Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4934, John Davis, Penn.

Page 1

Davis, John            W. 4934
Ann

Page 2

State of Ohio Franklin County JS
On this 18th day of November in the year of our Lord 1839 persona
lly appeared before one Samuel G Flanakin a judge of the court 
of Common please in and for said County Ann Davis a resident 
in the County and State aforesaid aged Seventy five years the 
29th day of December next who being duly sworn according to 
law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order
to obtain life benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress
passed July 7th 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and 
pensions to certain widows, that she is the widow of John 
Davis who was a private in the Army of the American Revo
lution, he went out in the Malitias [sic] of Bucks County Pennsylvania
as a substitute for his father in August 1776 under Captain Jacob 
Drake and Major William Baxtor he was at Amboy and Fort
Washington he served a four month tour in this service. In the
year 1777 he enlisted in the standing Army and served in Captain 
Bullers Company in Col. Bullers Regiment in the Pennsylvania
line afterwards transfered into Captain MClellans [sic] Company
of light infantry that he served in said time until some time
in the year 1780 when he was honorably discharged in consequence
of a wound he received in the foot while in service at a blockhouse
near Fort Lee on the Hudson River which discharge is lost. 
He afterwards went and in the Militia of Bucks County to 
guarde [sic] [juiblier?] stores at Newtown Bucks County Pennsylvania. 
The foregoing declaration is true to the best of her knowledge
and belief. 
She further declares that she was married to the said 
John Davis on the 26th day of June 1783 that her husband the aforesaid 
John Davis died on the 25th day January 1832 that she was not
married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took
place previous to the First of January 1794 [?] at the time above
stated and that she [hasn't?] since married Ann Davis
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written
[?]    Saml G Flenniken

Page 3

I do hereby certify that Mrs. Davis is not able to 
open court from bodily infirmity without indangering [sic] her
health.     Samuel G. Flenniken

The State of Ohio Franklin County to
I Lyne Starling a Clerk of the Court of Com
mon Pleas within and for said county do hereby certify 
that Samuel G. Flenniken Esqr. whose signature is 
affixed to the forgoing certificates is now an voting
associate judge of the court of common please of said
county [? ? ] and qualified as much and to all 
of whose official acts full faith and credit and are 
in testimony whereof I have [? ? ]
[?] my name and affixed the seal of said court as Columbus this 23rd day of
November Ad 1839  
Att
Lyne Starling  Clerk

Page 4

State of Pennsylvania
Bucks County, [?]

I Elias Gilkison [?]
of the court of Common Please in and
for the county of Bucks and state 
of Pennsylvania do hereby certi
fy that Peter Gwinner Esqr.

Page 5

John Davis and Ann Simpson of 
Buck [?] were married the 26th
26"day of June 1783  Pr. Pub: 

I do hereby certify that the 
above is a true extract from the
records of the Presbyterian Church 
in Newtown Bucks. Co. Pa. 
Robert D. Morris Pastor
Newtown Pa. Octover 27 1838.

Page 6

4730
Ohio . Cincinnatti
Ann Davis
widow of John Davis
Pen"
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars
cents per annum, to commence on 
the 4th day of March, 1848. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of April 1849. 
and sent to 
J. E. Dow
[Poeseut?]

on Roll of Pensioners under act
2. 1848, Page 339 Vol. 4

1883 May 25 W.W. H. Davis  [but?] few [scatter?]
return of Pen" Treaty & John Davis not found
sent reference to payt to [?] John Davis 
to ask him to find it in Auditor Genl
office of Penn"

Page 7

August 5, 1932
John Davis - W. 4934
xxx
BA-J / MMHF

Mrs. Garland R. Ferrell 
310 E. Elm Street
Wichita, Kansas

Dear Madam; 

The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file 
in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, W. 4934, based upon the
military service of John Davis in that war. 

John Davis was born in 1760. 

He entered the service as a substitute for his father (name not
stated) in August, 1776, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and served
four months as a private under Captain Jacob Drake. he enlisted
in 1777 in Captain Butler's Company, Colonel Butler's 3rd Pennsyl-
vania Regiment, was transferred to Captain McLellan's Company of 
Light Infantry and served until in 1780 when he was discharged on
account of a wound in his foot, received at a block house near Fort
Lee on the Hudson River. In 1780 he was commissioned ensign of a 
company of foot, Second Battalion of Militia of said Bucks County. 

