Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2688, Francis Davidson, Penn

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn
Davidson, Francis
R. 2688
Elizabeth
CONTENTS

38,455 - Act of '32, § Oct 6 1179 - " " 48 " 52 Elizabeth Davidson widow of Francis Davidson Act of the same '32 29th July 1848
H. Dempster, Attorney

State of Pennsylvania } Mifflin County } 1
On this 29 th day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty two personally appeared before me David Cook an Associate Judge of the Court for the County and State aforesaid Elizabeth Davidson a resident of said county aged seventy six years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the pension made by the act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832 and 7 th July 1838 and acts amendatory thereof. That she is the widow of Francis Davidson who was a private soldier in the Pennsylvania State Line or Troops and served as she verily believes from the information she derived from her said husband as much as seven years in all, she cannot state at what time her said husband entered the service nor can she say at what time he left it, nor can she recollect at her extreme advanced age the names of the officers under whom he served except Captain Denny and Lieutenant Stewart she is however well assured that he did serve in said war as much as seven years or more. She has heard her husband the said Francis Davidson speak of his having petitioned the Government at Washington or Congress for a pension and that she recollects that his papers were sent on to the Department but although he lived until the 8 th day of November 1845 he never drew any thing - This refusal to pay his pension has deterred her from ever making any application - she refers to the War Department or to the files of Congress for proof that her husband the said Francis Davidson did make a application for a pension and she also refers to the records at Washington or wherever kept for the proof of his services - The said Francis Davidson her husband died on the 8 th November 1845 - That she was married to the said Francis Davidson in the County of Cumberland State of Pennsylvania on the 30 th day of April 1795 - Her maiden name was Elizabeth Myler - She has no record a documentary proof of her marriage nor can she prove it by living witnesses - She refers the Department however to the affidavits of her children and of Joseph Brady accompanying

This declaration which she hopes may be deemed satisfactory upon this point. She now claims the benefit of the act of 7 th June 1832 giving a pension to her deceased husband from 4 th March 1831 up to his death and claims the benefit of the law extending her marriage to 1860 which she contends she can now avail herself of. Sworn to and subscribed before me This 29 th day of September 1852.
her Elizabeth Davidson Mark
one of the Associate judges of Westmoreland County
D. Cook
State of Pennsylvania Westmoreland County S p
I Daniel Cook one of the Associate judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county do hereby certify that satisfactory proof has been exhibited to me that Francis Davidson died in this county on the 8 th day of November 1845 and that Elizabeth Davidson who has sworn to this the foregoing instrument is the widow of the said Francis Davidson and that she has remained his widow ever since his death as before stated and I also state that I believe her to be a truthful and highly respectable lady and ought to be so regarded by the accounting officers of the Government.
In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name as Judge of the Court before stated.
D. Cook
State of Pennsylvania Westmoreland County S p
Elizabeth Davidson being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that she is a daughter of Francis Davidson & Elizabeth Davidson above named and that from the information of her parents she was born on the 13 th August 1806 and that she has four brothers who are older than herself, and that the facts contained

in the foregoing declaration of her mother Elizabeth Davidson are true to the best of her knowledge & belief - and that no record of the births of the family of Francis & Elizabeth Davidson were kept by them -
Sworn & Subscribed before me this 29 th September 1852
D. Cook
Associate Judge of Northumberland County
her mark Elizabeth Davidson
State of Pennsylvania
Northumberland County of
Joseph Brady being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he was acquainted with Francis Davidson & Elizabeth his wife formerly Elizabeth Myler prior to their marriage in Cumberland County Pennsylvania that at the time of their marriage he resided in their immediate settlement and knew of the marriage by report and knows that they lived & cohabited as man & wife and were reputed as such among the neighbors - that their marriage took place in 1795 and that said Francis Davidson is now dead and that Elizabeth Davidson still continues his widow - that the said parties have raised a numerous family and that said Elizabeth Davidson is a woman of truth and of good character
Joseph Brady
Sworn & Subscribed before me this 29 th September 1852
State of Pennsylvania,
WESTMORELAND COUNTY, ss.
A. Graham Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Westmoreland, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Do hereby certify that D. Cook before whom the foregoing
Declaration & Affidavits was made

