Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18373, Joshua Davis, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Davis, Joshua
S 18373
Carded.
CONTENTS
Blank lined area for contents.
Blank lined area for contents.

N o 18465 Vermont
Joshua Davis
of Windham Co. in the State of Vermont who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Black of the Regt. commanded by Col. Brewer in the Mass. Militia time for 19 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of Sept. 1833 and sent to J. Elliot New Haven Vt.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 126.66 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 th Sep. 1833 31.66
$157.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 60

State of Vermont } ss. County of Windham }
On this 13 th day of June A. D. 1833, personally appeared before me Henry Wheelock a justice of the peace within & for the county of Windham aforesaid, Joshua Davis, a resident in the town of Newfane, in said county, aged eighty three years, who being first sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following Supplementary declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832. That he enlisted in the town of Brattle, state of Mass. in the year 1774, & disciplined for the service, whenever hostilities should commence, at the battle of Lexington & Concord was ordered to march at a minutes warning, & then immediately marched to Cambridge near Boston Mass. and quartered in the college, Capt. William Buck minister of Brattle aforesaid (afterwards Lieut. Col.) commanded the company to which he then belonged, & John Black Lieutenant, & after wards Capt. of said company, that he was on duty from the time of marching as aforesaid, at least six days.
There came out for orders for enlisting for eight months service in Massachusetts militia, he then enlisted together with all the company to which he belonged; John Black was captain of said company, belonging to Col. Brewer's regiment, William Buck minister Lieut. Col. of said Regiment & was stationed at Prospect hill near Boston -
On the night previous to the battle of Bunker hill, a detachment of the American army worked all night to build a fort, on Bunker hill, the British troops landed the next day, the American troops were called out, on the hill - He saw the British troops embodied on the beach, he was not in the fort at the time of the attack; but a part of his company was; after the battle he, with the company, retreated to Prospect hill - two men were missing out of the company; - supposed to have been killed; and one wounded and taken prisoner by the enemy. Col. Buck minister was likewise wounded. - That he after wards remained at Prospect hill till he was discharged - having served the whole of the aforesaid term of eight months, as a private soldier.

That he served as a private during said term of eight months
That In the Spring of 1776, enlisted at Beersheba aforesaid and served as a private soldier; March'd through Connecticut to New Haven & then took ship and landed at the city of New York, and was then stationed about 3 miles from New York at a place called Greenwich Greenwich, until the evacuation of New York - from thence marched to Harlem Heights; the next day the battle was fought there - was not in the battle being sick and on the invalid list - he then with the Army afterwards moved to White Plains, was not in the battle, but performed the duty of Cook at that time - the company to which he belonged was engaged in the battle at White Plains - they were not stationed at any particular place long at a time, but moved along down North River (or Hudson's River) towards Tarrytown near which place he was discharged - having served the time of five months.
That In Dec r 1776 enlisted at Beersheba aforesaid, as a wait r to Col. Sparhawk, Gen. Warner's Brigade, Lieut. Col. Groot & Maj. Cushing belonged to Col. Sparhawk's Regiment -
About the 20 th Jan y 1777 arrived within about a mile of their quarters in the wood on the plains near the village of Bound Brook the next morning. The British came out to meet them & the Army were drawn up in order of battle to receive them, the American Army, with their Field pieces, drove back the enemy - The enemy enemy afterwards came out again against them near their encampment, and were again driven back, - during which time Col. Sparhawk with a body of men of which he was one went to surprise a British guard house or near Bound Brook, they marched in the night but the enemy got knowledge of their design, and lay in ambush; when they came in contact with the enemy, the enemy fired upon them (the Americans) and fled; Col. Sparhawk with his men, then took the guard house & one or two prisoners, and some baggage - and then returned back to the Camp at Bound Brook where he remained

