Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,639, John Davidson, S.C.

Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
S. C.

Davidson, John

NUMBER
S 31639
B.L.Wt. 26173 - 160 - 55

Corn in Pa.
CONTENTS

Page 2

Paid at the Treasury under
the Act of the 6th April 18
from 4th Sept 1837 to 4 March
1838. Agt notified 4 Jany 1839
-----
1855 Octr 15th duplicate sent
to J Hill Madison Geo

Georgia 27859
=====
John Davidson
of Jasper in the State of Geo:
who was a pri in the __ commanded
by Captain Crawford of the Rgt commanded
by Col Branan in the So Ca
line for 10 months
=====
Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia
at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
=====
Certificate of Pension ifsued the 1 day of July 34
and sent Hon R H Wilde
Augusta Ga
=====
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 34 100.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 16.66
==
$116.66
==
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Nath Rice Clerk,
Book E Vol. 6 page 88

Page 3

State of Georgia}
Jasper County} S.S. On this Twenty ninth day of April in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty four personally appeared before the Superior Court of said County, John Davidson a resident of said County and State aged Seventy three 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 Congrefs, passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy [illegible] in the month of August, in Union District South Carolina, as a Volunteer under the following names officers to wit, Col. Thomas Branan, Maj. Benjamin Jolly and Capt. Robert Pharis - That he marched first to Smiths Ford on Broad River and from thence down to the place called the [illegible] and from thence to Ferries Fort on Broad River, all this time he was engaged as a volunteer and employed against the Torries - he returned home to Union District in the month of September having been gone about one month. Shortly after this, he thinks in the month of October following - he was drafted as a militia-man in the company of Capt. Pharis + Col. Branans Regiment - and thereupon he marched up to Seneca - The residence of Col. (afterwards Genl.) Pickens and from that place in company with other troops - viz. The Regiments under command of Col. Roebuck and Col. Elijah Clark - The whole - with his own Regiment - commanded by Gen'l Pickens, marched to Saluda River, and was then in detached parties - sent about on an uncertain sort of service - in order to keep down the Torries - between the Broad + Saluda Rivers and were kept engaged in this way until the arrival of General Greene + his army in that part of the Country - and that his Regiment joined the forces under Gen'l Greene - then having his head Quarters at the High Hill of Santee - That Gen'l Greene ordered a detachment to be formed of Five men from each Captain's company and all under the command of Col Roebuck + Leut. Col. Farr to proceed to Orangeburgh C. H. - for the purpose of guarding with greater security the jail at that place in which were confined a number of prisoners - That he

Page 4

was one of the four men taken from the company of Capt. Pharis and was placed under the immediate command of Lieut. Latimer of Capt. Thompsons company - and then marched to Orangeburgh C. H. where he remained in the aforementioned service for the space of two months - the prisoners having been sent by order of Genl. Greene to his Head Quarters - He was verbally discharged by Col. Roebuck at Orangeburgh - and then returned home - In the fall of the year 1780 he was ordered out still a drafted militiaman to join Gen'l Morgan's Troops on Pacolet River. he still serving in the Company of Capt Pharis, Col. Branan's Regiment, the first Lieut of said company being James Crawford and the second John Story - That about this time he and fourteen others of Capt. Pharis company - fell in with a detachment of Tories commanded by Cunningham - the celebrated Tory captain - about Thirty in number and in their skirmish the following individuals of his company were killed - to wit, Thomas Ranson, Edward Armstrong, + Patrick Hartman - That he marched in the Regiment + company above stated to Pacolet River where they joined the army of Gen'l Morgan - and immediately the whole body marched to the place called the Cowpens - where Gen'l Morgan halted - and remained until the Battle at that place which occurred on the 17th day  of January 1781. That in this battle he received two saber cuts one in the head and the other in the right hand - He remembered to have seen at this fight Col. William Washington, Gen'l. Pickens (+ Col. Howard - of the Regular Army) - That on the day after the battle - the army under command of Gen'l Morgan proceeded to cross Broad River - and marched thence to Salisbury N. C. Here the militia was discharged by Gen'l Morgan verbally - That he remained at this place - after the departure northwards of the force under command of Gen'l Morgan for about one month - in which time the wounds on his head + hand were nearly cured - And then returned to Union District South Carolina - having been absent about five months. That in the month of September following - under Capt. (formerly Lieut. James Crawford - of the company formerly commanded by Capt. Pharis - Col. Branan's Regiment - he marched - Lieut. Col. Farr then commanding the Regiment - + Maj. Young - assistant commander - to Robr's on Tiger River - where they [illegible]