He died January 21 or 25, 1832. 

Soldier married June 26, 1783, Ann Simpson, of Buckingham, 
state not given. She was born December 29, 1764. 

Soldier's widow, Ann, was allowed pension on her application
executed November 18, 1839, while a resident of Franklin County, 
Ohio. 

She died about 1848. 

One son, John Davis, House of Representatives, in 1840, was 
referred to: also a grandson, W. W. H. Davis, commissioned officer in
two wars, living in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, in 1878. 

In 1839, one John Simpson was a resident of Bucks County, Penn-
sylvania; no relationship to the widow shown. 

Very truly yours

A. D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator.

Page 8

Senator Wallace in form - 
papers have been acct. 
[solicitor?]

1913, May 31. History to 
Hon. Louis Fitz Henry, H. of R. Fm. 

1923 - Jan. 29 - Hist. to Mrs. I. S. 
Fendrick - MMH

1932 - Aug 5 - Hist. to Mr. 
Garland R. Ferrell - 
Letter in case Louis
Green - S. 31080 - EEA

[Next page]

Revy WIDOW, &c. 

File No. 4934
Anna Davis 
Wid. 
John Davis
Pvt. Rev. Was[illegible]
Act. Feby. 2nd/78
Index: Vol. A, Page 167
Arrangement of 1870. 

[Next page]

Mar 12/78
ed. that

Page 9

[Page 1]

6404
Ann Davis
of John 
Ohio. 
[Pennsylvania struck through]

Page 10

Ann Davis
of John 
Pennyslvania
Suspended
[strikethrough] See let; 7th; See
[strikethrough] 1839 Nov. J. Ridgway
[strikethrough] let. 19 through 1840
[strikethrough] Nov. J. Davis

Act 4 July 1838

Page 11

[Left Margin] [?] See Set

[Right Margin] 4167
Cincinati [sic], Ohio
Ann Davis
widow of John Davis
who died on the 21 Jany. 1832
of Franklin in the State of Ohio 
who was a Pri in the Co commanded 
by Captain [blank] for the [blank] commanded
by [blank] in the [blank]
line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Cincinnati
at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 & Ending Jan 21 32
when he died
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of Feb
1845 and sent to
Hon. Ro. Smith
Arrears to the 4th of H R S
Semi-annual allowance ending
J. 
Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836
Section the 2nd
Recorded by F. L. Swann, clerk, 
Book C Vol. 1 Page 191

Page 12

[Left Margin]: 
Ohio 5182
Ann Davis
widow of John Davis, decd. 
who was a pensioner under the Act of [blank]
and who died on the 25 January 1832
of Franklin in the State of Ohio
who was a private in the company commanded 
by Captain McClelland of the [unit?] commanded
by Col Butler in the Penna. 
line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Cincinnati
at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of March 
1840, sent to Hon. John 
Davis, H. Reps. 
Arrears to teh 4th of Mar 1840 $320.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep. 40 $40.00
$360.00
Act July 7, 
1838. 
Recorded by D. McCurdy, clerk
Book A, Vol 2, Page 216

[Right Margin]:
Reported 
24 Mar 18[??]

Page 13

[Left Margin]:
Papers under 
2nd See Act of
July 4 '36. within
[?] to agt. 18 Feb. '45, 
& sent to Hon Ro Smith 
Ho. of Reps. 
See letter to Hon. R. Smith H. R. 
Feb. 22nd 1845 - Pen cut
sent to him Feb. 26 1845

[Right Margin:]
Ohio 2488
Ann Davis
widow of John Davis
who was a Private
in the Pennsylvania line
for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of Eighty Dollars -- 
cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 
twenty seventh day of October 1823
and sent to Alexander Ray 
Present 
Act of march 3, 1843. 
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 Page 157

