Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16,756, Samuel Davis, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Davis, Samuel.
S. 16756
CONTENTS
Carded

see letter to W. Keyes, actg. P. Agt. Nov. 11. 1835-
Ordered to pay 29. Sept 1837.
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 16 th April 1838 from 4 Sept 1837 to 4 March 1839. Age notified 1. Decr 1839.
Death not on A.B.
4734 Alabama
Samuel Davis Madison Co. in the State of Alabama who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Grigs of the Regt. commanded by Col. Christie in the Virginia Militia for eight months from 1776
Inscribed on the Roll of Alabama at the rate of 24 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of January 1833 and sent Hon. W. B. Clay H. R.
Arrears to 14th of September 1832 40.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending Feb. 1833 13.33
Doll s 53.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Henry H. Sykes Clerk, Book 20 Vol. 10 Page 199

State of Alabama } Madison County } 55. Circuit court On this 8th day of November 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Judge of the circuit court now sitting Samuel Davis a resident of the county of Madison and state of Alabama aged seventy six years 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 the 7th day of June 1832 That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein after stated Sometimes in the year 1776 (he thinks about the latter part of August) he entered the service under Col. Christie and was in what has been called Christie's campaign Robert Craig was his captain at the time Christie came on he was in Black's fort the place where Abingdon is now situated Christie told Craig that if he would raise twenty six men he should have the rank & pay of a captain he did so and this applicant was one of the twenty six and served in that campaign against the Cherokee Indians three months or thereabouts - In the year 1777 & 78 he was generally en- =gaged in guarding & defending the frontier forts in what is now called Raper County it was then called Black settlement to prevent the predatory incursions of the Shawnee Indians which were very frequent - the several forts in which he served were Moore's fort - Glade hollow fort - Gilmore's fort or Black's garden - he was during this time principally under the command of Capt. Matthew Willoughby of Washington county the same county in which this applicant resided - In March 1779 he states that he went to Kentucky to McAfee's station on Salt river and commanded a campaign against the Shawnee Indians under Col. Ben- =jamin Logan his captain was named Patrick Harland Lieut- enant Wm McAfee 2nd Lieutenant John Allison Ensign - John King - mustered into service at Harrodsburg and marched to Elk Horn Station the place or near the place where Lex- =ington now stands - at which place we met with several

Companies and marched to Reddy, Station at which place after being detained by the Shawnee  sometime to procure the pay provisions we marched to a new town erected on the Little Miami river crossed the Ohio a short distance above the mouth of Licking. on a Sunday morning the last of June or first of July our party under the command of Colo. Logan made an attack on the town which was defended by a party of British in a blockhouse we burnt the principal part of the town tho' the attack was unsuccessful we lost nine men five of whom were from the company to which this applicant belonged - our party left the town about 9 or 10 o'clock and fell back to our boats on the Ohio. the indian followed  was in about 12 miles frequently firing during which there were three slight engagements in the last of which an indian gaudily dressed was killed after which they ceased to follow; the indian that was killed was said at the time or supposed to be a chief called the "Black fish" tho' does not recollect how long. This campaign lasted but it was several months - He returned to Washington county, and in the month of November 1780 he entered the service under Colo. Arthur Campbell and commenced a campaign against the Cherokee indians, his captain was Joseph Black the Lieutenant was John Davis brother to this applicant the other of - ficers if any are not recollect - then marched to Chota town & took possession the main army remained sometime at Chota - a party was detached to range the mountains & burnt Chelhorre town of which this applicant was one - we did not succeed in burning the town not being able to cross the river - on the route however we came across a party of nine indians all of which we killed or took - we returned from Chota & stationed a part of our men at Tullies plains & fired a garrison there - a party of which this applicant was one was detached to go to Hinkapow with which the Colo. Camp- bell also went - after taking & killing some indians we turned to Tullies and from there home - this campaign lasted three months -

