Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32,209, John Davison, Conn.
Page 1

8-1779

SERVICE

CONN.     Davison, John    S. 32, 209
                 or Davidson

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CONTENTS
Page 2

Albany  32.185
Julia
John Davidson the State of who was a Private in the Company Commanded  by Captain Hunter of the command  by Col Dana Conn the Rev War line for 14 Mos.
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Inscribed on the Roll of Washington City
at the rate of 40 Dollars 88 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
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Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of August 1844 and sent to C. E. Sherman Esq Present-
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Arrears to the 4th of Semi-anl. allowance ending

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by F.L. Swann, Clerk
Book E.  Vol. 6 1/2,  Page 86

Letter to Hon P. King and Pension Agent 25 March 1846.
===================================
To Albany N.Y. from 4th
March 1846- 20 March 1846
Notification to Hon P. King. House  of Reps.
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Page 3

8698
John Davison
---------------------------
upper Canada
18 Sept. 1572
27 No
---------------------------
2.6 11.12. 13.17.2.57. 

such Company officer as
Col. Dany or Dang

no exception taken to the County in which his declaration was made

A.H. Bronson
Watertown
Ref. PIDI
Page 4

BRIEF in the case of John Davison
of Youngs in the State of Upper Canada
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

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

 2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

 3. How old is he? Seventy one years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
=========================================
Period                             | Duration of Service|   
Enlisted in 1781 Sep 1   | Year, Months, Days,|   
1781 Augt                            2
                                       frequently called out to
                                       close of the war served
                                       are than one year
-------------------------------------------------------
|Rank                     | Names of General and Field Officers
|As a                      | under whom he served.
-------------------------------------------------------
                               Col. John Dany, or Dang, May.Porter
                               Capt.  Jona Hunter    
                          Gen.   Allen, Col. Fra Allen, Isaac Fillney;           
                          Capt. Wm. Fitch

5. In what battles was he engaged? none state
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Mansfield, Count

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

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

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

Kentz Examining Clerk
Page 5

State of New York}
St.  Lawrence County ss}

John Davidson being duly sworn deposes and says that he is a pensioner of the United States
under the act of Congress of 7th June 1832, and entitled to receive forty six dollars and sixty six cents per annum during his natural life, as recited by a certificate of Pension in his possession, signed Wm Wilkins Secretary at
War, and dated the first day of August 1844-- that by said certificate of Pension or an order endorsed thereon the this deponents pension is made payable at the City of Washington in the District of Columbia. That this deponent
resides in the Township of Ascott Canada West a short distance from the Village of Ogdensburgh in the County of St. Lawrence in the State of New York, at which late to place this deponent is accustomed to transact his
business wasting to his said pension. That this deponent is desirous to have the payment of his pension transferred to the City of Albany in the State of New York and prays the Commissioner of Pensions to grant an order, wilder the supervision of the Ann Preston King to make the pension of this deponent, hereafter payable
at the agency for paying pensions in the City of Albany aforesaid 
                                   John [his X mark] Davidson


Subscribed and sworn his before me this 11th day of March 1846
James Barter
Justice of the Peace
Page 6

State of New York
St Lawrence County ⎬
 I, James Barter, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid do certify that John Davidson, the within named affiant is personally well known to me, and that he has made
his mark as a signature to the within affidavit, being too in from to write.
Dated Ogdensburg March 11 1846
James Barter, Justice of the Peace



I hereby certify that James C. Barter whose name is above signed in his own proper hand writing is well known to me and that he is a Justice of the Peace in the town of Oswegatchie in the County of St. Lawrence

Washington March 28th 1846 
Preston King, M.C
Page 7

State of New York
In Jefferson Comm: Pleas

In the matter of
John Davison

Application for a pension

J.H. Bronson
of Watertown
Atty for applicant
Page 8

State of New York}
Jefferson County ss}
In Jefferson Common Pleas of September Term 1832~
On this 11th day of September 1832.
personally appeared in open Court before
the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of
Jefferson County aforesaid now sitting John Davison a resident of the Town of Youngs, Upper Canada, on the West shore of the River St. Lawrence and directly opposite of the Town of Alexandra, in the County of Jefferson and
State of New York aforesaid, aged 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 Continental Army of the United States in the year 1778 and served under the officers himafternamed and as hereinafter stated
(to wit) I the said John Davison was born  in the year 1764 on the 13th day of August in the Town of Mansfield, County of Windham, State of Connecticut where I resided at the time I   enlisted into the army of the United States
I enlisted as aforesaid  on the first day of September_ i enlisted  the year

Regiment until this deponent was discharged
That in the former Declaration of this deponent
Julystated that the regiment aforesaid was commandedby the said Deary because he supposed that it was necessary to give the name of the officer who commended the Regiment when he was discharged
This Deponent further says that he is quite
illiterate and cannot write, the he can read a very little, and that he does not now the name of the said John Deany was spelled - that it might
Page 9

1778 for two years in the 3rd Regiment of
Infantry of the Continental line, commanded by
 Col. John Deny or Dany, Jonathan Porter Major
I was attached to Capt Jonathan Hunts Company in said Regiment and joined the Regiment at Groton in Connecticut, where it was stationed when I enlisted as aforesaid. I enlisted as aforesaid for 2 years during which time I was constantly attached to the Army of
the United States and on duty, and on
to the 8th of September 1780, I was regularly discharged and received a written discharge
at Groton, Conn. where that part of the
army lay to which I was attached. After
being discharged I returned to my Father's house in Mansfield where I continued till March of the following spring I then left Mansfield in
to company with & other young men and
travelled into Vermont. 
In August of that year (1781) I entered the service of my country under Gen. Allen as a
militia man, whose head quarters were then at Castleton Vt. Col Ira Allen was the Commander of the Regiment
Isaac Hill Major~ I was attached to Captain William Fitch's Company~