Page 14

Apl 21 '49
Mrs. Ann Davis
widow

Mr Cole
LL188

J E Dow

Page 15

State of Ohio, Franklin County J. 
On this the 14th
day of April AD1849 personally appeared before me 
G. W. Evans a Justice of the Peace of the County 
of Franklin aforesaid Ann Davis a resident of 
6. 7Perry Township in recd[?] County of Franklin and 
State of Ohio aged Eighty four years who being just 
duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make
the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits
of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed on 
the 2d. February 1848 granting pensions to widows of 
persons who served during the Revolutionary War -- 
that she is the widow of John Davis, deceased who
was a private in the Revolutionary War - having enlisted
in A. D. 1777 in Captain Butler's Company in Co. Butler
Regiment in the Pennsylvania line, afterwards was
transferred into Captain McLellan's company of light 
Infantry and served until some time in the year AD
1780. And she further declares that she received a 
pension of Eighty dollars per annum under the Act of 
Congress passed June 17th 1844. 
She further declares that she is still a widow. 
Attest G W Evans        Anne Davis
Samuel S Davis
From to and subscribed on the day and year first above 
written before me. And I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the afore named acclaiment - Ann Davis
and know her to be the very person she represents herself in 
above declaration. And I certify further that in line 6. from top and "Washington" was erased and "Perry" inserted before signing. 
E M Evans JP   Seal

Page 16

Office of the Clerk of Franklin Common Pleas, 
Columbus, Ohio, April 17 A. D. 1849, 
The State of Ohio, Franklin County, ss. 
I, Lewis Heyl, Clerk of the Court of
Common Please within and for the said country and
State, certify that G. W. Evans
before, and after the date of the annexed 
certificate was and still is an 
acting Justice of the Peace, in and for said county
duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission
was dated on the 27th day of November
A. D. 1848 and will expire on the 27th day of November
A. D. 1857; that the signature attached to said certificate and 
affidavit and purporting to be his, is true and genuine; and that full faith
and credit are due and given, both in and out of Judicature, to all of his official acts
as such Justice of the Peace. 
Witness my hand, and the Seal of said Court, the day and year first above
written
L. Heyl Clerk. 

I, James L. Torbert President Judge of the Court of Common
Please, within and for the Country of Franklin, and State of Ohio, certify that
Lewis Heyl is Clerk of said Court; that his attestation above is in due form of law, 
and that to all acts by him so done full faith and credit are and ought to be given in 
Judicature and thereout. 
Dated April 17th A. D. 1849. 
J. L. Torbert President Judge.

Page 17

Original de-
livered to a son 
of the claimant

Page 18

Copy, 

In the name and by the authority of
the Freemen of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, 
The Supreme Executive Council, 
of the said Commonwealth, 
To John Davis, Gentleman, 
We, [repasing?] especial Trust and Con-
fidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Con-
duct and Fidelity, Do by these Presents
constitute and appoint you as the Ensign
of a Company of foot in the Second Bat-
talion of Milita, in the County of Bucks. 
You are therefore carefully and diligently
to discharge the Duty of Ensign by 
doing and performing all Manner of 
things therein to belonging. And We
do strictly charge and require all Of-
ficers and Soldiers under your Command, 
to be obedient to your orders as Ensign, 
And you are to observe and follow such
Orders and Directions as you shall from 
Time to Time receive from the Supreme
Executive Council of this Commonwealth
__ Superior Officers, according to the Rules and Discipline of War and in Pur-
suance ___ of Assembly of this State. 
This Commission to continue in Force
until your ___ Laws of this State 
shall

[Left Margin:]
The blank spaces are accounted for by the [fars?], that the
original [Inasser?] has been mutilated.

Page 19

shall of Course expire. 
Given in Council, under the hand of the 
Vice President, and ____ the State, at 
Philadelphia, this first day fo ___ in 
the Year of our Lord One Thousand
Seven hundred and eighty ___. 

No 1
Attest
John Armstrong Jr. Secty. 
On the Margin, signed James Ewing. 

[Bottom section:]
Commission
From File No. 4934
Pension Office

Original sent to
grandson W. W. H. 
Davis, Davistown 
Pa. march 8 / 78

Page 20

Copy 

Bucks [SS?], I do hereby certify that 
John Davis hath voluntarily taken and 
subscribes the Oath of Allegiance and 
Fidelity, as directed by an act of General
Assembly of Pennsylvania, passed the 
first day of October, A. D. 1779, 
Witness my Hand and Seal the 18th Day
of October A. D. 1779. 
(Signed) John Chapman.

