Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7053, Samuel Davis Durham, Conn.

Page 1

Durham, Samuel Davis W. 7053.
Isbel

Page 2

2380
Georgia
Isbel Durham
widow of Saml. Davis Durham
Va
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Dragoon
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
100 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the
13 day of Dec. 1848.
and sent to
Hon A. H. Stephens
H of R
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 209 Vol. 3.

[right margin]
Reported
Dec. 13/48.

Page 3

Declaration [underlined]

     In order to obtain the benefit of two provisions made by the
Act of Congress passed on the 7th day of July 1838 instilled
an Act granting half pay and pensions to Certain widows,,
State of Georgia
Green County [brace] SS.
     On this the 21st day of May 1843--before me
the subscriber a Justice of the Inferior Court-in and for
the said County-the same being a Court - of - record personally-
appeared Isbel Durham a resident of said County
and State aged Eighty-five years past who being first duly
sworn according to law doth on her oath make the
following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the
provisions made by the act of Congress-passed on the 7-
July 1838-instilled an Act granting half pay and
pensions to Certain widows,, That she is the widow of
Samuel Davis Durham commonly called Samuel-
Durham who resided in Hanover County State of Virginia
and enlisted at the Commencement of the War of
the Revolution for the Term of two years in the Virginia
Continental Line and faithfully served out the Term
of his enlistment as private of infantry and before
he returned home enlisted for the Term of Three
years-in a troop of Horse and faithfully served out
his term of enlistment as a private of Cavalry-in
the State troops on Continental Line in Virginia was at
the Battle of Brandywine- Bunkershill and others
and while in service marched as far South as Savanah
Georgia That she does not make the foregoing State
ments of her own knowledge But speaks from hearsay.
and her present recollection the name of the Corps
and Redgiment in which the said Samuel Service not
recollected by deponent at this late period even
from hearsay-That she was acquainted with the
said Samuel [illegible] to his first enlistment and was.
engaged to be married on his return from service
he again enlisted for a second term which he

Page 4

faithfully served out and received an honourable
discharge and return home in the latter part of
the year 1781- which was the first time that she saw
him from the time that he first entered the service a-
foresaid making five years that he was private and
served in the Virginia Continental Line of State troops
That she knows of no person living who could give
the names of the Corps or Redgement in which the said
Samuel served or that could give a naritive of
his services of their own knowledge That she has
no Documentary evidence shoing the services of the 
said Samuel- That the said Samuel D Durham died
on the 27th day of December Eighteen hundred and one
in Green County State of Georgia And at the time
and after his death the deponent had his
discharges in her possession And that some 30 years
since she gave up her House and home and resided
among her Children when all her papers went into
the possession of her Daughter afterwards into the possession
of her Brother in law who removed to the State of
Alabama and died and she is unable to learn
anything of the discharges aforesaid And deponent
further declares that she was legally married to the
said Samuel D Durham soon after he returned
from the Services aforesaid to wit in the latter part of the
year Seventeen hundred and Eighty-one That she has
no family registry in her possession her family
Bible was delivered with the other papers and is gone
from her knowledge But that she was legally married
in Hanover County State of Virginia and removed
from there to Georgia Green County where her
husband died on the day aforesaid That she has
remained a widow ever since the present of husba-
nds death That she was not married prior to her

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husband's last service But was remarried prior to the
1st day of January 1794-all of which will more fully
appear by refference to proof hereunto annexed-
Isbel her X mark Durham

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year
first written before me a Justice of the Inferior Court
in and for the County of Green State of Georgia I-
further certify that from Bodily infirmity-Mrs
Isbel Durham the declarant-is unable to attend Court
In listening whereof I have hereunto set by hand
this the day of May AD 1843-
In presence of [brace] J.R. Hall J.T.Cty C.
James Durham
James M. Davison J. P.
State of Georgia [brace]
Green County Be it known that on this the 21st
day of May-1845 before me Isaac R. Hall a Justice
of the Inferior Court in and for the County and State aforesaid per-
sonally appeared- Lucy Lindsey aged Seventy one years past
& Nathan Tally aged Seventy years past residents of the County
and State aforesaid being first duly sworn according to law
doth on their oaths make the following statements That
they resided in Hanover County State of Virginia during the
War of the Revolution in the immediate neighbourhood of
and was personally acquainted with Samuel Durham who
as they have always understood enlisted and was in service
for a considerable span of time during the War of the Revolution
and returned home near the close of the War That they
were too young to recollect the particulars that transpired at
that date But recollects distinctly well to have been the said
Samuel after his return wearing the horsemans Cap which it
said he wore while in service They further say that soon
after the said Samuel returned home from the services
aforesaid