I continued in this service as a man
or militia man at man, volunteer under the officers
Page 10

and in the company and Regiment above named till the close of the war and as near as I can recollect, more than one year, during which time I was frequently out on scouts-- At the close
of the war I continued to reside in bemont in the town of Paulet, & County of Bennington, for 8 years succeeding the close of the war. I then returned to Shaftsbury County of Bennington,  & State of Vermont aforesaid. 

I continued to reside in Shaftesbury & years, when I removed to Utica County of Oneida and
State of New York, where I lived 10 years.
From thence I removed to Upper Canada
where I have continued to reside ever since, in the town of Young aforesaid While I lived in Utica my house was burned, and the written discharge above mentioned, which I received on leaving the continental army after my two years service, was burned in said house up to
that time I had carefully preserved said discharge, but I do not recollect by whom, or how many officers it was signed except that the Colonel's name was to it-

And I the said John Davison do  hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a
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pension or annuity except the present, &
I declare that my name is not on the
pension Roll of any agency in any states.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.                John[His X mark] Davison

P. Burchard, Clerk            

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that the above named applicant John Davison was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as states

I Peleg Burchard,  Clerk of the Court
of Common Pleas of Jefferson County aforesaid
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
the original proceedings of the said Court
in the matter of the application of John
Davison for a pension~

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal of Office this 11 day of September
in the year 1832
P. Burchard Clerk
Page 12

State of New York
In Jefferson County Com. Pleas
--------------------------------------
In the matter of John Davison
Application for a pension
=============================
Declaration certificate and opinion of Court &c
------------------------------------------------
8698

J. H. Bronson of Waterton
Atty for applicant
Page 13

State of New York
Jefferson County ss}

John Davison of the town of Youngsin upper Canada being duly sworn says that he is the same John Davison mentioned in the Declaration hereto annexed and which is signed by him, and that he did enlist in the Continental Army and in the third Regiment of Infantry of the Continental line, on or about the first day of September in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy Eight according to the best of this deponents recollection as stated in said Declaration that at the time of his said enlistment the said 3d Regiment of Infantry
was commanded by one Colonel Cornelius
Storrs or Stores and the Major of said Regiment was named Jonathan Porter and the Caption Company to which this deponent was attached was commanded by Captain Jonathan Hunter 

This Deponent further says that the said Cornelius Storrs continued in command of
said Regiment about one year & four months
after the enlistment of this Deponent as aforesaid and that the said store was then dismissed or suspended from the service or had leave of absence, and consequence
of having appropriated to his own use monies
which he had recieved for the soldiers as this
deponent understood at the time or as was
reported - This Deponent further says that after
the said Storrs was to suspended or dismissed and immediately after the said Cornelius Storrs left the Regiment, another Colonel took command of the said Regiment whose name was according to the best of this deponents recollection John Dean and that the said John Deany continued in command of said
Regiment until this deponent was discharged
That in the former Declaration of this deponent
which is hereto annexed he this deponent
stated that the regiment aforesaid was commanded by the said Deary because he supposed that it was necessary to give the name of the officer who commanded the Regiment when he was discharged~
This Deponent further says that he is quite
illiterate and cannot write, the he can read a very little, and that he does not how the name of the said John Deany was spelled - that it might
Page 14

have been spelled Scanic~
This Deponent further days that he may have been mistaken as to the time of his said enlistment in respect to the year at he is quite confident that it was in the year 1778 as above stated. That it was the 5th year of the war according to this deponents best recollection
from some circumstances this deponent is led to believe that he was discharged in 1779 - and if that was so then his enlistment was in September 1777-
instead of 1778 - because this deponent served
faithfully and steadily for the space of two years
and some few days over in the Company and
Regiment above mentioned~~
This deponent further says that during a part of
the second year of his service aforesaid the
said Regiment was stationed at New London at
which time General Putnam was in command
there-- During the remainder of the said two years the Regiment aforesaid was stationed at Groton Connecticut~I was discharged three days before Groton was burnt by the British - I cannot now recollect any of the names of the officer under or with whom I served Except those above mentioned and except also Isaac Barrows who was Lieutenant of the Company
to which I was attached~~
This Deponent further says that he has a
Record of his age in a Bible which was given him by his father, and which record of this deponents age is in the hand writing of his father and from which it appears that this deponent is of the age of 71 year and upwards - that the said Bible is now at the house of this
Deponent in Young aforesaid. This deponent further says that he is well known to the following persons who live in the neighborhood
of this deponent and who can testify to this deponents character for truth and veracity and also to their belief of his services as a soldier in the American Armies during the war of the Revolution Viz
William La Rue,  William Munson a magistrate~
Archey McLean a Justice of the peace. David Connell, Levi Connell Samuel P. Brill, and many other also Azariah Walton Esq & deputy collector residing
Page 15


on the American side of the St Lawrence opposite to my place of Residence or a place called Alexandria
Bay- also John W. Fuller, the Post master at  Alexandria  in the State of New York aforesaid-
John[his X mark]Davison