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To the Questions proposed by order of the Pension Office or Department of War - John Davidson - answers -
To wit 1st - Born in the year 1761 in the State of Pennsylvania - on the Schuylkill River - near Philadelphia 
2d. He has a record of his age in a family Bible at his home.
3. Union District So. Carolina - at the time he was called into service - since the close of the war of the Revolution - he has resided in Union District South Carolina - then in Greene County Georgia - and then to Morgan county - and then to Jasper - where he now resides - making in all a residence in Georgia of 37 years - as well as he recollects
4 + 5 - Refer to his declaration for answers -
6 - He [illegible] no written discharge
7 - He refers to Jerimiah Lumsden, a Clergyman, Aris Newton, + William Jones Sr? the last a Revolutionary Pensioner
Fworn [Sworn] to and Subscribed in open Court. This 29th day of April 1834
John Davidson
Lucius Q C Lamar
J.S.C.O.C.

Page 6

two days and was joined by their Troops and all then marched to a port on the Congaree River where was deposited some of Gen'l Greene's ammunition, stores + Provisions - That they remained at that place till the latter part of October 1781 when intelligence arrived of the capture of Lord Cornwallis' army at York Town - Three days after which - They were verbally discharged by Lieut. Col. Farr and then returned home to Union District having been absent on this occasion about two months. The whole of his time of service was three years at least. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, + he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State. Sworn to and subscribed the day + year aforesaid -
John Davidson
Lucius Q C Lamer J.S.C.O.C.

Georgia}
Jasper county} We Jerimiah Lumsden a Clergyman in the County aforesaid and Aris Newton + William Jones Sr? a Revolutionary Pensioner, citizens residing in the same do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Davidson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - That we believe him to be seventy three years of age - That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood in which he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed the day + year aforesaid.
Jrh Lumsdon
Aris Newton
William Jones Sr
Lucius Q C Lamar
J.S.C.O.C.

And the said Court does hereby declare its 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 further certifies that it appears to it, that Jerimiah Lumsdon who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in said County and State - and that Aris Newton, William Jones, Senior - who have also signed the same - are residents of the same place - and are all credible persons - and that their statement is entitled to credit
April 29th 1834 Lucius Q C Lamar
J.S.C.O.C.

Page 7

Georgia}
Jasper County} I Gilbert Shaw of said County and State do hereby certify that John Davidson - the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served a part of the above specified time with me in the militia of the State of South Carolina. Sworn to + Subscribed in open Court - the day and year first above written.
Gilbert Shaw
Lucius Q C Lamar
J.S.C.O.C.

Georgia}
Jasper County} I William B Stikes Clerk of the Superior Court of the County aforesaid - do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original Proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Davidson for a Pension In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office. This 29th day of April 1834. And I do further certify that the certificate of the Court has the genuine signature of the Judge of said Court - and that the answers to the Questions proposed - which are appended to the Declaration - are the answers made in the Court and sworn to - Given under my hand + Official seal as above written - the day and year aforesaid.
William B Stikes Clk

[Sideways near the bottom]
John Davidson

Page 8

74990 }  Act March 3/55
               } April             16  "
_______________________
John Dandson
Davidson Priv

Nov 26 17 33
May 20 of 56
_______________________
Capt Fairrass}
   "     Crawford}
Col    Brandon}
served 3 years & 6 months

Revolutionary War
____________

Geo 32 - No 27859
_______________
Boynton
W:160 Alld May 17/56
[illegible]
M
__________________
P. P. Lovejoy
Monticello
Geo


[right side]
[illegible] : P. P. Lovejoy Oct:  26" 1855
              let:    "            "       Nov:  10.     "