in service till he was discharged having served the time of three months.
That directly after the battle at Bennington At he again enlisted at Bennington for three months, and served as a private under Capt. Gates, he thinks in Col. Cushing's Regiment, marched thro. White Creek &c. to Stillwater N. York, — The British had retreated from Stillwater up the river Hudson, and made a stand — A scouting party of the British met a party of the Americans in the wood, and skirmishing took place, which brought on a general battle, and the British were driven to their fort; the Americans then attacked & took the enemy's fort; the enemy then retreated to a place on the river aforesaid, — The next day they (the enemy) had formed their lines & made preparation for a general engagement — Some firing of cannon took place — Gen. Lincoln was wounded — he saw him near the same time — A detachment of twelve hundred men were sent to cut off the enemy's retreat he was in the same detachment — reconnoitering parties were kept out, but discovered no movement of the enemy — the detachment was then ordered back to the encampment. The next night the whole British army retreated to Saratoga, and the American Army pursued them & then remained till after the surrender of Burgoyne & his army — he was not on duty when the British army marched thro. the lines of the American Army, at which time he saw Gen. Burgoyne and other officers in Gen. Gates' Marquee — After which he marched with the American troops to Albany, and from thence sailed down the river to near the British lines in the vicinity of N. York & there remained & served till discharged, which completed the time of service for which he engaged. — Since making the former statement, to which this is a supplement, he has found that Col. Wheelock can testify to some part of his services, when official will accompany this. To the 7th Interrogatory prescribed by the War department he refers the names Nathan Stone Esq., Sylvanus Sherwin Esq., Gen. Martin Field Col. Joseph Ellis, William H. Williams Esq., Wm H. Hoaggs, Moses Dabben —
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid Henry Wheelock Dist. pro.
Joshua Davis

in service till discharged about the
That David Dyer after the battle at Bennington we have listed and returned under Capt. Foster,
And the said justice hereby declares his opinion that the before named Appellant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states — Henry Wheelock, Just. of the Peace
We William H. Hodges, a clergyman residing in Newfane County of Windham and State of Vermont, and Moses Seben a citizen residing in the same town; hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Joshua Dyer, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be 88 years of age; that he is reputed and be- lieved in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the revolution, and that we con- cur in that opinion —
Wm H Hodges
Moses Seben
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before me,
Henry Wheelock Just. peace
And the said Justice further certifies that it appears to him that William H. Hodges who has signed the pre- ceding certificate, is a clergyman residing in the said town of Newfane, and that Moses Seben who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town, is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit —
Henry Wheelock, Justice of the Peace
Oct. 1806

A. 2868
Joshua Davis
Admitted
1900
J. Elliott
Newfane Vt

BRIEF in the case of Joshua Davis of Windham Co. in the State of Vermont (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 82 years  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.     In 1775 April " 8 " Private Gen. (Mass. Militia) Capt. Black, Col. Brewer   1776 Spring " 5 " " " Lord.   " Dec. " 3 " Waiter Col. Spachawk   Directly after the Battle of Bennington " 3 " engaged again & saved } Capt. Gates  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Cambridge, Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary, no clergyman, nor court stated  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
D. Brown Examining Clerk.

No. 17. Windham Co. Vermont
Joshua Davis - Dec 28/82
For Pension - July 31. 1832.
NO 2868
no papers
7

Probate District of Marlborough-
At the Probate Court, within and for said District, being a Court of Record-
On this 31st day of July - A. D. 1832 - Personally appeared in open Court, - At New France in said District -
Present - Hon. Marshall Miller, Esquire, Judge -
Before the said Probate Court, within and for said District - now sitting - Joshua Davis a resident of New France in the county of Windham and State of Vermont, aged eighty two 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 provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 - That he entered into the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
Enlisted at Cambridge, Mass. in April 1775, served in Capt. Black's company Col. Brewer's Regiment, served eight months, at Prospect Hill, near Boston - In the spring of 1776, enlisted and served five months, in Capt. Lord's company, does not recollect the colonel's name - went through Connecticut and was stationed near New York till the evacuation of the city - In 1777 December 1776, enlisted again for three months at Barre, Mass. and marched to Bound Brook, New Jersey - does not recollect the captain's name, as he served as a waiter to Col. Skene's Brigade - discharged at Bound Brook, N. Jersey. Directly after the battle of Bennington, engaged again and served three months under Capt. Gates - served at Stillwater and at the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga - the above services were all in the militia - never had any discharges in writing - And he knows of no person whose evidence he can procure to testify to his services.
Joshua Davis
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.
To the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, he answers, upon his said oath, as follows:
 1. He was born in Barre, Mass. in the year 1750.  2. Has a private record of his age in a Bible.  3. Lived in Barre, Mass. when he entered the service - Removed to Vermont about the year 1779 - and has lived ever since in New France, Windham County -  4. Enlisted voluntarily in every instance - 