in the foregoing declaration of her mother Elizabeth Davidson as true to the best of her knowledge & belief - and that no record of the birth of the family of Francis & Elizabeth Davidson were kept by them -
Sworn & Subscribed before me this 29 th September 1852
D. Cook
Associate Judge of Westmoreland County
Calhoun } her Davidson Mark
State of Pennsylvania Westmoreland County of
Joseph Brady being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he was acquainted with Francis Davidson & Elizabeth his wife formerly Elizabeth Myler prior to their marriage in Cumberland County Pennsylvania that at the time of their marriage he resided in their immediate settlement and knew of the marriage by report and knows that they lived & cohabited as man & wife and were reputed as such among the neighbors - that their marriage took place in 1795 and that said Francis Davidson is now dead and that Elizabeth Davidson still continues his widow - that the said parties have raised a numerous family and that said Elizabeth Davidson is a woman of truth and of good character
Sworn & Subscribed before me this 29 th September 1852
Joseph Brady
State of Pennsylvania,
WESTMORELAND COUNTY, ss.
A. Graham Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Westmoreland, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Do hereby certify that D. Cook before whom the foregoing
Declaration & Affidavit was made and whose name, in his own proper handwriting, is the foregoing certificate appended, was then and now is an acting Associate Judge in and for said County of Westmoreland, duly elected and commissioned, and to all whose official acts and deeds full faith and credit are of right due.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, at Greencastle, the 29 th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two
A. Graham Prothonotary.

in the foregoing declaration of her mother Elizabeth Davidson as true to the best of her knowledge & belief - and that no record of the births of the family of Francis & Elizabeth Davidson were kept by them -
Sworn & Subscribed before me this 29 th September 1852
D, Cook
Associate Judge of Northumberland County
{ Catherine Davidson Mark
State of Pennsylvania
Northumberland County of
Joseph Brady being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he was acquainted with Francis Davidson & Elizabeth his wife formerly Elizabeth Myler prior to their marriage in Cumberland County Pennsylvania that at the time of their marriage he resided in their immediate settlement and knew of the marriage by report and knew that they lived & cohabited as man & wife and were reputed as such among the neighbors - that their marriage took place in 1795 and that said Francis Davidson is now dead and that Elizabeth Davidson still continues his widow - that the said parties have raised a numerous family and that said Elizabeth Davidson is a woman of truth and of good character
Sworn & Subscribed before me this 29 th September 1852
Joseph Brady
Associate Judge of Northumberland County
D, Cook

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
W.S.M. am
May 5, 1925
Mrs. J.C.Hollands 409 W. 6th St. Erie, Pa.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R.2688 , it appears that Francis Davidson was born in 1740, place not stated.
It is alleged that he served with the Pennsylvania Troops during the War of the Revolution, and was then a resident of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
He married April 30, 1793, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Elizabeth Myler. He died November 8, 1845, in Salem Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
His widow, Elizabeth, applied for pension on September 29, 1852, while living in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, aged seventy-six years, but her claim was not allowed as she failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension law.
They had a daughter, Catharine, born August 13, 1806, and four sons older than said Catharine but their names are not stated.
Respectfully,
WILDER S. METCALF Commissioner

2688
P. O. _____
Francis Davidson
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
REJECTED
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____
Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. _____
Searched for _____
, 18
1916 Feb. 14. Heil to J. A. Mullen, 3449 Marne Ave. Auburn, Pa. 1920 May 2. Heil to Mrs. J. C. Holubka, Wis.

35.949 Francis Davidson Penn. Est to Am W. D. Hooke Feb 6th 1845 -
Act June 7. 1832

35949
Lt. Hon. H. B. Foster 6 Feby '45.
" " " " 20 Mar. '46.
" Th: Lempkin Feb. 16/53
Act 7 June, 1832

Francis
Oct 6 th Decl Elizabeth Davidson 132 Pa 9 Cert of And Pa 20 Cert of R Henry

Off of Elizabeth Davidson Add. evidence
Oct. 20/52
To be exam? when the case of Mrs. Elizabeth David- son, of Penn, widow of Francis David son, lost 7th July 1838, comes up Th. Lumpkin Oct 20. '52
Filed by Thomas Lumpkin