V. L D. Page 11

Page 9

74990

Page 10

State of Georgia}
County of Jasper}
On this the ninth day of April A D one thousand Eight hundred and fifty-five personally appeared before me Mathew Whitfield a justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid John Davidson aged ninety three years a resident of Said County in Said State of Georgia, who being duly Sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical John Davidson who was a private in the Company Commanded by Captain Fairrass, who resined, and then in the company Commanded by Crawford in the regiment of __ commanded by Brandon in the revolutionary war; That he was drafted (time not recolected) for no definite time and continued in actual Service in Said war for the term of three years and Six months, and was honorably discharged, at Congeree [Congaree] time not recolected, He States that his certificate of discharge was distroyed with other valuable papers + money Some two years ago by robers. He further States that his attorney Some time during last year, lost his certificate of pension. but that he has drawn in all Some nine hundred Dollars pension He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which he may be entitled under the act approved March 3 1855 He also declares that he has not received a warrant for bounty land. under this or any other act of Congress nor made any other application therefor
John Davidson

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We Wm H Whitfield and Thomas Spearman residents of Jasper County and State of Georgia upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was Signed and acknowledged by John Davidson in our presence and that we believe from the appearance and Statement of the applicant that he is the identical person he represents himself to be
Wm H Whitfield
Thomas Spearman

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were Sworn to and Subscribed before me on the day and date above written, and I Certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons that the Claimant is the person he represents himself to be and that I have no interest in this claim
Mat Whitfield J.P.

Georgia Jasper}
County} I P P Lovejoy Ordinary of Said County + State do hereby Certify that Mat Whitfield whose name is Subscribed to the above Certificate is an acting justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid and that full faith and Confidence are due his acts as Such and I Certify that the above Signature of Mat Whitfield is his genuine Signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal of office April 9 1855
P P Lovejoy Ordinary

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In reply to your request of ___, received ___ for a statement of the military history of John Davidson a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in this application for pension on file in this Bureau S. F. 31639
=======
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OF APPOINTMENT.
-----
August 1777
Oct 1777
Fall 1780
Sept 1781
=======
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
-----
1 mo
2 "
5 "
2 "
=======
RANK.
-----
Pri
=======
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SESRVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTION. | COLONEL.
-----
Robert Paris | Thomas Brandon
Robert Paris, Thompson | Thomas Brandon, Roebuck
Robert Paris | Thos Brandon
James Crawford | Thos Brandon
=======
STATE.
-----
S. C.
=======
Battles engaged in, Received sabre wnds in head and rt hand at battle of Cowpens + was in skirmish with Torries
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Union District, S.C.
Date of application for pension, Jan 24, 1833. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Jasper Co., Ga.
Age at date of application B. 1761 in Pa
Remarks: In 1855, it was stated that soldier at that time had no wife nor minor children there is no further data relative to family
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
d-2856

Page 13

[Left side}
31639
Revy INVALID.

File No. 31639
John Davidson
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7 32"
Index: Vol. 2, Page 102
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[Right side]
1916, Mch. 17. History to
Mrs. Thos F Freeman
Letter with claim S. 16530
Alexander Smith f.w.
----
1921 June 10 Hist. to J R Davidson aw
-----
1922 Mar. 18 Tombstone data to Q M Gue

[Bottom]
26173
No ans

Page 14

WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office,

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necefsary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
----------
A Statement, shewing the Service of Jn Davidson
=======
Period when the service was rendered.
=======
Duration of the claimant's service.
----
Years. | Months. | Days. 
=======
Rank of the claimant.
=======
Names and rank of the Field officer under whom he served.
=======
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
=======
Proof by which the declaration is supported.

I am respectfully,
Your obedient servant, 
JAMES L EDWARDS
Commissioner of Pensions.

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THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia" and "volunteers," all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claim
ing the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.

                                                                  DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory or District of} ss.
County of                                 }

On this______day of_____personally appeared (a) before
A. B. a resident (b) of______in the county of _______and State, Territory or District
of_____aged_______years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)____, with  and
served in the_____ (e) regiment of the_____ line, under the following named officers:

(Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. ☞This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid._______________A. B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.

I _____________of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of__________________ for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
________ day of _____________&c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out ___________

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:______________

(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____________ and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we   _____________      are well acquainted with ___________ , who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be ___________
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

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 further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the___________
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the __________
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, ____________-Clerk of the Court of ____________ do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of ____________
for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this ______ day of      ____________ & c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission
; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

Page 16

3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.
All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and
there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his
case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of
service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, 
and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. 
To a Solder.     } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, 
and what has become of it?
To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
has be come of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.

