Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18370, Nathaniel Davis, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
NUMBER Paris, Kathaniel S 18370
Carded
CONTENTS

21. 157  Massachusetts Nathaniel Davis of Middlesex in the State of Mass who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Tilt of the Regt commanded by Col. Crafts in the Mass. Militia line for service: 13 m. $ 51.88 " 8 m. 26.66 State Arrears & Mutual $80.74
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 80 Dollars 74 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of Aug. 1832 and due the 10. March 1833 Woburn Arrears to the 4th of March $161.48 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept " 140.37 $301.85
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. C. [Signature] Clerk, Book E, Vol. B, Page 17.
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 April 1838 from 4 Sept 1835 to the 10 Dec 1835 the day of his death. After notified to Sept 1838.
See letter to Weymouth Richardson Oct 23, 1833 AL
74 Middlesex

N o 6608

Commonwealth Middlesex
of Massachusetts.
ss.
On this twenty second day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Hon. Judge of Probate now sitting at Charlestown within and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid
William Davis aged seventy two years
Who being 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 7th, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say
12 Months he enlisted in the month of Decr. 1776, into Capt. John Gill's Company of Artillery, in the service of the State of Mass. for one year in the Regiment of Col. Crafts & Lieut. Col. Paul Revere - Went into Boston - Then onto Castle Island, where he remained about ten months - Then marched to Providence, R.I. & remained one or two months - Then returned to Boston & was discharged in May 1777.
9 mo Soon after, in May 1777 - enlisted into the same service as a Corporal, & acted as such - the whole term - in Capt. Abisha's Company of Artillery - Regiment of Col. Molineux of Westport. - Marched to Rhode Island, was in several skirmishes, during the time - Genl. Spencer & believe - cannonaded - was discharged - with a promotion, about the first of January 1778.
1 Month He also volunteered & went into Dorchester Heights, near the middle of March 1776 - under Capt. George Munt, of Cannon - Col. Lamson's Regiment - worked on the fort - most of the time. - Munt left Boston, while he was there.
1 Mo In 1778 - volunteered & went to Cambridge to guard Bergoyen's army or prisoners on Prospect Hill, & remained one month or more & discharged, I believe the first of March - have no discharge now - but served out my time in each engagement.

7 I was regularly & honorably discharged at the end of said term has no claim thereto, except the affidavits hereto annexed.
He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity whatever, 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
Nath Davis
We Wymen Richardson, Attorney at Law, & Joseph Bennett, a Clergyman residing in the town of William, in the County of Middlesex, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathaniel Davis who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be seventy two years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,
Wymen Richardson Joseph Bennett
And the said Court thereupon proceeded to propound the following interrogatories, which he answered under oath, as follows:
1. Where and in what year were you born? Answer, in Dorchester County Mass s in 1759 October 20 th
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it? Answer, I have my birth in said Dorchester
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? in Concord during the war - after that, in Patuxent - Boston - Weston - then in William where I now live I have for 27 years -
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute, for whom? Answer, enlisted first time as Continental man - 2 time. on furlough - I volunteered in 1776.
5. State the names of some of the regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served, such Continental, and Militia Regiments, as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service?
Answer, Col. Thompson - Lieut. Col. Paul Thompson - Genl. Spencer - 1777 - Col. Melanson - Genl. Spencer
6. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution?
Answer, Rev. Joseph Bennett - Col. John Wadsworth - Joseph Lawrence - Wymen Richardson - William Davis

Also the said Judge of Probate does hereby declare his opinion, that after investigating the matter & putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a soldier of the Mass Infantry & served as he states.
And the Ex Parte  Judge of Probate further certifies that it appears to him, that William Richardson, is a credible person, & that Joseph Bennett, who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, residing in the town of Barnstable, & that their statement is entitled to credit.
J. P. Fay Probate
In the I Isaac Fiske Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Nathaniel Davis for a Pension. —
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty second day of August A D 1832
Isaac Fiske I also certify that William Richardson whose own written signature is set to the certificate on his Deposition of Sarah Merriam, John Reed and James Dalrymple, who are now, is a justice of the Peace within said county.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office the twenty second day of August A D 1832

6608
Nathaniel Davis
Plank of Oak 13 1/2 " " Inf 8 "
7088
1608
Apr. 29 1835
P 361
416 1229 416 5299
Wyman Richardson Noburn Mass.