Page 21

State of Ohio
Franklin County 

On this 12th day of July 1843 personally 
appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said
County, Ann Davis, a resident of Perry Township in the
County of Franklin and State of Ohio aged Seventy
nine years 29th day of Dec. 1843. 
Who being just duly sworn according to law doth
on her oath make the following declaration in order to 
obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of 
Congress passed on the 3rd March 1843 granting pensions
to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary 
War that she is widow of John Davis who was a private 
in the army of the Revolution and the annual amount 
of the Pension she received under the Act of July 7th 1838
was Eighty dollars. 
She further declares that she is still 
the widow of John Davis.                         Ann Davis
The day and year above writen before me
and I further declare that Mrs. Ann Davis 
the signer to the above declaration is personally 
known to me. 
Wm. Mitchell, Justice of the Peace (Seal)

The State of Ohio Franklin County
I by me stating for Clerk of the Court
of Common Peace in and for the
county aforesaid do certify that Wm. Mitchell
Esqr. whose name is subscribed above is and
was at the time of signing the same a Justice 
of the Peace for said County, duly commissioned
and qualified - and further that I am well aq-
quainted with the hand writing of said Mitchell
and verify below the above signature 
to be genuine -
Witness my Hand & Seal of Office
this 12th day of July 1840 Lynn Starling, Jr. Clerk

Page 22

Copy sent to grandson 
W. W. H. Davis, [?]
Pa. March 8 / 78

Page 23

On the 24th day of January AD 1839 personally
came before me [illegible] as one of the Justice of 
the Peace as for Bucks County [Revd?] Robert
D Morris above mentioned who [illegible] solemn
oath duly administered according to law who as the
afore stated that the foregoing is an [example taken?]
from the Records of the Presbyterian Church of of elections
Bucks County an [illegible]
Robert D. Morris.

Page 24

State of Penn a
Bucks County P

Personally appeared before the 
subscriber a Justice of the Peace of Bucks County
John Spimpson Esquire aged 72 years who being duly sworn according 
to Law says that he was acquainted with John
Davis of Solebury Township Bucks County and
knows that he was in the service of the United States
as a private soldier during the War of the Revolution
but cannot tell as to the time he served in said
war, that he was out during the war at several 
periods, but cannot testify as to the duration of any
of said periods.                          John Simpson
Sworn & Subscribed
before me January 23
1839. 
Intertimation in 3 line made before
signing
John Pugh J. P. 
I John Pugh Esquire before whom the
above affedavit was taken do certify that John Simpson
Esquire above named is a credible person and that his statement is
entitled to credit. 
John Pugh J. P.
I Elias Gilkyson [Pro?] of the Court of 
Common Pleas in and for the County of
Bucks and State of Pennsylvania, do 
certify that John Pugh before whom the 
foregoing acknowledgement was taken
was at the time of taking the same and now is a regular 
commissioned Justice of the Peace in and for said.

Page 25

County and has been duly qualified as such and I 
verify herein the signature to be his. 
[illegible] I have herein to 
set my hand and seal [illegible]
twenty third day of January A. D. 1837
Elias Gilkyson, [Prott?]

Page 26

War Dept. Pen Office
Dec. 7th 1839

Sir, 
The papers in the case 
of Mrs. Ann Davis widow of John 
Davis, dect. have been examined
and filed with suspended cases. 
Besides militia service, it is alleged
that he enlisted for three years
in the Pennsylvania line under Capt. 
Butler and Colonel Butler, from 
1777. It would appear from one of
the papers that he took the oath 
of allegiance in Bucks Co. in October 1779. 
From this circumstance it is inferred
that he did not belong to the regular
army at that time. If he served as
an enlisted soldier his pension should
be proved by witness from personal 
knowledge. The militia pension was
in terms of the months duration, [here?]
hundreds could not therefore have some 
more than that term in 1776. Each
term of actual service as a militia man

Page 27

should be partially specified and 
sworn to by witnesses who had a 
personal knowledge of the service. 
Evidence of the claiment identity
as the widow of John Davis who was
a revolutionary soldier should also be 
exhibited. 
Wm. Ridgway
Dec. 27 1839
[P. C.?]
Hon. J. Ridgway
N. R. 
6404 
Oct. 7 July 18

Page 28

Hon. J. Davis
19 March 1860
OC

Page 29

War Dept. Pen Office
March 19, 1840
Sir, 
The affidavit of Peter
D Cattell in the case of Mrs. Ann
Davis widow of John davis decd. 
is hereiwth retained to you if you
will testify to his

Page 30

No 933 Certificate for L 15.2.10 1/2 Specie

We do certify, that the State of Pennsylvania is indebted to John
Davis a Private of the Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment in the
sum of Fifteen Pounds two Shillings Ten pence 1/2  Specie, with
lawful intent from the tenth day of April 1781 being the amount
of the residue of the Depreciation of his pay. Pursuant to two
Acts of Assembly [taped?] at Philadelphia the 18th of December 1780
and the 10th of April 1781                               A. Fowler
Pittsburg 6th September 1781                      Wm Anderson

___________________________________

Auditory Generals Office
November 27th 1839
I Certify that the foregoing is a correct copy of the original on 
file in this office. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand, and Seal of Office the day & year aforesaid. 
Geo N Espy
Auditor Genl.

