Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 10,709, Silas Davis, Conn. Continental

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Davis, Silas
N 10,709
Continental
Matilda
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.

V. 3919. Matilda Davis widow of Silas Davis
3919
Con.
act 7. July 38
m. 88. d. 15
m. 88. d. 15.
Hw.
J. Toney
Ag.

State of Connecticut ss Probate District of Granby S
On this 3 rd day of January 1839 personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Granby in Hartford County Matilda Lewis a Resident of the Town of Granby in said County of Hartford aged sixty nine 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 7 th 1838, entitled "An Act Granting Half Pay and Pensions to certain Widows" That She is the Widow of Silas Lewis who was a Sargeant in the Army of the Revolution in the first company of a Regiment of Artillery and Artificers raised by the United States and that he served according to the accompanying documents She further declares she was married to the said Silas Lewis on the 21 st day of September 1778 that her husband the aforesaid Silas Lewis died on the 23 rd day of December 1815 That She was not married to him prior to his leaving the Service but the marriage took place previous to the 1 st day of January 1794 (West) at the time above stated
Sworn to and subscribed on the day year above written before said Probate Court
And the said Court after the investigation of the matter and after putting the appropriate questions and interrogations doth declare that the said Matilda Lewis is the surviving widow of the before mentioned Silas Lewis deceased married to him since the last period of his services in the Army of the Revolution but previous to the first day of January 1794
I Thomas Holcomb Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Granby in the State of Connecticut that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of Matilda Lewis for a Pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my Seal of office at Granby within said District this 3 rd day of January 1839
Thos Holcomb Judge

Silas Davis was married to M c Matilda Griffin September twentyfirst day. Seventeen hundred eighty eight
I certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair and legible figures as follows: September 21. 1788 D James Lewis
I James Lewis, above named, depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of the town of Granby in Hartford County and State of Connecticut and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town of Granby, with the exception above named as certified by me James Lewis Town Clerk Granby December 3 d 1838
Hartford County, Granby December 8. 1830. I was H is Absent before me Joshua D. Jewett Justice of peace

6.037
Connecticut
Matilda Davis deed
widow of Continental Silas Davis who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Sgt. of Artillery
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 188 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848. beginning 9. March 1850.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th day of Feby. 1859, and sent to Geo. C. Ames Prest.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 280 Vol. 1

I Ambrose Davis of Suffield in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut of lawful age being first duly cautioned and sworn before me say -
I am fifty two years of age. I am the son of Silas Davis formerly of Granby - I was sixteen years of age when my father died. I always lived at home until my father died and I was the oldest son at home at the time and remained at home with the family and took charge of things for two years after my father's death.
I can recollect distinctly hearing my father tell of being a soldier in the revolutionary war. He used to be fond of telling stories about the war to us children. There were several old soldiers in Granby and I have heard them and my father talk over war stories in the blacksmith shop of my father and in our house. I have heard my father say that he was in the battle of White Plains. I have also heard him say that he was in a skirmish at Horse-neck. His story as I recollect it was that in the early part of the war he served as a substitute for my grandfather - who was detained at home on account of sickness - After the expiration of this term of service he enlisted, as my impression is, for three years and was stationed during his term at Springfield, Massachusetts. He was an artificer and said he worked in the blacksmith shop, ironing gun trucks shoeing horses and doing other mechanical work. He was appointed a sergeant while here - as I understood him he was a sergeant during the greater part of this time.

Afterwards he served another term of service - He said that one of his terms, other than the one at Springfield, was for a year, and that he served for a year and twenty two days - That the extra twenty two days was on account of there being no proper officer to discharge the troops - so that they had to wait - Whether this last term was the one for a year and twenty two days I cannot say - The one at Springfield I am positive was for three years - I have heard my father say, that though he was but a boy when the war broke out he served from the beginning to the end - I have heard him make this boast repeatedly in the presence of other soldiers - I recollect very well that during the last war with Great Britain that there used to be a good deal of talk among the old revolutionaries - My father's blacksmith shop was a great resort - I used to blow the bellows and hear them talk - I recollect also when the news of some battle in Canada or Northern part of New York arrived the School master Mr. Viets was at our house and after talking over the news he asked my father how long he was in the service - I recollect perfectly my father's saying - that he was in for all the war - Mr. Viets asked what bat- tles he was in - My father said he was in no regular pitched battle - but he had seen some pretty hard skin- nishing at the battle of White-Plains - He said that for I think three years he was at Springfield and that he used to feel as if he was in prison to be kept there at work in the blacksmith's shop instead of being out where there

