Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6781, John Davis, N.C.

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N.C.
Davis, John
S. 6781
B. June 9, 1764 St. Marys Co., Md-
Res. Edgecomb Co., N.C. [illegible words]
Residences after Rev. Edgecomb, Onslow & Duplin Cos., N.C.
[to the right side of paper is written the word "carded"]

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7147
North Carolina
John [x-mark] David
of Duplin Co in the State of N. Carolina who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Jones of the [illegible] commanded by Col. [illegible] in the No. Carolina for 12 months from '80

Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 40 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence o the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 1 day of March 1833 and sent to Patrick Murphy Gravelly Hill NC

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $80.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833 20.00
[double lines under the 20.00 then below that] $100.00

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832 
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk,
Book E Vol. 6 Page 38

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[left side, partial handwriting cut off at fold] 
{ [illegible] day of November A.D. 1832 and in the 57th Year of American Independance
Jas. Persall Clk

[right side]
19391
John Davis’s Declaration

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State of North Carolina
Duplin County
Court of Pleas + Quarter
Session November Term 1832

On this the 27th day of November A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before Arch Maxwell, Gibson Sloan & Richard Miller

Esquires Justices of the Court aforesaid now sitting. John Davis a resident of Duplin County in the State of North Carolina aged sixty eight........ 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.
I. Under Col William Sinton, Capt Baker, Benjamin Denson Lieutenant, Gideon Killeygrove Ensign, in April or May and he thinks in the year 1780 & left this term the 18th August, that he engaged for three months, that he resided, when he entered the service in Edgecombe County, N.C. about five miles from Tarboro, that he was drafted, that he was in a skirmish at Rockfish Ridge, a little above South Washington, where the Americans retreated, that he marched from Tarboro to Little River which makes into Neuse, thence across and up Neuse to Southfield, thence down Neuse to Bass's ferry, thence across to Duplin Old Courthouse, thence to Rockfish Bridge thence to Goshen Bridge, thence across Neuse at Whitfield's ferry and encamped beyond Neuse till his term was out. He was there discharged, that he has no documentary evidence & knows of no person by whom he can prove this service.

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2. Under Capt James Jones, __ Parker Lieutenant (forgets other officers) in the spring of the year, but he can't say what year; presumes it was in 1781, that he engaged for three months, that he was a volunteer light horseman, that he was in no battle, that his marches were altogether in Edgecombe County in quest for Tories and protecting the inhabitants, that he has no documentary evidence & knows of no person by whom he can prove this service.
3. Under Col. Sessoms, Capt William Hall, —— Messer Lieut., in the fall of the year & he expects in the year 1781 and left this term next spring, that he engaged for six months, that he was drafted, that he was in no battle, that he marched from Tarboro, to Cheraw Hills in S. C. thence to the high hills of Santee, thence by Eutaw Springs to Salisbury, thence to Hillsborough, thence to Crop Creek now Fayetteville, thence into South Carolina over Big Pedee and encamped there till his term was out and was there discharged, that he served with no continental regiments or companies, that he was once at Gen. Green's camp on Cooper River, that he knew no regular officer, that he did not serve all this six month's tour under Capt Hall but part of the tour he was under Capt. Green & Capt Madara that he has no documentary evidence & knows of no person by whom he can prove his service.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever 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.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid. John [his x mark] Davis

[illegible] Jas Pearsall

Interrogatories propounded to John Davis the aforesaid applicant with his answers thereto.
1 Where & in what year were you born?
Ans. I was in St. Mary's County, State of Maryland in 1764
2 Have you any record of your age & if so where is it?
Ans. I have, at home, on a paper, born 9th June 1764

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3 Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War & where do you now live?
Ans. In Edgecombe County N.C. Since the Revly war Ive lived in Edgecombe, Onslow & Duplin & I now live in Duplin
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute & if a substitute for whom?
Ans. Volunteered & was drafted.
5. Stated the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served, such continental & militia regiments as you can recollect & the generals circumstances of your service
Ans No regular officers where I served. I saw Gen Green’s army on Cooper River in S.C. The militia regiments I recollect were Col Linton’s Co Isaac Sessom’s, & Col. Jonas Johnson’s. The general circumstances of my service are related above
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service & if so by whom was it given & what has become of it?
Ans. I recd a discharge from Capt Green, which was the only written discharge I got. I dont know what has become of it
7 State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, & who can testify as to your character for veracity & their belief of your service as a soldier of the Revolution?
Ans. Jesse Batts, James McCann, Hezekiah Grant, David Norman, Lincoln Shuffield, Martin Manning and Allen Thigpen
We Martin Manning and Allen Thigpen residing in the County of Duplin hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Davis who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be sixty eight years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a  soldier of the Revolution, & that we concur in that opinion 
Sworn, & Subscribed the day & Year aforesaid
Martin Maning
Allen [his x mark] Thigpen
Sect Jas Persale
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court