State of New York}
Jefferson County ss}

On this 9th day of February 1833
personally appeared before me John Davison above named and who subscribed the foregoing affidavit in my presence and who being at the same time duly sworn by me made oath to the truth of the same, and that the facts set forth in said affidavit on true and I further
certify that the said affidavit was canfully read
over by me to the said John Davison and that the same read by me before he subscribed &
swore to the same as aforesaid-

Calvin V. Knight,  first Judge of Jeff County Court



State of New York
Jefferson County
Clerks' Office

I Peleg Burchard do hereby certify that
Calvin McKnight as before whom the annexed
affidavits were sworn was on the date of the same first Judge of Court of Com Pleas in & for said County and also a Justice of the peace for the same duly authorized by law as such Judge and and further that I am well acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe his name subscribed to the said office wits is genuine

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand affixed the said of said County this 13th day of Febuary in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three

P. Burchard (Clerk )
By M Lewis Sherman, Dept. Clerk
Page 16

John Davison
explanatory &c.

(For Pension Committee)

Let the pensioner be allowed upon a
service of fourten months


Wm Wilkins
Page 17

Washington City Feb. 15. 1844

I John Davison now in the City of Washington, to obtain my Pension, Do State and declare, in addition to my former papers and in explanation thereof, that I served in the Revolu nary War upwards of three years, as follows, viz.

1.  When just in my 17th year I was drafted for 20 days, and was ordered to Rhode Island, with the Militia, where & served out my time

2.  After the 20, days had expired I enlisted at
Providence for one year and served the time out  in Col. Taplin or Tapley's Regiment.

3. I then came to Groton, (Con.) and enlisted for another year and served out my enlistment, partly under Col. Storrs and their under Col. Deaney
4. Afterwards I went to Vermont and enlisted, as I believe for during the war, and served at Castleton more than a year, until I was discharged at Castleton~~


I further state that when I was drafted for the 20, days. I resided at what was called, Chesnut Hill in the Town of Mansfield in Windham County, Connecticut, and that Capt. Whitmore was the Militia Captain & went with the drafted men to Rhode Island, when the drafted men were put under other officers, owing as he
believes to Capt. Whitman being sick, but they still considered him as their captain. They serve the said 20 days under Col Taplin
That I then enlisted at Providence (R.I.) for ┃
one year under the aforesaid Col. Taplin, who
was recruiting at Providence to fill up his Regiment,and he gave $60. County and promised 100 acres of land, as an inducement for the men to enlist
That I said out the year under the said Col Taplin to the best of my recollection, in Capt. Hunties company, or in a company of which he had the command, although I cannot say what rank he might have held by commission
Page 18

That I their enlisted at Groton (con) under Col. Stow for his names might be spelt Stores) for one year, and I served under the said Col Storrs, until cool Deaney took the command of the Regt. and I served on the remaining part of
the year under the said Col. Deaney
I am position of the fact of enlisting under Col Storrs at Groton, as I was personally acquainted with him and know him, That Jonathan Porter of Coventry  was the Major of the Regt. and to the best of my recollection Isaac Barrows was captain, and one  Cox, was Orderly Sergeant
That the said Col. Storrs, lived or belonged, when at house (to the best of my recollection) at Mansfield, Old Town as it was then called. ~~
That when I went to Castleton Vt. I went by way of Fitch's Mills, and Capt. Fitch west with us to Chorlton where he stayed some weeks, and was called Captain Fitch and always went by that name at Castleton--
That while at Castleton I was with
others, under one Meacham, and I was also selected as one of the guard to escort old Gent Ethan Allen to Sunderland and back again to Castleton.--
That Ira Allen was at and old Ethan Ann was
commander in chief at Castleton all the time I was there, which was upwards of a year.

I further state that when I first applied for my Pension (about 10 or 12, years ago) I stated the above facts to the person who made out my papers, so that he might make them out right, and he told me that it was not necessary to set forth all the particulars in the papers, but that it would be enough to mention how long
had served in all, and the names of some of the principal Officers I had served under- That having but little education myself, I was wholly unacquainted with the manner of proceeding to obtain my Pension, but uniformly stated the facts of my services, and the names of
Page 19

my officers, (as my recollection would serve me,) to the persons who prepared my papers, and they their made them out in such a way as they said would be right--
He further states that among his papers left at
the Pension Office was an affidavit of Joseph Austin (who was with him at Rhode Island and Vermont which proves one years service at Rhode Island and upwards of a year at Vermont, which affidavit he is informed is not found in the copies of his papers as furnished from the Pension Office, nor any mention made of it.

I further state that I supposed the Affidavit of
the said Joseph Austin was with the copies furnished to the committed until this week, when he was informed to the contrary
and I request that the said Austin Affidavit, or a copy thereof, may be furnished, so that your committee may have that evidence before you, and I hope the Committee will obtain the same before passing on my case.