Page 31

Washington July 19th 1843
Sir
I enclose an application from Mrs 
Ann Davis of Ohio. for the benefit by the act
3 March 1843. 
Mrs. Davis recd a pension under act
1838 at the rate of eighty dollars per annum as the 
widow of John on the Ohio roll. 
I am Yours
Most Respectfully
Alex Ray

J L Edwards Esq
Court of Pensions

Page 32

House of Rep Feby 25th 1845
Sir
In reflection I find the pension 
papers sent me a few dozn since 
returned by me are duly [directed?]
I had kept no memorandum about 
it the [recoments?] expecting from your office
the papers in the care of Ms. McLean
I [inclined?] the papers of Mrs. Davis - 
will you please return the some to 
me Much Oblige Your Obt Servt
Robert Smith 
Hon J L Edwards
Court of Pensions

Page 33

House of Representatives
Washington, February 1st 1845
Sir
You will receive herewith, an application
made by the widow of John Davis deceased claiming
a pension in the right of her husband for the Act 7th
June 1832. 
I remain 
Very Respectfully Yours
Robert Smith 


James L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Page 34

Peter D Cattel of Upper Makefield Township
in the County of Burks and State of Pennsylvania
do solemnly, sincerely, and strictly declare and affirm
that I was personally acquainted with John Davis
of the same place during the Revolutionary War
and that we were raised in the same neighborhood
and that he served a tour of [seven?] months in the
Militia of the State aforesaid after which eh en
listed in the Army of the United States, I believe 
for the term of three years and that it was a matter
of public [notoriety?] in the neighborhood that he 
was in the Service of the United State and active
in that service that achieved our Independence
and that he was born some time in the year [AD?]
1760 and further he said not. 
Peter D Cattell 

Burks County To. 
March 12th 1840 Before me the [illegible] a 
Justice of the peace in and for said County 
personally appeared the above deposant Peter D
Cattel, and upon his solemn affirmation did
say that the facts stated in the above affidavit
were strictly true. 
[With?] my hand I [Swear?]
Lemen Banes [seal holder]

State of Penn.a Bucks County To. 
I John S Bryan as [Pro Honorary?] of the Court
of Common Pleas of Bucks County do hereby certify that 
Lemen Banes before whom the above affidavit was taken was at 
the time of taking the same [illegible] is a Justice of the Peace of Bucks 
County duly commissioned and qualified to [adhere?] such and that
I [really?] believe the signature thereto affirm to be his
In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affirmed the seal of said office of
[Baylertown?] this Sixteenth Day of March A.D. 1840 --
Cors Sellers [illegible]

Page 35

House of Representatives
Washington D. C. March 20 1840
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted 
with the within named Peter D. Cottel
that he is a man of credibility and that
full faith would be given to his acts where
ever [illegible]
I also certify that the within names John 
Davis who was the husband of Ann Davis now
applying for a pension, received a pension from 
the State of Pennsylvania for several years
previous to his death. 
John Davis


pa


Hon. John Davis, H. R.

Page 36

State of Ohio
Franklin County 
Sir
On this 2nd day of January 1845 personally 
appeared before me Zenas Hutchinson a Justice of the Peace in 
and for said County. Mrs. Ann Davis a resident of said County
who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath
state that she received a pension under the act of Congress
of the 7th July 1838 and under the Act 3 march 1843 at the rate
of $80 per annum for the Revolutionary Services of her deceased
husband John Davis as a private soldier and that the said
John Davis died on the 21st day of January 1832 as will be 
shown by the papers on file in her application and she further
declareth that her husband during his lifetime never received 
a pension from the United States. Now the object of this decla-
ration being made is in order to assert a claim as the widow
in right of her husband under the second section of the 
Act 4 July 1836 for the benefit of the Act 7th June 1831 and
for the payment of the amount of Pension from the 4th March 
1831 up to the 21st January 1832 when the said John Davis 
died at the rate of $80 per annum. 
Ann Davis
Sworn to and subscribed on the day
and year first above written before me
and I do hereby further certify that the
signer and declarant above is personally
known to me as the widow of John Davis
deceased and that she received a pension
at the rate of $80 a year under the act
of 1838 and 1843
Zenas Hutchinson Justice of the Peace 