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Aforesaid he was - legally - married to Isbel - Lindsey formerly Isbel- Durham the Declarant - in Hanover County State of Virginia and removed from there to the State of Georgia in the year Seventeen Hundred and.  They further say that said Samuel - died some forty years since in Green County Georgia leaving Isbel - Durham the Declarant - his widow and that she has ever since remained his widow Sworn to and submitted before me  on th day and year first mentioned.  I further Certify that Lucy Lindsey and Nathan Tally the affiants are reputable and [unclear] witnesses.
Given under my hand officially this 21st day of May 1845
In presence of 

[unclear] Thorton
Camel M Davidson JP
[unclear]

Lucy Lindsey x her mark
Nathan Talley x his mark

State of Georgia
Green County

Be it known that on this 21st day of May 1845 before me Isaac R call a Justice of the [unclear] and for said County personally appeared Susannah Barker a resident of said County and State aged Seventy nine years past who being first duly sworn deposeth and saith that she was personally acquainted with Isbel Durham the Declarant - and Samuel DUrham her deceased husband prior to the Commencement of the War of the Revolution and that the said Samuel enlisted about the Commencement of the War in the Virginia regular service and that it was generally understood and so reported in the neighborhood that when he returned from service he was to marry the said Isbel.  That about the Close of the War he returned and a few months after his return she was Creditably informed that they were legally married.  That they removed from Hanover County Virginia to Georgia Green County where the said Samuel died leaving Isbel Durham the declarant his widow.
Sworn to and submitted on the day and year first mentioned before me and I further certify that Susannah Barker a respectable [unclear] and a creditable witness.
Given under my hand this May 1845
In the presence of James M. Davidson J P
[unclear]
Susannah Barker x her mark

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Know all men by these present, that we Sam Durham and James Spears are held and firmly  bound unto his Excel. Thos. Nelson Junr. Esqr. Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia for the time [bring this successors?] in the sum of fifty Pounds to the payment whereof well and truly to be made for the use of the said Commonwealth. we bind ourselves and our heirs [unclear] jointly and severally firmly by these  presents sealed with our seals and dated this 10th day of Sept 1781.
The [unclear] of this obligation is such that whereas there is a marriage intended shortly to be had and solemnized between the above bound Saml. Durham Bachellor and Miss Isbell Lindsey.
Now if there shall be no lawful cause to obstruct said marriage then this obligation to be void, else to remain in full force.
Saml. Durham
James Spears

Sealed and delivered in presence of Mr. Pollard Jr.

Evidence
"I do hereby certify that I am acquainted with the [widow?] named Isbell Linsey and that she is twenty one year old in upwards.
James Spears"

Copies
[unclear and signature unclear]

Page 8

Rev.&1812 Wars Section
Honorable M. C. Tarver,
House of Representatives,
Washington, D. C.

My dear Mr. Tarver:
     In response to your letter of the 26th instant, you
are herewith furnished correct history of Revolutionary
Was soldier Samuel Davis Durham, in place of one furnished
you on April 30, 1928.
     From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension
claim, W. 7053, it appears that Samuel Davis Durham while
a resident of Hanover County, Virginia enlisted, date not
stated, served two years, then re-enlisted and served three
years, ending in the fall of 1781. He served as private
and sergeant of dragoons in the Virginia troops. The names
of his officers are not given. He was in the battle of
Brandywine. He died December 27, 1801 in Green County,
Georgia. His age is not given.
     Soldier married in 1781 very soon after he returned
from service (marriage bond dated September 10, 1781) in
Hanover County, Virginia, Miss Isbel Lindsey. Date and
place of her birth not stated. She was allowed pension on

Page 9

her application executed May 21, 1845 while a resident of 
Green County, Georgia aged eighty-five years.
     They had children, but no names are given.
     The date and place of death of soldier's widow Isbel
are not shown in the papers on file in this bureau. In
order to obtain the date of last payment of her pension,
the name of person paid and possibly the date of her death
it is suggested that you apply to the Records Division,
General Accounting Office, this city, citing all of the
following data: "Isbel Durham, widow of Samuel Davis Dur-
ham, Certificate Number 2380, issued December 13, 1848,
rate $100.00 per annum commenced March 4, 1848, Act of
February 2, 1848, Georgia Agency".
     Very truly yours,
WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.