The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character
and standing of other persons giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.

Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper
county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.

Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.

No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure,
taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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."

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 about three or four months,
is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that 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 shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular place or place where the service was performed; that 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.

[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i ] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
                                                                                     
                                                                                          Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains
the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a 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.
                                                                                        
                                                                                                    Proof of Service.
[j] 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 forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's 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.
☞ The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j]  applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l]  If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m]The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

The applicant will certity his service [illegible]

Page 17

John Davidson
Georgia

Admit a private
10 months. 53.33

Hon. Richd. H. Wilde
@ H R
Augusta
Ga

Page 18

H  R
21 June 1834

Dr Sir
Enclosed is the Original application of John Davidson, that you required before deciding on the amended one. Davidsons [illegible] has been lost or destroyed. If it can be found it [illegible] be sent to you before the end of the Sefsion. Is the lofs a fatal objection?
Very respectfully
Yr mo obt [illegible]
R H Wilde

Page 19

TREASURY DEPARTMENTS  
Second Comptroller's Office,
December 28th, 1838.

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An
act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury
of the United States,  John Davidson,
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Savannah, Georgia,   Agency, at
the rate of Thirty three- Dollars and thirty three
per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has
been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept, 1837
to the 4th March,  1838.
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Page 20

Brief in the case of John Davidson, Revolutionary
County and State of Georgia
act 7, June 1832.
=======
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance
The Attorney who kept the original certificate, + made out the semi annual voucher for payment, declares that he has lost it. He is certified by the ordinary before whom he makes affidavit to be a man of veracity - Duplicate is issued + sent to [line pointing to below agent's name]

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?

Name and resident of Agent.
Joshua Hill Esq
Madison Ga.

R McRae Examining clerk.

Page 21

Jno Davidson
Duplicate to

Joshua Hill
Madison
Ga.

Page 22

Georgia}
Morgan County} Before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County, in person appeared Joshua Hill, of said County, formerly of Jasper County + said State who being sworn, says that he was entrusted by John Davidson, a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States, residing in Jasper County, and who is yet living - with the care and custody of the pension Certificate of said John, from the time it was obtained and uniformly once every twelve month prepared the necefsary Certificates of identity, copy of Certificate +c. preparatory to receiving his annual pension of Thirty three dollars and thirty three cents - That most usually of late years Anthony Porter of Savannah acted as Attorney to receive said pension money - That deponent thinks said Certificate bore date in the year 1834 - was signed by Lew Cafs [Lew Cass] Secretary of War, and was obtained under the act of 7 June 1832. having often copied it - That within two years last past it has been lost or mislaid so that deponent is entirely unable to find it - That deponent has no interest whatever in said Certificate + never had - but has only acted as the friend of Mr Davidson - That on account of the lofs of said certificate the pensioner has received no past pension since September 1853 - or beyond the 4th Sept of that year - wherefore deponent respectfully prays a duplicate or alias Certificate in lieu of the one so lost -
Joshua Hill
Sworn to + Subscribed, Before me this Fifth day of October 1855
W Woods J.P.

Georgia}
Morgan County}
I Fielding W Arnold Ordinary of said County mine being a Court of record, do certify that I am well acquainted, with Joshua Hill, the deponent to the above stated affidavit and that he is a man of character + veracity - that his signature is genuine, + that William Wood whose official attestation to said

Page 23

affidavit appear above, is an acting Justice of the Peace for said County, duly commifsioned and qualified, + that his said attestation is genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the Court of Ordinary of said County at Madison on this fifth day of October, in the year Eighteen hundred and fifty five.
Fielding W Arnold Ordinary
for said County in said State

Page 24

Madison Georgia
October 5th 1855

To the Commifsioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I herewith send you my own affidavit + the Certificate of our Ordinary - as to its genuineness - for the purpose of obtaining a duplicate of John Davisions Pension Certificate - I can devise no better method - I obtained the certificate for the poor old fellow + always kept it for him - but by some means have managed to lose it - I obtained several others about 20 years ago - but of all of them, he alone now survives at a my great age - For my character I beg to refer you to W Philip Clayton, 2d Auditor Treasury Department, as our members of Congress are absent from Washington,
Yrs vy respectfully
Joshua Hill

P.S. I would thank you for your earliest attention to this matter as the old man is in need of the pittance - also if not asking for much please forward me a blank form for the proper certificate for obtaining pay - though think, I remember it in substance -

Page 25

74990
John Davidson
Boynton

[Sideways]
FREE 
[Round stamp mark]
MONTICELLO GA
NOV 6

J Minot
Comiss Pension
Washington
D. C.

