Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2497, Jesse Davis, N.C.

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Service N. C. Davis, Jesse  Number S2497 carded

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7581 West Tennessee
Jesse Davis of Bedford Co in the State of W. Ten who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Wells of the Regt commanded by Maj Crawford in the N. C. for 7 months Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of May 1833 and sent to James McKisick Shelby ???? Arrears to the 4th of March 46.66 Semi-anl. allowance ending ?? Sept 11.66 [total] $58.32  {Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.} Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk, Book E [or C] Vol. 7 Page 76

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Jesse Davis Declaration 23033

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State of Tennessee Bedford County}
Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832. On this 8th day of November in the year of our lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court before the worshipful John B. Armstrong, Samuel Phillips and Jno. L. Null Esqrs. gentlemen justices of the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions appointed to hold the present term of Said Court now Sitting. Jesse Davis aged Sixty six years Seven months and Twenty four days who being first Sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7th June 1832. That he entered the Service of the united States under the following named officers and Served as herein Stated; to wit That he entered the Service of the united States as a drafted Soldier in the County of Franklin and State of North Carolina some time in the month of June 1781 and was placed under the command of a Captain Wells Milner and was Stationed at a place then called Portrage in said County of Franklin and was employed in cleaning the weavel from publick corn deported there for the term of about two months He Says he was then transfered to a company of light horse commanded by Captain William Rush who was engaged in chestiseing the torries and outlyers which were then verry numerous in that part of the Country, and remained with Said Company reca??iting

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through that County until about the first of November following: when he was transfered to a Captain Swan Trautton who was stationed at Dunham Halls to guard the publick munitions, and provisions for the army of Nine months men who were Stationed at that place when he Says he remained in Service until some time about the first of February 1782 making in all a term of Service of about Seven months and upward that he only claims a pension for Seven months When he was discharged. and that he has no documentary evidence whatever and that he knows of no person whos testimony he can procure who can testify as to his Service; and he hereby relinquishes all and every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any Agency in the united States. Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid; 
Jesse Davis {seal}
Jas McKisick clerk
Interroggatories by the Court - 
Int. 1st. where and what year were you born; Ans. I was born in what was then called Bute County in the State of North Carolina on the 14th of March in the year 1766 as I was informed by my parents. 
Int. 2nd Have you any record of your age; and if so where is it - Ans. I have no record of my age whatever
Int. 3rd where were you living when called into Service. Ans. I was a citizen of Franklin County in the State of North Carolina all the time I was in Service

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Int. 4th. Where have you lived Since the Revolutionary war and where do you now live. - Ans. I was a citizen of Franklin County in the State of North Carolina during the war of the Revolution and afterward until the year 1807. when I removed to Bedford County Tennessee where I have resided ever since and where I now reside.
Int. 5th. How were you called into Service; were you drafted were you a volunteer or were you a Substitute; and if a Substitute for whom. Ans. I was a drafted Soldier the whole time of my Service.
Int. 6th. State the names of the Regular officers who were with the troops when you served such continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your Service; Ans. I recollect General Jethro Sumner at Durham Halls when I was Stationed the last time and I think a Major Crawford but I am not certain I do not recollect the name as number of any Continental or Militia Regiments whatever and I believe my Declaration Sworn to this day in Court here, contains the general circumstances of my Service. as much so at least as can give at this point of my age.
Int. 7th. did you ever receive a discharge and if so what has became of it; Ans. I never received a discharge in willing

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State the names of Persons to whom you are known In your present neighbourhood who can testify as to your charactor for varacity; and their opinion of your Services as a Soldier of the Revolution. - Ans. The Rev. John Brooks. the Rev. Richd W Cardwell William Norvill Esqr. Stephen Murphree Esqr. Baxter Ragsdale and William McGrew.

State of Tennessee Bedford County}
We John Brooks a clergyman residing in the County and State aforesaid; and William Norville residing in the same, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jesse Davis who has Subscribed and Sworn to the foregoing declaration; and has been for many years. that they believe him to be Sixty six years Seven months and twenty four days of age; That he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he now resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that they concur in that opinion; and the Said William Norville further States upon his oath that the said Jesse Davis the above applicant was in the Service of the united States as a Soldier; but how long he does not know; Sworn to and Subscribed this 8th day of November 1832. Jno Brooks Wm Norville Jas McKisick clerk

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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion; after the investigation of the matter and after Putting the interroggatories presented 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 the Rev. John Brooks who has Signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman of good Standing in the Methodist church and a resident of this County; and that William Norvill Esquire who has also Signed the the same, is a deputy Sheriff in this County at this time, and has heretofore been the high Sheriff of Said County, that he is a credible person and that his Statements are entitled to full faith and credit 
Jno. L. Neill 
Samuel Phillips
John B. Armstrong

I James McKisick clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions for Bedford County in the State of Tennessee, do certify that the foregoing Contains the original proceedings of the said Court. in the matter of the application of Jesse Davis for a Pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, at office in Shelbyville the 15th day of February AD 1833
Jas. McKisick

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No. 23033 Jesse Davis Bedford County Tennessee
from 1781 private 7 months $23.33
Jas. McKisick Clk Bedford County Tennessee

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BRIEF in the case of Jesse Davis County of Bedford in the State of Tennessee (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 76 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period. Drafted In 1781 Duration of Service. Months, 7 Rank. As a private 
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen. Cap Wells Milner, recollects Genl. Sumner, & Major Crawford
5. In what battles was he engaged? none Stated
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Franklin County North Carolina
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditionary evidence, witness certified Credible - Clergymen certificate & c.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
Richd Key Watts Examining Clerk.

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2497 INVALID Rev War 
File No. 2497 Jesse Davis Privt Rev War
Act: June 7 1832
Index:-Vol. A, Page 88
[Arrangement of 1870]

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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jesse Davis which require further proof or explanation.
1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes
V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? 
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
" Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ____ year _____months, and _____days, I served as a ___ ___ ___ For ____ months and _____days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.

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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 they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the 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 suit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

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Shelbyville Tenn                            Free
Feby 18
The Hon. Lewis Cass Secretary at War Washington City D. of C.
Mar. 6
Tenn.
23033

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Va. Davis, Jesse or Davies $8282