Copied by ADY

Page 10

19528 Sept. 30 Hist to Hon. Malcolm C. Tarver [MMTF?]
1928 June 29 Corrected hist. is Hon M.C. Tarver [MMTF?]

WIDOW, &c.
File No. 7053
Isbel Durham 
Widow
Saml. D. Durham
Dragoon Rev. War
Act: July 2, 1848
Index: ---Vol. A, Page 198

[Arrangement of 1870]

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V 12294
[illegible] Durham
Georgia
sent to Nathan Riake
Nov 21 '45
thor [illegible] Dec 1845

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9955 [illegible]
Isbel Durham
Widow of Samuel Davis Durham
who was a pensioner under the act of "" and who died on 24th Dec 1801 of green county in the state of georgia who was a dragoon in the company commanded by captain "" of the [illegible] commanded by "" in the revolution for 2 years.

inscribed on the roll of savannah at the reate of 100 dollars "" cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of march 1836.

Certificate of pension issued the 16th day of april 1846 and sent to Mr. Green, [illegible] present.

total amount $300.00
[Act July 7, 1838]
Recorded by Mr. Lumpkin, clerk
Book D, Vol 1, Page 319

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Folder cover

Durham, Samuel Davis                      Number W.7063
           Isbel

Page 14


Washington DC
21 Dec 1848

Dear Sir
Please examine the enclosed letter and give
me the information disend [?]
and also return
the letters
your
A W Stephens
Edwards

Page 15

Col. J. L. Edwards
Commr. Pensions
Washington City

Page 16

Greensboro
Georgia
2 Nov 1848
I herein enclose the declaration
of Mrs Isbel Durham the widow of a Revolutionary soldier, asking the continuance
of her pay under the late law of Congress.
She has heretofore red. her pension
under the former law-
The certificate of
the Secretary of War was returned to the Agent
for paying pensions in Savannah Go
more than six months since-
An early attention to this will
be thankfully rec.d as the applicant is
very old $ feeble.
Yours Respy
W. L. Strain agt
For Mrs Isbel Durham
Sir
Address Isbel Durham
Greensboro
Georgia

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12274-
a
Isbel Durham
Oct. 25, 1845
ad 43.8561.
ad 44 458

GA
-
Act 7 July 38
$81.3.5.
Married in 1781
husband died 1801
Admd
2yrs. Dragoon
$100
Act 43. 44 )
$100
---
-
Thos Green
Present

Page 18

April 13, 1846.
Rec'd
Isbel Durham,

[sideways] To the Commissioner of Pensions

Page 19


To Col. J. L. Edward
Washington 11 April 1841
Sir
The application of Isbel Durham
of Ga. for a pension under act 7 July 1838
was regarded
by you as sucepible of further proof from Hanover Co.
I have been unable to get that proof but can
make such a statement
as being within my own knowledge,
as I think will satisfy you of the justice of the case
The declaration & affidavits of the three witnesses, were
sent me from GA -without proof of Saml. Durham service and
evidently with very little expectation of the success of the
application for the want of that proof altho entire confidence we felt in the truth of the declaration.
Upon examination of the records, by me, a perfect coincidence appeared with the official testimony & full proof that
Saml Durham was a trooper for three years & left the service at
the time stated in the declaration
I then wrote to the
Clark of Hanover for a copy of the marriage bond, without knowing
it could be found. It was sent me & coincided exactly with
the statements
of the witnesses & applicant.
These evidences of record,
all obtained after the testimony of the Witnesses,
show the accuracy of their statements
These witnesses,
make their cross Marks, but they are
certified to be highly respectable
and the proof we have
of their accuracy, in so many particulars
entitle them

Page 20

to credit in the others.
They refer, to the fact, that in Nov. 1781, he returned home with a horseman's cap on.  This is one of those striking facts.  well calculated to make an impression on the mind
They also, say it was understood that the applicant
was engaged to be married so soon as Saml D. should
leave the army-such
knowledge is often possessed
by very young members of a family & is treasured
by them as proof of confidence in them.
There is therefore not a circumstance, that may not
easily be accounted for-and
the conclusion proof of
the marriage & services from the records and other striking coincidences,
almost demonstrate the accuracy in
the statements of the Witnesses in the case.
With necessary, I would be willing to make affidavit to
the material facts, herein averred by me, and of my belief
that none of the parties of their agents, had an idea whatever
that any record evidence could be got in the case, at the time the papers
were made out & sent me
I am Obt sent
Thomas Green

