Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17371, William Davis, Mass. Navy Privateer

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Davis, William
S. 17371
Navy
Privateer
carded
CONTENTS
Blank lined area for contents
Blank lined area for contents

Connecticut N o 28.60
William Davis
of Windham in the State of Connecticut who was a Pr. & Seaman in the Company commanded by Captain Lillard of the Regt. commanded by Col. Glover in the Massachusetts line for & Navy & Privateers.
Por. 5. mo. 25 days
Sea. 4. " - 12 "
Died 16 th January 1835
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 37 Dollars 05 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 th day of May 1834 and Hon. E. Young, A.R.
  Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1834...  111.15    Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Sept. "...  18.52         $ 129.67  
{ Revolutionary Claim } { Act June 7, 1832 }
Recorded by R. Bendire Clerk, Book 6 2 Vol. — Page 10
Letter 21. April 1837 Pen Agent
Died 16. Jany 1835

8,17371
3-076.
This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary war and the war of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary war may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C. Dec 30 8 1898
O. W. & N. DIV. REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
Madam:-
In reply to your communication of a recent date, you are informed that the courtesy of furnishing information relative to Revolutionary war soldiers, on account of whose service pensions were granted, is extended by this Bureau only to their descendants, and to them only when it is desired for historical or genealogical purposes.
In view of the large number of such inquiries now being made, and of the length of time required to make a proper search of the records in each case, information will not be given to any applicant concerning more than two soldiers.
In order that the claim of the soldier concerning whom you desire information may be identified, it is requested that you furnish as much as possible of the data called for below.
Mrs. J. J. Flaherty - Gloucester, Mass. 48 Pleasant St.
H. C. Bement Commissioner.
Full name of soldier, William Davis
Place of residence before service,
Place of residence after service,
(Town, county, and State.)
(Town, county, and State.)
Shindham County, Conn.
Approximate date of death,
January 16th., 1835
Given name of widow,
Sarah Boardman or Anna Lincoln
Did either the soldier or his widow receive a pension?
The soldier.
Additional information,
Official history "Conn. Men of the Revolution," page 657 shows that Mr. Davis was a pensioner in 1832.
Signature,
Mrs. J. J. Flaherty
(Mrs. or Miss to be prefixed if a lady signs.)
Post-office address, including street and number, town, county, and State.
48 Pleasant St. Gloucester, Mass.
3818b5m8-97
It is thought the widow is Sarah B. but our record is not quite clear.

State of Connecticut } Sp. Windham February 16. 1833 County of Windham }
On this 16 th day of Feb y . 1833 personally appeared before The Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Windham aforesaid. Capt. William Davis a resident of Sp. Windham in S tate of Connecticut and after being duly sworn according to law doth on oath make the fol- lowing declaration in addition to what he has before done on the 23 rd day of July last past. in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he is eighty eight years old on the 31 st day of Oct r . last. That he was born in the town of Marblehead in the State of Massachusetts. That on the 2 nd day of May 1775 he enlisted under Capt. Frank Simond for five months & was in Col o . John Glover Regiment & we marched to Cambridge where stationed there five months, and during the 5 th time I was there, while stationed at Plough Hill , we had a skirmish with the enemy & one Allen was killed by an 18. p lb . shot standing near me — That at or about the end of said campaign of five months. Orders came from Genl. Washington to enlist forty men from their regiment to go & serve under under Capt. John Manly on a cruise to Beverly I went, (having been a seaman all my life) and acted as gunner in this cruise. When out about 9 or 10 days we took a British Brig of about 200 tons with naval stores aboard among which were some 13 inch brass mortars the largest ever seen in this country at that time, also a large quantity of 18 lb. shot and 82 chests of small arms casks of flints & cartridge paper &c. we tried to get her in to Beverly but could not, but went into Gloucester We immediately sailed again on the cruise & the next morn- ing.

