Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 6973, William Davis, Va.
Page 1

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[3-1776]

SERVICE
Va.

Davis, William
Benedicta

NUMBER
W 6973

CONTENTS
Page 2

[typed form, with handwritten responses] 

5188 ½ 
Virginia Richm [Richmond]

Benedicta Davis
widow of William Davis Va
who served in the Revolutionary 
war, as a Private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate 
of 26 Dollars 66--
Cents per annum, to commence on 
the 4th day of March, 1848

Certificate of Pension issued 
6th day of Novr [November] 1849
and sent to Charles Hughart Fayette Ct. House Va.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 147 Vol. 3
Page 3

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[left side] Virginia 26,326
William Davis
of Fayette Co. in the State of Virginia
who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain --- of the regt. commanded
by -----  in the Va. Militia line for 8 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond, Va. at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
Reduced from $80—

Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of June 1842 and sent to Hon. G. W. Summers, House of Representatives

Arrears to the 4th of [blank]
Semi=anl. [annual] allowance ending [blank]

{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by D. Brown, Clerk
Book E. Vol. 6 ½ Page 9

[right side] let to Pen. Agent 8 June 1842. Same July 16, 1842. Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act 6 April 1838 from 4 March to 4 Sep. 1843 Agt. Notified 31 Jany [January] 1845
Letter to Hon. Joseph Johnson 12 Jany [January] 1846
Page 4

of the County of Amherst and state of Va. The affidavit of Walter Sandidge of lawful age made this second day of April 1849. after being duly sworn according to law affieth and saith that he is about seventy four years of age, that when a boy of about twelve or thirteen years old, he was at the marriage of William Davis and Benedicta Milstead, of the said County they were married by Benjamin Coleman a clergiman [Clergyman] of the Baptist denomination, that there was a great contract in the ages of William Davis and his wife at the time of their marriage, he was called old Billy Davis, and this affiant believes his wife not to have been more than sixteen or seventeen years old and that they lived together as man and wife many years and had many children that he now recollect the names of several of them viz: Betsey, Polly, Nancy and William, and that he understood and believes they went from this County to and settled in Greenbrier County of this State. 
Given under my hand the day and year first above written 
[signed] Walter Sandidge 

I Ro. H. Carter of the County of Amherst and state of Va. do hereby certify that I was well acquainted with William Davis and his wife, who was a miss Milstead, while they lived in said County, and that I was at their house, and saw them both living together as man and wife, in the County of Greenbrier in the year 1819. Given under my hand this 2d day of April 1849. 
[signed] Robt H. Carter

Amherst County to wit 
The above affidavit and certifficate [certificate] were both subscribed and sworn to
Page 5

before me a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid on this the 2nd day of April 1849.
Joseph R. Carter J.P. 

I do hereby certify that the above named Walter Sandidge and Robert H. Carter are both personally known to me and I believe each of them to be men of veracity and would not make a false statement upon oath. Given under my hand this 2nd day of April 1849. 
Joseph R. Carter J.P.

State of Virginia} 
Amherst County} Sct: 
I Samuel M. Garland Clerk of the County Court of Amherst in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that Joseph R Carter who hath given the above certificate is a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County duly commissioned & qualified as such and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all of his acts as such and that the foregoing Signatures purporting to be his are genuine. 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and hereto affixed my seal of office this Seventh day of April one Thousand eight hundred & forty nine. 
Saml Garland Ck [Clerk]
Amherst County Ct
Page 6

Fayetteville Va.}
May 30th} 

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington City

[written sideways] Decl,n [Declaration] June 7/49 Benedicta Davis
12,784
Page 7

Declaration 
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th July 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows” 