Page 21

State Georgia
Green County ⎬
Special Inferior Court- on this the
27th day of May 1845
The Declaration of Mrs Isbel Durham widow of
Samuel D Durham for a pension under the act of Congress of
the 7 July 1838 duly certified by Isaac R Hall a Justice of the
Inferior Court in and for the County of Green State of Georgia
on the 21 day of May 1845 having been submited to the
Court it doth hereby approve his acts and proceedings in
the matter Given under our hands officially this 27th
day of May 1845
Thomas Cunningham ISL
James B Nickelson IBL
Jos W Godkin P.B.C.
attest
Vincent Sanford Clk J.C.Greene County Ga


State of Georgia
Green County 
I Vincent Sandford Clerk of the
 Inferior Court in and for the
County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that
is an acting Justice of said Court duly commission
and legally qualified and that the signatures purporting
to be his in the matter of Mrs. Isbel Durham for a pension
hereunto annexed are genuine and further that the
above is the Original order of said Court approving his
acts and proceedings in the matter
Given under my hand and seal
of Office at Greensborough on this
the
the 27th day of May AD 1845
Vincent Sanford Clk J.
Greene County Ga
[seal]

Page 22

State of Georgia
Green County
S.S.
⎬
On this the Twenty Sixth
day of October 1848 personally
appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the
Peace in and for said County of Greene, Isbell
Durham aged (88) Eighty Eight years, who being first
duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath
make the following declaration, in order to obtain
the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress
passed on the 2d February 1848 granting pensions
to widows of persons who served during the
Revolutionary War--
That she is the widow of
Samuel D Durham who was a soldier in the
Revolutionary War, in the Dragoon Service,
and that she believes he had a rank as a
Sergeant in the Revolutionary War, & would
here beg leave to refer to her previous declaration in confirmation of this under the
the
act of 17 June 1844, and the annual
amount of the Pension under the
own over the act of
17 June 1844, was one Hundred
Dollars, which she received,
The further declare, that she is still
a widow.

Sworn to & Subscribed on the
day and year above written
before the undersigned
Saml Eby P

her
Isbel Durham
mark

Page 23

State of Georgia       S.S.
Greene County
I Samuel Ely a Justice of the Peace in and for said county and duly commissioned as such, do certify that Isabel Durham whose Declaration is on the preceding page, is personally known to him.  Given under my hand this 21 day of October 1848.
     Saml Ely JP

State of Georgia
Greene County
I Vincent Sanford Clerk of the Superior Court of the County of Greene, do hereby Certify, that Samuel Ely is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned & qualified.  That his Commission was dated on the 25 day of January 1845 and will expire on the first day of January 1849, & that his signature above written is genuine.
     Given under my hand 
     and seal of office this
     Second day of November 1848.

Page 24

12274
Oct. 25/45
John Durham
July 7, 1838.

Col. J.L. Edwards
     Commr. of Pensions
     Washington City
     D.C.

Page 25

[illegible] 21 Oct. 1845.

Col. J.L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions.

Sir,
     Enclosed is the application for a Pension under act 7 July 1838 of Isabel Durham widow of Saml. Durham of Ga.
    I have this day referred to the Depreciation ltr in the Auditors office & find $81.3.5 were paid for his services as a soldier of Cavalry.  Of this, the [illegible] & declarent were entirely [illegible] so that the services and identity appear to be completely [illegible] out, as well as the date of the marriage a few months after his return from the service-they having been engaged to be married while he was in service.  I will write to the Clerk of Hanover to find what evidence his records may show of the marriage & send you the answer.
     I am [illegible]
     Thomas Green

Page 26

Nov. 7, 1845.
[illegible] case
Isabel Durham

Col. J.L. Edwards
Commr. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

Page 27

[illegible] 5 Nov. 1845.

Col. J.L. Edwards
     Commr. of Pensions

Sir,
     Enclosed is the Copy of the marriage Bond to sustain the application of Isabel Durham, [illegible], widow of Saml. Durham, for a pension under act 7 July 1838.
     I sent you the Declaration on the 21st [illegible]: where I promised to enquire for this Bond if it could be found.
     It seems, her own declaration is fully verified by it.  You have the proof of service in the $81.2 depreciation and by [illegible].  
     The case, I think, is completely made.
      I am [illegible]
       Thos Gre

Page 28

SEVENTIETH CONGRESS
DANIEL A. REED, N. Y. CHAIRMAN
JOHN M ROBSION, KY.
E. HART FENN, CONN.
FLORENCE P. KAHN, CALIF.
EDGAR R. KIESS, PA.
FREDERICK R. LEHLBACH, N. J.
WALLACE H. WHITE, JR., ME.
ELMER O. LEATHERWOOD, UTAH 
WILLIS G. SEARS, NEBR.
BENJAMIN M. GOLDER, PA.
HENRY L BOWLES, MASS.
LOUIS MONAST, R.I.

