Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 39422, Barnabas Davidson, Continental (Mass.)

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental (Mass.)
Davidson, Barnabas
S. 39422
B.L.W. 1680-100.
CONTENTS

18.685 Q
Vermont.
Barnabas Davidson, (aged 83)
of Rutland Co in the State of Vermont who was a Private in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Crane of the Mass Continental line, for the term of (May 1781 to close of War.) on final sett le certificate
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 6 of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 th of June 1822 and sent to Robert Temple Esq r Rutland, Vermont
  Arrears to 4th of March 1822  375.69     semi-ann. all ce ending Sept 1822  48     48 25 4 1/2      8 10 31   $ 423.69    368      6.66      1.3    
375:69
{ Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818. }
May 1. 1820
(put in list)

I Banabas Davidson of East Hatties in the county of Attala State of Vermont do hereby declare that I enlisted in the army of the United States at Barnstable in the state of Massachusetts in the month of May A.D. 17.81 in Col. Frothingham's company of Col. John Brown's regiment of artillery for the term of three years and served the full term of my said enlistment in the said army of the United States with honorable dis- charge at Washington March after I left the army of the United States I resided in Guilford in the state of Vermont where my home was located at my said discharge in it. I further say that I have no other papers to prove my enlistment or discharge other than record of my received circumstances in life I am in need of assistance from my country for support. Therefore I am a resident citizen of the United States I have no pension from the United States and herby claim the benefits of the note act of congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons supplied in the land service of the United States in the revolutionary war"
Banabas his Davidson mark
Witness my hand and seal the 6th day of April A.D. 1814 before me
That Hammond Post Judge of Rutland County Court

State of Vermont
I Thomas Hammond one of the judges of Rutland County Court do certify that I am satisfied the foregoing named Barnabas Davidson an applicant for a pension, served in the revolutionary war as a soldier against the common enemy agreeably to the foregoing declaration, in consideration whereof I certify the foregoing evidence in his case and the proceedings had thereon in conformity to an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the revolutionary war" passed 18. March 1818
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand at said Rutland this 6 th day of April 1818 - and have caused the seal of said court to be hereunto affixed.
Thomas Hammond
I Robert Temple Clerk of Rutland County Court do certify, that the Hon. Thomas Hammond who has subscribed the above certificate, is one of the judges of said County Court - and that I have affixed the seal of said court to these premises at Rutland aforesaid by order of said judge, this 6 th day of April 1818 R. Temple
Barnabas Davidson not on roll on final settlement Certf. Vol. 3. page 19

Barnabas Davidson
R. Temple, Rutland, Vt.
Recd 24 June 1822.

STATE OF VERMONT, } Rutland County, ss. }
On this 4 th day of June 1822
personally appeared before the County court for said county of Rutland in open court, (said court being a court of record, agreeably to the laws of this state, having the power of fine and imprisonment, &c.) Barnabas Davidson aged 83 years, resident in Castleton in said county of Rutland who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath declare, that he served in the revolutionary war, as follows: in Capt. Frottingham's Co. in Col. Cram's Regt. of Artillery three years commencing in May 1781
that he made his original declaration on the 6 th day of April 1818
has received no Pension Certificate, Not And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen
of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; — and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
1 Cow - 1 old chain - 1 old table 1 sp shovel & Tongs - 1 p and irons - 4 plates - 2 doz old knives forks - 3 pans - 1 spider - 3 kettles - 2 pails - 1 hoe - 6 pewter spoons - 1/2 doz. cups & saucers - 1 tea pot - 1 barrel - 1 small looking glass - 1 old chest drawers - & 1 low chest. I have been dependent on my friends for support about seven years past having had no means of supporting myself during that time. I have nothing due me, but am some in debt. My occupation has been that of a laborer, but have not been able to labor but very little for seven years past, being afflicted with lameness & worn out with old age & hard service. I have a wife named Abigail aged 77 years, unable to labor but little from infirmitis old age. My poverty has prevented me from proving my services to the war.
Barnabas Davidson
Sworn to and declared on the 4 th day of June 1822 before said court.
R. Pierpont CLERK.
STATE OF VERMONT, } Rutland County, ss. }
I, Robt Pierpont clerk of the County court for the county of Rutland do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said court: — And I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is Thirty one 75/100 dollars.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said court, at Rutland this 5 th day of June 1822
R. Pierpont

