Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2718, Samuel Davis, Va.

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Va

Davis, Samuel
            Elizabeth

R. 2718

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0087
Elizabeth Davis
                      Va

Act July 4th '36

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State of Virginia County of Bottetourt S.S

On this day the 11th day of September 1843 personally appeared before Jas. W. Womack a justice of the peace in and for the county and state aforesaid Mrs. Elizabeth Davis is a resident of the county and state aforesaid aged eighty four years, who first being 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 4th 1836:

That she is the widow of Samuel Davis decd. who was a private in the Draggoons a portion of the time he served, during the Revolutionary War, that while serving his country in that capacity she has heard him speak of a man of great strength, who was in the same company called Francisco, that she cannot name the officers under whom he served, though she has often heard, in consequence of the length of time, that has elapsed, she thinks she has heard him say that he was at the Battle of Guilford, but do not recollect what other engagements he was in, that he afterwards held some office what grade, she does not now recollect, but presumes it may be known when she tells in what capacity he served, that for a short time he was a bearer of dispatches from one officer to another, that he afterwards went from home as he told her, and she believes (still in the service of his country) to obtain provisions for the army, the length of time that he was in service she does recollect, but thinks upwards of two years; That she was married in the County of Prince Edward by Pason Smith in the year seventeen hundred and eighty, to Samuel Davis above mentioned her decd. husband; as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above mentioned before

[signed] Elizabeth Davis

Jas W Womack JP

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At a court held at the court house for the county of Botetourt on Monday the 11th day of September  1843. The within Declaration of Mrs. Elizabeth Davis for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836. Certified by James Watson Womack Gentn, was this day exhibited in court, examined, approved and ordered to be certified to the War Department. It having been proved to the satisfaction of the Court, that Mrs. David, from infirmity, was unable to attend Court, and the Court further certifies, that James Watson Womack esqr. is a member of their own body, and all his act. as such, are entitled to the fullest court..

I Ferdinand Wotlz clerk of the County Court of Botetourt do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true transcript of the records of said court and that the signature of James W. Womack within written are genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 14th day of September 1843.

F. Woltz Clerk of Botetourt County Court.

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State of Virginia. Prince Edward County SS.

The affidavit of John H. Armistead made before the subscribed a Justice of the peace in and for the county, aforesaid.

This affidavit states that he has no personal knowledge of the revolutionary services of Samuel Davis who died in the county of Prince Edward County many years since and whose widow Elizabeth David now resides in the county of Botetourt state of Virginia and is an applicant for a pension on account of the revolutionary services of her husband the late Samuel Davis. This affiant states that he is about forty five years old, and that his mother was the sister of Mrs. Elizabeth David above mentioned, and that his mother died nearly seven years since, and was at the time of her death aged about seventy three years, that his mother being the sister of the said Elizabeth David, spent a great deal of time in the company of her sister whilst her husband Samuel David aforesaid was engaged in service in the revolutionary war. This affiant further states that he has frequently heard his mother speak of the revolutionary services of the said Samuel Davis late of Prince Edward County that she was very much interested in the occurrences

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occurrences of that period from the fact that she had a brother who was engaged in service at the same time, That the said Samuel Davis very soon after he was married entered the service in a company of cavalry raised in the county of Prince Edward and commanded by Capt. Watkins. This affiant does not recollect to have heard any thing of his previous service in the infantry, although he may have served in that capacity. That he has frequently heard his mother speak, of the said Samuel Davis having acted as commissary. That he came to the county of Prince Edward for the purpose of collecting provisions for the use of the army; That she had seen him whilst visiting his wife the said Elizabeth Davis during the time of his service and that the occupation of the said Samuel Davis was more forcibly impressed upon her mind from the fact that her brother William Spencer was engaged in conveying to the army the supplies which has been provided by the said Samuel Davis when acting as commissary. This affiant cannot state how long the said Samuel Davis was in service or how long he acted as commissary. but from the frequent conversations which he has heard upon the subject, he is impressed with the belief that the said Samuel Davis served a

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considerable length of time, That the said Davis was under the commend of Gen Lawson.

[signed] John H. Armistead

State of Virginia Prince Edward County SS
The affidavit of Sharp Spencer made before the subscriber a Justice of the peace for the county aforesaid.

