pleas afore
said , which court is a Court of Record; that the signature to the annexes documents
purporting to be his, an in the proper hand writing of the said Evans
and that the full faith and credit are due to the official attestations of the said Evans
In witness whereto I hereunto set my hand and affix the 
seal of said Court, at Providence this seventh
day of August in the year of our
Lord 1832
Wm R Watson
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I James Bowen of Glocester in the County
of Providence State of Rhode Island of Newport
age I being engaged swording to law do testify
& say that I find sworing the the revolutionary 
war as a soldier at the times [illegible]
mention in my application for a pensionunder the act of June 7 1832 I [illegible] when say
what I knew Joseph Davis of said Glocester as a soldier in the 
militia of the State of Rhode Island I served with
him [illegible] in Providrncr for 15 days I cannot reccollect the Company but I do recollect what
[illegible] together throwing us enturnments
Afterwards in July 1778 I served with him one
month in Capt Abraham Winsor Company
Col Chad Brown regiments R I 
militia in Gen Sullivan expedition to
Rhode Island. From this time until the close 
of the war I lived in the neighborhood of the
Said Davis I knew of his being frequently
called out I served several tours of 15 days & one month each I served with him in the 
same company several of the tours, when I
cannot particulary recollect for the particular
of my Service I when to my application
James Bowen
Page 23

State of Rhode Island & 
Providence 
In Glocester this 18th day of July 1832
primary applicant James Bowen of said Glocester
who being first duly sworn on oath [illegible] which the 
foregoing deposition by him subscribes contain the
truth the whole truth & nothing but the truth
before me & I further certify that this said James
Bowen in inwhich know to me what he is a person of 
[illegible] & credit & what his statement is entittled 
to credit
Ira P Evans Justice C C Pleas
Page 24

I Jeremiah Sweet of Glocester in the County of
Providence State Rhode Island being of lawful
age & being duly sworn do testify & say what I was
a soldier in the revolutionary war as is states in mypplication for a pension under the act of June 1832
& I further say that I lived in the neighboorhood of
Joseph Davis od said Glocester during the whole of 
said war. He was a soldier with me in Capt John 
with company of minutemen R I militia from
1775 in 1776 & for a long time afterwards. I served
with him in Said Company on different tours of duty
at several times. In July 1778 with Said Davis
was in Capt WWinsor Company R I militial on
Gen Sullivan militia to Rhode Island the war
in the first division of the militia & I served in the
summer, I went down to relieve the said first division.
From this time to the close of the war I [illegible] the
said Davis to some frequentcy, & was myself with
him on several tours of duty
Jeremiah his X mark Sweet
Page 25

State of Rhode Island[illegible]
Providence [illegible]
In Glocester this 18 day of Juky 1832
personnally appear Jereimah Sweet who is with
 known to me who bring first duly sworn on oath
says what the foregoing deposition by him sign is
[illegible] & turns in all its parts [blank] [blank]
before me & I further certify what the said Jeremiah
Sweet in with known to me, that he is a credible
person & that his statemnet is entitled to credit
Ira P Evans Justice C C Pleas
Page 26

To THE Hon LEWIS CASS
Secretary of War of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA
Humbly represents 
Joseph Davis
of Glocester in the County of 
providence, State of
RHODE ISLAND; that he was a Soldier in the Revolutiinary War as will appear by the annexed doc
uments. He therefore requests tha a pension may be granted to him in conformity with the provis
ions of an Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832, entitled "an Act supplementary to the " Act for the
relief of certain Officers and Soldiers of the Revolution"
and is in duty bound will ever pray.
Joseph Davis
by his [illegible]
Saml Y Atwell
Page 27