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further certifies that it appears to them that there is no clergyman residing in the neighbourhood of the said applicant and that Martin Manning & Allen Thigpen who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the County of Duplin and credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, James Persall Clerk of the court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Duplin County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Davis for a pension
{In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this the 28th day of November A.D. 1832 and in the 57th Year of American Independance
Jas Persall Clk
{Seal affixed}

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19391
John Davis
Duplin Co N.C.
From 1780 private 12 months.
$40

Patrick Murphy
Gravelly Hill
N.Carolina

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BRIEF in the case of John Davis of Duplin Co in the State of N. Carolina
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Wa the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 68
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[column headings] Period. | Duration of Service. Years, Months, Days. | Rank. As a | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen.
[handwritten answers] Drafted in 1780 Volunteer 1781 | [all months] 3 3 6 | Private | Col. Wm. Linton Capt. James Jones Col. Sessom
5. In what battles was he engaged? Rockfish Ridge
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Edgecombe Co N.C.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Perfect
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
L.E. Bradford. Examining Clerk.

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[typed document]
April 21, 1939

Mrs. McCallister Pearce
C/o E. B. Crawford & Co., Inc.,
Bank of West Memphis Building
West Memphis, Arkansas

JOHN DAVIS
S. 6781
BA-J/MLB

Dear Madam:

The data which follow regard to John Davis were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 6781, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

John Davis was born June 9, 1764, in Saint Marys County, Maryland; the names of his parents were not given.

While residing in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, about five miles from Tarboro, John Davis enlisted sometime in 1780 and served three months as private in Captain Baker's company, Colonel William Linton's North Carolina regiment, was in a skirmish at Rockfish Bridge and was discharged August 18, 1780.  He volunteered in the spring of 1781, served three months as lighthorseman in Captain James Jones' North Carolina company.  He enlisted in the fall of 1781, served as private under Captains William, Hall, Green and "Madera" (probably meant for Medaris), and in Colonel Isaac Sessom's North Carolina regiment, and was discharged after having served on this tour six months.

After the Revolutionary War, the soldier resided in Edgecombe, Onslow and Duplin Counties, North Carolina, and was allowed pension on his application executed November 17, 1832, while living in said Duplin County.

There are no family data shown in the claim.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possible the date of death of John Davis, you should write to Comptroller General, General

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Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following
data:

John Davis
Certificate #7167
Issued March 6, 1833
Rate, $40 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act June 7, 1832
North Carolina Agency. 

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

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[left side, handwritten]
1936, Aug.21 - Hist to Mrs. Guy S. Turner
1939, Apr.21-Hist to Mrs. McCallister Pearce MLB

[right side, form]
Rev War 6781. [check mark]
INVALID.
File No. 6781
John Davis
Priv Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1st, Page 89
[Arrangement of 1870.]

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BRIEF Objections to the admission of Pension claims, of which those 
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Davis Of Duplin Co N.C. which require 
further proof of explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? 

Yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 

Yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? 

Yes 

V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?

Yes 

VI. Has he given names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

Yes 

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension then the one under act of june 7, 1832? 

Yes 

VIII. Has the court given their opinion? 

Yes 

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 

Yes 

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? 

Yes

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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Two credible witnesses - no clergyman

XII. If the clergyman’s affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [No marked out] yes

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? [no answer written]

XIV. [mark for footnote] If the applicant’s name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? [no answer written] 
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? [no answer written]
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? [no answer written]

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant’s service? [no answer written]

XVI. [mark for footnote] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? all answered

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: “Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ——— year ——— months, and ——— days, I served as a ————— For ——— months and ——— days, I served as a ————; and for such service I claim a pension.

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3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served,
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the 
pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase [italicized: about three or four months] is too 
indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions 
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. Without specifying the tours; the names of the 
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly 
objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration 
the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
 in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not 
employed in any civil pursuit. 

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service

In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must 
prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set fort in their affidavits the time of 
the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the 
regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths 
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the 
magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 

QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers

In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticate the papers is not 
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the 
certificate must be attached thereto by a narrow piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass 
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly 
attached to the certificate. 

In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal 
of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the 
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

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[typewritten letter on letterhead]
[seal of Veterans Administration at top left corner]
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON
August 5, 1936
YOUR FILE REFERENCE: [blank]
IN REPLY REFER TO: DAG-C
Mrs. Guy S. Turner
610 E. Dr. Hein Park
Memphis, Tennessee
Dear Madam:
There is returned herewith your communication of recent date.

The information contained in your communication is insufficient to identify the case in question; therefore request is made that you furnish, on the reverse of this sheet, the information specified in the following paragraph, returning this entire file, at which time the matter will receive further attention.