I can be qualified to the truth of the above
if necessary.---

Witness-                      John [his X mark] Davison
E. B. Worcester

Chief Jachmann


Joseph Kleindienst
Page 20

32209
Revy. INVALID
---------------

File No. 32,209

John Davidson

Pri. Rev. War

Act: June 7, 32

Indez:-Vol. 2, Page 100

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 21


John Davidson

Let. to A. C. Brown
March 12, 1841

do to claimant Jan. 6. 1843
copies of paper suit to Hon Geo

Rathbun H R Feb 3, 1844
let to Hon S. Simons May 20, 1844
do to applicant  Apr. 5 1844
to C. E. Sherman Apr. 15.44
to C. E. Sherman. April 19, 1844

Reacted. 32
Page 22

Rejected
Ltr. J.H. Bronson
July 1833

 Let. to Hon. D. Wardwell, 21 March  1837
 Let to Hon. J.H. Bronson 12. Sept.     '37
 Let to James                         15.    "     '37
 Let to  James                          5.   Jan. '39

Act 7 June '32
Page 23

John Davidson, Private,
$46.66 per ann:
Act 7 June '32
Dist. Columbia Roll
---
C. E. Sherman, Esq
Present
Page 24

State of New York St. Lawrence County ss.

Joseph Austin of Grenadier Island, being duly sworn before me the undernamed Justice of the Peace, deposeth and saith. That some time during the Revolutionary war between Great Britain and her the American Colonies, this deponent was sent to carry clean clothes to his
Father and Uncle on Rhode Island; that he was stopped by the sentinel at Bristol ferry: that he stayed all night and formed an acquaintance with the sentinel who was John Davidson: that about two weeks afterward John Davidson came home with his Father and Uncle from the American Camp on a furlough, that they were under the command of General Samuel Gorton
after the furlough was expired they all returned to the camp again:
And this deponent further saith that John Davidson and his wife David Hall went to Groton in the State of Connecticut and enlisted & served for one year. that in the fall or winter after their service ended at Groton, they went into Vermont and enlisted under Col. Allen
during the war; and this deponent saw them (Davidson & Hall) once under this last enlistment, at Onion the march in a
company of American troops. That after the war closed, Davidson and his uncle Hall came home to deponents fathers in Rhode Island
This deponent thinks his first acquaintance with John Davidson was in 1779 or 1780, and the only means he had of deriving a knowledge of the matters stated above was, by hearing the then young men say where they were going & the business they were going on, and by seeing them come home uniformed and equipped (except genuinely mushet) at intervals
of about 3 months during their service at Groton, staying generally about and sole a week; and saw them take out(and made) a paper which they called their furlough.
This deponent did not see Davidson & Hall, but once during during their service in Vermont, but knows they came home after the war clad in the uniform of the American regulars, and fully equipped.
And it was the general impression and conversation about of deponent's Fathers family, where Davidson & Hall made their home, that they were in the army, and did the service as stated above. Deponent says he was a boy about 10 or 11 years old when first acquainted with John Davidson, Thinks Davidson & Hall were in the army in Vermont one year or more, and further saith not.   
Joseph[his X mark] Austin


Subscribed and sworn the 4th day of June 1844
before me, Richard Renny, Justice of Peace

This deponent further saith under oath that he has been personally acquainted with the same
John Davidson up to the spring of 1843 where he went away saying he was going to
Washington to apply for his pension

Richard Renney Justice of Peace
Page 25

St Lawrence County ss.}

On the 4th day of June 1884 before me came Henry Fowler to me personally known, and being by me duly sworn deposeth & saith-
that he is acquainted with Joseph Austin who made the within affidavit by reputation, and some personal acquaintance, and consider his reputation for truth and veracity to be good. And this deponent further saith that he has been a Justice of the Peace in the County aforesaid.
and that the character of the said Joseph Austin for truth & veracity was one fully proved and substantiated before him in his official capacity, and further saith not.       Henry Fowler
                               
Subscribed and sworn the 4th day of June
1844 before me}
Richard Renney, Justice of the Peace

State of New York}
County of St. Lawrence}

I Martin Thatcher Clerk of the
Common Pleas Court of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Richard Renney is a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Lawrence duly commissioned and
qualified; that his commission is dated on the 1st day of January 1843 and will expire on the last day of December 1846 and that his signature above written is genuine

Given under my hand and the seal of said County the 10th day of June 1844

Martin Thatcher, Clerk
Page 26

35.812

John Davidson

C. E. Sherman
Present

July 31,
Page 27

Hammond N.Y.
June 12th

Chs E. Sherman Esqr

Washington D C
Page 28

Oak Point June 11th 1844

Dear Sir
I received yours of the 15th ult, after some
delay occasioned by a miscarriage, and is mistake in the address. I have procured the affidavit of Joseph Austin as you requested, and the same is herewith sent.
It has consumed some time, for the reason that the county clerk's office is 40 miles from me, and the witness lives 12 min an opposite direction. 
 If the old man should obtain his pension it would be well to institute a guardianship over him if these is any way to do it, and let him remain where he is if he will be satisfied to stay. I believe he has no relatives or friends here that will be of any use to him except to pick away his money. And his capacity for taking can of himself or his money sums to have passed away

If Davidson gets his pension he may send me Four Dollars & 20 cents to depay expenses, to wit-
Travelling 12 miles 9& bad) by skiff & man to row                                                              $3.00
Boat line                                                          .50
 Postage                                                          .20 
 County Clerk's fee                                        .50                                       
Justice charged no fee for swearing -     $4.20

Respectfully yours
Henry Fowler
Page 29

Aaron of Refer
June 17th, 1844

Sir, 
I have read the affidavit of Joseph Austin in the case of of John Davidson and have no doubt that the Committee would have reported or fill
granting him a pension unanimously if this same affidavit had ever before them

Geo Rathbun, Clerk [and Neo Pan]
Saml Simons, Concurs
Page 30

Col. J. L. Edwards
 Cont. Pension

C. E. Sherman, present
Page 31

My dear Sir
From frequent conferences with the old Solder Davidson  I have contented much interest
for him. He is a simple sober, honest old endure
& I am sure served in the revolution but entitled to a pension than some who have me.