Joseph Davis
Applicant
Page 28

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
 Provedence for in Glocester this 22 of November 1832
before me this undersigned a Justice of the Court of
Common Pleas within & for said county personnally
appears Joseph Davis of sadi Glocester who brings duly
sworn [illegible] & said that by reason of old age and
the consequent as of memory he cannot swear approximately
as to the previous lenght of his service, but according
the but of his recollection he served not [illegible] than he
previous mentioned labour & in the following graces. In
1775, for four months & seventeen days I served as a
soldier, In 1776 for one month & fifteen days I served as a soldier
In 1777, for one month I served as a soldier. In 1779,  for three
months I served as a soldier. In 1780 for three months
I served as a soldier In 1781 for three months I served
as a soldier. In 1782 for three months  I served as a
 soldier & for such service I obtain a pension
Joseph his X mark Davis
Sworn as & duly credit before me
Ira P Evans Justice C C P
Page 29

State of Rhode Island & Provedence Plantations
Providence I William Watson Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas, written & for the county of Provi
dence in said state, do hereby certify, that Ira P Evans
is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas afoursaid,
which court, is a court of Reasons; that the signature to
the written document reporting to be his, is in
the proper said writing of Jim Evans and that
full faith & credit [illegible] to the offcial attentions
of said Evans In witness, I hereunto set
my hand and affix the seal of
said court at Providence this 26th
day of November 1832
Wm R Watson Esq
Page 30

Davis
Chipachet
Rec July 31
FREE
[illegible] J L Edwards 
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D C
Page 31

Chepachet July 30th 1839
J L Edwards Esq
Dear sir
Your communicationofnthe 25th [illegible] relating to the claim of Mrs. Lydia
Davis widow of Joseph Davis died is received.
I supposed the evidence of her marriage to be the 
best the nature of the case would admit of, to wit,
the testimony of a living witness to the marriage cere
mony. I understand from the applicant that there are
but two persons living who were present at her marriage
both her sisters, the testimnoy of one of them properly could
[illegible] for credibilty was transmitted with the applicants
declaration the other from very old age and consquently im
becility of missed (accounting atleast to top of understanding)
it was thought improper to call upon. At the time
of the claimants marriage there were but few reg
ular established churches in the wildreness of this
State as this section of the country that
was; and family records were but early and imperfect
ly kept. The law of this State providing for the registry of  
Marriages, Births and Deaths was much more generally
neglected, that attended to in conformity with the statue
The deposition of Clovis H Bowen Esq. Town Clerk of this
Town Glocester deposing that the marriage of the said
Joseph & Lydia was not recorded in said town I be
lieve was also transmitted with the claimants
Page 32

jealous. I regret that the nature of the proof in the case
of the deceased husband is not such as to admit
of a grant to the widow for the amount al
lowed to him under the act of June 7th 1832, and as 
it is not considered proper for the widow to supply any deficiency of testimony in the husbands claims, I trust she will
recieve a certificate for such [illegible] as the notice of
the act and joint resolution under which she claims
will in strict justice dictate
Respectfuly your Obdt.  [illegible]
J S Tourtellot
To J L Edwards Esq
Commissions of Pensions
Page 33

Hon James L Edwards
Commissionor of Pensions
Washington D C
Page 34

Chepachet  May 15th 1839
Hon. J L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Ders sir
I herewith send you
the application for a pension under the act of
July 4th 1832 under the joint resolution of July 7,
1838 of Mrs. Lydia Davis of Glocester R I widow
of Joseph Davis late of said Glocester decea
sed who was a pensioner under the act of
June 7 1832. Please direct to  me at
Chepachet  Rhode Island
Respectfully Your Obdt. Sert.
Jesse S Tourtellot
Page 35

Mrs Ralph DeWitt Adams
51 West Court StreeCortland, New York
April 18, 1940
United States Pensin Bureau
Dept Revolutionary War
Washington D C 
Gentlemen
Will you kindly give me the following informa
tion
Does the name Joseph Davis R I Revolutionary
soldier or widow of appera on your pension lists orthe same name of R I enlisted in the service of
another state?
Thanking you,
Very truly yours
Blanche Ruby Adams
Mrs R D 
[stamped seal]
RECIEVED APR 19 1940MAIL SUB DIV
VETS ADM
LEADER 32