Ship from Glasgow loaded with all kind of goods, then we brought into Beverly - We also took a brig loaded with rum from Antigua, and a ship for Scotland with 40 live hogs aboard, and grain & a great many buckets of potatoes - In this cruise we took six prizes - being two ships, two brigs, and two sloops - and our cruise being out we came into Beverly the last day of December and in a few days went down to Cambridge to see Capt. Simonds to get our pay, we were aboard Capt. Manly three months 39 days. The next summer in July I think I went aboard the Privateer Dreadnot , Capt. Heston & took two prizes & went then into Salem & then we were taken by a British sloop of war of 18 guns & carried to Halifax & lay there in Halifax a prisoner six weeks, when news came that the Somerset 74 gun ship was cast away on Cape Cod. They then put us all aboard a cartel, sick & well & took us home to Cape Ann, in this cruise I was out about 5 weeks & a prisoner six weeks. The next summer I enlisted aboard the True America, Privateer, commanded by Capt. Daniel Hathan. I sailed out of Salem on a cruise. In this cruise we took five prizes & brought them all in, one was loaded with salt & two with dried fish & Herring - we had a battle with a British packet bound for New York off the west Island, we grappled with her, but she got loose & we dropped astern & she went off, our Capt. & Lieut. were wounded & 4 men killed - & our people that lay aboard the prize ship in New York said she came in with coulons half mast & said (The Yankees ) had killed their captain & 18 men. In this cruise I was out better than two months - The next cruise was in the Privateer Speedwell Capt. John Search

of Salem Commander, we cruised off Halifax about six weeks took one prize of not much value, sent her into Salem — The next cruise I went out in the Privateer called Salem , Capt. Stanley commanded. in this cruise we were out about five or six weeks & took one small prize & sent her in —
The next summer in July I think I went aboard the Ship Harlequin mounting 18 guns & 90 men & sailed out of Salem Cap t Cleves commanded her, we sailed for Cape Breton & cruised for prizes & took five out of the fleet of 70 sail which was sailing to Canada. The French had broken the fleet & took the convoy & left us & other ships to take such as we pleased; we were out waiting for the fleet of merchantmen & in taking & get- ting on prizes in about six weeks — I went a second cruise in the same ship with Cap t Cleves & we were taken & carried into Quebec where we were prisoners an officer sent back to apple Island about 30 miles & we were in prison Seven & twenty months . Some of us got aboard of a British Whale ship & sailed to the Straights of Belle where we got away I went aboard the privateer Conqueror all Capt. Morgan when we sailed for Boston & returned home. I was gone from home this cruise about 29 months.
He further states that he was out on a cruise in the Brig Washington — Cap t Smith — 14 guns & 65 men, & had the small poy aboard after we got out did not do much this cruise, we had a battle in this cruise with a 22 gun ship but she was too heavy for us & we made off. had two men wounded none killed — He further states that he was in the service either on a cruise or in fitting out vessels

during the whole war — That he has no documentary evidence to prove his services, That he removed from Marblehead (where he had followed the seas the most of his life) about 23 years ago to Mansfield in Con- necticut with his son John Davis & then lived in S. Mansfield until October 1834 when they removed to said Windham. That he knows of no one now living by whom he can prove his services; That he attempted an application under the act of 1818. When he found sufficient proof of his services but ascertained that his service was not of the kind con- templated in S. act: That Capt. William R. See Collector of Salem was knowing to his services, but he understands he is now dead — Sworn to & subscribed. This 16 th day of Feb y . AD 1833
Signed in presence of Thomas Gray Abigail Davis
William his X Davis Mark
And I hereby certify That the above named William Davis who has subscribed & sworn to the above Declaration is by reason of ill health & infirmity unable to attend Court, living four miles from the place of holding the Probate Court for the District of Windham and 17 miles from the place of holding the County Court for S. County & I hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War- department That the above named applicant

After putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department That the above named applicant was in the United States Service & was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, except that I think he is not exactly correct as to dates. That he is reputed & believed by all who know him to have been in the United States Service during the revolutionary war, That he is a credit person & his statements are entitled to credit
And I hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of William Davis for a Pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand This 16 th day of February A.D. 1833
Thomas Gray Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut } County of Windham } p Windham Feb. 18. 1833
I Joel W. White Notary Public do hereby Certify That Thomas Gray before whom the within Housing declaration was executed is a Justice of the Peace and I believe the signature pur- porting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my Seal of Office, and subscribed my name this
18 th day of February 1833.
Joel W. White Notary Public

Wm. Bean's deb. for Mr. Davis v
6 mo.

I William Bean of Marblehead in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts fisherman aged near seventy nine years: do oath Testify and say, That in the Revolutionary War, on the twenty fourth day of April seventeen hundred and seventy five, I enlisted as a private in Capt John Selmans Company Col. John Glovers Regiment of Infantry, and soon afterwards marched from Marblehead to Cambridge and I do well know and remember, that William Davis then of Marblehead but now of Windham, in the State of Connecticut, was a private Soldier in one of the Companies belonging to the said Col. Glovers Regiment and I do well remember of seeing him frequently while doing his duty as a soldier in said Regiment (but to what Company he belonged I do not remember). And I further Testify that about the twentieth day of October in the year aforesaid I was ordered to do duty on board an armed Schooner, commanded by John Selman, and at the time of my leaving Cambridge, the said Davis continued doing duty as a soldier in said Regiment.
William Bean
State of Massachusetts. Essex Jo May 27 th 1833.
Then Personally appeared William Bean the above named, and made Oath, to the Truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed. And I further certify, that the said William Bean is a credible person, and that his Statement is entitled to credit.
Before me. Nathan Brown Justice of the Peace.
11