In the spring of 1778 a draught took place in Washington county for men to serve one year down about Norfolk this applicant was draughted and was firmly willing to go into any service his country might require but his friends, relations were opposed to his going to a country considered so sickly as that to which he was called. The Thompson purchase a contract whose term of service had not expired and desired him to take Arthur Campbell and receive the assigned discharge. This applicant was always disposed disposed never to shrink from any duty but he always had a preference for fighting in Dicks, particularly the Shawnee who killed his father. 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 or Territory. He has no documentary evidence of his services. Sworn to, and subscribed the Samuel Davis Day I year aforesaid in open court. 2nd L. McAdams Clerk
We Samuel Davis a Clergyman residing in the county of Madison and Grace Wellborn also residing in the same county - hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Samuel Davis who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to seventy six 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. - Samuel Davis Sworn to and subscribed the Day J. R. Becklin and year aforesaid in open court. 8 Nov 1852 2nd L. McAdams Clerk Rev. J. B. Pendleton
Interrogatories propounded to Samuel Davis - 1st When and in what year were you born?
Ans: I was born in what is now Rockbridge then called Augusta county state of Virginia - my mother has always told me that I was born 24 th day of December 1755.
2nd Have you any record of your age and if so when is it?

Ques: I have no record of my age, it was kept at the time my father was killed by the Indians when I was about three years of age - so my mother and elder brother have told me
3 rd When were you living when you were called into service when have you lived since the revolutionary war and when do you now live?
Ans: I lived in the county of Washington State of Virginia when called into service and lived there until about the year 1797 when I moved to Blount county East Tennessee and lived there eleven years and in 1808 I moved to the place where I now live in the county of Madison State of Alabama. It was Mississippi Territory when I moved here - I believe I planted the first corn that was ever planted in Madison county by a white man.
4 th How were you called into service were you drafted Did you volunteer or were you a substitute? and if a substitute for whom?
Ans: I was once drafted as stated in my Declaration at other times I volunteered and was sometimes and informally substituted for my brother, who had families before I had one -
5 th State the names of some 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 have in the body of my Declaration answered this question as fully as I can do -
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so - by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Ans: If I ever did receive a discharge I do not know by whom it was signed or what has become of it - I was raised by my brother John Davis who had it if I ever had one - he has been dead more than twenty years

7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution
Answer May Isaac Welborn John R. Beck- lin Richard B. Parsons many others known to be subscribers in Samuel Davis open court 8 Nov 1832.
Test Isaac Welborn
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department that the above named Samuel Davis applicant was a revolutionary soldier as stated in his declaration served on the State, and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Samuel Davis Isaac Welborn, John R. Becklin & Richard B. Parsons who have the preceding certificate are the creditors of said county, State, and are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit, & that said Samuel Davis is a clergyman
W. J. Clair
I Lemuel Mead Clerk of this circuit court of Madison county, State of Alabama do hereby certify that the fore- going contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Samuel Davis for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of office this the eighth day of November 1832 & the 57 th year of American Independence
L. Mead

December 8, 1939.
Miss Helen Petty 514 Randolph Street Huntsville, Alabama.
BA-J/ILL aw Samuel Davis S. 16756
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Samuel Davis who resided in Madison County, Alabama, at the time he received pension, also, the record of James Walker who settled in that same county in 1805 and whose wife was Margaret.
A search of the Revolutionary War records of this office has been made and no claim for pension or bounty land found based upon service of the James Walker cited by you. The record of Samuel Davis follows as found in the papers on file in his claim for pension, S. 16756, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Samuel Davis was born December 24, 1755 in Augusta County (the part which was later Rockbridge County), Virginia; his father was killed by the Shawnee Indians when Samuel was about three years old, his name not given nor that of Samuel's mother. Samuel was reared by his brother, John Davis.
While a resident of Washington County, Virginia, Samuel Davis enlisted in August 1776 and served three months as private in Captain Robert Craig's company under Colonel Christie in the Virginia troops. During 1777 and 1778, he served as private under Captain Matthew Willoughby, engaged at different forts on the frontier guarding against the Indians. He enlisted in March 1779 and served several months as private Captain Josiah Harland's company under Colonel Benjamin Logan in the Virginia troops. He enlisted in November 1780 and served three months as private in Captain Joseph Black's company, of which Samuel's brother John Davis was lieutenant, under Colonel Arthur Campbell in the Virginia troops. During his service, he was in several engagements with the Indians and assisted in destroying their towns.
Samuel Davis moved from Washington County, Virginia, in 1797 to Blount County, Tennessee, resided there until 1808, then moved to

