Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,716, Elijah Davis, Vt.

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(3-1776)
[column headings: SERVICE|[BLANK]|NUMBER|]
Vt.|Davis, Elijah|S. 22,716|
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CONTENTS

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[verso]

31.123
Burlington Vermont
Elijah Davis of Franklin in the State of Vt who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Stone of the Regt. commanded by Col. Henman on the ['Connt.' crossed out] Vermont line for 9 months
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Inscribed on the Roll of Burlington Vt. at the rate of 30 Dollars  -00- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of June 1837 and sent Wm. Bridges St. Albans Vermont
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Arrears to the 4th of March 1837      $180.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. "    15.00
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$195.00
[Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk, 
Book 62 Vol. 3. Page 63

[certo]

Elijah N. Davis Apl 5 1856
['Elijah Davis Apl 5 1856' crossed out]

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Elijah Davis
Declaration

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DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 27th, 1832.
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STATE OF VERMONT
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ss.} ON this 18 day of January 1834 personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Probate, now sitting, Elijah Davis, a resident of St Albans in the county of Franklin, and State of Vermont, age 75 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 act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.
He enlisted the latter part of April or first of May 1775, at Bennington Vermont as a minute man, to according to the best of his recollection about the 10th or 15th of May (same year) he was called for, and marched from Bennington as a volunteer under the command of a man by the name of Oswald from New Haven Connecticut to Ticonderoga Fort, there jointed Capt Samuel Herrick's company after the reduction of said fort by Col. Allen & Arnold, was there stationed till the September following, when he left the fort afs'd in company with Capt Herrick for clothing for the winter campaign and returned to Bennington.
In a few days after he arrived at Bennington he was taken sick and was not able to join the company afterwards during the campaign.
In about two months after the applicant arrived at the fort afs'd, the troops were augmented by a Regt (he thinks) from Connecticut commanded by Col Henman and Adjutant Luther Stoddard; Col Wayne commanded at the fort during the time the applicant served.
[margin note: 3 1/2] The name of the chief Physician stationed at the fort was Stringer. Served in this campaign three months and fifteen days.

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In the month of March 1776, he enlisted for one year and served in the company commanded by Capt Samuel Slane,(he thinks Lieut Jackson and Ensign Johnson, in the Regt commanded by Col. John Patterson of Massachusetts marched in month of April following to the City of New York and there stationed a short time, crossed from thence to Canada moved by water to Albany, from thence to Skenesborough, from thence to Ticonderoga, from thence to St. Johns, from thence to Laprarie and from thence to Montreal, + from thence, (after a short stay) by the same rout with the retreating army from Qubeck, to Crown Point, Ticonderoga to Mount Independence, was employed in cutting spars for the Fleet. then building, and doing, camp duty till the last of October 1776, when he was taken sick obtained leave of this officers, and returned to Bennington, and was not able to join his Regiment afterwards during the campaign. Served Seven months
He again volunteered at Bennington in the the month of July 1777, and joined the Militia under Col Warner at Manchester Vt, and was there stationed about one month under Captain William Hutchin's Company and marched to Bennington, there joined Captain Elijah Dewey's company and served in said company through the action at Bennington; after the action afs'd he joined Capt Wm Henry's company

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and marched to Saratoga and joined General Gates Army, and was employed as a scout till after the surrender of Gen Burgoyne Troops, was dismised on the 17th day of October 1777.
[margin note: 3] having served three months.
In the year 1780, in the month of May he engaged as a substitute for one Levi Hill, for six months, station'd at Castleton in the company command'd by Captain William Hutchins, Lieut James Brookings in Col Ebenezer Allens Regt and served as a private, doing duty in the Fort and scouting [margin note: 6] untill December having served six months.
Again in the year 1781, he volunteered in the month of September or first of October as an Orderly sergeant and served under Captain Joseph Wickwire & Lieut Rudd, under the command of Gen Enos, and Major Isaac Tichenor was again station'd at Castleton and served in the capacity afs'd; his duty was guarding the Fort and stores at Castleton afs'd & scouting, and served not less then thirty six [margin note: 1-6] days i this tour of duty. 
Interrogatories
The applicant further states, that he was born in Norwich Connecticut on the twenty ninth day of March 1757, and has a record of his age in his family Bible. Was a resident of the town of Bennington Vt. when he entered the service of his Country, where he lived till after the termination of the Revolutionary War, moved from thence