was a chance for fighting - I cannot tell all that I have heard my father say but I have not the least doubt but that he was in service all or the greater part of the war.
He used to keep his papers in a box and was very careful of them - He had a sergeants warrant and two discharges - and there was also a sergeants warrant and a discharge belonging to my grandfather - After my fathers death I took such of the papers as I thought valuable but many even of these got lost and the others I do not know what became of them - When my mothers application for a pension was made only the sergeants warrant of my father and one discharge could be found a good many papers were left with Mr. Lewis used Esq. for him to examine to see if he could find any proof that would help Maria a pension - Mr. Lewis used died very soon after I think in less than a month - and I have never been able to recover the papers or to find out whether they were sent to Washington or not -
My father was a blacksmith by trade but he worked at gunsmithing some - mending - and could and did work at wheelwrighting a good deal - He was a very ingenious man - My grandfather's warrant was found when I looked over the papers at the time of the application for a pension - and further the deponent's oath not -
Ambrose Davis

15 State of Connecticut
Hartford County ss. Suffered June 28 th 1852
Sworn to and subscribed before me and I hereby certify that the said deponent is personally known to me and that he is a person of good reputation for truth and veracity.
Daniel W. Norton Justice of the Peace.
State of Connecticut,
County of Hartford. } ss. - I Chauncy Howard, Clerk of the County Court within and for said County (a Court of Records, having a seal) do hereby
Certify, that Daniel W. Norton is, and was, on the 12 th 19 th and 28 th days of June A.D. 1852, a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned, that his official acts, as such Justice, are entitled to full credit - that I am acquainted with his handwriting, and that the several signatures subscribed to the several certificates herewith attached, are his genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the Seal of said Court, at Hartford in said County, this 7 th day of July A.D. 1852.
Chauncy Howard Clerk.

STATE OF Connecticut COUNTY OF Hartford
ss. Probate District of Granby
It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me
That Matilda Davis of said district was an applicant for a pension under the act of July 7 th 1835
that
was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United
States at the rate of $
per annum and that she died on the
ninth
day of March
eighteen hundred and fifty
leaving surviving Ambrose Davis, Frederic Davis, Geo. W. Davis, Silas Davis, Matilda Davis, Charles Davis, Lemuel Sackett, Oliver Griffin, Hamet Griffin and Sally Griffin - children of the aforesaid Matilda and that Ambrose Davis, Frederic Davis, Geo. W. Davis, Silas Davis, Matilda Davis, Charles Davis, Lemuel Sackett, Oliver Griffin & Hamet Griffin are
the only surviving children of the aforesaid Matilda Davis and that Calvin W. Phelps of Suffield, Hartford Co. Connecticut was the lawful administrator of said deceased duly appointed qualified & sworn
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this fifteenth day of
October
one thousand eight hundred and fifty one
Will B Holcomb Judge of Probate for the District of Granby

POWER OF ATTORNEY — Revolutionary Pension Claims.
Know all Men by these Presents, That I, Ambrose Davis of the town of Suffield County of Hartford and State of Connecticut.
hereby constitute and appoint George H. Ames of Washington City my true and lawful Agent and Attorney, to prosecute the Claim of Matilda Davis for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or Increase of Pension, that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Agent to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Departments at Washington City, or elsewhere; to file additional evidence or arguments; and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said Claim, which Certificate I wish made payable to
administrators of said deceased for the benefit of the children of said Matilda Davis to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed; and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
WITNESS my hand and Seal this 14 th day October
A. D. 1857.
Ambrose Davis
Signed and Sealed in the presence of
Chas. Pomeroy Daniel Norton
STATE OF Connecticut } ss. Suffield Oct. 14 th 1857 COUNTY OF Hartford }
On this fourteenth day of October A. D. 1857 before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Ambrose Davis and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand, } the day and year aforesaid.
Daniel Norton Justice Peace.