B. G. LOWREY, MISS.
LORING M. BLACK, JR., N. Y.
JOHN J. DOUGLASS, MASS.
BROOKS FLETCHER, OHIO
VINCENT L. PALMISANO, MD.
MALCOLM C. TARVER, GA.
RENE L. DE ROUEN, LA.
O. J. KVALE, MINN.

CARL H. WILLINGHAM, CLERK

Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Washington, D.C.
April 26, 1928.

General Winfield Scott,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
My dear General Scott:
I would like to have, if possible, such
information as is available in the files of the pension office touching the military service of:
Samuel Davis Durham, enlisted Feb. 14, 1778, private, Capt. Richard Call's Troop, 1st Reg. Light Dragoons, Continental Troops,
also known as 1st Reg. Virginia Light Dragoons, commanded by Theodorick Bland. Removed to Greene county, Ga., after war.
William Colclough, organization unknown, enlisted from North or South Carolina.
Thanking you, I am,
Very truly yours,
[illegible signature]

Page 29

M. C. TARVER
7TH DIST. GEORGIA
Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.
Dalton, Ga., June 26, 1928.
General Winfield Scott,
commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
My dear General Scott:
With reference to the military record of Samuel Davis Durham, of Hanover County, Va., private and sergeant of dragoons in Virginia troops during the Revolutionary War, and your letter to me of April 30, 1928, giving me information disclosed by Revolutionary War pension claim
W. 7053, I desire to inquire further:
1. Do not the records disclose the age of the soldier either at enlistment or at death or at marriage?
2. Does the marriage bond disclose the residence or birthplace of his wife, Miss Isabel Lindsey?
3. When did Mrs. Isabel Lindsey Durham, the pensioner die? And where? Are these facts disclosed by the final disposition of the pension matter referred to?
4. Is not the statement that she applied while a resident of Green county, Virginia, made in your letter of the date mentioned, an error? Is it not Green county, Georgia? The abbreviations for Virginia and Georgia are of course very similar, and the pensioner, I am sure, resided in Green County, Georgia.
Thanking you for the information sought, I am,
Very truly yours,
[illegible signature]

Page 30

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.              MMTT

April 30, 1928.

Honorable Malcolm C. Tarver,
House of Representatives, 
Washington, D.C.

My dear Mr. Tarver:
     In response to your letter of April 28, I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 7053, it appears that Samuel Davis Durham while a resident of Hanover County, Virginia enlisted, date not stated, served two years, then re-enlisted and served three years, ending in the fall of 1781.  He served as private and sergeant of dragoons in the Virginia troops.  The names of his officers are not given.  He was in the batter of Brandywine.  He died December 27, 1801 in Green County, Georgia.  [handwritten: His age is not given.]
     Soldier married in 1781 very soon after he returned from service (marriage bond dated September 10, 1781) in Hanover County, Virginia, Miss Isabel Lindsey.  [handwritten: Date and place of her birth not stated.]
She was allowed pension on her application executed May 21, 1845 while a resident of Green County, Virginia aged eighty-five years.
[handwritten: "Virginia" underlined and noted as "error-Georgia"]
     They had children, but no names are given.

[handwritten] The date & place of death of soldier's widow Isabel are not shown in the papers on file in this [illegible] in order to obtain the date of last 

[illegible handwriting in margin]

Page 31

[Typed] The Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to afford any information in regard to William Cololough.
     Very truly yours,
     WINFIELD SCOTT,
     Commissioner

[Handwritten] widow referred to her brother-in-law who died in Alabama.  The other [illegible] data in letter & this bit, includes all.

last payment of her pension, the name of person paid, and possibly the date of her death, it is suggested that you apply to the Records Division, General Accounting Office, this city, citing all of the following data:
"Isabel Durham, widow of Samuel Davis Durham, ref. 2380, issued Dec. 13, 1848, rate $100 per annum, commenced Mch. 4, 1848, act [illegible] Feb. 2, 1848, Georgia Agency."