State of Virginia} 
Fayette County} SS 
On this Sixteenth --- day of November 1848 personally appeared before the County Court of Fayette County Va. Benedicta Davis a resident of --- in the County of Fayette Va. aged Seventy Eight years who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows;” That she is the widow of William Davis who was a private in the war of the Revolution and to whom a certificate of pension was granted by the Department of War on the 8th day of June 1842 in lieu of one dated 19th May 1834 for $80 per Annum which was cancelled. She further declares that she was married to the said William Davis on the --- day of --- in the year (1787) Seventeen hundred and Eighty seven, that her husband, the aforesaid William Davis died on the 20th day of January One thousand eight hundred and forty six [1846]; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four viz at the time above stated. She further swears that she is now a widow and that she has never before made any application for a pension. Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before the County Court of Fayette County in open Court.
Benedict [her X mark] Davis

I, Hudson M. Dickinson Clerk of the County Court of Fayette County do hereby certify that the foregoing declaration was subscribed and sworn to in open Court. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said office this 16th day of November 1848. 
H. M. Dickinson Clk [Clerk]
Page 8

Fayette Court House Va. May 28th 1849

Dear Sir
I enclose herewith the declaration of Benedicta Davis wife of Wm Davis decd [deceased] a pensioner, together with the evidence of Marriage &c. you will please send the certificate to this office to the care of.
your obt sevt [Your Obedient Servant]
Charles Hughart 

J L. Edwards Esqr. [Esquire]
Page 9

Know all men by these presents that we William Davis and Peter Carter are held and firmly bound unto Edmund Randolph Esqr Governor of the Commonwealth in the sum of Fifty pounds Current money of Virginia to be paid to the said Edmund Randolph or to his successors for the use of the Commonwealth for the payment whereof we bind ourselves and each of us our and each of our heirs Executors administrators jointly and Severally firmly by these presents, Sealed with our Seals and dated this first day of January one thousand Seven hundred and eighty seven [1787]. The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas, there is a marriage Shortly intended to be had and solemnized between the above bound William Davis Batchelor and Benedictor Milsted Spinster, both of the County of Amherst: Now if there be no lawful cause to obstruct the said marriage, then the above obligation to be void. 
William Davis {Seal}
Peter Carter {Seal} 

State of Virginia} 
Amherst County} Sct 
I Samuel M Garland Clerk of the County Court of Amherst in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that the above is a true Copy of an original bond now on file in my office as from the records thereof still remaining fully appears. 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and hereto affixed my seal of Office this Seventh day of April one thousand eight hundred and forty nine. 
Saml M. Garland Clerk 
Amherst Cty. [County] Ct.
Page 10

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

26.319 
William Davis 
Virginia 
from 1779 pr 3 yrs. 
$80 
J. E. Heath Esq

Hiram Hill Esq. 
Clerk 
Fayette C H 
Fayette County Va.

[typed sideways] JAMES L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions
Page 11

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

WAR DEPARTMENT
PENSION OFFICE
8th May 1834.

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done these points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (these:}). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A STATEMENT, showing the Service of William Davis
[column headings: Period when the service rendered: Duration of the claimant’s service. Year. Month. Day: Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served: Names and Rank of the General and Field officers: Battles in which the applicant was engaged: Country through which he marched: Place of abode when he entered the service, and age a the present period: Evidence by which the declaration is supported.] 

[column headings: Period when the service rendered. Duration of the claimant’s service. Years. Months. Days. Rank of the claimant: Names and Rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.]
3 [years] Cap. Penn Cap. Cabell 77 years Amherst County Va.

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 12

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 
1. The Regular Troops. 
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 
3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 
4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians OR privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration. which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. 
State, Territory, or District of} ss.
County of}
On this     day of     personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of     in the county of     and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)    , with    and served in the      (e) regiment of the      line, under the following named officers: 
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] 
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State. or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
1               of the Court of              do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of                for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of       &c. 
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: 
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the             and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with              , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be               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. 
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 
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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the            and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the            and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I,        Clerk of the Court of            do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of              for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this     day of     &c. 
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in bis declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not. proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
Page 13