The affidavit which M. Thurman as my will I hope be sufficient official proof of the human
title. Pray my dear Sir,  oblige me by giving
the case a careful examination to see if the old
man cannot come within from him.  Even this
vote, for I know you want no prompting to do justice-                                  Your truy
                                               W. W. Seaton
Col. Edwards                         July 12,  1744
Page 32

Charles E. Sherman, Esqr

Washington City
Page 33

Seery Office R Island
July 17, 1844

Sir-- I regret that I can find nothing favorable to pow Davidson.

John Topham commanded a regiment in the State service, but I find no record of Hunter as Capt. or any name similar to it. There are no Rolls of the men this Regt in the office.

With respect to the alleged service in Connecticut I can give no information

Respectfully yr obt Servt[Your Obedient Servant]
Henry Bowen
Charles E. Sherman Esq.
Page 34

Charles E. Sherman, Esqr
Washington City
Page 35

Dear Sir
Comptroller's Office
Hartford, Ct. July 25, 1844
 
Dear Sir

Yours of the 13th and to Geo Wells Esqr late Comptroller has been handed to this office. We have made a search for evidence of the service of John Davidson in the revolutionary war, and find but little to substantiate his claim. It appears from documents in the office that Col E. Storrs was at the Island about the year 1778, and the probability is that he returned to Cornett and was stationed in the vicinity of Groton where Davider might enlist into his regiment, but we have no master nor payrolls to prove this,  his enlistment at Providence I think most have been under officers belonging to the State of R. Island, and not to this State. I wish we could send him a certificate of service, but in the absence of pay rolls we cannot do it.

Respectfully yours
A Carrington, Comptroller
Page 36

Jan 13, 1844.  6 no-10

Copy 

Jno Davison, NY
Leml Patterson

Hon. G. Rothbone
H.R.
Page 37

House of Representation
January 12th 1844.

Dr. Sir
Will you be kind enough to send copies
of the papers on file in your office in the case
of John Davison on his application for a pension
to me for the use of the Committee on Revolutionary pensions-

I am requested to enquire of Lemuel Patterson
drew a pension at any time from 1820 to 1825. & if so by whom was it draw or to whom paid

Your obedient servt
Geo Rathbun
A Committee on
Rev Pensions
Page 38

John Davison
Petition for Pension
Dec. 1843
-------------------------------------------
January 3, 1844
Referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Pension
---------------------------------------------

May 2, 1844 Discharged to lie
Preston King
---------------------------------------------

Rev Pension not testimony

Advanced from March 4, 1844
Page 39

To the Honorable Senate House of Representations of the United States of America
---
The Petition of John Davison of the County of St. Lawrence State of New York, but now in
the City of Washington Respectfully Sheweth

That your Petitioner was eighty one (81) years of age on the 13th of August last (1843)
That he served in the Revolutionary War for
upwards of three years, as follows, Viz.--
He was first drafted, when just in his 17th year
at the town of Mansfield, County of Windham
Connecticut, from Col. Ellists Regiment of
Militia for twenty days, and was ordered
to Rhode Island, when they had a Battle or
Skinnish with the British, he was under
Col. Taplin or Tapley at Rhode Island.

After the expiration of the draft of 20 days, he then enlisted at Rhode Island, for one year, and served in Capt. Hunters Company, and in the Regiment commanded by the aforesaid Col. Taplin. He served out his year I was discharged at Providence.

He then started to go home to Mansfield, and when he had gone as far as Groton, he again enlisted for one year, and served in Capt. Barrows Company and in Col Stoves or stores Regiment; After say five or six months col. Storrs was called elsewhere and Col. Dany or any commanded the Regiment for the remainder of the year.-

In a few weeks after his discharge of Groton
he was informed that Col. Ethan Allen, wanted so dies at Castleton Vermont. That he and several others went to Castleton (by way of Fitches Mills, and there enlisted for the time (as he believes) of during the war.
That he served under Col. Ira Allen, (brother of Ethan Allen for about one year & six months, and until the soldiers they were discharged at that place
Page 40

That during his services at Castleton, he was several times sent out on scouting parties, under Ensign Meacham, was once sent to Danbury Mountain to dislodge some tories who had been killing cattle in that vicinity, they took about one hundred of them and lodged them in Benington Jail.

Your petitioner had his house burnt
near Wisa N.Y. upwards of thirty years since
when (as he expects and believes) his aforesaid discharges were burnt or otherwise destroyed who has never seen them since, He has made application to the pension department for relief, but has never received any pension,
By reason of advanced age and bodily infirm
ities he is totally unable to perform any labor
and is in very destitute circumstances;
Wherefore he prays your honorable bodies
to grant him such relief, as you may think him entitled to for his services in the Revolutionary War.
He expects and believes that his application papers for a Pension, and at the Pension Office.-

Washington D.C. Dec. 1843 
John Davison [his X mark]

Witness
E.B. Worcester
Page 41

John Davison. NY

Alexr Ray, Esqr
Washington D.C.
Page 42

2.5

Alexr Ray, Esqr
Washington D.C.
Page 43

State of Vermont
Secretary of States' Office,
Montpelier, July 10, 1843.