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to Cambridge Vt and from thence to St. Albans Vt at which place he has lived Forty one years. Was call'd in to service as stated in the foregoing declaration.
In addition to those officers named in the foregoing declaration, he became acquainted with the following named officers who served at the same time with the applicant viz - 
Cols Arnold, Ethan Allen, Nath'l Spencer, Captain Samuel Robinson, Col Nathaniel Brush, Gen Starks, Capt John Fasstt, Lieuts Thomas Butterfield, and Matthew Lyon, Col. Jonathan Fassett, Majors Hopkins, & Wait, Col. Brown, Adjutant Isaac Clark. 
He is acquainted with the following named persons residing in St. Albans, who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a Revolutionary soldier. Lewis Walker, Nathan Green, Capt. J. Gates, Capt Freeborn Potter, Cols John Mason, & Hol Taylor, David Stevens, Sam'l Barlow Esqr, Julius Hoyt, Hon. Bates Turner, John Smith & N. W. Kingman
He hereby relinquishes every claim what ever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
/s/Elijah Davis
sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid}

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We Julius Hoyt, N.W. Kingman John Smith & Bates Turner residing in St. Albans, do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Elijah Davis who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be seventy six years of age; that he is reported and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
/s/Julius Hoyt
/s/ N.W. Kingman
/s/John Smith
/s/Bates Turner
sworn & subscribed the day and year afs'd}

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Julius Hoyt & N.W. Kingman are Merchants and that said Kingman is President of the Bank of St. Albans, and that John Smith Esqr and Bates Turner who have also signed the same are credible persons, J Smith was, at the last session of the Lageslature of Vermon, elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Bates Turner has been one of the Judges of the Supreme Court for the State of Vermont, and the statement of the above named gentlemen is entitled to credit.

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I Aaron S. Beeman Clerk of the Court of Probate, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said court in the matter of the application of Elijah Davis for a pension 
[court seal affixed] In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court this 31st day of January AD 1834
/s/Aaron S Beeman Clerk

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Revolution
22716
INVALID. [initials: ow]

File No. 22,716
Elijah Davis
Pri Rev War
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Act: June 7" 32"
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 100
[Arrangement of 1870.]

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Papers in support of the claim of Elijah Davis to a Pension

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//// 466
          9
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9.32
466
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1398
2
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11.98
466
12
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478

300
266
34

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No 4152
Vermont
Elijah Davis
Suspended
See depts within
let to Wm Bridges 23 July 1835

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No 4132
Elijah Davis Vermont
Act June 7. 1832.
susp'd
let to W Bridges Apl 25.1833
 "   "  Hon B. Swift Feb. 14. 1834

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No 4152
Declaration and Papers of Elijah Davis for a Pension

adm'd 9 mo pri on Lt. Halls dep'n
30$

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DECLARATION.
Revolutionary claim, under an Act of Congress, Passed June 7th, A. D. 1832.
STATE OF VERMONT,
DISTRICT OF GEORGIA, ss.}Franklin County Probate Court, July 23d A. D. 1832.
Personally appeared in open Court, being the Probate Court for the County of Franklin, and a Court of Record for said County, and State of Vermont, as will appear by the first section of a Statute Law of said State, entitled "An act, constituting Probate Courts Courts of Record," - passed November 15th, A. D. 1821, [see 1st. section of said act,] Elijah Davis aged 75 years, resident St Albans in said County, who being first dully sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, A. D. 1823.
He first enlisted in the latter part of April or first of May 1775. at Bennington Vermont - he volunteered under a man by the name of Oswald or Oswill from New Haven Connecticut - marched from Bennington to Ticonderoga Fort - there joined Capt Samuel Herricks ['Regiment' crossed out] company after the Fort was taken by Col Allen - there stationed untill September following - left there with the Capt aforesaid for winter clothing for the winter campaign - there taken sick with Fever and Ague and did not join the company afterwards - that while there in about two months the company to which he then belonged was joined by a Regiment he thinks from Connecticut commanded by Col. Henman, Adjutant Luther Stoddard. Col. Wayne was there during the time of his service at the Fort the chief Physicians name was Stringer.
In the month of March 1776 he enlisted for twelve months at Bennington in the company commanded by Capt Samuel Sloane (he thinks) Lieut Jackson, Ensign Johnson, Regiment commanded by John Paterson of Massachusetts marched  in April to New York City - stationed there a short time - removed by water to Albany from thence to Skenesborough + then by water to Fort Ticonderoga, and from there by water to St Johns then to Laprarie - from there to Montreal and then returned the same rout to Crown Point from there to Ticonderoga and then to the place called Mount Independence was there in