3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. 
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 
1. Where and in what year were you born? 
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live? 
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
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 services. 
6. {To a Soldier.} {To an Officer.} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
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. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. 
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. 
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will trans nit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. 
(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. 
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. 
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. 
(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. ln a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of 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." 
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 that 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. 
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required. 
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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. 
Mode of authenticating papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers in not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers 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. 
Proof of Service. 
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found in 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 claimant's 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 signatures of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule to [illegible] note (j) applies to continental troops only. 
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 14

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress June 7th 1832

Virginia} 
County of Fayette} SS. 
On this 15th day of July personally appeared in the Court of Fayette County William Davis a resident of said County and State aforesaid aged 77 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832. 
That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 17 (the precise year in the present [illegible word] state of his memory he can not recollect) with Captain Gabriel Penn and served in the [blank] Regiment of the Virginia Continental Line (the designation of the Regiment from old age and the consequent loss of memory has escaped him) under the following named officers – 
He enlisted under the aforesaid Capt. Penn in the County of Amherst and State of Virginia for the term of three years, the whole of which period he believes he served. Capt. Penn not having a full company his men were united with those of Capt. Cabell (Nic [Nicholas] Cabell) who had also an imperfect Company, and the whole were placed under the command of the last named officer by whom they were marched first to Williamsburg, thence to James Town at each of which places they made a short stay, thence this affiant made one of an escort of the ammunition wagons to Halifax, from Halifax he returned to James Town & Williamsburg, he believes he marched thence to North Carolina. He was in the battle of Guilford Ct House [Battle of Guilford Courthouse, 15 Mar 1781]. The American troops were in that engagement commanded by Genl Green [General Nathanael Greene]; this affiant also recollects that a Col. [William] Washington was in that engagement and also Col’s [William] Preston & [Charles] Lynch and as well as he recollects a Col or Genl Lee [Lt. Col. Henry Lee]. After the battle of Guilford he was marched to Little York and was in that engagement [Siege of Yorktown, 28 Sep - 19 Oct 1781] and at the Surrender of Cornwallis. Shortly after this event he was discharged. His discharge was in writing but has been misplaced or lost. 
Sworn to and subscribed this 15 day of July 1833. 
William [his X mark] Davis

And the Court do hereby declare their opinion, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary solider, and served as he states.
I Hiram Hill Clerk of the Court of Fayette County do hereby
Page 15

certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court, in the matter of the application of William Davis for a pension - as witness my hand Hiram Hill Clk [Clerk]

I James Skeggs presiding Justice of the County Court of Fayette hereby certify that Hiram Hill whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is the Clerk of the County Court of Fayette duly qualified to execute the duties of said office and that no seal has as yet been provided for the said County Court. James Skaggs J. P.

I Hiram Hill Clerk of the County Court of Fayette County do hereby certify that James Skaggs whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is the presiding Justice of Fayette County Ct. and as such his acts are entitled to full faith & credit as witness my hand.

Hiram Hill Clk [Clerk]

I, Hiram Hill, Clerk of the Court of Fayette County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, [Illegible words crossed out] & held on the 15th day of July 1833, in the matter of the application of William Davis for a pension, at which time the said Court was without a seal. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 21st day of October in the year of our Lord 1833. 

Hiram Hill Clk [Clerk]
Page 16

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

Revy WIDOW, &c. own

File No. 6973
Benedicta Davis
Widow
Wm. Davis
Pri. Rev. War

Act: Feby [February] 2, 1848

Index: - Vol. A, Page 168

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 17

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

9379

Rev War INVALID Own

File No. 9379

William Davis
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7th, 1832
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 90

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 18

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

628. 
Virginia-Richd [Richmond]

Benedicta Davis
widow of William Davis 
who was a Private ----
in the Revolutionary War 

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 – 
Cents per annum, to commence on the [crossed out - 4th day of March, 1844] 20th Jany [January] 1846 – 

Certificate of Pension issued the Sixth day of Novr [November] 1849 - and sent Charles Hughart Fayette CT. House Va. – 

Act of JUNE 17, 1844.} 
Recorded in Book A. [Vol.] 2 [Page cut off]
Page 19

Bank of Virginia 
July 14, 1842. 