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss.
I John Prince jr. Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in said County do hereby certify that Nathan Bowen is a Justice of the Peace in said County & that I believe his signature within is genuine
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court at Salem May 27, 1833,
John Prince jr. blls

Connecticut - Windham March 22 d . 1834
Wm. J. S. Edwards Esq.
Dr. Sir -
I forwarded to the Pension office some time since the application of William Davis for a pension, he was in the military service from the 2 d day of May 1775. to the 27 th day of October which he proves by the Dep. o of W m Bean, tho' in his declaration he calls it but 5 months — He also stated that he enlisted "aboard the Cap t Manly" as he expresses it & went a cruise of three months, & stated that the vessel was fitted out by order of Gen l Washington &c. comparing almost exactly with the account given by James Sparks in his writings of Washington which has accidentally fallen into my hands — The early history of our naval affairs is so much involved in obscurity that it is almost impossible to ascertain the names of vessels. They were more frequently distinguished by the names of their commanders, & Davis declares he cannot recollect which vessel he was in, which he calls the Cap t Manly but describes the prizes he took & other circumstances so as to leave no doubt that he was out

On board one of the Schooners fitted out "by Authority of Genl. Washington derived from Congress" - This he says was at least three months - He also states that he was out one cruise of two months in the Washington a public Armed Ship, and also in privateers during the whole of the remainder of the war -
Enclosed send an extract from Sparks Edition of Washington Writings, which is now in press published; by a reference to it, it may be seen, that Davis' Story is mainly correct & more so than I should suppose it could be, considering the length of time which has passed away since.
Dr. Cuming examined the papers last July when I was at the Pension Office; he would think without doubt he satisfied that Davis is entitled to the pension even though he does not state explicitly the name of the vessel he was in - Should he examine them again - I wish his papers might be again examined & so much allowed as you should think he entitled to - he is old & poor & unable to expend any thing in getting his proof which is at a distance from him should he find any.
I am Sir Very Respectfully W. H. Hunt Thos. Gray

Pension Agency Hartford 24 April 1887
Sir
I herewith transmit for special direction authorizing the payment of the pension papers of Jeremiah Keeler - Eben Burnett - Amos Coats, Nathaniel Johnson - Nathaniel Dickinson - & Beryluel Peck each claiming 12 Months pension - also the claim of John Davis, son of W m Davis deceased for the whole amount due at his decease to be paid to him as diligent search has been made without success to hear from the other heir & she is supposed to be dead
I am Very Respectfully (Your obed t Servant
M m Dodd ag
J. G. Carradys Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, May 10 th 1834.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears
3. 1 12 4 12 4 05
that the name of William Davis, as a private, is borne on a Pay Roll of Capt. John Spoor's Company, in Col. Benj d Simonds' Regt. where he is allowed from April 26 th to May 20 th 1777. twenty five days. —————
m do 25
Will Davis' name, as a Corporal, is borne on a Pay Roll of Capt. John Spoor's Company, in Col. John Brown's Regt. where he is allowed from July 18 th to October 23 d 1780, for services and travel, three Months & ten days. —————
3=10
William Davis claims for services under Capt. Francis Simonds, in Col. Glover's Regt. in 1775, but the roll he describes is not found in this Office.
4=05
Edward D. Bangs Secy
337 55 27

War Department, Pension Office,
April 7 th 1834.
Sir,
It does not appear that any of the Naval service stated by W m Davis, in either of his declarations, was performed on board public vessels, excepting the three months he claims to have served on board Cpt. Manley. As to his Land service, in Col. Glover's regiment in 1775, its duration is so uncertain from the discrepancy between his statements and those of William Bear, his witness, that it is exceedingly desirable that his service should be shown by the rolls of the service of that year in the office of the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts. The rank claimed as quartermaster, cannot be allowed, unless further evidence or explanation is given. The papers remain on file. The letter of Thomas Gray Esq. to you relating to this claim, is herewith returned. I have the honor to be
Y r . M c P.
J. L. Edwards
Hon. E. Young, } Ho. of Reps. }