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then to Laprarie - from there to Montreal - and then returned the same rout to Crown Point from there to Ticonderoga and then to the place called Mount Independance was there employed in cutting spars for the fleet - left Mount Independence the last of Oct being sick went to Poultney and from there to Bennington 
He again volunteered in the month of July 1777 and joined the Militia under Col. Warner at Manchester there remained about one month from thence in Capt William Hutchins company to Bennington - there joined Elijah Deweys company and served in said company through the action at Bennington - there joined the company commanded by Wm Henry commanded by Gen Gates and there scouting untill after the surrender of Burgoyne - then returned home on the 17th Oct 1777.
In the year1780 in the month of May he engaged as a substitute for one Levi Hill stationed at Castleton in the company commanded by Capt William Hutchins, Lieut James Brookings - Regt commanded by Col Ebenezer Allen - was discharged in December. In the year 1781 he volunteered in the month of Sept or first of October as an Orderly Sergeant in Capt Joseph Wickmans company. Lieut Joseph Rudd General Enos commanded the troops. Isaac Tichenor Major - stationed at Castleton - served about six weeks.

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I Elias Hall of Castleton in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont aged 82 years being duly sworn depose testify and say that I was a Lieutenant in service at the Fort in said Castleton in the year 1781 - that in the early part of the campaign of that year, according to this best of my recollection in May or June Elijah Davis a private in the company commanded by Capl. Hutchins stationed at said fort was tried by a Court Martial of which Capt. Blakely was President and I was one of the members under the order + Roger Enos the General in command. - that the said  Davis was acquitted by said Court, And I further say that the said Davis remained in the service at the fort aforesaid to the close of the campaign of the year aforesaid about the 20 November. - that the said Davis at the close of said campaign volunteered with me and remained in the service at the Fort aforesaid until the 15. December of the year 1781.
/s/Elias Hall

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss} Be it known that on this 8th day of May 1837. before me the subscribed a Justice of a Peace in and for said County personally appeared the above named Elias Hall who hath subscribed the affidavit in my presence and under solemn oath that the same contains the truth and nothing but the truth. And I do hereby certify that the said affiant is a credible witness
/s/S. H. Merrill Justice Peace

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Jacob Storeys
Affidavit for Elijah Davis

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I Jacob Story of Fairfax in the county of Franklin and state of Vermont do testify and say that I am 69 years of age and that I am well acquainted with Elijah Davis of St. Albans I know him to the same identicle person who enlisted under Capt Stone of Massachusetts - he lived in the neighborhood with me for several years during the war. I was knowing to his going in to the northern campaign and saw him when he returned, and often conversed with him about his excurtions in the war and am well satisfied that s'd Davis served a considerable part of the time in different campaigns while the war continued
/s/Jacob Story

State of Vermont
Franklin County ss} St. Albans July 26th AD 1832
Personally appeared before the undersigned authority this day, Jacob Story above named a credible witness who did make oath that the facts set forth in the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed as therein stated are true according to his best knowledge information + belief - 
Before me /s/William Bridges Judge 
State of Vermont
District of Georgia ss} Probate Registers office July 26th AD 1832 
I hereby certify that the above affidavit was taken subscribed and sworn to in open Probate court
[court seal affixed]
In testimony whereof I have set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court the day and year aforesaid
/s/att. John Gates Ju'r Register

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Amos Page
Afft for Elijah Davis

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I Amos Page of Cambridge county of Franklin & state of Vermont aged seventy nine years do testify & say that I am well acquainted with Elijah Davis of St Albans in the county afores'd I know him to be the same identicle Elijah Davis who served with me in the revolutionary war. I enlisted with him at Bennington vt under Capt Samuel Slone of Williamstown Massachusetts the Regt was com'd by Col John Patterson of Lennox Mss. I further say that s'd Davis march'd with me to New York & from thence to canada, and while there he was with me at St. Johns, Laprairie and Montreal s'd Davis served with me at least one year in the two tours with Arnold & Patterson aforesaid - and further say not 
/s/Amos Page

State of Vermont
Franklin county ss} July 17th AD 1832 
Personally appeared before the undersigned authority the above named Amos Page of Cambridge afs'd credible witness who did make oath that the facts set forth in the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed as therein stated are true according to his best knowledge information & belief.
Before me /s/Williams Bridges Judge

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State of Vermont
District of Georgia ss} Probate Register's office St. Albans July 17th 1832
[court seal affixed] This may certify that the foregoing affidavit was taken Subscribed and Sworn to in Open Probate court
In testimony whereof I have set my hand and afixed the Seal of said court the day and year afs'd.
/s/att. John Gates Ju'r. Register

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[verso]  
Ser'd 10 months in state troops
refer to committee R. P. 