I certify that there is on file in this office a paper, purporting to be ""A Pay Roll of his Excellency Governor Chittenden Life Guard, entering service the 18th Sept. 1781 and
continuing in service until the 8th of Oct. 1781." I further certify that the name of John Davison a private, appears upon said pay roll, with an allowance for twenty days service annexed, being $2.13.4
I further certify that there is on file in this office another paper, purporting to be A Pay Roll of his Excellency Governor Chittenden Life Guard, entering service the 17th August, 1781 and continuing in service until the 17th of Sept 1781. I further certify that the name of John Davison, a private, appears upon said payroll, with
an allowance of $2.00 annexed

I further certify that there is on file in this office another paper purporting to be a "Pay Roll of Capt Matthew Lyons Company, of claim list for Service done in the year 1780" I Col. Ira Allen's Regiment, for service done in the alarm from the 31st July 1781 to the 3rd of August inclusive. I further certify that the name of John Davison a private, appears upon said payroll, with an allowance for four days service annexed.
I further certify that there is on file in this office another paper, purporting to be "A Pay Roll of Capt. M. Lyon's Company of Claim List, for service done in the year 1780. I further certify that the name of John
Page 44

Davison, a private , applicant upon sad payroll with an allowance for eight days service on
annexed.
I further certify that said pay rolls appear to have been examined, approved and ordered to be paid by committee acting under the authority of this State, and that they were duly paid by the Treasury we as appears by receipt appended to the same.
I also certify that a part of the Pay Rolls of
the Vermont Troops in the Revolutionary War, 
originally filed as vouchers in the Treasurer's office, are lost, and are not to be found.

Given under my hand and the seal of this office, this the 10th day of July, A. D. 1843

Ferrand F. Merrill
Acting Secretary of State.
Page 45

Secretary of State's Office,}
Montpelier Vt. July 10, 1843}

Sir,
Annexed I send you all the evidence to be
found in the archives of this State, of the service of John Davison. We have between 50 and 600 payrolls, besides a large body of other papers; and the time required for a full examination is two days.

Fee for examination and certificate $5.00-
which you will please remit to me by mail

Very respectfully
Your Obt Sert.
C.L. Knapp

To: Alex. Ray, Esq.,
Washington

This office and Capt. M. done in the name of John
Page 46

Mar. 5 1841

NY
June 7, 1832
John Davison

Hon. Joel R. Poinsett
Secretary at War
Washington, D.C.
Page 47

Ogdensburg February 25, 1841

Hon. J. R. Poinsett

Sir
Enclosed I have the honor to transmit the Declaration of John Davison  a soldier of the Revolution & an applicant for a pension under the act of June 7, 1832.

Please let me hear from the application
time at your earliest convenience

Very Respectfully Obt Sert.
A. C. Brown
Page 48

Hon. of Reps.
Dec 26th 1838

Dear Sir,
Enclosed I hand you a letter which I
have just recd from J. W. Fuller a very respectable Magistrate whom I know, on the subject of John Davison application for a pension-
I should be very glad if you would give to this application the further test suggested by Mr Fuller- [Jonce]

Examined Davison with a view to draft his declaration & I am not sure but the declaration of his now on file in your office, was written by me or under my direction and I recollect
Will that the he seemed to be a very ignorant simple man I was perfectly satisfied of his honesty and that he had in truth served in the Rev. Army
But owing to old age and a very defective memory- added to a
Page 49

natural stupidity or simplicity, was very difficult to get from the true detail of his services

Satisfied as I am that he is an honest & mentorious applicant and much better entitled to a pension the many who do get one. I am the
more anxious that his papers or the rolls of the army may be again examined -

Very Respectfully Yours &
J H Bronson


To: J. L. Edwards, Esqr
Page 50

Dec 27.  [Wash]

NY
John Davison
Act .1832

James L. Edwards Esqr
Pension Office

Hon. J. H. Bronson. H.R.

.
Page 51

Jefferson County ss}

Personally appeared before me the undersigned Smith Seaman who makes oath and says that she has known been personally acquainted with
John Davison for more than thirty years past
during which time she has sustained an unimpeachable character for truth and veracity. This deponent further says that he has frequently heard said Davison  state that he was a Soldier in the American Army in the war of the revolution and that he served about three years that he was honorably discharged and that his discharge was burnt up with his house soon after the war closed, we heard him  Davison state that he was about sixteen years old when
he enlisted. This deponent further says that
these statements with many others in relation to this
American war was first made to my said Davison at least thirty years since, and that since his first acquaintance with him he said Davison has been regarded as a revolutionary Soldier and that he has ever since his first acquaintance with said Davison resided in the neighborhood with him-
This deponent further say that he fully believes
the statements made by said Davison respecting his service in the American Army & further says that he has died with said Davison ever since he first with him be account and
day safe and found him to be honest in his dealings-
                                                       Smith Seaman

Sworn & subscribed before me this 14th day of July 1826
John W Fuller, Justice of the Peace
Page 52