Washington City, D. C.,
October 18 th , 1852.
This is to certify that I know Mrs. Elizabeth Davidson, of Westmoreland County, Pa., who now applies for Congress bounty on account of the services of her husband Francis Davidson in the War of the Revolution, and that I have known her personally for many years by general repute as the wife, and now as the widow of the said Francis Davidson, who was generally believed to have served in the said War. And further I certify that some two or three years, as near as I can recollect after the passage of the act of 1832, my father proposed to the said Francis Davidson to make an effort to procure for him said Congress bounty, and for that purpose consulted Hon R. Kirtley, late Judge of the Supreme Court of Pa., then a practising Atty, who gave as his opinion that the claimant must have a written discharge or be able to prove service by some who had served with him, in said war.

This he not being able to produce my father made no further effort, and thought it useless under advice. Sometime after my father died however, a man by the name of Bedford, resident in the adjoining County of Indiana, got for him a declaration made out and attested in due form, which I believe was committed to the care of Hon. H. D. Foster, then member of Congress, to prosecute for the said Francis Davidson, then living.
Nothing was obtained on his behalf, and the said Elizabeth Davidson, has been in widowhood since 1845, and is in very indigent circumstances.
R. Henry.

Sixth Regiment 1780
We and each of us whose names are hereunto subscribed, do acknowledge to have received from Major Thomas B. Bowen and Captain Grenville Beatty, agents for the late Pennsylvania Line. The several sums opposite to our names respectively, in certificates, dated July 1. 1784. bearing interest at six per cent, from January the first 1781. Signed by John Pierce, Commissioner, and described as below, being for the balance of a settlement between the United States and us for Pay & etc to January the first 1781.
   Date of Issue No. of Certificate Settled Name Sums Signers   Dollars 90 ths     Aug 11 th 68678 Bx Francis Davidson 32 33 30 Adm. L. Davidson Adm. 2   " 1784 68904 Bx " 32 76 " "   " 69104 Bx " 32 20 " "  
Auditor Generals Office Harrisburg Dec 8 th 1852
I certify the above to be true copies & extracts, taken from payroll book B pages 60, 70 and 79 now on file in this office.
Witness my hand and seal of office the day and year aforesaid
E. Brannan, Gen

Burnell Westward
Petition & Documents of Elizabeth Davidson, Widow of a Revolutionary Soldier for relief! To the Hon. J. M. Russell, for Presentation.
HR Jan 13 1876.
Prey
Relief of mouth

To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly Convened:
The Petition of Elizabeth Davidson (Widow of Francis Davidson a resident of Westmoreland County Penn a ) respectfully showeth; That her husband the said Francis Davidson, deceased was a soldier of the Revolution and was engaged by the Constituted Authorities of Pennsylvania & served a number of tours with the Pennsylvania militia during the Revolutionary War. Your Petitioner will give a synopsis of her husband's services which she derived from him and other traditional testimony And in order to be brief, her representations are as follows: That she and her said husband resided in Cumberland County, Penn a during the Revolutionary War. That he served a number of militia tours with the Penn a militia during said War. His officers were Col. Miles, Col. Irvin, Col. Jacob Boyer, Capt. Strayer, Capt. Campbell, the latter officer resided in the neighborhood of Your Petitioner — Major Hausiger, Capt. Boyd & other officers. Col. Mays who commanded a Corps of the Flying Camp militia. She was also informed that he served with the Regular officers, Col. Wayne, Lieut. Armstrong, Col. Stewart, and others. That he was called into the service about the 12 th of July 1776, was drafted out of Capt. Campbell's Company of Col. Miles Regiment and joined Capt. Boyd's militia Company near Carlisle, the Lieutenant's name was William Stewart of the Cumberland County militia. That he marched with Capt. Boyd's Company to the