CLAIM OF Matilda Davis ACT OF 7 th July 1835
STATE OF Connecticut } ss. COUNTY of Hartford }
Be it known, That on this fifteenth day of October A. D. eighteen hundred and fifty one , before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Ambrose Davis a resident of Suffield in said County, and made oath according to law that he is the son of Matilda Davis late of Granby in Hartford County State of Connecticut
who was a Revolutionary Pensioner  an applicant for a pension under the act of 7 th July 1835 which application is now suspended at the rate of allowed Dollars per annum; that he has been informed that the said Pension ought to be increased; that he is directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, before me. Daniel W. Norton J. Peace.
Ambrose Davis
I, Daniel W. Norton Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, do hereby certify that Ambrose Davis who executed the foregoing paper is a respectable resident of this County, and is, I believe, directly interested in said claim as therein set forth.
Daniel W. Norton J. Peace.
I, Chauncy Howard Clerk of the County Court in the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Daniel W. Norton before whom the foregoing papers were executed, was, at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths; and the name thereunto subscribed, is his signature.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official Seal this 14 th day of November A. D. 1851.
Chauncy Howard Clerk.

June 26, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS Silas Davis, W.10709
Mrs. S. M. Howlett 517 24th Street Moline, Illinois
Dear Madam:
The data which follow were taken from papers on file in the pension claim, W.10709, based on the military service of Silas Davis.
The date and place of birth of Silas Davis and the names of his parents are not shown.
While living in Granby, Connecticut, Silas Davis enlisted and served two or three months as substitute for his father and was in the battle of White Plains, no further details of this service given. He next served three years at Springfield, Massachusetts, as an artificer in the First Company of Colonel Mason's and Major Joseph Eayres' Regiment of Artillery Artificers and was appointed First Sergeant of said company, April 26, 1780. He then served one year in Colonel Canfield's Connecticut Regiment and was discharged, April 12, 1783.
Silas Davis married, September 21, 1788, Matilda Griffin.
He died December 23, 1815, in Granby, Connecticut.
Pension was allowed on the application of his widow, Matilda Davis, which she executed January 3, 1839, while living in Granby, Hartford County, Connecticut, aged sixty-nine years.
Matilda Davis died March 9, 1850, in Granby, Connecticut, and she was survived by the following children: Matilda Davis who was born August 30, 1789, and was living in Granby in 1852; Olive Griffin who was living in Granby in 1852, aged fifty-six years, at which time she stated she was the daughter of Silas and Matilda Davis; Frederick Davis, resident of Granby

in 1838; Ambrose Davis, resident of Suffield, Connecticut, in 1852, aged fifty-two years; George M. Davis; Silas Davis; Charles Davis; Lorilla Sackett; Harriet Griffin; and Sally Griffin.
In 1852, Elizabeth Griffin, resident of Granby, Connecticut, aged seventy-six years, stated that her husband (name not given) was the brother of Matilda Davis, the widow of Silas Davis.
There are no further data relative to family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Very WIDOW, &c.
File No. 10709
Matilda Dammick
Wid.
John Dammick
Sgt of Artillery
Act: Feb. 2 1848
Index:—Vol. Q , Page 169
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1976 Feb. 6. Ind. to Jena Co. Heleander M.D.A.
29 June 26. First to New Mr. Hunt. M.D.

Matilda Davis
Died 9 March 1880
Left Surinam
Ambrone Davis.
Frederick Davis
Geo. M Davis,
Lila, Davis
Matilda Davis
Chas. Davis
Lorilla Sackett
Olive Griffin
Harriet Griffin +
Dolly Griffin
Calvin W Philleo
Adm.

V 3919
let to Hon. J. Toney
Jan'y 22, 1839
" Hon. W. Trumbull Feb. 7.
19 th 1840.
Let to Jos. C. Foster Sept. 15 th
let to Gen. C. Ana Apr. 10/52

3919 Matilda Davis widow of Silas Cont.
Hon J Forney May 22 1839 " Gov. Dumbree Feb 19 '40 Gov C Foster Sep 15 '45 Gen C Ames Apr 10 '52
Act July 7 1838

File 100-44709 M. J. ... Comm.