Mem o .
Capt Frank Simon, Compt.
(H o D r served in Col o Glouster Reg t from April 8 th 1775 (5 to 6 mo)
Served 3 mo. as a Gunner in Capt. Manly's Ship winter of 1775-6
I rejoin other times — Proof is wanted from Prof. R. H.
That he served as above, or whatever his service was, if not exactly corresponding with the above — also that he was a corporal or a gunner

Mr Davis Connell
2 P Declaration
Get denver papers
Hon. E. Young
[Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]

Mr Davis Connell
2 P Apparation
Get deepened papers
Hon. E. Young

State of Connecticut } County of Windham } } To Windham Aug 16. 1833
Personally came before the Subscriber a bus- tin of the Peace for the County of Windham aforesaid. William Davis aged 87 years & who from ill health & bodily infirmity is unable to attend Court, and after being sworn according to law, makes the following declaration in addition to what he has before made (viz.) That on or about the 1. st of April he entered the service of the United States as a soldier and enlisted under Capt. Frank Simons of Massachusetts & marched to Cambridge with four other companies & remained there as stated in his former declaration until the last of October - He before stated that he entered in May 1775 & served 5 months or more; but he he is now confident that he entered the 1. st of April & served until in October near the last of the month in 1775 making at least six months as stated by Mr. Bean in his deposition - and that about the last of October orders came from Genl. Washington for Capt. Manly to take forty men from the Regiment to go aboard Capt. Manly's ship & go & fight the British That he was one of them. That he does not recollect what ship it was in but that they took a brig loaded with military stores for the Army in Boston

That is monthly ship
That he had wages aboard of her of 8 dollars H r month was a gunner, He is confident it belonged to The States & was not a private armed ship. That he never had any pay for what they took, but rec d wages & that he was in her three months.
That he was out a cruise in the Brig Washington which was a public armed ship & belonged to The States, That one Smith was an officer aboard of her but whether he had the command or not he does not recollect What the capt s name was he don't now recollect, He was out in so many he cannot recollect them all - he was out in that ship, six weeks & Smith was a coward and was afraid to fight -
He further states that he was out in many other cruises during the whole war, & most of the time in privateers, he thinks, except in the two vessels above mentioned, & those he is confident were public armed ships — Sworn & subscribed The day & year aforesaid — William his Davis Signed in presence of Thomas Gray Mark Sally G. Gilbinder
And I hereby certify that the above named applicant William Davis is by reason of

age & bodily infirmity unable to attend at any court of Record. Residing five miles from the nearest place of holding the same, and also that the P. William Davis is to me well known to be a credible person & his statements are entitled to credit. & I hereby declare my opinion that the P. William Davis the applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states -
Thomas Gray Justice of the Peace
Turner

17 371 INVALID.
Jany 11 '99 Mrs. J. J. Flaherty, Gloucester, Mass
File No. 17 371
William Davis
Seaman Rec. Mas
Act: June 7 " 89
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 429
[Arrangement of 1870.]

STATE OF CONNECTICUT, County of Windham
} ss. Windham July 23 d 1832
On this 23 d day of July 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Hon. Prebendal Sumner for the District of Windham in the county of Windham and state of Connecticut, now sitting, William Davis — a resident of Windham in the county of Windham and state of Connecticut, aged Eighty years, and who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832 — That he enlisted in 1775 under Capt Frank Simonds for five months and stationed at Cambridge (Mass) under Col John Glover and was verbally discharged
Second Campaign He enlisted at the request of Genl Washington under Capt John Mowry to go to Burke on a cruise for the Qu'bec government when he acted as Cannon , and in said cruise they took notable prize for the government he served in this campaign three months in 1776 when he was verbally discharged
He states that he has no documentary evidence to prove his services that he was born in Marblehead on the 30 th day of October 1745 and has no record of his age he lived in Marblehead when he went into the service, and lived there many years since the revolution and has lived in Windham since last fall
Luci W White Thomas Gray
William Davis Mark
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Luci W White Thomas Gray
William Davis Mark
We, Alva Gregory a clergyman residing in the town of Windham and Henry Hall residing in said Windham hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Davis who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Eighty years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Alva Gregory Henry Hall

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above-named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that The Certificate signed by Anna Gregory who is a Collyer man & resides in the town of Windham in Henry Hall Esq. who has signed the same and resides in same town are credible persons and their statements are entitled to the highest credit -
I, Thomas Gray clerk of the aforesaid court for the county of Windham do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of William Davis - for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 30 day
of July - A.D. 1832
Thomas Gray Clerk

30. Oct
Declaration of Wm Duer's of Windham for a pension
5 mo. Militia
3 mo. Capt Mault no ship named
Washington a brig Capt Smiths roll
The rest privateers cannons