Delaware and crossed at Pardley's Ferry and from thence to Trenton N. J. where they were received by Col. Richardson. From Trenton afterwards to New Brunswick and encamped on the road leading to Princeton a short distance from the Raritan River. At this time there was a large Body of the Flying Camp militia from various Counties were under the Command of Genl. Mercer and served out his tour. That in the fall of 1776 he served another tour with Capt Campbell's Company aforesaid up the Delaware near Westhaminy River defending the Passages of the River under Col. Cornwallis. In the month of June 1777. He served again on the Delaware below Coryell's Ferry. From thence he was marched to the Jersey side and served with Col. Scott's Brigade to assist in expelling the Invaders from New Jersey and continued at Amboy and Newark till his term expired. That he (her husband) served again in summer and fall of 1777 and was in service at Chadd's Ford, serving with Col. Stewart's Penn a militia and Regular troops. Assisted to defend the Passages of the Brandywine. That during this tour he assisted to guard the live stock night and day under General Armstrong on the Christiana until the memorable 11 th September 1777 when the overwhelming numbers of the enemy compelled the militia to retreat back to the Schuylkill. That the Passages of the Schuylkill could not be defended. That the Division with which he served were compelled thro' the inclemency of the weather & other Causes to retreat to the Yellow Springs and thence to Warwick Furnace.

Thence to Shippack Creek. After the Battle of Germantown. He was marched to Perkiomyn and thence to Shippack Creek when he was discharged. (The above history of his services your Petitioner derived from the oft repeated narrations of her deceased husband. That she was born in the year 1759 and was married to her said husband in the Spring of 1777.
Your Petitioner further represents that her husband was engaged in transporting military stores from different places in Penn a to New Jersey and delivering the same to Commissary Jones for the Army under the Command of the Immortal Washington. That she was whilst in the service in a number of General Engagements. viz. the " Battle of Long Island ", " The Battle of White Plains ", " Princeton Battle ", " The Battle of Monmouth ", " of Brandywine " and " the Battle of Germantown " and served a period of six months during said war as above mentioned.
Her said husband was born in the year A. D. 1740. and died on the 8 th day of November A. D. 1845. in Salem Township where she resides.
Your Petitioner being now very far advanced in age and being feeble in body and in indigent circumstances. She therefore beseeches the Honorable Branches of the Pennsylvania Legislature in view of her deceased husband's Revolutionary services, her age and indigent situation grant her such relief as Your Honorable Bodies may in Your Wisdom and Justice deem her entitled to, And Your Petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray for her beloved Country Hb. Hb.

Your Petitioner begs Permission to add a Post script to the above Petition, viz: That her husband Francis Davidson was in the receipt of an annuity granted by the Pennsylvania Legislature in Session of 1844 that her husband's Papers and Documents were transmitted as she is informed to the Honorable John Hill, Senator and by him presented to the Senate. That Your Petitioner would respectfully refer Your Honorable Bodies to the said Papers and Documents filed in the appropriate office at the Seat of Government for any information that may be required on the subject of her Prayer. And she will ever pray &c. &c.
Attest
James Rutledge
Elizabeth her Davidson mark
State of Pennsylvania Westmoreland County      §      Pet.
Personally appeared before me the (undersigned) an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County Elizabeth Davidson, widow of said Francis Davidson, who being duly sworn according to law deposes and says that the facts set forth in the above Petition are just and true according to the best of her knowledge and recollection -

Sworn and subscribed the 17 th day of November Anno Domini 1845 before me -
James Rutledge
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Elizabeth her Davidson mark
State of Pennsylvania Westmoreland County ss. Set.
Personally appeared before me the undersigned an Acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County - Joseph Harshey who being duly sworn according to law deposes and testifies that he is personally acquainted with the above named widow Elizabeth Davidson and believes her to be eighty six years of age. That her husband was reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resided to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that no doubts are entertained on that subject. That the said widow is also in prudent circum- -stances
Sworn and subscribed the 17 th day of November Anno Domini 1845 before me -
James Rutledge
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Joseph Harshey

State of Pennsylvania Westmoreland County } ss
And the said Justice To hereby Certify that the above named deponents Elizabeth Davidson & Joseph Harshey are persons whose characters for truth and veracity are above suspicion and worthy of entire Credence. Given under my hand and seal on this day and year above written - James Kirtledge (Seal) J. Peace
State of Pennsylvania } ss Westmoreland County } ss
Personally appeared before me the undersigned an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County William McGee of Armstrong County, formerly of Cumberland County, Penn a who being duly sworn deposes and says, that he was well acquainted with Francis Davidson above named and Elizabeth his wife who resided in Cumberland County Pa. during the Revolutionary War.