Daniel Chisemore
Affiant


CV 2
Page 53

Jefferson County S.S.}


Personally appeared before me the
this 13th day of July 1836 the undersigned Daniel Chisemore who being duly Sworn makes oath and says that he has been acquainted with John Davis for the last twenty years and that in his first acquaintance with him said Davison had a conversation with her respecting the Revolutionary War said Davison then stated to him that he first enlisted in the American Army for the term of two years during which time he served under Colonel Storrs
Da id & that he was honorably discharged from
that enlistment and said Davison state further this he enlisted the second time during the war & served under real Allen, until the war closed
that he served in all about three years. This deponent further say that he said Roverers stated to him in his first conversation with him respecting the war that he had his house bent on the Mohawk River in the State of New York at which time he took both of his discharges-- this deponent further states that all has lived in the neighborhood with said Davis twenty one years & has had frequent conversations with him respecting his service in the war of the revolution which at all times corresponded with his for statement.-This deponent further says that said Davison has does now sustain the Character of an honest man & that his station
for truth and veracity has never been justioned

Subscribed & sworn before me this 13th July 1826 Daniel Chisemore

John W. Fuller, Justice of the Peace
Page 54

Stephen Beach
Affidavit

NY
addl pff
6 of d

Hon J.H Bronson
HR
Page 55

NY
Admd

6 of 6


Hon. J. H. Bronson  H. R.
Page 56

Jefferson County, SS.}

Personally appeared before me the
undersigned Stephen Beach who being duly Sworn makes oath and says that he has been personally acquainted with John Davison for the last twenty five years during which time he has had frequent conversations with said Davison respecting his Davisons service in the War of the Revolution from which conversation he is fully satisfied that she Davison was a soldier in the revolutionary War. This deponent fuller says the he himself was a Soldier in the American Army two years during the revolutionary War
& now draws a pension for his services
This deponent further says that sand me
first acquaintance with said Davison he
has lived in the neighborhood with him
& that he has sustained the character honest 
man- & that his Davison reputation
for truth and veracity has never been
questioned to his knowledge-


Subscribed and sworn before me this 9th August 1836                             Stephen Beach

John W. Fuller, Justice of the Peace
Page 57


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


State of New York
St. Lawrence County ⎬ SS

On this ninth day of February one thousand eight hundred & forty one personally appeared before the Court of Oyer and Terminer & General Session of the Peace
Jail Delivery, holden at the Courthouse in
the town of Canton in & for the County of St.
Lawrence. John Davison of the town of Kings in the County of Leeds and Province of Upper Canada, aged seventy Eight years, who being duly sworn doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832

That he was him at Mansfield in the
County of Windham and State of Connecticut,
resided there until Seventeen hundred ninety
three. That about the first of September in
the year Seventeen hundred and  Seventy Eight (or nine) he enlisted at Mansfield aforesaid in the service of the United States in a Regiment commanded by Colonel Tappen and in a company commanded by Capt. John Whitmore. That immediately after his enlistment he was marched to Bristol ferry in Rhode Island, where the Regiment to which he belonged who intended to operate against a party of the British forces on the island opposite. That when
then arrived at the ferry they might the
party of Americans whom they were to join
returning from the island, and deponent ┃
with the whole American forces marched to Providence
Page 58

where deponent remained stationed until the
year for which he enlisted had expired, & he were then discharge & returned home that in the month of March following he went to Paulet in the County of Bennington & State of Vermont and there enlisted again in the service of the United States for during the war, in a Regiment commanded by Colonel Ira Allen in Regiment attached to a Brigade commanded by Colonel Ethan Allen, and served in that Regiment until
peace that deponent understood that the
Regiment in which he enlisted was raised
for the purpose of defending the parties from
the Jones and Indians. That immediately
on his enlistment he was marched to Castle
ton in the County of Bennington, Vermont
at which place who the head quarters of the
American forces in that part. That deponent
remained at Castleton until the close of
the war, when he received a written discharge
from C. Allen and returned home.
That he then resided at Paulet until
about the year Seventeen hundred ninety one
when he removed to Chasbury, Vermont, & remained then about eight years, when he removed to Fort Schuyler on the Mohawk river in the State of New York that in the year 1800 his house at Fort Schuyler was destroyed,
and he then removed to the town of Young
in the County of Leeds and province of Upper
Canada aforesaid where he now resides
That he received no written discharges
from the service, one from Col. Tappan &
the other from A. Allen, but both were
burned with his house at Schuyler in 1800
That he has now no documentary evidence
Page 59

of his services.
That he made application for a pension
about ten years ago, but could find no
witness to prove his services, & filed in his
application.
 That he does not remember the names of any of the officers under whom he served except those mentioned in this his declaration that he relinquishes all claim to any pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll or agency of any state
John [His X mark]Davison

Sworn & Subscribed
A. S. Sow, Clerk

The said Court do hereby declare their mind
that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Solider and Served as he states

I Alvin Sow Clerk of the aforesaid
Court of Oye & Terminer do hereby that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings of of the said Court in the month of Testimony the application of John Davison for a Pension whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office the 13th day of February
A. S.Sow Clk
Page 60

Acts 446

Wilson
Jno Davison. NY

Pension Commissioner
Washington City
Page 61

Sir
Washington April 1st 1849

An affidavit of Joseph Austin Was
sent to your office. with my declaration of February 9th 1841. and another was left with you when I came to Washington last may
Austin knew of my service at Rhode Island &
Vermont and his affidavit was to prove my services at them places. I am told by the pension committee that neither of Austin' s affidavits has been sent to them.
I wish the affidavits may be found and sent
to the pension committee who has my other papers.
Your humble servants
John Durson of New York
by A. Kleindienst