The State of Ohio Franklin County Tp. 
I Lyne Starling Jr. Clerk of the Court of Common Please
within and for said county certify that Zenas Hutchinson 
Esqur. before whom this [forgoing?] affidavit was made
and whose name is subscribed thereto now is, and
was at the doing of the same, an Acting Justice of--

Page 37

the Peace duly commissioned and qualified
as such, and that full faith and credit 
are due to all his official acts as such 
Justice. - And further that the signature 
purporting to be his I believe to be genuine. 
[Within?] my hand and
the seal of said court
at Columbus this 3rd day
of January A.D. 1845. 
Lyne Starling Jr. Clerk

Page 38

Request Compliant
with march 8/78
S. Holtzlander
by approval of W. H. Webster
[seal states] Department of the Interior / Pension Office / Feb. 26 1878

Page 39

thirty years, and I cannot see how
these papers can be of further service - 
I am the grandson of the soldier and 
served as a commissioned officer in two 
wars. If the papers are given to me I will 
preserve them - The gentlemen who 
occupied your chair in your ab-
sense will remember my calling -

Page 40

[Doyletown?] Pa. 
Feby 25 - 1878
[written across] a105
Dear Sir
I called at the Pension 
office last week in your absence to
look at the pension papers in the case of 
Ann Davis, the widow of John Davis, 
a soldier of the Revolution - I requested a 
copy of a statement of his services, his
commission, and his oath of alle-
giance, which were to be ready for
me the next day but I had not time
to call. Be good enough to send them 
to me by mail - I would like to have 
the original commission and oath of
allegiance, and I desire you to present
my request to the commissioner - Ann 
Davis, the pensioner, has been dead

Page 41

thirty years, and I cannot see how
these papers can be of further service- 
I am the grandson of the soldier, and 
served as a commissioned officer in two
wars. If the papers are given to me I will 
preserve them - The gentleman who 
occupied your chair in your ab-
sense will remember my calling -

Page 42

I remain 
Yours Respectfully 
W. W. H. Davis


chief clerk 
Revolutionary Pensions Of.

Page 43

[A series of what looks like call numbers has been written, scrawled and re-written. I'll do my best to transcribe it]
B. A. p R60, 68, 136, 136 [struck through], 173, 174, 196. 
Book B p 9/27, 9/35
Deposition p C 67/2 [struck through], c97/h29 [struck through], C245/h42, 8th/c93/h93 [circled], 8th/c3360/h3-8th
Ann 4934
Capt. 


Doylestown, Pa. 
May 19, 1883. 
Dear Sir, 
You will not have
forgotten my calling at your
office last Wednesday, the 16th
to make inquiry as to the date
of my grandfather's dischar-
ge from the Continental Army- 
In a Roster of the

Page 44

"Now-Commissioned Officers and 
Privates of the Third Pennsyl-
vania regiment, Continental 
Line," I find the following; 
"Davis, John, Captain Butler's 
Company, 1777; transferred to 
Capt. McClellan's; discharged
1781; wounded in the left foot, 
at Block Home; resided in 
Franklin County, Ohio 1829." 
See Penna. Archives, Second Series, 
Vol. 10, page 459. 

July 21; 1780; died in Franklin 
Co. Ohio. 1832.

Page 45

In the application of John 
Davis's widow, for a pension, 
she states that after her husband's 
discharge from the Continental 
Army, he turned out in the Mili-
tia to guard the stores at New- 
town. See copy of Commission 
on file in your office with the last
figure of the year torn off. I 
learn from the life of General 
John Lacey, written by myself, 
Ann Davis,

Page 46

that the militia of this county, 
John Davis's native county, went
to Newtown, the County seat, to 
guard the stores there the latter
part of September 1781. This 
enabled me to fix the year of the
commission; while the exerpt
from x Vol. Penna Archives
fixes the year [underlined] of discharge - If you
can fix the day and month I 
shall be greatly obliged, 
Yours Respectfully
W. W. H. Davis

[Magst?] Wm. H Webster
Chief [O. W. & N Davis?]
Pension Office

Page 47

Louis Fitz Henry 
17th District Illinois
House of Representatives
Washington
May 29, 1913

Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir: - 
If it is possible we would
like very much to procure copy of ap-
plication for pension of Ann Simpson Davis, 
widow of John Davis, who was a Private 
in Capt. William Hart's Company of Bucks 
County, Pa. in 1776; Capt. Thomas Butler's
Company, Third Regiment in 1777; trans-
ferred to Catp. Joseph McClellan's Company, 
9th Regiment in 1780; honorably discharged 
in 1781. John Davis died in 1832 and
his widow applied for a pension about
two years thereafter.