Sir

Be pleased to inform me of from the payment to be made to William Davis, of Fayette County, a pensioner under the Act of the 7 June 1832, whose pension has been reduced from $80 to $26.66 per annum, as mentioned in your letter of the 8 ulto., the difference between these sums from the 4 of March 1831 to the 4 of March 1834, for which time he has been paid at the first mentioned rate, is to be deducted. 

I am, very respectfully, 
Your obedt Serv. [obedient servant] 
Anty Robinson 
for J. Brockenbrough.

J. L. Edwards, Esq 
Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington
Page 20

House of Reps Jany [January] 10th 1846 

The attention of the Hon. Edwards is Respectfully asked to the contents of the enclosed letter.
Very Respectfully 
Jos Johnson 

J. L. Edward Esqr [Esquire]
Page 21

No 13942 
Benedicta Davis 
Wd of William Va.
Act 7 July 1838 
Married 1787 
[husband?] 20 Jan. 1846 

Admd [Admitted] act 17 June 1844 
at $26.66 per annum, 
comg [commencing] 20. Jany [January] 1846,

Admd Act 2 Feb 1848 

Charles Hughart 
Fayette Ct: House, Va.
Page 22

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[left side] See letter 21 June 34 to H. W Mc Comas,
do [see letter] to P. Agt. June 4, 1835
do [see letter] Hon. Andr Beirne 27 March 1838
papers copied for Hon. A. Beirne April 2, 1838
let [letter] same Apl. [April] 12 1838
“ [letter] same – 30 –
“ [letter] same February 13, 1839
“ [letter] same April 15, 1841
“ [letter] same Hon. G. Summers 30 July 1841
“ [letter] 17 May 1842 Hon. G. W. Summers

[written sideways] Dropd [Dropped] let [letter] Agent 9 March 18[2?]5
“let [letter] Hons Wm. Mc Comas 9 mos.

[right side] Virginia 26,326

William David of Fayette Co. in the State of Va. who was a pr. in the Company commanded Captain Cabell of the Regt. commanded by Col. Washington in the Virginia line for – 2 yrs pr. $80.00

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 80 Dollars [Cents] per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of May 1834 [and sent to] Hiram Hill Esqr. Ct. Fayette

Arrears to the 4th of Mch [March] ‘24 240.00
Semi-anl. [annual] allowance ending 4 Sept. 40.00
280.00. 

{Revolutionary Claim,} 
{Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by J. T. Sprague Clerk
Book C Vol. 6 ½ Page 9
Page 23

The papers in the case of Wm Davis, a late pensioner of Va. Act 7th June 1832, No 26,326, cannot be found. 
He was on the 19" May 1834, allowed a pension as a private at $80 per annum. On the 8th June 1842, his pension was reduced to $26.66 per annum, 
Cole
Page 24

Lewisburg September 11, 1838 

Dear Sir 
When recently at Clarksburg I had access to some papers & memorandums of mine, taken when investigating the Pension claims in western Va. which were not at my command when you wrote me last winter, in regard to the claim of William Davis of Greenbrier. from which I discern that [that] claim was partially investigated, and I now return you a copy of my note then made in regard to it – which is all the information that came to my possession. hopeing [Hoping] that it may promote to you praise worth efforts to have him restored to the pension roll. 
I am Dear sr [Sir]
your obliged 
Hum’l Servt. [Humble Servant] 
W. G Singleton
Page 25

26.326 
William Davis 
Virginia

Your new pension certificate at $26.66 per annum for service aa private 8 mos. Va. line, and notified Pen agent, to pay at the above rate from the time he was last paid