[underlined] IMPORTANT:
The claim number should be shown on all communications concerning benefits payable by the Veterans’ Administration. If you do not know the claim number, you should show the name of the soldier (in case you are not the veteran himself), the name of the war in which services were rendered, rank and organization at time of discharge, the kind of payments being received (compensation, pension, insurance, adjusted compensation or emergency officers’ retirement), and any other identifying information which you may have in your possession.

The claim number is shown on all communications concerning beneficiaries of the Veterans’ Administration, and also on checks issued in payment of benefits.

Failure to mention the claim number or other identifying information when writing this office will delay action in the case.

Respectfully, 
[handwritten] Wm. H. Holmes
[typed] WM. H. HOLMES, [identifying mark]
Chief, Accounting Division.
Enc.
Finance Form 1336

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[form with information typed and handwritten] 
[stamp at top of page indicating receipt] {RECEIVED AUG 10 1936 MAIL SUB.DIV. VETS. ADM. READER No. 31}

CLAIM NUMBER [blank] Date [blank]

[underlined] IMPORTANT
IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THE CLAIM NUMBER, it will be necessary to furnish the following information in order that the case may be identified.
Name of Soldier JOHN DAVIS
War in which service was rendered Revolutionary
Rank and Organization when discharged [blank]
Place check mark after kind of payments received
(Pension yes-lived in Duplin Co.N.C.
(Compensation
(Insurance
(Adjusted Compensation
(Emergency Officers’ Retirement

[handwritten] Mrs Guy S. Turner (Signature)
610 East Drive Hein Park, Memphis Tenn. (Address)

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[typed letter on letterhead of Federal Insurance Company, 90 John Street New York, Chubb & Son Managers; In reply please refer to agents listed; offices of West Memphis, Arkansas and Earle, Arkansas; at bottom - slogan “We are in business for your protection”]
[stamp at top indicating receipt] RECEIVED Mar 8 [year and other items not complete]
[handwritten note top right] R W17098

[Body of letter]
Pension Bureau, Washington,D.C.
Gentlemen: 
[handwritten above] in flat files
Will you please let me have the Rev.pension [Rev. underlined with question mark] record of JOHN PIERCE [hand underlined], Surry Co.N.C.
His pension commence in 1814- under law Act March 16,1802.
[handwritten checkmark] Also that of JOHN DAVIS [hand underlined], Duplin Co.N.C. His pension commence in 1831, at which time he was 70 years of age.
I shall appreciate your courtesy in this matter.
Cordailly yours, 
[handwritten signature] Mrs. Pearce
[typed] Mrs.McCallister Pearce.
[handwritten note in margin] send one & say because of etc

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[typed letter]

April 21, 1939
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/MLB
[handwritten] OM 
[handwritten] John Davis $.6781

Mrs. McCallister Pearce
C/o E. B. Crawford & Co., Inc., 
Bank of West Memphis Building
West Memphis, Arkansas

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of John Pierce of Surry County, North Carolina, who, you state, received pension in 1814 under the Act of March 16, 1802, and of John Davis, of Duplin County, North Carolina, whose pension commenced in 1831, at which time he was aged seventy years.
The pension which you state John Pierce received was for service rendered in the War of 1812, not the Revolutionary War, hence, it is assumed that you are not interested in his record.
The Revolutionary War record of John Davis is furnished you herewith.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

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[typed letter]

August 21, 1936
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
JOHN DAVIS
S. 6781
BA-J/MLB

Mrs. Guy S. Turner
610 East Drive, Hein Park
Memphis, Tennessee

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of John Davis who served in the Revolutionary War and received pension while a resident of Duplin County, North Carolina. 
You are furnished below the record of the only soldier name John Davis found in the Revolutionary War records of this office who received pension while a resident of Duplin County, North Carolina. The data therein were obtained from the papers on file in claim for pension, S. 6781, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
John Davis was born June 9, 1764, in Saint Marys County, Maryland; the names of his parents are not shown.
While residing in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, about five miles from Tarboro, John Davis enlisted sometime in 1780 and served three months as private in Captain Baker’s company, Colonel William Linton’s North Carolina regiment, was in a skirmish at Rockfish Bridge and was discharge August 18, 1780. He volunteered in the spring of 1781, served three months of lighthorseman in Captain James Jones’ North Carolina company. He enlisted in the fall of 1781, served as private under Captains William Hall, Green and “Madara” (probably meant for Medaria), and in Colonel Isaac Sessom’s North Carolina regiment and was discharged after having served on this tour six months.
After the Revolutionary War, the soldier resided in Edgecombe and Onslow Counties,Duplin County, North Carolina, and was allowed pension on his application executed November 27, 1832, while living in said Duplin County.
There are no family data given in the claim.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name and 

[handwritten at bottom, referring to paragraph above] next time-resided in Edgecombe, Onslow & Duplin Counties, N.C. etc

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[continuation of typed letter]

address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of John Davis, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

John Davis
Certificate &7147
Issued March 6, 1833
Rate, $40 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act June 7, 1832
North Carolina Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

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