Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 17698, Joshua Davis, New York

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Service
New York

Davis, Joshua
Abigail

Number
W17698

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10,101
Connecticut
Joshua Davis
of Fairfield in the state of Connect [Connecticut] who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Livingston of the N. York line, for the term of six years.

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 30th of March, 1818.

Certificate of Pension issued the 20th of Apr. 1819 and sent to Pierpoint Edward, Esq. Bridgeport, Cont.

Arrears to 4th of Mar. 1819.  11 and 6/[illegible]  

Semi-nal. all'ce ending 4th Sept. 1819

89.54 [+] 48 [=] $137.54

{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.}

Continued

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Notification sent to Hon. G. Tomlinson, N.R. 22
Feb. 1821.-

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Joshua Davis
Col. Livingstons
N. York Reg
1776 war
Cor:
30 March [illegible]

The certificate of the Judge as to [illegible] of applicant, is wanting.

[Adm in a circle]

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District of Connecticut

On the 30th day of March A.D. 1818 Joshua Davis of the town County of Fairfield in said District before the Hon. Pierpont Edwards Judge of the District Court, for the District aforesaid, on oath declares, that he entered the service of the United States, in a company commanded by Samuel Sacket, in the 4th regiment of the New York line, under the command of Col. Henry B. Livingston, in the month of November 1776, that he was at the capture of Burgoyne, and in the battle of Monmouth, served in said regiment until the month of April 1778, when he was detained by orders of Gen. Washington and placed under the command of Capt. Caleb Brewster under whom he served to the termination of the revolutionary war; & having entitled to serve during said war, in June 1783, he received a discharge signed by the hand of Gen. Washington, duly and legally countersigned and registered, to which was annexed a certificate of a badge of merit for his faithful service, which discharge he has lost & cannot now produce.

[Signed] Joshua Davis

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District of Connecticut March 30th, 1818

The within named Joshua Davis came before me & in my presence subscribed the aforesaid declaration & made Oath that the same is true.

Pierpont Edwards
District Judge of District

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I Pierpont Edwards District Judge of the District of Connecticut do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that Joshua Davis who made & subscribed the declaration contained in the [illegible] Schedule did serve in the Revolutionary War against the common Enemy as stated in his said declaration & I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me in his case to the Secretary of the Department of war [xx] to an Act of Congress in such case made & provided said proceedings & testimony are continued in the [illegible] schedule May 20th 1818.

Pierpont Edward

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District of Connecticut of Stratford April 21 1819
I Pierpont Edwards District Judge of [illegible] District do Certify that the within named Joshua Davis by reason of his reduced circumstances in Life does stand in need of the assistance of his Country for support.

[Pierpont Edwards]

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Joshua Davis
[illegible]
sus June 27, 1820
10, 101 [circled]
Sept 1819
D. Burr, Esq
Fairfield
Connect.

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District of State of Connecticut for Fairfield County.  On this 14th day of June 1820, personally appeared in open court [illegible] being and having a seal by virtue of the Laws of this state for the County aforesaid Joshua Davis aged sixty four years, resident in Fairfield in the County & State aforesaid who being duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows in the company commanded by Daniel Griffen in the Regiment commanded by Jas. [James] Clinton in the New York line from April 1776 to sometime in the latter part of Nov in the same year when I enlisted into the company of Capt. Saml Sackett in the Regiment under the command of Col. Henry B. Livingston in the New York line, to serve during the War in which Regiment I served about three years, when I was transferred to the Regiment called the 2nd New York regiment commanded by Col. Philip Van Cortland in which Regiment I served until the close of the Revolutionary war, and that I was at the capture of Burgoine and in the Battle of Monmouth & served faithfully until I was honorably discharged, which discharge I have [illegible] & I do further state that during the time aforesaid I was detached from

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the regiment aforesaid and
employed in what was called the whaleboat
service during all which time I was on the
continental establishment that I am on the
pension list and my certificate is numbered
10.101 and I the said Joshua Davis do
solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day
of March 1818, and that I have not since
that time, by gift, sale or in any manner
disposed of my property or any part thereof
with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to
bring myself within the act of Congress to
provide for certain persons engaged in the
land & naval service of the United States
in the Revolutionary war “passed on the 18th
day of March, 1818; & that I have not nor
has any person in trust for me, any prop‐
erty or securities, contracts or debts due to me
nor have I any income other than what is
contained in the Schedule hereto annexed
and by me subscribed, except my bedding
and cloathing excepted.