Mississippi Territory, the part which was later Madison County, Alabama. He stated that he was the first white man to plant corn in Madison County, Alabama.
Samuel Davis was allowed pension on account of his service in the Revolutionary War on his application executed November 8, 1832, at which time he resided in Madison County, Alabama. He made no reference to wife or children.
In 1832, the soldier stated that his brother, John Davis, had been dead for more than twenty years.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid and, possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Adjutant General, War Department, this city, and furnish the following data:
Samuel Davis Certificate #4754 Issued January 24, 1833 Rate $26.66 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Alabama Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

16 756 INVALID.
File No. 16 756
Samuel Davis
His Rev Mrs
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 428
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1918 Aug. 14. Heir. to Birdie Grogby Saddonia 1921 Jan. 29. Heir. to Allen Benson An 1931 Dec. 8. Heir. to Miss Helen Petty. S.L.R.

Saml. Davis
20427
Madison Cty. Ala
By the signature to the author
C. C. Clay

State of Alabama } On this 2 nd Day of November 1832 Madison County } personally appeared before me Samuel Chapman Judge of the county court of said county John F. Ammonette aged about eighty years who being first duly sworn according to law deposes and says that he was in what is called Christy's campaign and altho he has no positive recollection of the fact yet he is well convinced that Samuel Davis was a soldier in that campaign - he has no doubt of the fact from the detailed statement of occurrences during that period that said Davis has given which it is scarcely possible one could give who was not in that campaign - he furthermore states that he has been a long time acquaint- -ed with said Davis and has no hesitation in saying that he has always sustained the character of an honest man and a man of strict veracity - his
Sworn to and subscribed John F. Ammonette before me the Day & Date mark above written Saml Chapman Judge County court

DAVIS, SAMUEL (VA.) S-16756

Washington County
April 2. 1868 I Samuel Davies one of the Draughts from the Militia of this County for forming the Virginia Regiments delivered to me Isaac Stacher an able bodied Man who has enlisted for One Year in his place Therefore the s d Samuel Davies is hereby discharged as the Act of Assembly directs
9
Arthur Campbell County Lieu t !

Saml Davis
1. 2 3 mo. 2. — 2nd digit 3. — 3 mo.
Subscribed a man for 1 yr.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Samuel Danis which require further proof or explanation.
I. 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? No no each term to be distinctly alleged in the amended declaration 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

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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? _____ Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? _____ 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? also XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? answered
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.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.
† 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 authenticated 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 end 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.

Samuel Davis Decatur Ala p 26. 66 - 7. June 1832
To what time last paid
p t the 4 Sep 1835
JH
Pension Office
29. Sept 1837.

Nov 11
4754
Ala.
FREE
Sam L. Davis Ala. Road
Nov 26/66
G. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions City of Washington

Branch of the Bk. of the State of Ill. Decatur 28 Octo 1835
J L Edwards Esq
Dear Sir.
Saml. Davis of Madison County, a pensioner under the act of 7 June '32 enti- -tled to $26.66 per ann. has two Grants pension due him, did not apply during that time, but has now applied, shall we pay him?
Very Respectfully Mr A. L. Fink W. Dwyer Cash

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
Dec. 20 th , 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Samuel Davis, _____ a Pensioner on the Roll of the Huntsville, Ala. Agency, at the rate of Twenty six Dollars and Sixty Six Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1837. to the 4 th March, 1839.
Respectfully, yours,
William E. Pitt. Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

Rev Sec
Laddonia Mo.
Aug 9 th 1918
Commissioner of Pensions Dept. Dept. Interior Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
Please send me all historical and genealogical data found in Pension applications of William 816756 Davis, Jackson Co Ala. and of Samuel Davis Va. Mil 1832 Madison Co, Ala. 812738 These were Rev. soldiers and were my ancestors.