[recto]
[encircled: MrE] Elijah Davis, private, 
Franklin county, Vermont
Various Services - 10 months  in col'o Patterson's regiment, Massach'tts line.
1st December, 1818.
It does not appear, that the applicant served 9 months on continental establishment.
[overwritten: C Elijah Davis Rutland vt]
Inadmissible
/s/Seth Wetmore, judge, St. Albans, Vermont

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State of Vermont
Franklin County ss} On this 5th day of January AD 1819 before me Seth Wetmore Judge of Probate in and for the District of Georgia + County of Franklin ['aged years of age' crossed out] personally appeared Molly Powers aged Sixty seven years - resident in St Albans in the said ['St Albans' crossed out] District, she being first duly sworn in the law directs, deposes & says, that Elijah Davis of said St Albans is my brother and at the beginning of the revolutionary War. the year this deponent cannot recollect my brother Elijah Davis lived at my house in Bennington, in the State of ['Vermont' crossed out] Vermont - this deponent saith that she fully believes that it was in the year 1775 he was living with this deponent - that during the time he resided with us as the deponent verily believes this was in 1778 - the said Elijah enlisted in the Northern Army as it was called and was out in this deponent think about Seven Months. and after his time was out returned again to my home & then made it his home till March the next year the deponent thinks it was in 1776 - the said Elijah again enlisted under Capt Samuel Sloan - and in April, he started for New York as I understood as a Soldier in said Company - from there I understood he went to Canada & from there to Mount Independence and whilst ['in Canada' crossed out] at Mount Independence back in the fall of the year we heard that said Elijah was sick with the ['Small pox or' crossed out] Camp distemper the deponents Husband went with a horse & fetched Elijah home to our house in Bennington when he remained sick & home till the winter following - in July following Elijah turn'd out again to meet the American Army then retreating & was in service till October. he was

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the battle of Bennington & the taking of Burgoyne that he made my house his home when out of service, during the whole war - during the War - he was out more or less in the American service - every year.
/s/X her Mark Molly Brown

Subscribed and Sworn this 5th day of January 1819 & I further Certify that I am personally acquainted with Molly ['Davis' crossed out] Brown the deposition and do certify that she ['is' crossed out] the Character of a woman of the Utmost truth & Veracity - 
/s/Seth Wetmore Judge of Probate

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State of Vermont
Georgia District ss} On the 2d day of Dec'r AD 1818. before me the subscriber ['one of the' crossed out] Judge of Probate in & for said District personally appeared Elijah Davis aged Sixty one years resident in St Albans in the County of Franklin & in said District of Georgia. & State of Vermont who being by me first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the last act of Congress enlisted an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War. that at Ticonderoga in the State of New York early in the ['spring' crossed out] month of May 1775 he enlisted in Capt Samuel Herrick. Company in Col. James Eason Regiment for seven months & in Col. John Pattersons Regiment in the Massachusetts line for Ten Months. that he continued in said service untill a short period before his line was out when he was taken sick. and soon as he was able ['was' crossed out] to be removed to Fort George to the Hospital. ['That instead of being removed to the hospital' crossed out] the Doctor advised that he should be removed out the Country - accordingly he was removed ['at' crossed out'] from Mount Independence - to his home in Bennington & remained such till the winter following - that he was afterward in various company in the militia in the service of his Country - was in Bennington Battle and was at the Capture of Gen'l Burgoyne - was during the whole war every year more or less out in the service of ['my' crossed out] his Country. - And that he is in reduced circumstances & stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support And that he has no other evidence nor in his power

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of his said service except such as in here annexed - 
/s/Elijah Davis

declared. subscribed & sworn before me the day & year above stated as the Law directs} 
/s/Seth Wetmore Judge of Probate

I Seth Wetmore Judge of Probate in & for the County of Franklin district of Georgia & State of Vermont - do Certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Elijah Davis did serve in revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy in the Continental establishment for the full term of nine months or more at one period of service - Also I am personally acquainted with the said Elijah Davis & he is in reduced circumstances & stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support - Also the Court over which I preside is a Court of Record - and I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned Act of Congress. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at St Albans in said District this 22nd day of January AD 1819 - 
/s/Seth Wetmore Judge of Probate