that this deponent resided in the neighborhood of said Davidson and knows that he served from his own personal knowledge two or three tours of two months each during said war with the Pennsylvania militia as a non commissioned officer under Capt Campbell an officer of the Cumberland County militia. His services this deponent thinks were performed during the years 1776 and 1777 the latter of which was performed in the summer and fall of 1777 at the time he went to the "Brandywine Battle". That this deponent knew his wife Elizabeth and that they were at this time married, he thinks they were married in the winter or spring of 1777. This deponent knows not how long the said Davidson served in the Army, but he verily believes he served at least for four months or upwards. It is so long ago that he cannot remember the particulars of his service, but remembers well that said Davidson did serve as he states and that he and his wife Elizabeth were then married as this deponent has stated. Sworn and subscribed the 25 th day of November A. D. 1845 before me.
James Rutledge S.P. His William X McGehee mark
I do hereby certify from respectable representations that the above named deponent (William McGehee) is a man of truth and veracity. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year above mentioned -
James Rutledge S.P.

State of Pennsylvania Westmoreland County } Sct.
I David Fullwood Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Westmoreland in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby Certify that James Rutledge Esquire before whom the foregoing depositions were made and whose name in his own proper hand- writing is to the same appended, was then and now is an Acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Westmoreland duly elected and qualified, and to all whose official Acts and Deeds full faith and Credit are of right due.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court at Greensburg the tenth day of January in the Year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and forty six —
David Fullwood Proth.
5. 5
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Commissions in 4 th diff t Regiments 1782
We and each of us whose names are hereunto subscribed, do acknowledge to have received from Major Thomas B. Brown, and Captain Francis Beatty, Agents for the late Pennsylvania Line, the several Sums opposite to our names respectively in certificates, dated Feby 1. 1785, bearing interest at six per cent. from January the first 1789. Signed by John Pierce, Commissioner and described as below, being for the balance of a settlement between the United States and us for Pay to January the first 1789.
   Date of Issues Certificate Settn Dollars 90 ths Signers     Feby 22/85 84219 Bx Frs Davison 32 40 Robt Davison  
Quartermaster General's Office Harrisburg Oct 24  Oct 24 1852
I certify the above to be a true extract and copy taken from Payroll book B page 246 on file in this Office. Witness my hand and seal of office the day & year aforesaid.
E. Banks Qua. Genl

Pennsylvania Pension Office Feby 17. 1853.
Esq.
The Pension claim of Elizabeth Davidson widow of Francis, have been examined - In order to make an examination of the Rolls and identify him, it will be necessary for her to furnish the names of the Officers under whom her husband served. - The Certificate of the And. Genl. of Penn a establishes the service of a Francis Davidson, but evidently not the Francis Davidson in this case, for they are signed by Robt D. Davidson Administrator, and Elizabeth Davidson states, in her Declaration, that her husband died in 1845. The evidence produced in Court to establish the marriage of the parties must be furnished here, it is for this Dept. and not for any Court, to determine what is sufficient evidence in these questions. A Certificate of Court must be furnished to this Office showing the date of her husband's death.
Very Respecty. V. D. Hart.
Tho s Humpkin Esq Present
Feby Comt. of Pensions

Auditor General's Office,
Harrisburg, Pa., April 12 th 1853.
Dear Sir
Enclosed I send you the papers upon which Francis Davidson's widow received a pension.
Peruse and return them and transmit #2.
And oblige
Yrs Respectfully
E. A. T. Foulks
Th. Lumpkin Esq

38,455 - '32 Oct 6. 52 1.179 - 48.
Application of Elizabeth Davidson wid. of Francis for pension Penn
Oct. 6/52
Act 7 th July 1838 -
Also claiming arrears under Act 7. June 1832.
The Gumption Present.
1111111111

Washington D.C. Oct. 6th 1852
Sir,
I have the honor to enclose herewith the declaration of Elizabeth Davidson, widow of Francis Davidson, Penn, who claims that her husband applied for a Pension in his life time (if so his papers will be show it) but was not able to establish his claim. The widow now presents her application for arrear due her husband, and also applies under the act of 29 July, 1848. I have this day written to Harrisburgh for evidence of his service.
I have the honor to be, Very resp'y
Th. D. Munkin. Hon J. E. Heath,
Comr. of Pensions.