Hamford Garrison 12 th April 1700
Silas Davis a Soldier detach'd to serve under Col o Canfield command at this Port is hereby discharged as His Excellency has countermanded the orders for detaching any men for said service
12 th
Th e Benedict Maj r Commanding the Garrison

11.445. Connecticut - Matilda Davis died, widow of Silas who died on the of _____ in the State of _____ who was a Sgt. of Art. , commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by _____ in the line for Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll of Hartford at the rate of 188 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of Feb. 1853 and sent to -
Geo. C. Ames Trust. Arrears to the 4th of _____ Semi-annual allowance ending _____
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act July 7, 1838. } Recorded by R. McKee Clerk, Book _____ Vol. _____ Page 19

Silas Davis N. F. 10,709 Continental

Joseph Coeyns Esq. Major. Commandant of a Regiment for Artillery and Artificers raised by the States
To Silas Davis greeting
By virtue of the Power and authority to me given By the Congress of Dobyns Presents Reposing Especial trust and Confidence in your loyalty courage and good Conduct constitute and Appoint you the said Silas Davis to be the first Serjeant in the first Company in the said Regiment you are therefore strictly and Diligently to discharge the duty of a Serjeant in ordering and exercising said Company in the Service aforesaid Commanding them to obey you as their Serjeant and your self to observe such orders and instructions as you shall from time to time receive from me or other your superior officer according to military rules and Discipline Pursuant to the trust Reposed on you for which this shall be your sufficient Warrant given under my hand this 26 Day of April in the year of our Lord 1780
IV
Joseph Coeyns Maj t Comm d A and A!

9.330. Connecticut
Matilda Davis decd. widow of Silas who was a S t . of Arty. in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 188 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th day of Feb. 1853. and sent to
Geo C. Ames Prest.
[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book CA Vol. 2 - Page 51

I, ROYAL B. HINMAN , Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern,
THAT Joshua R Jewett Esq.
and for more than Six months last past, has been a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Hartford in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to take the acknowledgment of Deeds and to certify the same; also to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certifi- cates thereof; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the official acts and attestations of the said Jewett
in Court and Country.
In testimony whereof, I have, in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the 8th day
of January in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirtynine
And I certify that the signature of said Jewett
hereunto annexed are genuine.
Royal B. Hinman Secretary.

I Olive Griffin of Granby in Hartford County State of Connecticut, Depose Hereby, That I Was present When my late Father Silas Davis Died, and am Well knowing that he Died on the 23 d Day of December 1815. —
I Will Remember that he Did I certify three years ago this December. — I I Remember that he Was Buried the day before Christmas or on the 24 th . I then the Rev. Northam House attended the Funeral & preached a Sermon on that occasion —
My Mother Whose Christian Name is Hannah is now living in this Town and is now the Widow of Silas Davis & has not again Married since the Death of my Father the aforesaid Silas Davis —
Hartford County 11 Granby December 10. 1830 —
Personally appeared the above named Olive Griffin to me personally known to be a Respectable & credible Witness & made solemn oath to the truth of the above Deposition by her Subscribed
Before me Joshua D. Root Justice of Peace

We Matilda Davis & Lydia Davis both of Granby in Hartford County of lawful age Depose & say that our late Father Elias Davis late of Granby aforesaid D r . Died in this Town on the 23 d Day of December 1815 - We well know that he has been Dead Twenty three years this December, & that he Died on the 23 d from the circum- -stances of his being buried the day before Christmas or on the 24 th . The Rev d . Northcutt there was at that time the settled Episcopal clergyman in this place & attended to his funeral services a sermon on the occasion ————— We then left this Town some years ago thus left no Parish Record to our knowledge & we know of no Record of his Death —————
We further Depose & say that the Christian name of our Mother is Matilda who was Matilda Griffin before her Marriage with Elias Davis & who is now the Widow of Elias Davis —————
Matilda Davis D r
Widow P.O. Service —————
Frederick X Davis Mother
Hartford County ss Granby December 11. 1830. Personally appeared the above named Matilda Davis D r . & Frederick Davis, both personally known to me to be the persons described in and who made known to me the truth of the above deposition by them subscribed
Before me Joshua D. Service Justice of Peace

I, Olin Griffin, of Granby, in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut of lawful age do in with deliberate and say - That I am the daughter of Silas and Matilda Davis, and that I am fifty six years of age - I lived at my fathers home until very near the time of his death - I recollect perfectly hearing him tell his stories about the revolutionary war. He said that he served the most of the time in the army during the war and that he was in the battle of White Plains - I have heard him say that he took my grandfathers place and served as his substitute for two or three months because my grandfather was obliged to stay at home either on account of his own sickness or that of some of the family - Afterwards, my father said, he enlisted on his own account and was stationed for about three three years at Springfield and worked there as an artificer in the army - in the Hockmuth shop and repairing gun carriages and other mechanical work there learned to fix guns &c. and I can remember his having a great many jobs of that sort to do - He said that while he was in the army at Springfield he was a sergeant at least for a good part of the time - He also told of enlisting or volunteering to go on another term of service in the south part of this state - My impression is that he was gone there but a few months not more than two or three -