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State of Vermont
Georgia District ss} I Luther Brigham Clerk of the Court of Probate in & for the District of Georgia County of Franklin + State of Vermont do hereby certify that Seth Wetmore Esquire before whom the declaration of Elijah Davis was made. + before whom the Affidavit of Ford Bears + Molly Brown was taken at the respective dates thereof + now is a Judge of Probate in & for said District and his name thereto subscribed is his own proper signature - and also the Court over which he presides is a Court of Record. 
[court seal affixed] In testimony where I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court of Probate at St Albans this 22d day of January 1819.
/s/att. Luther Brigham Clerk

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Foard Bears' affidavit

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I Foard Bears of Georgia in the County of Franklin and State of Vermont aged sixty six years being duly sworn depose and say that in the month of April A.D. 1776 I was a Soldier in the american revolutionary army in the company commanded by Captain Samuel Sloan of the Regiment commanded by Colonel John Patterson, which company was at the time aforesaid stationed at New York, and at which time and place a number of recruits joined said company among who was one Elijah Davis, and I have a clear recollection of said Davis being in and doing duty in said Company during the summer campaign of 1776 and that he was taken sick at Mount Independence and left the army in the month of October 1776, and further that the said Elijah Davis is the same Elijah Davis who now resides in St. Albans in the county aforesaid + further saith not. 
/s/X his mark Foard Bears
Sworn & subscribed before me this 20th day of Jan'y 1819. I further Certify that the s'd Foard Bears is a credible Witness - 
/s/Seth Wetmore Judge of Probate}

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I Lewis Mather of St. Albans in the county of Franklin and State of Vermont, aged sixty nine years, testify and say, that I have been personally acquainted with Elijah Davis of St. Albans afs'd, who I understand has made an application for a Pension. I have lived within sixty or seventy [illeg] of Mr Davis, for forty one or two years, during which time, Mr Davis, has related to me the particulars of his Revolutionary service, a grate number of times, and although I was not in the army, yet many of the incidence related by Mr Davis were perfectly familiar to me. 
one thing which he named in relating his campaign in Canada, was the names of two men with whom I was personally acquainted and he described them so accurately that if they had not been with him, I am very sure he could not have described then so well. They were from Massachusetts, and Mr Davis was a resident of Vermont. I have always observed, so far as my memory serves, that s'd Davis uniformly told one story, and I have no doubt but that he always told the truth, for from the long acquaintance I have had with s'd Davis, I have every reason to believe that he is an honest, and any statement made by him I should give full credit to. 
I have no more doubt of the fact of his having performed the service related by him, than though I had been personally present with him at the time. Mr Davis has always told me that he was eight years older than my self which would make him about seventy nine years, and I should judge that he was of the age he states
/s/Lewis Walker
Sworn to and subscribed this 5th day of June AD 1835
Before me /s/Wm Bridges Justice of the Peace

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I further certify that I am personally acquainted with the within named Lewis Walker and know him to be a man of truth and veracity
/s/Wm Bridges Justice of the Peace

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St Albans June 6th 1835
I have been requested to give a Statement of Elijah Davis is Carector [character]  I have Lived within about one mile of him in this town About forty years I have all that time found him to be a good Neighbor and a man of truth and have often heard him tell of Doing Service in the revolutionary war and has told me of his Campain in Canada to St Johns and Montreal and has given me a very true account of bennington battles of the Land and of Certin times that was hit with Canon balls and told me that he was in that action I lived about one mile of the place where the action was at that time and was often thare after the battle and found his Statement Correct and I fully believe that he was in the Service and I Should think that he is Now Seventy five years old or more and my age is Sixty Seven /s/Nathan Green

State of Vermont
Franklin County ss} St. Albans June 10th 1835
Then personally appeared before me the undersigned ['authorized' crossed out] authority, Nathan Green the writer and subscriber of the above certificate and made oath that the same is true - 
I further certify that s'd green is a man of truth and veracity
/s/Wm Bridges Justice Peace

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This certifies, that for some years past I have been acquainted with Elijah Davis Esq. of St. Albans state of Vermont, and believe him to be about eighty years of age: that he is a man of truth and veracity. and, moreover, that it is generally reputed and believed that he was a soldier in the revolutionary war in this I also concur.
St. Albans June 5th 1835
/s/Worthington Smith Minister in St. Albans