To the pension commissioner at Washington
N.B. Send them to Mr.  Simons
Page 62

Ho. of Reps.
March 23rd 1846

Col. J. L. Edwards

Sir
Enclosed I send you papers of John Davison
pensioner for the purpose of obtaining. The out of Pension due him and have to request that
he may hereafter be allowed to draw from
the Albany Pension office-

Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Servt,

Preston King
Page 63

House of Reps
March 28. 1846

Col. J. L. Edwards
Com of Pensions

Sir
I have the return the papers in case of
John Davidson with certificate required
very Respectfully
Your Obt. Servt
Preston King
Page 64

House of Reps
March 28, 1866

Col J. L. Edwards

Sir
I have the honor to enclose to you herewith certificate desired.

very Respectfully,
Preston King
Page 65

Brockville, Canada
June 26/45

J. G Leavitt

John Davison's claim for arrears of pension

L.16, Rec July 7, 65


Dr. Crump
J.M. Gordon
Page 66


Brockville Canada June 26 1845

Sir,
The John Davison an old Pension has
applied to me to make enquire about his Pension he has receiving for the Pension office a proportion of his money say 20 Dollars & if he is entitled to any Plain he is entitled to a large amount still he is now in the Pension list for 40 a year & wishes to see the balance due him as person who to this time, he has lodged in the office the necessary paper to entitle him to a land amount. If you will hear his good will  to inform me if any further certified and waiting to the money I will have him made out of said at and please with me stating what where is necessary to be done & I will attend to this for him.

Yours,
J.G. Lewis



To The Secretary of War
Washington
Page 67

Jno Davidson D.C. act 7 June 32 last
July 45

G. W.C.
to 1- 4 March 1845
jIt
Page 68

Washington March 18th 44

Hon. J. L. Edwards,
Commr. of Pensions

Sir,
John Davison a petitioner for a pension overs that papers sent you office sustaining his claim for a pension from Joseph Austin were important- this evidence is not included among the papers sent to the Commr. on Rev Pensions, & I have to request that the same may be furnished if in your office-

I am very respectfully
your obt sert.
Saml  Simons
Page 69

April 13, 1844
 Jno Davison

[Arrears about genr. paper left in May 43]


J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pension
Washington City
Page 70

Washington 12th April 1844

Sir, 
There is a poor crippled old man, by the name of John Davison or Davidson, who is begging charity of our Citizens & who informs me he is here claiming a pension.-
That his case is before Congress, but that his
it is incomplete for want of certain proofs in your office. He says two sets of papers
were forwarded to Washington in support of his
claim - the first providing defective, more
prefect formal papers were prepared a forced
are the papers which have been sent to Congress, are copies (or the originals of the
the imperfect papers-- or mostly so & that for the want of the others, his case is incomplete. -

 Some of the papers which he wants
to make out his case, were sent to Washington
in Feb. 1841 - & the balance in May 1843

I understand him that a copy of one of the set of papers he wants, was sent by you to Congress, which induces him to believe that the balance of the set are in your office Will you be so kind in behalf of this poor man, as to have a thorough made search for any & all papers filed in
Page 71

suffice of his claim & not already sent to Agness? His memory of dates may not be accurate, & it will be wise, probably
 to Confire Examination the precise periods named. 

My interference in this matter as
simply an act of charity & kindness to
the claimant & I trust you will therefore excuse the trouble I give you, & grant me the favor of on Early reply---

Very Respectfully
your most obt servt
Cha. E. Sherman


J. L. Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions
Page 72

April 19 1844
John Davison

J.L.  Edwards, Esq
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington  City D. C.
Page 73

Washington 17th April 1844

Sir,
I have recd your reply to my letter in behalf of John Davidson, in which, after stating the action of your office upon his claim you say his case is now pending before Congress, & the Committee has who furnished with in Copies of all the proofs, filed, at any time in this [your]
Office. 
When I addressed you before, I did not sufficiently understand the case to 
particularize the specific item of Evidence
which was missing. from an interview with Mr Simmons of the Committee & also with Mr Crump. I find there are two affidavits of Joseph Austin which have not been furnished to the Committee. Mr Crump told me that no such affidavits were found in the bundle of Davidson's papers note on file in your office-- & from the fact of their not being in that bundle, he inferred no such affidavits had been filed though he was so kind as to say that if I
would furnish the dates of their filing he would make a further search for the I am now enabled to state the dates with sufficient nearness to Enable such---
Page 74

Search to be made, & respectfully ask be  that it may are the first affidavit of said Joseph
Austin was sent the month of February
or March 1844, with other papers, &
as I understand, by mail. It was either sent direct to your office or to the Secy of War, & by him referred to your office.
The other affidavit of the same
person, (Joseph Austin), was handed into
your office the last of May or the fore part of
June 1843 (ie last May or June)-
The Evidence presented to me, of the
filing of these papers in your office, is so
strong, that I cannot doubt the fact. I do not
know that the evidence of found will and the claim before Congress, but the Committee
from a representation of its contents, turn
it material, & have called for it- & if such Evidence has been filed, the claimant
as an undoubted right to it, to lay before Congress,whether it makes for him or not.

I regret to trouble you again in this
matter, but I am sure you will find a sufficient excuse, in the wretched condition of the
Claimant, which presents the strongest appeal to his manurity of everyone who sees him

Very Respectfully
Page 75

your Obt Servant
Cha. E Sherman

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commr of Pensons