himself, etc. at Saratoga, where he saw Gen. Gates and many other officers whose names he cannot now remember.
6. Never received any written discharges - the militia did not receive such -
7. He refers to Asa Wheelock, Esq. and Marshall Newton under this interrogatory -
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Joshua Davis
Marshall Miller Judge of Probate
We Asa Wheelock citizen, residing in the town of Wardsborough in said county and Marshall Newton of New France in said county hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Joshua Davis , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty two years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Asa Wheelock Marshall Newton
Marshall Miller Judge of Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them, that Asa Wheelock who has signed the preceding certificate, is a citizen , resident in the said town of Wardsborough and that Marshall Newton who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of New France in said county, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I James Elliot, Register of the Probate Court, within and for the District of Marlborough aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joshua Davis , for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this
31st
day of July ,
A. D. 1832.
James Elliot Prob. Regt

P
18373
INVALID.
File No. 18373
Joshua Davis
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 429
[Arrangement of 1870.]

N. Stone
Affidavit

Newfane July 2 d 1833.
Sworn to before me.
Silvanus Sherwin Justice Peace

I Nathan Stone of Newfane in the County of Windham testify & say that I moved from Shrewsbury Massachu- setts in the fall of the year 1782. to this Town, which was then new, there being few families in Town, at that time, Mr Joshua Davis was then in this place & had lately made a purchase of a tract of Land for a Farm, on which he now lives, which joins upon my Land, he has ever sustained the character of a man of truth & veracity, a good Neighbor, an Industrious good Farmer, & a Respectable Citizen. I have ever understood that he was a Soldier of the Revolution, & I have not a doubt but what he served the time he has set forth in his declaration for appli- -cation for a Pension, agreeably to the act of Con- -gress of June 7 th 1832.
Newfane May 20 th 1833.
Nathan Stone

The Affidavit of Asa Wheelock of Waitsboro, in the County of Windham and State of Vermont, aged seventy five years who testifies and says, that about the first of December 1776 at Shrewsbury in the State of Massachusetts the place of his then residence, he enlisted as a private soldier in Captain Bellows Company Col. Spaulding's Regiment Gen. Warner's Brigade of Massachusetts militia for the term of three months, to be computed from the time of arrival at Danbury in the State of Connecticut, the place of rendezvous, that soon after said enlistment he marched under Captain Bellows to Danbury aforesaid, where he joined the Regiment, from thence marched to Pickett in the State of New York where he was stationed a few days, from thence marched by way of Pompton Plains and Morristown to Boundbrook in the State of New Jersey where he was stationed until said term of service expired, and was discharged at said Boundbrook on the thirteenth of March 1777, that during said term of service he became acquainted with Joshua Davis then of Barre in the State of Massachusetts now of New Haven in the State of Vermont who was then a soldier in said Regiment. That he has for a long time been acquainted with said Davis since his residence in Vermont and knows him to be the same Joshua Davis who was a soldier in the Regiment aforesaid.
Asa Wheelock
Sworn & Subscribed this 26 th day of June 1833.
before me, Henry Wheelock, Justice of the Peace
And I hereby certify that Asa Wheelock is a resident in the town of Waitsboro as he has above stated and that his statement contained in the above affidavit is entitled to credit.
Henry Wheelock - Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont Windham County Court Clerk's Office New Haven, July 6. 1833.
I certify that Henry Wheelock and Sylvanus Sherwin, Esquires, are Justices of the Peace for said County, and that the within and annexed are their signa- tures, respectively.
Witness my hand and the Seal of the said Court.
James Elliot, Clerk. Henry Wheelock