Hon G. W. Summers
Page 26

William Davis Pensioner 
Greenbrier County.
Enlisted
Page 27

William Davis – Pensioner-
Col. Alderson of Greenbrier County says that Davis’ mind is entirely gone – that he can recollect nothing nor don’t know his own family – Alderson also states that he himself was privy to Davis’ getting a Pension – that the evidence of his service (which he saw) was procured in Amhurst County – Alderson states further that he [has] known Davis for many years – that before Davis lost [his] mind – has often heard him repeat his revolutiona[l] services with great minuteness – that Davis was a man of good character and could be confided in – that the universal opinion of all of Davis’ acquaintances is that he is fully entitled to the Pension awarded him – 
Col. Alderson is a man of character 
W. G Singleton 
Febry [February] 12, 1835

Note – the name of Davis was not furnished by the abstract for Greenbrier county – W. G. S.
Page 28

Union Va.} 
March 29th}   Free A. Bavine 

J. L. Edwards Esqr [Esquire] 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington

[written sideways] Apl [April] 5, 1841
[Illegible] Va.
Page 29

Col Alderson of Greenbrier County, says that Davis’ mind is entirely gone - he can recollect nothing - dont [does not] know his own family Alderson also States that he himself was privy to his getting a pension - that the evidence of his services (which he saw) was procured in Amherst County Amhurst Va. Alderson States further that he has known as for many years - and that before he lost his mind has often heard him detail his revolutionary service with great minuteness - that Davis was a man of fair character and the universal opinion of the neighborhood, is that said Davis is entitled to a pension. 
Col. A is a man of high character 
[Illegible] 1835 

The foregoing is a true correct copy of a note taken by the undersigned, when engaged in the investigation of the Pentin [pension] claims in within Virginia, whether the same was reputed to the commissioner of Pensions or not the undersigned does not recollect, nor does his notes made on then occasion inform him 
W. G. Singleton
District Atty
September 11. 1838 

J. L. Edwards Esquire 
Dear Sir on my return I find the enclosed papers and deem it an act of Justice to enclose them to you confident that if you shall be of opinion that were Davis is entitled under the circumstances to be restored that you will do him Justice 
Very respectfully 
Andrew Beirne
Page 30

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

Payments to be made at Richmond Va. 
by Prest U. S. B Br [President U. S. Bank Branch]
Agent for paying Pensioners in the Agency of Va.

Recorded in the Pension Office in Book E Vol. 2 Page 9 by – J. T. Sprague Clerk.
Page 31

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

WAR DEPARTMENT 
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, William Davis --- of the State of --- Virginia --- who was a Private during the Revolutionary War is entitled to receive Eighty dollars [crossed out - and cents] per annum during his natural life commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in every year. 
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 19 day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty four 

Examined and} 
Countersigned.}
Page 32

Auditors Office 
May 13. 1834 

Sir

I have duly received yours of the 8th inst, enclosing the papers of Muscoe Newman, and Wm. Davis applicants for pensions. 

Newman's name is not on the Rolls of either the State or Continental line ,nor does it appear that he received land bounty.

The name of Wm Davis appears 12 times on the Continental Register and three times on that of the State line. Six individuals of the name received land bounty - but there is nothing which will enable us to identify the particular person who is an applicant for a pension 

I am very respectfully
yours &c
Jas E Heath

J. L. Edwards Esqr [Esquire]
Page 33

Affidavit of 
Henry Payton of Cabell C-Cty. 