	Schedule.
Three Acres of brier pasture poor — $
One old horse & 14 rods of land — 
One cow about 13 years old -
One swine weighing about 150 lbs. alive -
4 hens & 8 geese, one old hoe,
8 old chairs — 2 tables, very old

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One case of chestnut drawers. 1 looking glass distributed to me at 50 cts.-- two old earthen tea pots, & six tea cups & saucers. 1 meat cask. two old cider Bbls. [not sure if this is a barrel?] one washing tub. One old chest. -- five or six old knives & forks, & 1 butcher knife -- Also the use during my life of two acres & an half of land belonging to my wife, worth $10.__ amount in value found by the Court -- $112.25
                                  Joshua Davis [signature]
              And I do further State that I am by occupation a Tailor, but in consequence of loss of sight and general infirmity I have not been able to find employment for more than one day in a  week on an average since the last of December 1819 -- that in consequence of the severe service which I performed during the war I have a confirmed lameness in my left leg and am sometimes so lame in my back as to be almost unable to rise from my chair -- that my wife Abigail is sixty years of age and in consequence of repeated and severe attacks of the cramp is unable to perform much labor --that I have four daughters & one son, 3 of my daughters being married & one named Eunice is unmarried & resides in my family & is dependent on me for support together with a grandchild named Eliza Davis, whom I am liable to  support & who resides in my family -- sworn to, declared & subscribed on the day & year aforesaid --- Joshua Davis [signature]
Whereupon said Court is, on Satisfactory proof  made in Court, of opinion that the total amount in value of the property described in the aforesaid schedule, is one hundred and twelve dollars & twenty five cents; and doth order these proceedings to be entered in the record of said Court ---
Attest David Burr Clerk

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[Much of this is printed text, with some spaces where additional information is supposed to be filled in]
State of Connecticut, ss.   __Fairfield County__
I DAVID BURR, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Fairfield, in the said State, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court, and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule __of Joshua Davis is one hundred & twelve__ Dollars __twenty five cents.__

In testimony whereof I have herunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Fairfield, this    __14th__  day of   __June ---AD__   1820.

__David Burr__[signature]   Clerk of the County Court for said County of Fairfield.

[Then, at the bottom of the page...]

District and State of Connecticut, ss.  __Fairfield June 14th, 1820__

I ROBERT FAIRCHILD, Chief Judge of the County Court for the County of Fairfield, in said State, do certify that DAVID BURR, Esq. is the Clerk of said Court, duly appointed and sworn; and that the said Court is a Court of record, made so by the statute laws of said State; that it proceeds according to the course of the common law, has a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, with  the power of fine and imprisonment, and keeps a record of its proceedings.
__Robert Fairchild__[signature]
Chief Judge of the County Court for the County of Fairfield.

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Let. M. H. Wilson Jan 18/56

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[This is a printed form, in italics, with blank spaces to be filled in. Towards the end, the prompts were ignored and other information, much of which is illegible, was added]
650
21 Sept 1837
Connecticut
Abigail Davis
widow of Joshua
who died on the 25th January 1833
of Fairfield in the State of Connt
who was a private in the [no entry] commanded
by Captain [no entry] of the Regt commanded 
by Col Livingston in the N.Y
line for 6 years N.Y.

Inscribed on the Roll of Hartford
at the rate of 96 Dollars 00 Cents
per annum, to commence on the first day of 
[March 18 is crossed out] July 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of March 1837 and sent to 
Isaac Sherman
Bridgeport
Fairfield Co;
[Cet: or let: can't figure it out]
{Incd [perhaps means included or includes] from [illegible]
under [maybe] [initials?] Resv. of July 1 1848{
[italic print:] Arrears to the 4th of [no entry]
[italic:] Semi-annual allowance ending [no entry]
{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3d}
Recorded by H R Weightman
Book D,  Vol. 2  Page 22[illegible too dark]
anc 77

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State of Connecticut County of Fairfield [cfs?] Bridgeport
On this first day of October AD1836 
Personally appeared before the Probate Court in & for the District of Stratford in said County Abigail Davis a resident of the Town of Newtown in said County and State aforesaid aged 75 years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4th 1836--
That her late Husband Joshua Davis enlisted the service of the United States in the early part of the Revolutionary War at Newhaven in the County of Newhaven and State of Connecticut, during the War and served until the Peace in 1783 does not Remember what company or Regiment or  the names  of the officers her Husband  belonged to he was at the Burning of Fairfield in 1779 soon after which she became acquainted with him and he was with the troops in a Whale Boat in Servic in and about said Fairfield until the close of the War, and that she was marrid to said Davis January 1st 1783 by the Revd Andrew Elliott the ordained Pastor over the Congregational Society of said Fairfield and that at the time She was Married her Husband had been taken from the Land Service into a Company under command of Capt Caleb Brewster to go to & from said Fairfield to Long Island for the purpose of watching and getting Information from the enemy, which service was performed in the Whale Boat; Remembers her Husband [illegible smudge] before and after they were Married [illegible smudge] often as once or twice