This may certify that I have been acquainted with Elijah Davis Esqr. of St Albans Franklin County, ['that has always' crossed out] for about thirty years, that he has always sustained the character of an honest man and a man of truth + veracity. he is in my opinion about 80 years of age. ['and' crossed out] I further say that it has always been under stood in this vicinity, that he was a Soldier in the revolutionary war I have frequently heard him converse on the Subject, and am fully satisfied from s'd conversations, that he was a soldier, and did duty in s'd War.
/s/John Smith

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State of Vermont
Franklin County ss} St. Albans June 5th 1835.
Then personally appeared before me the undersigned authority the Rev Worthington Smith and John Smith Esqr, and made oath that the certificates by them written and subscribed are true
/s/Wm Bridges Justice Peace

I further certify that the above named gentlemen are men of the first standing in society and men of truth and veracity
/s/Wm Bridges Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont
Franklin County ss} I Joseph H Brainerd Clerk of Franklin County Court, do hereby certify that Wm Bridges who has affixed his name to the within is a Magistrate duly qualified, and that the same is his genuine signature.
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said Court at St. Albans this 4th day of July 1835
/s/Joseph H. Brainerd Clerk of Franklin County Court

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St. Albans Jany 15th 1834

Hon Benjamin Swift

Dear Sir
I rec'd yours of the 11th ultimo it came to hand i due time. I feel under a very great obligation for your kind attention to the business of Mr Hart. In regard to Mr Hart character for truth and veracity it stand fair and can be well established by same of the most respectable citizens of his neighborhood.
one thing is very certain if Mr. hart had not returned and served his time out, he would not ['have' crossed out] dared to have enlisted again the same year, under one of the same officers, and served three months at, and in the vicinity of Robinsons farms oposite West Point; you will see by my previous letter that I mentioned this three months service particularly I Think I shall be able to prove by one of the sergeants who was in the same company with Mr Hart at the time be left the camp that he returned and finished his term of service for which he engaged. If I am fortunate enough to procure such an afft I shall forward it to you. I am sure Mr Cass would not reject such a claim

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I need the certificate of Mr Abel Davis, the old gentleman is very much disappointed for not being allowed for full time; there is not doubt but what he served as he stated in his affidavit
Respectfully yours
/s/Wm Bridges

Hon B. Swift

PS. The people of the town so far as I know are in usual health except Mrs Joseph Hoyt who is now laborring under the severe suffering of a Paralytic shock, recd sunday last, in all probability she will not recover
yours /s/WB

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St Albans Jany 31st 1834

Hon Benj'n Swift

Sir
I have this day sent to the pension office the declarations of Elijah Davis of St. Albans, and W Samuel Little of Sheldon Mr Davis we are all acquainted with I should like to have you attend to both of the declarations sent. Mr Little I am not acquainted with, and presume you are not, but you are acquainted with those that have recommended him, who are personally acquainted with Mr Little, and you will be willing to certify to their characters for truth and veracity.
as it respects Mr Davis, every body that knows him, is satisfied that he was a Revolutionary soldier, I have heard him related his adventures in the Army, fifteen years ago, and many times since exactly  the same, as near as my memory serves me, I think there can be no doubt but what he will obtain. I have received Mr. Abel Davis Pension Certificate and Mr Davis has applied for his money. I made out his [illegible] and sent it to the agent (W. H. Allen) at Burlington who refused to say it. Saying that he should say no more to ['Mr Davis' crossed out]

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Pensioners who obtained their certificates under the act of June 7th 1832 but gave no reasons, the papers were sent back accompanied by a letter stating as afs'd
I wish you to enquire i to this business and let me know, for if the payment should be with held, and no payments made on the 4th of march. there would be trouble in this section of the country, the old soldiers would soon be at Washington.
very respectfully your ob't Servt
/s/Wm Bridges

Hon. B. Swift

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[verso]
Says he served in N J Line in time RevW. act benefit of later act of congress - says his decl'n has been [illegible] of war  - + not allowed now prays Congress to grant it - 
Refr to Com R Pen
Sec. of War - rejected claim out 9 months jp

[recto]
Elijah Davis Vt
Col Eason 
petition for pension - 
Clo Patterson
Feby. 11 - 1820 - Ref'd to the Com'te on pensions revolutionary claims - 
______
Feby. 21. 1820
Ref'd to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions
April 6-1820
Report against - To him - 
see report Byrum Scott