My father used to work at the blacksmiths trade and sometimes worked at other trades - He was a good deal of a hand at all sorts of tinkering - and was very ingenious - I have no doubt that my father was in the reserve the greater part of the war - I have heard him say that he was at Haverneck - My father died thirty six years ago - My father used to keep his papers very close and I have heard him read his sergeants warrant - he used to be very proud of it - He was always called Sergeant Davis - When he died my brother Ambrose took up most of the papers and they were scattered and lost -
And further the deponent saith not -
Oliver Griffin
State of Connecticut } County of Hartford } ss  Signed June 12 th 1852
Sworn to and subscribed before me and I hereby certify that the said deponent is personally known to me and that he is a person of good reputation for truth and veracity -
Daniel W. Horton justice of the Peace.

I Matilda Davis of Granby in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut of lawful age being duly confirmed and now do in words declare and say - That I am the daughter of Silas Davis and Matilda Davis of said Granby deceased, that I am 62 years of age on the 30 day of August 1851 - that I always made it my home at my father's up to the time of his death which was I think thirty six years ago last December - That my father was a very ingenious man and worked at several mechanical trades as required - He was often called a Jack at all trades - He learned the trade of a blacksmith - and when I was young and lived at home he worked at the trade of gun smith and also of a wheelwright besides his regular trade of blacksmith - He had a blacksmith shop in which he regularly worked - I have often heard him say that he was a revolutionary soldier - and that he served the longest part of the war - I have often heard him and other old soldiers talk together in the shop and in our house telling over their stories about the war - It is so long since that I cannot well recollect all that he said or give any regular account of it - I have heard him say that he was in service three different terms - once as a substitute for his father - who joined the army at the first breaking out of the revolutionary war - my grand father, so I have understood, came home sick, and my father took his place and served out the remainder of my grand father's term of service - My recollection is that this remainder

4 was for about three months - I have heard my father say repeatedly that he was in the battle of White Plains and have heard him tell anecdotes of the battle and of retreating from Long Island - I have heard him and other old soldiers like each other about their conduct in the battle of White Plains - I have heard my father say that he afterwards enlisted on his own account and took in this term of service he was stationed at Springfield and belonged to a regiment of artificers and worked on gun carriages and did other mechanical work. I have heard him say that he was stationed in Springfield and was in service there in this way three years and that he was a sergeant there a great part of the time - I rec- ollect this because he was ordered to train and showed the folks his sergeant's warrant and his discharge at Springfield - He used to keep his papers in a box and was very careful of them - after his death they were scattered and many of them are lost. I have heard my father say that after this, he was in the army another term of service - and this last term my impression is was a short one - compared to the term at Springfield - I don't know but that there was another short term but I am not willing to swear to - There were three terms I know, I have heard him speak of - This last term or one of them last terms was to the South part of this state - Every year before training I recollect that an order and him was to be littered up with old guns brought to be

but in order for training by my father - He used to do that kind of work for the whole region about here - I have no doubt from what I have heard him say that he was in America all, more than half the war - I don't recollect of his telling of being in any other battle except White Plains - -
Halibut Davis
State of Connecticut
Hartford County p. Granby June 12 th 1852
I sworn and subscribed before me and
I hereby certify that the said deponent is personally known to me and that she is a person of good reputation for truth and veracity.
Daniel M c Norton Justice of the Peace

I Epaphras Alderman of Granby in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut of lawful age do on oath depose and say
That I was born in said Granby and have lived here ever since - I was ninety-one years of age last November - I used to know Silas Davis - used to know him before the revolutionary war - we were boys together, brought up in the same neighborhood - He was rather a wild boy, did not like to stay at home steady like other boys - He was at home but little during the war - was gone most of the time - He was gone once about a year - and when he came back he said that he had been in the service in the army - down to New York I should think - Then he was gone another time about three years and he said afterwards that he had been in the service - I think he must have been at Springfield - There was a good deal of fuss made because he snatched for so long.
He was a very ingenious man, and had a blacksmith shop - where he used to work - he used to mend guns - turn his hand to most any kind of mechanical work - he has worked a good deal for me - he was a first rate hand to shoe a horse - he would fix my horses feet better than any other man that I had ever had

shoe horses for me - I have heard him say that he worked at mechanical work in the army -
His signature Alderman mark
In presence of - D. W. Norton, Harvey Alderman
State of Connecticut / Hartford County p. Granby June 19 th 1852 Sworn to and subscribed before me and I hereby certify that the deponent is personally known to me and that he is a person of good reputation for truth and veracity
Daniel W. Norton Justice of the Peace.