Hon. W. M Comas
Page 34

Cabell County to wit
This day Henry Payton Snr [pension application S8943] personally appeared before me Elisha McComas a Justice of the peace in and for said County and made oath that in the yeare [year] of 1779 that William Davis of Fayette County and State of Virginia served a tower of duty in the Indian war under the command of Capt. John Paxton and Colonel George Skilrun [sic: George Skillern] and also that the said William Davis served a tower of duty in the revolutionary ware in the yeare [year] of 1781 under the command of Capt. James Franklin and Capt. James Dillard & that he was Drafted in Amherst County in the State of Virginia and that he was marched to Gilford C. H. [Guilford Court House] in the state of North Carolina where he joined the army commanded by General Greene and that to the best of his recollection he served two more towers in the Revolutionary war but that he was not with him only in 1777 in where we were stationed at Point Plesant [sic: Point Pleasant] at the mouth of the Great Kanhawa River [sic: Kanawha River] and in 1781 at or near Gilford Court House State of North Carolina – Given under my hand this 5th day of May 1834. Elisha McComas JP for C. Cty Va.
Page 35

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, 
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, 
January 18th 1845 

Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States , and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, William Davis --- a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at the rate of Twenty six Dollars and sixty six Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1843, to the 4th Sept. 1843. 

Respectfully, yours, 
Albion K Parris 
Comptroller.

To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, 
Present.
Page 36

Feb 22 
Wm Davis Fayette Co Va. 
Copy papers

Hon. A. Beirne HR

[written sideways] Spoke to Com. Copying papers- told me to wait W
J. L. Edwards Esquire to reinstate
Page 37

J. L. Edwards Esquire 
Washington 22d Feby [February] 1839

Dear Sir 

I made a verbal communication to you some time past respectfully asking that (in the want of rejecting the petition of William Davis) you want to have a record of Mr. Davis papers including the additional testimony furnished - so that I might place the same before the H. R. I regret to be compelled from duty to be the troublesome the most diligent search has been made and the former record furnished cannot be found, your early attention will confer a particular favour on your 
Obt. Svt. [Obedient Servant] Andrew Beirne
Wm Davis Fayette Cy [County] 
formerly of Greenbriar Va.
Page 38

Geo W Summers

J. L Edwards Esqr 
Com. Pensions 
Washington DC. 

[written sideways] June 6, 1842 Va. William Davis ’32 No26326
Hon. G. W. Summers HR
Page 39

June 3rd 1842. Washington

Sir 

I therewith enclose you the original Certificate of Wm Davis, for Pension, required to be returned in your letter to me a few weeks since, as necessary to be returned in order to procure a pension for a smaller amt, I believe 8 mos. or 12 mos. 
Please furnish me the certificate and proper forms of letter of atto &c 
How has Mr. Davis forfeited his right to a full pension. The enclosed certificate is the promise of the government to pay $80 per annum during his natural life - why was it taken away. Please state in your reply, when this pension was suspended and for what course.
very Respectfully 
yrs G W Summers
Page 40

GW Summers 

J. L. Edwards Esq 
Com Pensions 
Washington D.C. 

form sent June 10 1842
Page 41

Ho. Reps. 10th June 1842 

Sir,

I received your enclosing the new certificate of Wm Davis, for 8 mos [months] service. 
In my letter [Illegible] [Illegible] the former certificate I requested that with the new certificate, you would furnish me a printed form for the application to be made by Mr. Davis. 
This has been overlooked - Please send me one of the forms,
yrs very Respectfully
G W Summer
Page 42

free G W Summers

J. L. Edwards Esq 
Com. Pensions 
Washington DC

[written sideways] May 17. 1842 Va. William Davis
Hon. G. W. Summers HR
Page 43

Ho. Reps. 15 May 1842. 

Sir

Some time since, I brought to your attention the claim of Mr. William Davis of Fayette County Va. asking a pension for revolutionary services - the case had previously been before your Department under the care of my predecessor Hon. And. Beirne - Your answer to my previous communication, I enclosed to Mr. Waite the friend & neighbour of Mr. Davis. I have just received the enclosed letter from Mr. Waite, from which it appears that Mr. Davis is willing and anxious to receive confirmation for 8 mos. the maximum time for which he was allowed, according to your advice here before you. The papers are in your Department, & I presume nothing further on his part is necessary. Please let me hear from you as early as practicable. 
Very Respectfully yours
G W Summers
Page 44

Jan. 24 1845
No Evans