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a Week and continued in said Whaleboat service until the Pe[ace] [illegible smudge]mbers Seeing his discharge but does [illegible smudge] where it is now-- that [illegible smudge] service was Regular and constant during the War and the Reason She has heard her husband say was that he was selected to go in the Whale Boat with Capt Brewster because he was a Long Illand man as also was Capt Brewster originally from Long Island and her husband being acquainted with the Harbours there, caused him to be taken from the Land service and put in to this--
That her Husband was a Pensioner of the United States on the Con Agency and drew $96 per year and to his application at Washington She now refers and claims she is now entitled to a full Pension on a/c [account?] of her husbands service as a Private Soldier - that her husband died in the Town of Fairfield on  the 25th day of January 1833 & was married as she has before stated that she was born 1761 in the Town of Fairfield allways lived in said Fairfield until about a year since removed to New Town - has a Record of her age on her Bible at home 
That her Husband was born in the Town of Brook Haven on Long Island in1757. has also a Record  of his age that her Husband came from Long Island & Newhaven and there entered the service was discharged at said Fairfield as she believes was called into Service as a Volunteer as a Private -- Soldier -- ant that She has never married Since to any other man
Abigail Davis
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day

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and year first above written --
Mark Moore Judge
And the new Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogation presented by the war department that the above named applicant is the widow of the said Joshua Davis who was a revolutionary Soldier & served in the states
Attest R. S. Nichols, Clk   Mark Moore Judge
I hereby certify that Abigail Davis the above named applicant exhibited to me her family Bible of which the following is a copy of a record in said Bible Joshua Davis Born April 5th 1757 Abigail Redfield Born Nov 11th 1761 Joshua Davis married to Abigail Redfield January 1st 1783 
Phebe Davis daughter to Joshua & Abigail Davis Born December 10th 1783 James Davis Born October 10th 1786 Sarah Davis Born Nov. 3rd 1789
Mark Moore Judge
I Roswell S. Nichols, Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the new Court in the matter of the application of Abigail Davis for a pension In Testimony whereof I have herewith set my name and seal of office this first day of October AD1836
Attest. R S Nichols, Clerk

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State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield}[cfs, or css, or ss] Bridgeport
I Roswell S Nichols Clerk of the Probate Court in and for the District of Stratford in said County & State afforesaid hereby Certify that Isaac Sherman & Thomas B Osborn are both Justices of the Peace in and for said Fairfield County duly commissioned and qualified, that their commissions will expire in June 1837. and I certify that their Signatures & the Depositions of Saml Rowland, Lyman N. Atwater, Sara Norton Abel Turney, James Penfield, Esther Burr, Mary Hobart & Eben Dimons 2 depositions are all their Genuine Signatures--
Given under my hand and the Seal of said Court the 27th day of December AD 1836
Attest, R. S Nichols, Clerk

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Town of Fairfield in Fairfield County of the State of Connecticut.
I hereby certify that the Rev. Andrew Elliott former Pastor of the First [Church in Fair - is crossed out] Congregational Church in the town of Fairfield of Fairfield County State of Connecticut, who was ex officio keeper of the records of said Church,  has therein made a record that Joshua Davis of Long Island and Abigail Redfield of Greenfield were married by him 1st Jany. 1783.
Attest. Lyman H Atwater
Present Pastor of said Church

Here follows a copy of the original record.
Joshua Davis of Long Island and Abigail Redfield of Greenfield were married 1st Jany 1783-
[illegible-perhaps Pr] Andrew Elliott V.D.M.

[smudge] foregoing to be a true copy from the Re [illegible-smudge] Congregational Church in the town of Fairfield, Fairfield County, State of Connecticut, kept by the Pastor of said church, & now in my possession.
Lyman H. Atwater
Present Pastor of said Church

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County} [fs. or ss.] Personally appeared the Rev. Lyman H. Atwater to me well known as the Pastor of the First Congregational Church in Fairfield in said County and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing Certificate by him subscribed - Before me Thomas B Osborne Justice of Peace

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Sarah Norton the wife of George Norton of the Town of New Town in Fairfield County State of Connecticut. aged 47 Years Deposeth and saith that she is the daughter of Joshua Davis (a Pensioner of the United States) late of the Parish of Greenfield in the Town of Fairfield in said County and State afforesaid decased [deceased] - says She remembers hearing her Father in his life time often telling about his service in the Revolution and that he enlisted and served during the War, and that he served under Major Talmadge and that he was taken from the land service frequently to go in a Whale Boat under Capt Caleb Brewster of said Fairfield to go to Long Island and remembers of his telling about his being in said Whale Boat Service after he was married to my mother remembers hearing her father say he was discharged in said Town of Fairfield on the Publick Green at the time the Peace was established also testified that her Father the said Joshua Davis died in said Greenfield in the Town of Fairfield in the Winter of 1833. of the dropsy, died Suddenly sitting in his chair does not know the cause of his disease was unwell for many years before his death
                                           Sarah Norton
State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield   } [cfs] Bridgeport November 11th 1836 personally appeared Sarah Norton and Subscribed and made oath to the Truth of the above Deposition who I certify is a credible Witness known to me -- Sworn and subscribed before me
                      Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.              3-525
          ------------
     DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
W17698     BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
                     Washington, D. C. , _______, 19____