We are unable to ascertain
whether this pension was secured by Mrs. 
Davis as the widow of John Davis (he 
having never applied for a pension) or
for services rendered by Ann Simpson, 
as a messenger for General Washington in 
the years 1779 and 1780. 

My sister is looking up some
matters of family history preparatory 
to filing some supplementary papers in
the D. A. R. and is deirous of procuring 
proof of Ann Simpson having served as 
messenger for General Washington and 
thought perhaps her application for pension
might show this fact. 

Kindly advise what your charges 
are for this service and we will at once
remit. 

Yours respectfully, 
Louis Fitz Henry
C. B. F.

Page 48

Rep Sec

Franklin Co. Pa
Pension Application- 
John Davis enlisted in 1777 in 
Capt. Butler's Company, in Col, 
Butler's Reg't, afterwards trans-
ferred into Capt. McClellan's 
Company of Light Infantry, 
Served in Penna [Svie?] until 1780
was then honorably discharged - 
wounded in foot at Black House 
near Fort See on Hudson River. 

Mercersburg, Pa 
Jan. 1923- 

Pension Dept. 
Will you kindly give 
me any details you have on the 
above John Davis- I will ap-
preciate it- 
(Mrs.) V. S. Fendrick

Page 49

[illegible] 
Old War

Department of the Interior
Pension Office
Washington D. C. May 25, 1883

Sir, 
In reply to your enquiry [sic] of 16th for the date of discharge of John Davis
from the 3d regiment of Pen Troops, Commanded by Col Butler, in the war of the
Revolution, you are advised that this office has but few scattering returns of
Companies of that state, and those have been searched without finding his name- 
The enclosed memorandum of references taken from two alphabetical lists of
payments to officers, solders in that war, furnished by the Auditor General of that State
may enable you to refer directly to the original papers on file in his office, among which you may
find that John Davis of your enquiry [sic] has stated the date of his discharge or in its 
absence, you perhaps can ascertain the same by completing the length of time covered
by the amount paid to him. 
John B. Linn Esq of Bellefonte, Penn formerly Deputy Secretary of State is 
familiar with the state records might be able to aid you... 
Very Respectfully - 
[Mr?] W. W. H. Davis
Doylestown
Penn

Commissioner

Page 50

Rev. War Section
January 29, 1923

Mrs. V. S. Fendrick 
Mercersburg, Pennsylvania

Madam: 
In response to your letter recieved the 6th inst., 
you are advised that from the papers in the Revolutionary 
War pension claim W. 4934 it appears that John Davis was 
born in 1760. 
He entered the service as a substitute for his for
his [sic] father (name not stated) August 1776 in Bucks Coun-
ty, Pennsylvania and served four months as a Private un-
der Captain Jacob Drake. He enlisted in 1777 in Captain Bu-
Butler's Company, Colonel Butler's 3rd Pennsylvania Reg-
iment, was transferred to Captain McLellan's [sic] Company of 
Light Infantry and served until in 1780 when he was dis-
charged on account of a wound in his foot, received at a 
block house near Fort Lee on the Hudson River. In 1780
he was commissioned Ensign of a Company of foot, second 
Battalion of Militia of said Bucks County. He died Jan-
uary 21 or 25, 1832. 
Soldier married June 26, 1783 Ann Simpson of Buck-

Page 51

ingham, born December 29, 1764 and who was allowed pen-
sion on her applicaiton executed November 18, 1839
while a resident of Franklin County, Ohio. She died
about 1848. "A son" is mentioned (no name stated). One 
son John Davis, House of Representatives in 1840 is 
referred to; also a grandson, W. W. H. Davis, Commission-
ed Officer in two wars, was living in Doylestown, Penns-
ylvania in 1878. 
Very Respectfully, 
Commissioner.