Page 26

Monticello Geo Novr 5 1855

Sir
yours of the 26th ult has been recd informing me that the claim of John Davidson for bounty land under act of March 3 1855 No 74990 has been examined and Suspended
also that the revolutionary Services of Mr Davidson the applicant does not appear of record, Mr Davidson is very old + infirm, his recolection very poor, + no one to give me information as to his revolutionary Services, he has no wife nor minor children. He has been receiving Pensions from the Government for a number of years there must be evidence of Service Some where. he has now in possession a duplicate Certificate of Pension under act of June 7th 1832 = No 29859. The original was issued July 1st 1834 = Will you give this your earliest attention as Mr Davidson is not expected to live long. if this is not Sufficient please write me again
P P Lovejoy
J Minot
Comiss

Page 27

29274

John Davidson's
application
for Pension

Hon. R H Wilde

Page 28

Declaration in Order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congrefs of the 7th June 1832.
State of Georgia}
Jasper County} On this Twenty first day of January in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open Court before the Superior Court of said County now sitting John Davidson a resident of said County + State aged 73 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 Congrefs passed June 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States and (volunteering) in the month of August in the year Seventeen Hundred and Seventy Six under the following officers and served as herein stated to wit, Col. Thomas Branan, Maj. Benjamin Jolly, Capt. James Crawford - served a Term of three months and was drafted several time - and was under Col Roebuck at Orangeburg (sent by Genl. Greene to guard some Prisoners in jail) and was in the service in all Three years and six months - That he resided in Union District South Carolina at the time he entered the service. That he was under Colonel Pickens at the Battle of the Cowpens and in an engagement against the Tories - commanded by Cunningham and that he marched through the adjacent Country - and that he was in the service absent constantly - till the close of the war. That he has no documentary Evidence of the service but the Certificate of Gilbert Shaw hereunto annexed his fellow Soldier which he offers as evidence of his service

He hereby relinquishes any claims 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 in the Union
John Davidson
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Edward Price J.J.C.
Reuben C Shorter J J C
J C Gibson J J C

Page 29

Georgia}
Jasper County} We Jeremiah Lumsden a Clergyman residing in the County aforesaid and Aris Newton residing in the same - do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Davidson - who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - That we believe him to be Sixty seven years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Jerimiah Lumsden M.G.
Aris Newton
Edward Price JJC
Reuben C Shorter JJC
J C Gibson JJC

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 further certifies that it appears to them that Jeremiah Lumsden who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman - resident in said County and State - and that Arix Newton Esqr. who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place and is a credible person - and that their statement is entitled to credit
Edward Price JJC
Reuben C Shorter JJC
J C Gibson JJC

I Gilbert Shaw of said County and State do certify that John Davidson the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served a part of the above specified time with me in the militia of the State of South Carolina.
Gilbert Shaw
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the day and year above written.
Edward Price JJC
Reuben C Shorter JJC
J C Gibson JJC

Page 30

Georgia}
Jasper County} I Robert Kellum, Clerk of the Inferior court of the County + State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Davidson for a Pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 21st day of January 1833.
Robert Kellum Clerk

Page 31

Revy mtt

J R DAVIDSON
TREASURER JASPER COUNTY
MONTICELLO, GEORGIA

Monticello, Ga., MAY 24, 1921
[Round stamp mark]
U. S. PENSION OFFICE
D
MAY 
27
1921

COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.
SIR:
WILL YOU SEND ME A STATEMENT OF THE MILITARY HISTORY OF JOHN DAVIDSON, REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONER, WHO DIED IN JASPER COUNTY, GA.?
RESPECTFULLY
J R Davidson