In reply to your request of _________, received ___
for a statement of the military history of Joshua Davis, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired infromation as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. [a table follows: I will try to convey the information as best I can]
[the columns are:] [1]DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. [2]LENGTH OF SERVICE. [3]RANK. [4 and 5]OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. [6]STATE. [The OFFICERS column is subdivided into 2 additional columns, labeled] [4]CAPTAIN. [and 5]COLONEL. [There are three rows. Row 1 contains the following information:] [Col 1] Apr. 1776 to [Col 2] Nov. 1776 [Col 3] Pvt. [Col 4]David Griffing [Col 5] James Clinton [Col 6] N. Y. [Row 2] [C1] Nov. 1776 to [C2] Aug. 1778 [C3 is blank] [C4] Samuel Sacket [C5] Henry B. Livingston [C6 is blank] [Row 3] [C1] Aug. 1778 to [C2] June 1783 [C3 is blank] [C4] Caleb Brewster [C5] Philip Van Cortland [C6 is blank]. [At the bottom of the table is the following note:] The above noted is the only Joshua Davis of the New York Troops found in the Rev. War records of this Bureau [followed by a cryptic note stating:] another - 11.2701
[written to the left of the table from top to bottom in three lines on the left margin:] Office note--For officers of 1" service, See New York Archives p. 40. [2nd line:] For soldiers 2 service, see New York Archives p. 49- [3rd line:] See memo on back of this about 3" Service- over-
[Back to printed text and cursive script ]
[printed]Battles engaged in, [cursive] at capture of Burgoyne, Monmouth, at burning of Fairfield.
[printed] Residence at of soldier at enlistment, [cursive] Long Island N.Y.
[printed] Date of application for pension, [cursive] Mar. 30 1818. This claim was allowed.
[printed] Residence at date of application, [cursive] Fairfield, Fairfield Co. Conn.
[printed] Age at date of application, [cursive] He was born at Brook Haven Long Island, N.Y. Apr. 5 1757- and died in Greenfield Parish, Fairfield, Conn. Jan. 25, 1833.
[printed] Remarks: [cursive] Sol. mar.[ried] at Fairfield Conn. Jan. 1, 1783, Abigail Redfield of said Greenfield Parish, she was born in Fairfield Conn. Nov 11. 1761. She was allowed pension on her ap. ex. Oct. 1, 1836 while living in Newtown, Fairfield Co. Conn. She died Sept. 21, 1851. Children Phebe b. Dec. 10, 1783, James b. Oct. 10 1786, Sarah b. Nov. 3, 1789 she mar- George Norton, Eunice. In 1820 sol. referred to three married daughters names not stated, and a grandchild Eliza Davis
[The rest is printed text:]  Respectfully,
                                                Commissioner.
6--2856

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N.Y. in the Rev. shows Joshua Davis . p 32 in 2" Regt. N.Y. Line as he states and said Regt. see p. 29 was commanded by Col Philip Van Cortland and there was a Lieut Caleb C. Bruster in it, see p. 29-(no dates)
and
Colonial Hist. of N.Y. Archives p. 211, gives Caleb Brewster of 2" Co. 4" N.Y. Regt. as Ensign, commander of U.S. Revenue Cutter at Fairfield, Conn. (no dates) & P. Van Cortland com, the 4" N.Y. and the 2" N.Y. also- see Heitman.
So I did not put in anything about Sheldons regt as neither the soldier nor Capt. Brewster refer to it in their testimony - and I did not use nos. of the regts as sol. probably transposed them
AW. Feb. 14, 1917

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Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 17698
Abigail Davis
Widow of
Joshua Davis
[unintelligible] Rev War
_______________

Act: July 4th 36
Index:--Vol. A, Page 171
Arrangement of 1870.

Page 25

1917, Feb. 14. [illegible] to Mrs [illegible-too dark]
1918, Aug. 9. [illegible]. to Mrs D. Lester Smith [illegible]
1921 Apr. 20 Mrs. D. Lester Smith- that only one record is furnished[?-I think]

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Connecticut 650
Abigail Davis
widow of Joshua Davis
who died on the 25 January 1833
of Fairfield Co. in the State of Connecticut
who was a Private in the [blank space] commanded by Captain [blank space] of the Regt. commanded by Col. Livingston in the N York line for Six years

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 80 Dollars _______ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of March 1837 and sent to Hon. G. Tomlinson, Present

Arrears to the 4th of March '37           480.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending la[st?] Sep. 40.00
                                                              --------
                                                            $520.00
                                                              --------
{Revolutionary Claim,
 Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3.---}
Recorded by D. Brown              Clerk
Book ------   Vol. / ----- Page 77

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Pension Office, Jan 17, 1856
The Third auditor will please certify [illegible] the date to which Joshua Davis, and Abigail Davis (the within named pensioners) were paid
Very respectfully
R. McRae
[illegible] Commissioner


3rd auditor's office
Jan'y 18, 1856
Sir,
Joshua Davis died 24 Jan'y 1833, & abigail, his widow, died 21 Sept 1837 & both have been paid in full to the day of their deaths,
Very Respectfully
Robt J Atkinson
auditor