I Elizabeth Griffin of Granby in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut being first duly confirmed and sworn do on oath declare and say - That I am twenty six years of age and have lived in the Town of Granby ever since I was two or three years of age - I knew Silas Davis - always lived in the same neighborhood with him - Have heard him say in conversation a great many times that he was in the revolutionary army for the greatest part of the revolutionary war - I have heard him say that he was stationed at Springfield Mass. nearly three years - I have heard him say that he was a sergeant while stationed there a considerable part of the time He always went by the title of Sergeant Davis I have heard him tell a great many times of being at the battle of White Plains - After I was married I lived for two or three years in the home with Davis - My husband was Mr. Davis wife's brother - I always lived a near neighbor to him - I have heard him many times tell anecdotes of the war -
He was a very ingenious man and besides his regular trade of blacksmith he used to work at the wheelwright and carpenter's business and mended and fixed guns - He died more than thirty years ago - I am sure that I have heard him say often that he was the greatest part of the revolutionary war - and I have heard him say that he was at Horse

neck at some time during the war - and further the deponent saith not - Elizabeth per  X Griffin mark
In presence of C. W. Phelps D. W. Norton.
State of Connecticut County of Hartford ss. I hereby certify June 12 th 1852
Sworn to and subscribed before me and I hereby certify, that the said deponent is person- ally known to me and that she is a person of good reputation for truth and veracity.
Daniel W. Norton justice of the Peace.

I Abraham Holcomb of Granby in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut of lawful age do on oath depose and say - That I was born in said Granby and have ever since lived in said town - I am seventy four years of age - I always knew Silas Davis late of this town, deceased, up to the time of his death, which was a good many years ago - some thirty five or six years ago - he always lived in my neighborhood and part of the time in one of my houses - He was always called Sergeant Davis and I have heard him say that he was a sergeant in the army in the Revolutionary war - and from what I have heard him say I have always had the im- pression that he was a soldier for the most part of that war - I have heard him tell stories about his services in the war - He and other old soldiers would sit in my barn and tell their stories - I never took a great deal of notice of them and it was a good while ago - He was one of the most ingenious men I ever knew - he was good at any trade - he had a black- smiths shop - but he came and did work at the wheel- wright gun smiths and carpenters trades - He could turn his hand to anything - I have heard Davis tell stories about his being at the battle of White Plains - and further the defeat South not - Abraham Holcomb

State of Connecticut
2
Hartford County ss. Granby June 12 th 1852
Known to and subscribed before me and I hereby certify that the said deponent is personally known to me and that he is a person of good reputation for truth and veracity.
Daniel W. Horton Justice of the Peace.

Washington August 14 1852
Sir
I enclose herewith several Affidavits in support of the Claim of Malinda Davis widow of Silas, of Connecticut under the act of 7 July 1838.
The Sergeant's Warrant filed in this Case shows that Mrs Davis's husband was appointed a Sergeant of Artillery Artificers by Major Eayres, Commanding a Corps of Artificers at Springfield, but in your report to me of 10' April last you require some evidence showing the length of service performed by Davis at that Post. The first now furnished shows that he enlisted and served under that engagement three years. You have in your Office abundant evidence going to show that Major Eayres Commanded a Corps of Artillery Artificers at Springfield who were enlisted for three years. And there are a number of Pensioners on the rolls of the different States for service rendered at that place. I know of no enlistment of artillery for less than 3 years at that period of the War. Mr. Cole is I believe familiar with the history of that service and can now assist furnish all the information necessary to a proper understanding of it.