35949
Francis Davidson deed
Pa
Act of June 32
2688

14th of May 16 March 1832
The papers of Francis Davidson who has an application for a pension under the Act of 1832 on I believe on file in your office unacted on he is now dead & I believe under him a certificate showing what he was then entitled to the pen- sion.
Respectfully J. T. D. P. 1832
J. T. D. P. 1832

Washington
Oct 9 th 1852
Sir. I have the honor to enclose herewith, the Auditor Genl, of Pa a certificates showing payments to Francis David Penn, which I desire may be filed with the papers of Mrs Elizabeth David-son of Penn, widow of the said Francis under the act of 7 th July, 1838.
Very resp y , W. Lumpkin
Hon. J. E. Heath
Comm r of Pensions

Wm. M. D. Foster July 6 '45
Rev. H. D. Foster J. H. P.

Sir
130 P Febry 10 45
I have the honor to return you the letter of Mr Cowan & in reply to inform you that Mary Cowen dec. d widow of W m Cowen dec. d was not entitled at her death to the provisions of the act of 7 July 38 because she was not a widow at the time of its passage & died before Aug 42 when that bar to her claim was removed.
I return you the petition & papers of Francis Davidson agreeably to his wishes that they may be presented to Congress. Regarded as a claim before this Dept t it is objectionable in several respects. — It is made out in the handwriting of one who in preparing numerous claims corresponded with the Dept t in the name of a respectable concealing his own neighbor. Many of these claims were discredited by the papers themselves. — The amount of drafts claimed (twice in 78) is improbable and "volunteer" tours in the militia

are not understood in any other sense than serving out of turn, for which the volunteer is credited & therefore exempt from future drafts until such class have performed a like tour. The witness Scott has not as yet applied.

Sir
Yrs aff March 20 th 46
463
I have the honor to return you the certificate shewing the death of Francis Davidson & name of his widow (and) to inform you that he had no claim pending before this office as you will perceive by reference to my letter to you of 6 Feb y '45 - His papers are probably on the files of Ho. of Rep s
Gen A.D. Foster P.P.R.

Rev Ser C 1
Avalon Pa Feby 4/16
Hon - Secretary of the Interior Washington D.C. Dear Sir
Will you kindly furnish me the soldier record of Frank Davidson; supposed to have served in the Revolutionary War with England. Native of Ireland. Pennsylvanian by adoption. Husband of Elizabeth (Miller) Davidson; who drew a pension, from the government, on account of his service, for many years after his death.
Thanking you in advance I remain Very truly yours H. Miller (grandson) 549 Marie Ave Avalon Pa

Commissioner Pension Bureau. Revolutionary Department Washington D.C.
Dear Sir.
Will you please send me the record of Elizabeth Davidson's pension. She was the widow of

either John, James or Francis Davidson of Westmoreland county Pennsylvania. The following is a paragraph from a letter received from A. T. Davidson of Des Moines Iowa, who is compiling the Davidson history.
"If you do not know to the contrary, possibly she was wife of Francis, who died 1845 three aged 106 years. His pension was granted in 1829. The census of 1790 names only a James Davidson in that county but the tax lists for 1783 & 1786 list several among whom is John Davidson of Orry Township.
I have always supposed my

Great grandfather's name was John. but I do know that he died in 1845- aged 106 years.
Am enclosing stamps to cover fee.
Yours truly
Mrs. J. C. Hollands Erie Pa.
409 West 6 th St.

Rev. War Section.
February 14, 1916.
Mr. J. S. Miller, 549 Marie Avenue, Avalon, Pennsylvania.
Sir:
In response to your letter of the fourth instant, you are advised that in the Revolutionary War pension claim of Elisabeth widow of Francis Davidson, it is alleged that he was born in 1740 (place not stated), that he served during the War of the Revolution in the Pennsylvania troops and was then a resident of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, where he married on April 30, 1793, Elisabeth Myler. They had a daughter Catharine born August 13, 1806, and four sons older than said Catharine but their names are not stated. He died in Salem Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, November 8, 1845. She applied for pension on September 29, 1852, while living in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, aged seventy-six years, but her claim was not allowed for lack of proof of service.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Office note
The widows ap. for pension, and her ap. to the Legislature gave such different accounts of service. The statement that the claim was written by someone not knowing real name. The rejection of no proof of service & allowance to the adopt. because it so mislead & vague that I did not