J. Minot Esq.
Comm[issioner] of Pensions

Page 28

Bridgeport Jan 10th 1856
Dear Sir
Some days since I received a note from my Mother in Law She being a Grand Child  of Joshua Davis of Fairfield County. She wish me to find what Regament He Served in the War therefore I take liberty to Say to you Abagail Davis Widow of Joshua Davis of Fairfield County She was pensioned about the year 1837 under Act of 4 1836 a $80 per An and about 1850 her pension was raised to $96 with Back pay from March 4, 1848 a full amount [account?] of his Service may be at the Pension Office at Washing[ton] and with her Decalation for a Pension   If you cannot find it at the Pension Office Please writ me at the Sterling House Bridgeport Ct
Please writ me what will be nessary for me to do
You[rs] respectfully
M H Wilson
Pension Agent

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Washington 14 Jany '56
Sir:
I beg leave to hand you [ ? ] a letter addressed to me asking for information obtainable at your office. The pensioner named does not appear on the books of the agency in this city.
[Your obdt. Sr (obedient servant)?]
Geo. W. Riggs

To 
Hon J. Minot
Commission of Pensions, Pension agents

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State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield  [cfs?] Fairfield
On this 13th day of November AD1850 Personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Fairfield in said County and State Abigail Davis of said Fairfield aged 89 years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed or approved July 29th 1848 for the relief of certain Surviving Widows of officers and Soldiers etc of the Revolutionary Army--including all other acts, Resolutions, or constructions of acts relative thereto.
That She has been allowed a pension for life under the Act of July 4th 1836 passed by Congress granting pensions to certain Widows as the Widow of Joshua Davis [deceased?] at the rate of 80 Dollars per Annum--that She has drawn said pension at Hartford, Connecticut up to September 4th 1850. That she is now the widow of said Joshua Davis [deceased?}. That she now claims to have her pension increased to the amount that her said husband was entitled or would be entitled to if living together with all arrearages of said pension that She is now entitled to, & she herewith returns her pension certificate for the purpose of receiveing a new one in the lieu of it for the sum she may now be entitled to--for proof She refers to her declaration for a pension under the Act of July 4th 1836 & to her said husbands declaration for a pension who was a pensioner on the Connecticut agency, at 96 per Annum--as She believes--under Act of 1818,--or 1828}                                 Abigail Davis

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The foregoing Declaration of Abigail Davis was subscribed and sworn to before said County on the 13th day of November AD1850
Attest H R Ten Broeck Judge of Probate
                        I hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original matter of the application of the Widow Abigail Davis for a further allowance or increase of her pension.
                          In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court at said Fairfield this 13th day of November AD1850
Mr Ten Broeck, Clerk

Harriet L. Golden of said Fairfield of lawful age deposeth and saith the she is well acquainted with the widow Abigail Davis aforesaid, & that She is now the Widow of Joshua Davis [a symbol meaning deceased perhaps?].                                                                                                    

          Harriet L Golden
          November

Sworn to & Subscribed before said Court this 13th day of November AD 1850
                        H R Ten Broeck
                                              Judge

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State of Connecticut
Fairfield County
Bridgeport December 6, 1850

To the acting Commission
of Pensions, Washington City
                           Sir, I send you the application of the widow Davis for an increase of her pension under act of July 29th 1848. Also I send you herewith her pension certificate under act of July 4th 1836 to obtain a new one in lieu of it for the amount She may now be justly entitled. Please Send her new Certificate to me.
                             Yours Respectfully,
                                      Isaac Sherman

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Bridgeport Sterling House Jan 14 186
Dear Sir
Some days since I adressed a letter to the Pension Agent at Washington [City]
In return I received a letter Stating that the application must be made to the Commissioner of Pensions. He also stated the letter was sent to the Commissioner of Pensions. Since that time I have not heard again in regard to the matter. Please write me what Steps to take in the matter.
Yours respectfully
M H Wilson
Commission of Pensions

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War Department
Revolutionary Claim.

I certify that, in conformity with the 3rd section of the law of the United States of the 4th July 1836, Abigail Davis, of the State of Connecticut widow of Joshua Davis who was a Private in the War of the Revolution is entitled to receive Eighty dollars and [cents crossed out] per annum, during the time she may remain unmarried, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and the 4th of September.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this twenty fifth day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven.
J.B. Poinsett
Secretary of War
[seal Examined and Countersigned. ]
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

Page 35

                                                 Connecticut,
                           Bridgeport December 27 1836
Sir,
I send you the Pension application of the Widow Abigail Davis. 
I have sent to the Comptroller of this State to procure evidence in relation to the pay of Capt Brewsters men in the Boat service and he informed me that he has been unsuccessful in his examination to find any thing on the pay table [afc], but I presume you will be satisfied from the Testimony that Capt Brewster was in Regular Service but, how his men were paid or through what channel I am not now able positively to show but if I remember right there is a certificate accompanying the Pension application of Aaron Hubbell of the Town of Fairfield in Con't, now in your office on which it is Shown that the Selectsmen of said Fairfield some times drew the money to pay the Troops Stationed in said Town and Also that Col Whiting drew for his Regiment, and