This affiant states that he was born in the year seventeen hundred and seventy four, and that he is the brother of Mrs. Elizabeth David of Botetourt County and state of Virginia, who has made her declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the pension laws of the United States. This affiant states that the aforesaid Mrs. Elizabeth Davis is the widow of Samuel Davis who died many years since in the county of Prince Edward. That this affiant was present at the marriage of his sister Elizabeth Spence with the said Samuel David, although the affiant was at the time only about six years old, he however distinctly recollects, the fact of this marriage. The affiant also recollects that the said Samuel Davis soon after his marriage as aforesaid, entered the service of his country as a soldier of cavalry, and that he has since heard that Captain Watkins commanded the company. The affiant has no personal knowledge of the length of the service of said Davis, or whether he held any office, but he

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recollects to have heard that the said Davis was a commissary. The affiant does not recollect that the said Davi served awhile [?] before the time of his marriage, although he may have done so he affiant being very young at the time.

[signed] Sharpe Spencer

State of Virginia Prince Edward County Ss.

This day John H. Armistead and Sharp Spencer each severally made oaths before me as a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid, that the foregoing affidavits respectively signed by them are true as far as comes within their knowledge and belief. And I moreover certify that the said John H. Armistead and Sharp Spencer are in my estimation entitled to full credit and belief. Given under my hand the 31st day of January 1845.

[signed] Henry E. Watkins, J.P.

I Branch J. Worsham clerk of the county of Prince Edward County in the State of Virginia, certify that Henry E. Watkins is a Justice of the peace as above, and that the signatures above purporting to be his is genuine.

In witness whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of the court of said county this 31st day of January 1845.

B. J. Worsham C.C.

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State of Virginia, Prince Edward County S.S
The affidavit of Henry P. Dark; made before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid. 

This affiant states that he was born upon the fourth day of September seventeen hundred and eighty seven, that he is the son of Elizabeth Davis who now resides in the county of Botetcourt and state aforesaid, and who had made her declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress for the benefit of widows of the soldiers of the revolution. That he is the son of Samuel Davis who died in the county of Prince Edward on the eight day of January eighteen hundred and eighteen. That he has frequently heard his father speak of his revolutionary services, and at a time when he expected to secure no renumeration for the same. That his Father and Mother were according to the family record married on the twelfth of October seventeen hundred and eighty, and that he has heard his father say that he went into service very soon after he was married. The affiant does not recollect at present of having heard of his father serving in the infantry before his marriage, although such may

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have been the case. That his father at any rate upon his second tour belonged to a cavalry company raised in the county of Prince Edward, and commanded by a certain Captain Watkins. The affiant thinks that Captain Watkins Christian name was Thomas, and that the brigade to which he was attached was commanded by General Lawson. That his father was employed in carrying expressed between the different sections of the American Army. The affiant has separately heard his father speak of the great dangers to which he was subjected whilst carrying expresses. That Gen Lawson sent him to convey and bring intelligence was extremely rigid with him, and did not regard the danger to which he was exposed. The affiant recollects to have heard his father speak particularly of one occasion, when he was appointed by Gen Lawson as an express rider. The route was extremely dangerous several persons having been killed whilst carrying expresses. That a particular portion of the route was waylaid by the enemy which it was almost impossible to pass. That the affiant's father was ordered to carry an express upon this route to Gen Green or Gen Lee. The orders were peremptory, and the said Davis set out, when

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he arrived at the dangerous portion of the route he put spurs to his horse which was very fleet; he however did not pass unhurt for he was struck by a ball. The affiant further states that he was frequently heard his father speak of having been appointed commissary, and that he recollects to have heard his father speak of his gratification at receiving the appointment of commissary from the fact that he was relieved of the dangerous business of carrying expresses. The affiant has frequently heard his father and mother speak of his appointment as commissary, of his having come to the county of Prince Edward for the purpose of collecting provisions, and of having thus had opportunities of visiting his family and friends. The affiant further states that he does not recollect to have heard his father speak with precision of the time which he served, but that he is under the belief that he must have served a considerable length of time and probably to the close of the war, from the fact that he was promoted and occupied several responsible stations, and the affiant further states that he himself was during the late war was draughted for a six months tour, and that on the night before the affiant was to leave for service, the wife of the affiant was lamenting that he had to enter upon service, & whereupon the said Samuel

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Davis remarked that a six months tour was a small matter,  that he had served two or three times that long in the war of the revolution; The affiant further states that Elizabeth Davis the above mentioned applicant for a pension has made by her will such a declaration to her property. That the affiant will bot be in a pecuniary point of view by the success of his mother in obtaining a provision.

[signed] Henry P. Davis

State of Virginia Prince Edward County Ss.
This day Henry P. Davis made oath before me as a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid, that the foregoing affidavit signed by him, is true as far as comes under his knowledge or beliefs. And I moreover certify the said Henry P. Davis is in my estimation entitled to full credit and belief. Given under my hand this 31st day of January 1845.
[signed] Henry E. Watkins J.P.