6608
BRIEF in the case of Nathaniel Davis  of Middlesex Co. in the State of Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? —  3. How old is he? 72  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     In May 76 - to 9 th May 77 1 Artilleryman Capt. Gill Col Crafts   In 17 soon after, in May 77 - to about 1 Jan'y 78 X 7 Corporal Capt. Brown Col Robinson   middle of March 76 1 private Capt. Minot Col Lampson   In '78 1 or more "  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Concord  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? three living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Depositions not properly authenticated 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
H. C. Easton Examining Clerk.
24 Jan 1833
X He says he served in the 9 mod service, the whole term , but his statement above would make it between 7 & 8 months }

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
Sept. 3, 1838.
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," The children of Nathl. Davis deceased a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of eighty Dollars and seventy four Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832 have been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1835 to the 10th of Dec. 1835, the day of his death —
Respectfully, yours,
William E. Parrish Comptroller
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

P
18370
can
INVALID.
File No. 18,370
Nathaniel Davis
Pre Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 429
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Yashica Thela for South Davis 9 March - 17/74

James Deer Derrumple of Marlborough county of Middlesex, Mass s seventys six years of age testifies that I have was in the Revolutionary war in the year 1776. engaged in the Battle, in Capt. Idee's Company Col. Crafts Regiment, Genl. Greene was Lieut d Colonel, I was in Boston, Thence to Branton, R. Island. I I engaged or entered same time in May of that year, while engaged in said service, I was well acquainted with Cathaniel Davis, then of Lunenburg now of Walum in said County; He was in the same Regiment, in the Company commanded by Capt. John Gill. We were in the year's service as a man called & we served a year, & were discharged same time in May 1777. in Boston, James Derrumple
Middlesex ss. August 19 th 1832. Then the above named James Derrumple who is a credible witness & entitled to confidence personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed
Before me, William Thurston Justice of the Peace

Joshua Reed of Walum, County of Middlesex six, sixty nine years of age. Testify that I was in the Theatrical Company in the year 1877 in Rhode Island, in the regular season, while there, I was well acquainted with Nathan Lee Davis, then of Lonsome in said County - now living in said Medium. He was in the nine months service of the Massachusetts, & in Captain Alston Brown's Company, 2nd Col. Rhode Island Regiment of Infantry, & did duty as a Corporal the whole term of his service. I saw him almost daily & frequently on guard with him. His term expired. I believe about the first of January 1878. I was in the service then, before & after his term of time - Genl. Spencer was in command at the time, or a part of the time. Joshua Reed
Attest my hand, Walum, August 16 th 1882. Then the above named Joshua Reed, who is a credible witness & entitled to credit further personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed. Before me, Stephen H. Richardson Justice of the Peace

Junius Morrison for North Davis 12 months 1776-77 Extrally

Josiah Merriam of Concord - County of Middle ss. Myself the undersigned eight years of age - Testify, that in the year seventeen hundred & seventy six, I was engaged in the Revolutionary war, in the artillery Company of Capt Edward Levent M'Nally - Col. Craft  Bricker & Lieut. Col. Paul Thewen's Regiment, a mounted force from Newton to Providence, R.I. & various other towns - While there, before I made well acquaint- ed with Nathaniel Davis, then of said Concord, now of Melrose in said County we were in the year seven- ty six, it was called - said Davis was in the same Regiment  Company with me & remained in it, & we were both dis- charged at the same time in Boston at the expiration of our term - The- refore said Davis was in said Regiment  Regiment a long time before I engaged, & he has always told me he served a year in it, I was acquainted with him before, & knew he was in the army. Josiah Merriam.
Middlesex ss. August 17 th 1832 When the above named Josiah Merriam who is a credible witness, entitled to confidence personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed - Before Me. William Thompson Justice of the peace

W. Adyone
J. L. Belwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Woburn, 15 th Oct r 1876. To J. L. Edmund Esq. Pension Comm r . Nathaniel Davis of Woburn Mass s has obtained a pension, certif- icate (thru my Agency) dated 22 August last, & that by my me, 5 Sept r , No. 21,137. & his name has not been returned to the Pension Agent Boston, three enrollers - to wit, Joshua D. Davis, Will Russell, & Joseph Moore were rec d by me, enclosed in the same paper with said Davis. - It is supposed some mistake has been made in the name, or accidentally forgotten, - Davis is very desirous of obtaining his pension, immediate- ly. Please to have the goodness to cor- rect the error, or mistake, & very much oblige him I am Sir William Thurston Davis The Agent says several others are so situated

6608
Nathaniel Davis
Wymen Pickens
Woburn Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Nathaniel Davis which require further proof or explanation.
N.B. No. 5. in pursuant to the request of the Commissioner of Pensions, to be made manifest as to the merits of the claim of Nathaniel Davis.
 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? [Handwritten flourish]  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? RE  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? [Handwritten line]
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? [Handwritten line]
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? Yes Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? Yes
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? Yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”

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.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Davis, Nathaniel GRADE Sergeant LINE Massachusetts
WARRANT NUMBER 3998 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Aug. 1, 1789 to Thomas Cushing
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Davis, Nathaniel GRADE Private LINE Massachusetts
WARRANT NUMBER 4006 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Aug. 1, 1789 to Thomas Cushing
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.