Page 36

I think it verry probable that Col Sheldon or Major Talmage, or some one of the officers of the Regiment, might have drawn the money and paid said Davis for his service. I presume his discharge if it is found with his Pension application , will prove Sattisfactory of it self. The Witnesses in Mr. Davis case are all very Respectable, and partickularly Mr Dimon, who is one of the most Respectable citizens and is a gentleman I am fully satisfied was well acquainted with the facts he has related.
You may if you please forward his certificate to me.
                                       Yours very Respectfully
                                             Isaac Sherman
I L Edwards Esq                      
Commissioner of Pensions

Page 37

1077

Page 38

To  explain the facts contained in Ebenezer Dimon's Deposition, it may be necessary for him to state, that he resided at Fairfield during the time therein referred to. That shortly after the burning of this place, which was on the 8th and 9th of July 1779 a small Detatchment of the Regular American Army was stationed here & the vicinity, taken principally from Col. Shelder's Regt of Cavalry of the Connecticut line of the Army. The Service alloted to this detatchment was to guard this part of Connecticut from predatory expeditions of the British Forces stationed at NYork Long Island [etc] and to keep open secret means of information regarding the force, disposition, and designs of the British General, through certain whaleboats of Long Island NYork known to be zealously attached to the Independence of their Country.
Mr. Benjamin Talmage was then a Major of the above Regt. and a native of Long Island. There was attached to this service a number of Whale Boats. The Crews of these Boats were principally natives of Long Island who had enlisted in the Regular American Army & were taken from different Corps of the Army as being best qualified for this particular service--Mr Caleb Brewster, also a native of Long Island was then a Lieutenant in Col Lambs Regt of Artilery in the Regular American Army & has often told me of several of his sea adventures in his youth & was selected to command the Whale Boats. The service including this part of it was intrusted to Maj Benjamin Talmage with whom I was well acquainted as well as with Capt C Brewster for a long period before and after the peace of 1783-- As near as I am now able to recollect this service was, without interuption, continued till the end of the Revolutionary War including about three years of that war and I well remember being present when this detatchment was publickly discharged  in this place at the peace-- I well remem

Page 39

ber Joshua Davis during the period of three years, or about that time, and believe he was discharged with the Corps to which he had belonged at the time above mentioned. I have allways understood that he was a native of Long Island, that he maried here during his service in the Whale Boats as before mentioned
Eben[ezer] Dimon

  Fairfield County  of Fairfield December 10, 1836
Personally appeared Ebenezer Dimon Esquire who being duly sworn made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed 
Thomas B Osborne Justice of Peace
I certify that Ebenezer Dimon the above Deponent is a credible witness
Thomas B Osborne Justice of Peace

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Abel Turney of Fairfield, County of Fairfield State of Connecticut, a pensioner of the United States deposeth and saith that he was well acquainted with Joshua Davis [deceased?] and his Widow Abigail Davis who has applyed for a Pension, and remembers that said Davis was taken from the land service in said Fairfield and put to service in a Whale Boat armed and in service by Authority of the State of Connecticut by order of Genl. Go[r]d S. Selliman, which Whale Boat was commanded by Capt Caleb Brewster of said Fairfield and was employed on Long Island Sound in connection with the Guards to watch the enemy, frequently went from said Fairfield to Long Island and remembers said Joshua Davis was in said service as afforesaid for a long time and his full belief is that he continued in said Service until the fall of 1783 when peace took place. The reason that he can testify to the above facts is that he lived in said town of Fairfield During the Revolution to this day and was well acquainted with Capt Brewster and said Davis and his Widow understood he was taken for that service because he was a Long Island man-- Abel Turney

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield       
[cfs] Bridgeport October 3, 1836
personally appeared Abel Turney and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing Deposition who I certify is a credible Witness well known to me and is entitled to full Credit
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

Page 41

James Penfield of Fairfield & County of Fairfield State of Connecticut- a Pensioner of the United States, aged 75 years of age Deposeth and Saith that he well remembers that Joshua Davis belonged to Capt Caleb Brewsters whale Boat the latter part of the War and was one of his principle men and cruised from said Town of Fairfield to and from Long Island to watch the enemy and was called a Spy Boat, and was in Service by Authority of the State of Connecticut.
Remembers that Capt Brewster was wounded when he took Nayts Cordoroy Boats that was fitted out of Norwalk when on a cruise in said Whaleboat and well remembers said Davis Continued in said service in said Whale Boat under Capt Brewster until the Peace--the reason that Deponent remembers the above fact is that he lived with his father in said Fairfieldd during the Revolution at a Place called Penfields tide Mills on Long Island Sound and said Brewster made it head quarters for his Boat at said Mills and went home from said Mills in said service until the Peace
James Penfield

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield       
           [cfs] Bridgeport November 16, 1836 personally appeared James Penfield and Subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition who I certify is a reliable Witness well known to me
                           Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