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To the ['Cong' crossed out] Hon. the Congress of the United States - the petition of Elijah Davis of St Albans in the County of Franklin and State of Vermont - humbly  Showeth
That your petitioner in order to obtain the provisions made by the Act of Congress of the 18 March 1818, did make his declaration - the Judge before whom the same was made.
Transmitted it to the Hon'd Secretary of the department of War. the declaration was by The Hon'd Secretary returned ['to' crossed out] with the following endorsement to wit. - "It does not appear that the applicant served 9 months on continental establishment." "Inadmissible" - 
Your petitioner stated, in his declaration, that "at Ticonderoga in the State of New York early "in the ['Spring' crossed out] month of May 1779. he enlisted in "Captain Samuel Herricks company in Col. James "Easons regiment for seven months and served "out the full period of his enlistment. he further "['stated' crossed out] declared that at Bennington about the "first day of March 1776 he again enlisted in

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"Capt. Samuel Sloans Company and in Col. John "Pattersons Regiment in the Massachusetts line for "Ten months. that he continued in said service "while a short period before his time was ['out' crossed out] out "when he was taken such + soon as he was able "to be removed to Fort George to the Hospital "the Doct advised that he should be removed into "the Country - accordingly he was removed from Mount "Independance to his home in Bennington and removed "sick till the winter following - that he was afterwards "in various services - in Bennington Battle. was at "at the Capture of Gen. Burgoyne during the "whole war. more or less in the service of his "Country" - which said declaration was accompanied with ['two' crossed out] the deposition of Molly Powers & Ford Bears. ['the said' crossed out] and is now transmitted to Congress - your petitioner - here would represent that he considers, that the Hon'd Landry erred in supposing that the services of your petitioner ceased at the time he was taken such + left the army - your petitioner does consider that he was in the services of his County the whole Ten Months the same as though he had been removed to the Hospital at the expense of ['G' crossed out]

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Government - and so the Government at that time considered as they paid your petitioner for Ten Months service - that is paid in Continental Money - afterwards the money depreciated to more nominal - your petitioner therefore prays, that your honor would examine the declaration + the evidence accompanied the same - ['& I' crossed out] if consistent to place him on the pension list agreeable to said act - ['your' crossed out] Should your honor consider that the evidence accompanied his declaration not to the sufficient - your petitioner can procure further evidence to support his said declaration altho it will be somewhat expensive. - 
I'm duty bound will ever pray - 
/s/Elijah Davis

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I hereby certify that I have been personally acquainted with Elijah Davis Esq. of this town for about twenty five years. and believe him to be a man of integrity + respectability. I have had frequent conversations with him many years since, on the subject of the Revolutionary War and of many incidents which related personally to himself while engaged in the service of the United States in said war and particularly in relation to Bennington Battle, and am sattisfied from these conversations, as well as from conversations with other persons that, the said Davis was in the service of the United States as a soldier during some part of said war but have no opinion as to the amount of service I further say that I should think the said Davis to be about eighty years of age.
St. Albans. June 25. 1835.
/s/Benjamin Swift

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St. Albans June 22d 1835

Hon J. L. Edwards

Sir
In reply to yours of the 14th Feby 1834 addressed to the Hon B. Swift (Senator) on the subject of the claim of Elijah Davis. It appears that the Department wish to be more satisfied that due diligence has been made by the applicant Davis, for the evidence of surviving witnesses in support of his claim. since the receipt of your letter above refered to, Mr. Davis has made use of every possible means in his power to obtain direct evidence as the regulations require. The fact of his having made diligent search to the utmost of his abilities to procure the evidence required is within my knowledge. Mr. Davis has employed me to write for him a number of letters to sundry persons, for the purpose of procuring the necessary evidence, and he also employ and sent me seventy miles into the State of N. York for that purpose. But he has not been able to obtain any; + he states that he knows of no person by whom he an prove his service or any part thereof beyond what he has already proved.
I send you the certificates of several persons of respectable character, that you may understand what the general impression is, respecting the character, and ['his' crossed out] revolutionary services of the applicant -

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You will please examiner the enclosed and return me and answer
Very respectfully Your obt Servt
/s/Wm Bridges

Hon J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

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St Albans May 12th 1834

Hon J L. Edwards

Dear Sir, 
Enclosed I send you the Deposition of Lieut E Hall in support of the claim of Elijah Davis to a pension.
In addition to the evidence enclosed, I wish to call your attention to the evidence of Foard Bears deceased Pentioner supposed to be on file in the war office forwarded thence in the year 1818 or 19 in support of the petition made at that time by s'd Davis for a pension under the act of 1818, + would request that you examine the evidence of Mr. Bears if to be found, and also the Declaration of Davis made at that time, + compair it with his declaration made under the act of 1832, I am informed that the evidence of Mr. Bears proved to the satisfaction of the Department that Mr. Davis had rendered considerable service, but not 9 months at one period in the continental line. therefore his claim was rejected.
In yours of the 24th July 1835, you direct that the certificate of the secretary of Mass should be obtained; those record have been examined relative to his alleged service, and no evidence found. But yet it would seem from the evidence of Amos Page