That Davis was in Service at Springfield in April 1780 as an Artillerist cannot for a moment be doubted, and the fact of his having been appointed first Sergeant of the first Company by Major Ely as then Commanding, shows that he had been or engaged to serve for a Considerable period. No one employed temporarily would have been appointed to an Office of so much trust and responsibility. These facts together with the testimony now presented from intelligent and respectable Witnesses, all of whom state under Oath that they have frequently heard Davis say that he served at Springfield for 3 years. Should be amply sufficient to satisfy the Department that Mrs Davis husband performed the Service for which we claim and that she is entitled to a Certificate for 2 1/2 years Service as a Sergeant of Artillery, Artillerists.
The term from which Davis was discharged in 1783, was a different Service all of the time that performed at Springfield. It appears that after the expiration of the term as an Artillerist, He again entered the Service in the State Troops under Col. Mansfield. This Officer Commanded a State Regiment and was re-Commissioned for 12 mo in April 1782. See Papers in Case of Capt James Stoddard N.Y. 7 June 1832. At what time Davis joined this Regiment it does not appear. If he enlisted

at the time of the re-Commissioning of Col Canfield he must have served up to the time of his discharge in April 1783 12 Mo. the period for which the Regiment was raised, but from the Phrasing of the discharge do not suppose that he performed much service under that Officer; The Service as An Artillerist is well sustained and should be allowed.
Very Respectfully Your Obedt Servt Geo L. Ames
Capt F. F. B. Triplett Actg Commr of Pensions,

Washington Novm 18 th 1857
James E Heath Esq Sir
Enclosed you will please find Power of Attorney in the Case of Matilda Davis Widow of Silas Davis who, previous to her death asserted a claim under the act of 7 July 1838, from the State of Connecticut, for her husband's service as a Sergeant of a Company of Artillery Artificers under the Command of Major Eayres. A Sergeant's Warrant, and a discharge from Service in April 1783. are both I understand filed with Mrs Davis papers, which show clearly that her husband was in service more than two years.
I do not know whether this Case is embraced by the recent decision in relation to Artificers, but should it not come under that Class of Claims, no objection, as I can conceive, can be made to granting a pension at the rate of $188 per Ann. as a Sergeant of Artificers.
Major Eayres, I believe had Command of the Arsenal at Springfield and other places during the Revolution. See the

papers of James Peck of Vermont, Abijah Smith of Kentucky and several other cases under the act of 7 June 1832.
Very Respectfully Your obed Servt Geo L. Ames

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston : January 7. 1853.
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 that by the Army Books that the periods of enlistment of the soldiers in Col. Mason's Corps of Artillery Artificers, stationed at Springfield (& of which Jos. Gaylord was Major) was of the length usual for those enlisting in the regular Continental line; viz: for "Three Years" & for "During the War."
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Alexander Walker Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Washington City
House of Reps. Feby 15. 1840
M c Edward,
Com te . of Ways,
My Dear Sir,
I have the honor to transmit for your inspection the enclosed letter of enquiry —
Will you please to give me an answer and oblige
Your obed t . Servant
J. T. Brantley —

Brief in the case of Matilda Davis widow of Silas County and State of Connecticut act July 7 1838 4
Claim, ("original," or "for increase," )
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Proof of service, An original appointment of sergeant, in 1780, an original discharge in 1783, Certificate of Mass Secy showing that these enlistments were for "three years or during the war" Traditionary proof of service, also.
Record proof of marriage,
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
I have consulted Mr Cole, who is familiar with this service and he is of opinion that the case is fully made out,
Name and residence of Agent
Rev. C. Ames Esq Present
Thornton Tipton
Examining Clerk.

Matilda Davis dec Widow of Silas adm? Cont
2 yrs Arrears $188. per annum from 4 March 1836 to 9 March 1850
except 2 years,
Pay to Calvin W Phillee administratrix for the benefit of Ambrose Davis, Frederic Davis, Geo. N. Davis, Silas Davis, Ma- tilda Davis, Chas. Davis, Lorilla Sackett, Olive Griffin, Harriet Griffin & Sally Griffin only surviving children
Act July 7 1838
Cert to Geo. C. Ames Esq Present

390 Park Road West Hartford Conn Jan 3 rd 1926
U.S. Pension Bureau Washington D.C.
Dear Sirs,
Will you kindly send me all possible information - regarding Silas Davis whose widow Matilda Davis drew a pension I am told for about nine years.
All birth and death records of the Davis family have been destroyed by fire in the town building years ago.
over

I wish to join the S.A.R. Society and perhaps you will know what information is necessary
At the State Library I discovered that the file number in Washington was W. 10709 if that will help you any in looking it up.
Thanking you in advance I am, yours Truly,
Lena E. Holcomb

P.S. I think this Soldier was from Granby, Conn. but have no information regarding this, he might have lived in any of the surrounding towns.