Page 42

I Esther Burr of Fairfield in Fairfield County Connecticut aged in my eighty-second year being duly sworn do depose and say that I was well acquainted with Joshua Davis late of said Fairfield now deceased in the time of the Revolutionary War and knew that said Davis was in the service of the United States in the Boats under Capt. Brewster for a number of years--For a long period the said Davis previous to his marriage and while he was in said service made it his home at our house when he was in Fairfield--I was present and saw the said Davis married--he married Abigail Redfield my half  Sister. The marriage took place while the said Davis was in the said service of the United States on the 1st day of January 1783 as appears by the Records of the Church--after his marriage he [lived in?] a house in Fairfield in the Village & he, said Davis, continued to go in the Boat under Capt. Brewster and remained in the service of the United States until peace took place.
Esther Barr
Fairfield County [?] Fairfield November 18th 1836
Personally appeared Esther Barr who being duly sworn made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by her subscribed--I further certify that the said Esther Barr is a credible witness
Thomas B. Osborne Justice of Peace

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I Mary Hobart of Fairfield in Fairfield County Connecticut being duly sworn do testify and say that I lived in Fairfield during the Revolutionary war--that I well remember that Joshua Davis late of Fairfield now deceased served under Capt. Brewster in the Boat in the service of the United States and that said Davis during the period he so served brought his wife and commenced housekeeping in my  immediate neighborhood--I cannot say how long they lived there but it was several months--during this period [said?] Davis was absent a considerable part of his time under Capt Brewster and that his, Davis, wife complained of being lonesome & was in the habit of coming to our house--I always understood & believe that [said?] Davis served till the close of the war--                  Mary Hobart

Fairfield County [?] Fairfield November 11, 1830
Personally appeared Mary Hobart, One well known and who is a credible witness and who being duly sworn made solemn oath to the truth of the forgoing Deposition by her subscribed-- Thomas B Osborne Justice of Peace

Page 44

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County 
I Thomas B Osbone Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Fairfield in said State of Connecticut do hereby certify that
Thomas B Osbome whose own proper signatures are annexed to the Certificate on the foregoing Depositions of Ebern Denon, Hezekiah Burr and
Mary Hobart is a Justice of the Peace for said FairfieldCounty duly commissioned
& duly authorised to administer oaths and
take Depositions &c. Given under my
hand & the Seal of said County Court in
Fairfield this 11th day of November AD 1836
Thomas B Osborne Clerk

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I Ebenezer Dimon of Fairfield in Farfield County Connecticut aged seventy two years & being duly sworn do testify & say that I was acquainted with Joshua Davis late of said Fairfield now deceased & that I was acquainted with
said Davis in the time of the Revolutionary war.
I well remember that said Davis ILLEGIBLE
Major Talmadge in Col. Sheldon's Regiment ILLEGIBLE and that said Davis was attached ILLEGIBLE under Capt. Brewster & served as ILLEGIBLE I believe until the peace in 1783. I then
lived in said Town of Fairfield and according to my uniform understanding & belief said Davis serveduntil the close of the Revolutionary
Eben Dimon

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I Hezekiah Burr of Fairfield in Fairfield County Connecticut aged seventy four years being duly sworn do testify and say that I was acquainted with Joshua Davis late of said Fairfield now deceased - that said Davis served under Capt. Brewster in the whale Boats in the Revolutionary war being under the command of Major Talmadge of Sheldon's Regiment stationed
at Fairfield according to my recollection said
Davis served until the close of the war and
as I have always understood and believe sd Davis
was discharged at sd Fairfield after peace took place
Hezekiah Burr

Fairfield County ss. Fairfield November 11, 1836
Personally appeared Hezekiah Burr well
Known & who is a credible witness & being duly
sworn made solemn oath to the truth
of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed
Thomas B Osborne Justice of Peace

Page 47

Then certify that on a careful examination, the marriageof Joshua Davis and Abigail Redfield  does not appear to have been recorded on the records of the town of Fairfield of which, I have the custody as the town clerk of said town.
Also that it was not the general practice to record marriages before and during the revolutionary war.
Fairfield Colony 1831 Attest Samuel Rowland Town Clerk
Fairfield County Ss. Fairfield Colony1836
Personally appeared Samuel Rowland Esqr and made oath to the truth of the above certificate by him subscribed
Before me
Thomas B Osbome Justice of Peace

Page 48

District of Connecticut ss Stratford
County of Fairfield March 27 th 1818
I Walter Bradley of the Town &
County of Fairfield, in said District, do
testify say, that during the revolutionary war I was well acquainted with Joshua Davis soon residing in said Town & County of Fairfield & know that he was in the service of the
United States, on the continental establishment, for a longer term than one year & as I believe for several years, that he said Davis is now & for more than twenty years last part has been
a resident Citizen of the United States,
and that he said Davis is now by reason
of his reduced circumstances in life, in need of assistance from his country for support.
Walter Bradley

March 2 1818 Sworn testimony
Pierrpont Edwards
District Judge of the District of Connecticut

I Aaron Sherwood of the above sd Town of Fairfield do agree to the above statement as true and further state that by reason of sd Davis age & infirmities he is in need of assistance from his Country for Support.
Aaron Sherwood
Sworn before me
ILLEGIBLE
 