Can you give me any information as to Joseph Davis of Alabama who fought in Severnole War ? see negative slip for this.
Mrs Birdie Grigsby Ladonia Mo.
Care of J. E. Burch.

Commsioner of pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir :
Please be kind enough to give me the pension record of Samuel Davis who was on the pension roll for Revolutionary service and was living in Madison County Ala aged 78 in 1833 . He had formerly resided in Virginia .
Very truly,
Allen Benson
Care Tookout Pub Co 605 East 8th St Chattanooga Tenn

574 Randolph St., Huntsville, Ala., Nov. 23, 1939.
Veterans' Administration, Washington, D. C..
Dear Sir:
I learned from the Alabama Dept. of Archives that Samuel Davis , living at the time of his application for pension for services in the Revolutionary War, in Madison Co., Alabama, enrolled on Jan. 24, 1833, under Act of

Congress June 7, 1832, payment to date from March 4, 1831. Taken from Pension Roll in Vol. XIX , Sen. Doc. 514, 23 rd Congress, 1 st session 1833-34. Census of Pensions, 1841- page 148.
I am writing to ask if you will send me a copy of the pension application of this Samuel Davis, as I hope that it gives his birth date and that of his wife, and also his wife's maiden name, and the date and place of their marriage.
At the same time that this Samuel Davis and his family came into Madison Co., Alabama, then the Mississippi Territory (about 1805-) there also came James Walker with his family, wife's name Margaret — Did the said James Walker get a pension in Rev. War or apply for one? If so, also please send me a copy of the application.

Samuel Davis came from Washington Co., Va. into Tenn. - and then into Alabama. Very likely James Walker was from there too as he came to Alabama with Samuel Davis.
Thanking you in advance for any information you can give me, and hoping for an early reply, I am,
Very truly yours, (Miss) Helen Pettig-

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Samuel Davis a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Aug. 1776 3 mos. Pvt. Robert Crain Christie Va.   During 1777 and 1778 " Matthew Willoughby guarding frontiers   Mar 1779 several months " Josiah Harland Benjamin Logan   Nov. 1780 3 mos. " Joseph Black Arthur Campbell  
Battles engaged in, several with Indians
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Washington Co. Va.
Date of application for pension, Nov 8 1835. His d. was al.
Residence at date of application, Madison Co. Ala.
Age at date of application, 6 Dec 24 1755 in Augusta Co. Va.
Remarks: Soldier's father was killed by Shawnee Indians. His name is not stated.
It is not stated whether the sol. was married
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

1812 Wars 7..
Am
January 29, 1926.
Allen Benson, C/o Lookout Publishing Co. 605 E. 8 th St. Chattanooga, Tenn..
Sir:
I have to advise you, that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 16786, it appears that Samuel Davis was born December 24, 1755, in Augusta County, Virginia. While living in Washington County, Virginia he enlisted in August 1776, and served three months as a private in Captain Robert Craig's Company, under Colonel Christie in the Virginia Troops. During 1777 and 1778 he served as a private under Captain Matthew Willoughby guarding the frontiers. He enlisted in March 1779 and served several months in Captain Josiah Harland's Company under Colonel Benjamin Logan in the Virginia Troops. He enlisted in November 1780 and served three months in Captain Joseph Black's Company, under Colonel Arthur Campbell in the Virginia Troops. He was in several battles with the Indians.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 8, 1832, while living in Madison County, Alabama.

REVOLUTIONARY Rev. & Section
It is not stated whether he was married . His father was killed by the Shawnee Indians, his name is not stated, nor any details of his death.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT, Commissioner.