517- 24th STREET MOLINE ILL MAY 26, 1939
U. S. PENSION BUREAU.
REVOLUTION SOLDIERS.
I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE PENSION BUREAU CAN FURNISH THE TOWNS FROM WHICH REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS CAME IF THEY WERE ON THE ROSTERS OF COMPANIES.
I AM TRYING TO LOCATE TOWNS FROM WHICH CERTAIN DAVISES CAME . THE ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASS. WROTE ME THAT THERE WERE THREE SILAS DAVISES IN MASS. COMPANIES AND SEVERAL JAMES DAVISES. THE NAME IS SILAS DAVIS AND JAMES DAVIS. HeCOULD NOT GIVE A NAME OF A TOWN.
One COULD YOU FIND OUT IF THE NAMES OF EITHER SILAS DAVIS OR JAMES DAVIS APPEAR ON THE PENSION LIST? IF SO KINDLY SEND THE SAME TO ME. I KNOW THAT THERE MUST BE SEVERAL BY THE NAME OF JAMES BUT IF YOU WILL SEND ME THE COMPLETE LIST ( IF IT IS POSSIBLE) I SHALL APPRECIATE IT GREATLY AS I AM WORKING TO COMPILE A FAMILY HISTORY. WHAT I DESIRE ESPECIALLY IS THE NAME OF THE TOWNS WHERE THEY WERE BORN OR THE NAME OF THE PLACE WHERE THERE COMPANY WAS ORGANIZED. ANY THING TO GIVE A DEFINITE LOCALITY. revolutionary act.
THANKING YOU GREATLY ,
Mrs. S. M. Howlett
MRS. S. M. HOWLETT

June 26, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/UMHF:MLB
Mrs. S. M. Howlett 517 - 24th Street Moline, Illinois
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you state that you have been informed that the Pension Bureau (which is now a part of the Veterans Administration) can furnish the names of towns from which Revolutionary War soldiers served, when their names were on company rosters. You are interested, you state, in locating towns from which certain Davises served in that war, and that The Adjutant General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts stated that there were three soldiers of Massachusetts with the name Silas Davis and several of Massachusetts with the name James Davis and you desire the pension records of them all for family history.
The Veterans Administration does not have military rolls or rosters of soldiers of the various wars. Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land which have been made to the United States based upon service in that war.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data, it has been impossible with the clerical force available for furnishing such information, to make for one person or organization a series of investigations and reports pertaining to soldiers of that war.
As you had written the Massachusetts officials for information, the records have been searched on the basis that you are interested in any James and Silas Davis of that state.
The name Silas Davis is borne once, only, on the pension records of this office. His record and that of one James Davis, of Massachusetts, are furnished you herewith, in hope that the data will aid you somewhat in your research.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

February 6, 1926
Lena E. Holcomb 390 Park Road West Hartford, Conn.
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 10709, it appears that SILAS DAVIS while living in Granby, Connecticut, enlisted and served two or three months as substitute for his father (whose name was not stated) and was in the battle of White Plains, no further details of this service given.
He then served three years at Springfield, Massachusetts, as an artificer in the First Company of Colonel Mason's and Major Joseph Eayres' Regiment of Artillery Artificers, and was appointed First Sergeant of said company April 26, 1780.
He then served one year in Colonel Canfield's Connecticut Regiment and was discharged April 12, 1783.
He married September 21, 1788, Matilda Griffin.
He died December 23, 1815, in Granby, Connecticut.
Pension was allowed on the application of his widow, Matilda, which she executed January 3, 1839, while living in Granby, Hartford County, Connecticut, aged sixty-nine years.

Said Matilda Davis died March 9, 1850, in Granby, Connecticut, and she left the following children: Matilda Davis, born August 30, 1789; Olive Griffin, aged fifty-six years in 1852; Frederick Davis; Ambrose, aged fifty-two years in 1852; George N. Davis; Silas Davis; Charles Davis; Lorilla Sackett; Harriet Griffin; and Sally Griffin.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner
res Granby Conn at which time debt d. p. Silas & Matilda soon
n. Suffield Conn 1852 n. Granby in 1852
n. Granby in 1838