Banks of the Town of Fairfield do agree to the above statement sworn before me Pierpont Edwards
District Judge of Connecticut
Pensioner: Abigail Davis

Page 49

District of Connecticut ss Stratford
County of Fairfield April 4th 1818
IJonathan Kinner of the Town of Weston
 County of Fairfield, in said District, do
testify & say that I have been well
acquainted with Joshua Davis, now
residing in the Town & County of Fairfield,
in said District, from his youth to the
present time, as we were brought
up within a few sods of each other
that we enlisted into the service of the
United States, in Feb. 1777, in the
company of Capt. Samuel Sacket, in
the Regiment of Col Livingston, in the ┃
New York line, & that said Davis served in
said Regiment & with me under Capt
Caleb Brewster to the termination of
the revolutionary, & have no doubt
that he was regularly discharged from
the said service, & I do further testify
that said Davis is now & since the close
of said war has been a resident Citizen
of the United States & that by reason
of his reduced circumstances in life
he needs the assistance of his country
for support.
Jonathan Kinner
April 2, 1818
District Judge of the District of Connecticut

Page 50

District of Connecticut ss Stratford County of Fairfield April 4th 1818
I Caleb Brewster of the Town and County of Fairfield in said district do testify & say that during the revolutionary war I served as a Captain in the New York line, that Joshua Davis now residing in the town & County of Fairfield in the District aforesaid was detached from Col. Livingston's regiment in said line & placed under my command & that he was regularly discharged at the end of said war and I do further testify that said Davis from the close of said war has been a resident citizen of the United States and that by reason of his reduced circumstances in life he is in need of assistance from his County for support. 
Caleb Brewster 
April 4th, 1818 sworn before me Thopeus Edwards
District Judge of the District of Connecticut

Page 51

Fairfield March 30th 1818

This may certify that I [k]new Joshua Davis to be a soldier in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War in the 4th New York Regiment commanded by Col. Henry B. Livingston and that he was sent down to Fairfield by order of General Washington and he served under my command from the year 1778 to the end of the war 1780 while I was employed in secret service by order of General Washington.

From this 2nd day of March 1818

[Signed] Caleb Brewster

Sworn before me this 2nd day of 
March 1818 - Pierpont Edwards
Judge of Connecticut Dist

Page 52

1241 West Bird Street,
Hannibal, Mo., February 1, 1917.
To the Pension Department,
Washington, D.C.
I am desirous of learning the identity of one
Joshua Davis, who (according to a book on the Revolution, New York) in 1818, when there was a law passed for general pensions, was listed as a New York soldier. I have reason to believe he was from Orange County and was First Lieutenant
of West Orange Company Militia. One Joshua Davis (according to the same authority) belonged to the New York Line in the
2nd Regiment under Col. Philip Van Cortland and the 4th Regiment under Col. James Holmes. The pension rolls would undoubtedly establish the identity of the New York soldier of that name.
If it is not the province of the Pension Department to furnish (for pay ) copies of its records, will you kindly furnish me the name of one who makes a business of searching
records for such information,
Very truly yours,
(Mrs) Emilie L. Treal
1241 Bird Street, Hannibal, Mo.

Her statement is so involved that I think it's best to send her the 1818 pensioner N.Y. ILLEGIBLE her he is the only sol. of that name N.Y. Troops found on our records AW.

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Boonton, N.J
Aug. 3, 1918

Record and Pensions Bureau
Washington, D.C

Dear Sirs, 

I am filling out my papers for the D.A.R and I wish to verify that Joshua Davis was a pensioner in the Revolutionary War. 

He was born in Brookhaven, N.J Apr. 5, 1757 and died in Greenfield, Conn Jan. 25, 1883.

and his wife (Abigail Redfield Davis) received a pension. He enlisted for three years & was taken prisoner at the surrender of Fort Washington. Will you verify this for me? As as ...

Page 54

your records from what county, town & state he enlisted.

Yours very truly,
Mrs. D. Lester Smith
Boonton, N.J

P.S I there is any charge for this, kindly notify me & I will forward amount at once.

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Boonton, N.J
Mar. 21, 1921

Bureau Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs - 

May I ask you to send me a statement of the military history of "Joshua Davis" who was born at Brooke Haven, A.D Apr. 5, 1757 and died in Greenfield Parish, Conn. Jan. 25, 1833.

I could refer you to Revolutionary War Records Section, Act. W. 17698

He married Abigail Redfield of Greenfield Parish, on Jan. 1, 1783.

Yours very truly
Mrs. D. Lester Smith
Box 213
Boonton, N.J

Page 56

Rev. War. Section


April 20, 1191*

Mrs. D. Lester Smith,
Box 213, Boonton
New Jersey.

Madam -

In response to your letter dated the 31s March, you are advised that the record of the Revoltuonary War pensioner Joseph Davise, W. File No, 17,698 was forwarded to you August 9, 1918. It is not the practice of this Bureau to furnish the same statement more than once to the same person.

Very respectfully,
Washington Gardener
Commissioner.