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Jacob Story + Mary Powers, (who's evidence you have on file) that Davis performed considerable more service than is named by Lt Hall, + should the declaration + evidence in support of the same made in 1818 or 19 he found it may throw some light upon the subject for that declaration was made when Mr. Davis' intellectual faculties where bright, but in 1832 much impaired. The character of Mr. Davis has ever stood high in the estimation of the public, and there can be no doubt but that his his declaration is substantially true. although at that later period of his life he may have forgotten particular dates but if so it was not intentional for his character for truth and veracity stands high has ever sustained the character of having been a spirited and active soldier of the Revolution
So far as traditionary evidence of service is important in the case, no man had more of that kind of proof then Mr. Davis, the belief of his having been a soldier was general and no doubts have ever existed in the minds of all his acquaintance upon the subject. 
There are two reasons why Mr Davis has not been able to substantiate his claim, his feeble state of health prevented him from procuring testimony sufficient to prove his claim, and 2d'y his mind being much impaired

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 not able to give that particular history which the Department require which he undoubtedly could have doe at an earlier period of his life. In stateing the character of Mr. Davis, there is not a person who is acquainted with him but that would concur in the statement which I have made.
Very Respectfully Your obt Servt
/s/Wm Bridges

tten JL Edwards

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[illegible] 10th March 1856
Canada [illegible]

Sir
I have the honor to address you regarding my late Father Elijah Davis of Vermont, and fought at the Battle of Bennington for the independence of the United States. As I am his eldest son and having received no [illegible] for his said service. Would you be so [illegible] to let me know

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Know who other than any pensions or remunerations has been paid to any of my Brothers [illegible] only one living by the name of Francis Davis in St Albans Vermont State Franklin County
If not will you be pleased to let me know what means I am to adopt to secure send recommendation if any there be for [illegible] services.
I have the Honor to be with every consideration To the Secretary of State} Your Very obt Servt
/s/Elijah W. Davis

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I Mary Powers of Lawful age do Testify and say that Elijah Davis lived with me in our House in the year 1774 and made our House his home until Aprl. 1783 the last of Apl. or the first of May 1775 he enlisted with Mr. Oswold (as I understood) he went to take Ticonderoga, I understood that on geting there he Enlisted in Capt. Samuel Herricks Company in Col. James Eastons Regiment, and served in that campaign to the North, the next winter he Enlisted with Samuel Sloans of Williamstown in Col. Patterson, Canada, some time in the fall after we heard he was sick at Poultney, my Husband went with a Horse and brought him home to our House, and I nursed him untill winter, during this time while He was sick the sergeant of his Company and Ebenezer Wood came through Bennington as the Regiment was moving to the south towards Albany, to see if s'd Davis was able to Join the Regiment at Albany, but found he was not able, I know that he was in the service at most the whole time during the War, I know he was in Bennington battle and assisted in taking Burguine (Burgoyne) at Saratoga.
/s/X her mark Mary Powers
St Albans Feby 11th 1830.
Witness Julius Hoyt

Sworn to before me
/s/Julius Hoyt Jus Peace
I do hereby certify that the above named Mary Powers is a credible witness /s/Julius Hoyt

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St Albans Augt. 7th 1832
This may certify that ['that' crossed out] the reason why this Deposition was taken so long before it was necessary to be used. (I understood at the time it was taken) to be. that the Deponent was about to leave the state which she did in a few days after, and she was [illegible] aged and it was quite doubtful whether they would ever see each other again.
/s/Julius Hoyt
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State of Vermont
Franklin County ss} St. Albans August 9th 1832
[court seal affixed] I Horace Janes of St. Albans Clerk of the County Court in s'd County do hereby certify to all whom it may concern that Julius Hoyt Esq of St Albans afs'd. was on the 16th day of February AD 1820 a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly appointed by the legislature of this State and that the foregoing signatures are in his own proper handwriting. In testimony whereof I have hereunto sign'd my hand and affixed the Public seal of the Court the day and year above
/s/Horace Janes Clerk

Mary Powers Afft for Elijah Davis