I Branch J. Worsham clerk of the county court of Prince Edward County in the State of Virginia, certify that Henry E. Watkins is a Justice of the peace as above, and that the signature purporting to be is genuine. In Witness whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of the court of said county this 31st day of January 1845.

[signed] B. J. Worsham C.C.

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Virginia, County of Prince Edward to wit:
I Branch J. Worsham clerk of the county of Prince Edward County in the state aforesaid, do hereby certify that it appears by the records & files in the said office, that on the 12th day of October 1780, a marriage was solemnized by the Revd. J. B. Smith, between Samuel Davis & Elizabeth Spencer. Given under my hand with the seal of the court affixed this 31st say of January 1845.
[signed] B. J. Worsham C.C.

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Know all men by these presents, That I, Sarah A. Wood, the only surviving daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth David, dec'd., of the County of Botetourt and State of Virginia, have constituted and appointed, and by these presents do constitute and appoint Mssrs. Evans & Fant, of Washington, D.C. my true and lawful attorneys, irrevocably for me and in my name to receive from the United States all such sum or sums of money due Samuel David, dec'd., or Elizabeth Davis, dec'd., as the widow of the said Samiel Davis, dec'd., (who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War) and in my name to execute such receipts and acquittances for the same as may be necessary; and generally to do all lawful acts and things whatever touching the promises, hereby confirming all and whatsoever my said attorneys shall in my name legally do or cause to be done.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set me hand and seal, this 5th day of March 1852.

[signed] Sarah A. Wood

Witness

David[?] Callaghan
Samuel D. Wood

Acknowledged and subscribed before me this 5th day of March 1852
Madison Gilmore J.P.

State of Virginia, Botetourt county, Ss. I hereby certify, That Madison Gilmore, Esq., before who the above acknowledgment was made, and who has hereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing

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as Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned & sworn, and that his signature thereto is genuine. I also certify that the witness name Sarah A. Wood is the daughter of Samuel & Elizabeth David, dec'd.

In testimony where I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County County of Botetourt this 9th day of March 1852. In the 76th year of the Commonwealth.

F. Woltz Clerk of Botetourt County Court

Evans & Fant
Washington City

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[File card]

2718

Elizabeth Davis
Wid. of Samuel

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[File card]

6081.
Elizabeth David
July 4. '36 Va
2718
Suspended
Set[?] to H. H. Sylvester
Sept 2, 1844

No. 6414
Elizabeth Davis
Va
Set[?] to Brockenborough & Paxton[?]
April 21, 1845

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[Mailing address on folded back of petition]

Hon. James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Petitions
Washington City

[upside down]

No. 6414
Elizabeth Davis
widow of Samuel
Va
Act 4 July 1836
M 80 d. 18 [?]

6414
Feb. 10, 1845
Elizabeth David
July 4, 1836
Va

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Lexington Va February 4th 1845

Sir,

We enclose herewith the declaration of Elizabeth Davis widow of Samuel Davis claiming a pension under the third section of the Act of July 4th 1836.

It will be seen by reference to the accompanying testimony that the term of service of Samuel Davis must have been considerable but the evidence is somewhat indefinite as to the length of service. The conclusion however seems to be abundantly justified from the evidence that Davis was in service more than two years: and also that he was a commissary or assistance commissary during a great part of the time.

By reference to the list of the officers & soldiers of the Continental Line on file in your Department you will fund the following entry viz:

"Davis Samuel Soldier Cavalry May 29 1784 £125.2.4."

We apprehend that this is a conclusion [underlined] to show either that his service as a private was very protracted or, that he held an office above the grade of a private & so held it for a considerable period. We submit therefore that his widow is entitled to draw the pension allowed to a soldier of cavalry for the full period of two years from the 4th March 1831, or the pension allowed to a commissary or assistant commissary, or for both, the rule having been established by the Department that where the officer or soldier held a staff appointment he is entitled to a double pension under the act of 1832. We

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beg leave to invite your attention to the case under these various aspects believing that it is clearly embraced within the principle last cited, and that the widow is consequently entitled to draw a pension in both capacities.

We have the honor to be, very respectfully

Your obt servants
Brockenbrough & Paxton

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Washington, March 13, 1852

Sir,

We herewith enclose power of attorney in the cases of Samuel & Elizabeth David, John & Abigail Bates, and Samuel & Lucy Broughton, for the purpose of examining the papers and prosecuting the claims.

Very respectfully
Evans & Faut [?]

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[back of letter addressed as envelope]

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comm. Pensions

January 31, 1844
Va
Eliza. Davis
4 July 1836

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Jany. 30 '44

Sir

I enclose the declaration of Mrs. Eliz. Davis of Va. for a pension under the act of July 4 1836.

I am respectfully 
Yours
H. H. Sylvester