Robert Temple Oct. 18 th 1830
1597
Barnabas Davidson
CC
1680
Recorded. P. 155 Vol. 9.
MS 1680-1812
Graves  Artillery

Rutland (Vt) 9. Oct. 1830
Sir
For the purpose of obviating your objections to the claim of the m rs of Barnabas Davidson for bounty land, contained in your letter of the 28. May. I have taken an additional affidavit of Jonas Rich, which is enclosed. By it you will see it appears that Davidson was transferred from Crane's Artillery to the Invalid Regt. - And it is also brought to my recollection, that when he made his declaration (which I drew), in stating his services he said he was an Invalid at the close of the war, & argued whether it was necessary to state that fact - but I supposing he was merely sick in the Hospital, did not insist it in his declaration. His statement in his declaration in 1818, that he enlisted for 3 years, is also accounted for in this affidavit.

The fact that he intended to enlist for 3 years, was probably uppermost in his mind, & he did not advert to the fact that he was returned for during the war. Indeed I am induced to the belief that this imposition was frequently practiced by recruiting officers - at any rate, in the course of my business for claimants of this description, many instances have been mentioned to me of like impositions.
I hope this explanation may be satisfactory, as I do not perceive much probability, from the lapse of time, of procuring any better evidence. Indeed, no other person appearing to claim this right, raises of itself a strong presumption that it belongs to no other than the claimant. I am Sir, respectfully Your obedient R. Temple
Wm Gordon Esq Bounty Land Office

For War Dep't P. L. Office Oct. 18 th 1830
Your letter of the 9 th Inst. returning the papers in the case of the claim for Bounty Land, by the son and heir of Barnabas Davidson, together with the additional Affidavit of Jonas Rich, is received and referred to this Office - In reply I have to remark that, notwithstanding the objections heretofore urged against the claim, as explained in my letter to you of the 28 th Aug st last, I am induced to believe that the omission on the part of Mr. Davidson to state in his application for Pension that he has been transferred to, and discharged from, the Invalid Reg t . may have arisen from his belief that it would not be essential in establishing his identity, or material in the investigation of his claim.
The Affidavit of James Rich, who appears to have served in the same company with Davidson, whilst in Cram's Artillery, and who explicitly testifies to the facts of Davidson's transfer to the Invalid Reg t , removes the doubts heretofore existing in regard to the identity of the Father of the present Applicant, with the Barnabas Davidson whose name is returned on the records of the Invalid Reg t as entitled to bounty Land from the U. States.
I therefore herewith send you said Warrant N o 1080 issued in the name of Mr. Davidson, Son, and only heir at law, the receipt whereof you will please acknowledge, stating the number of the Warrant, and the Reg t from which the Soldier was discharged.
R. Temple Esq r Rutland Vermont
Yrs, &c Wm Gordon

Barnabas Davidson e Y o 1680

State of Vermont Rutland County ss 3
I John Davidson aged twenty eight years, do upon oath testify & declare, that I am the son and only child & heir of Barnabas Davidson, who entered the service in 1781 for the term of during the war, in the Regiment of Artillery commanded by Col. Crane of the State of Massachusetts, and continued therein until the close of the war in 1783, and was discharged from said Regiment or the Invalid Regiment. I further declare that I have neither received, assigned or transferred my claim in any manner whatsoever, neither have I any knowledge that my said father did so in his life time - Therefore I request the Secretary of War to have the warrant sent to me, to the care of R. Temple, Rutland, Vermont, and this shall be his receipt for the same. John Davidson
Rutland 16. August 1830 - Before me Robert Temple, a justice of the Peace, personally appeared John Davidson subscribed to the above, and acknowledged the declaration & letter of order to be his free act & deed for the purposes therein mentioned. At the same time also appeared Jonas Rich, a person of truth and respectability, who upon oath deposed & saith, that he was well acquainted with Barnabas

Davidson, father of the foregoing named John David- =son, who was a soldier in the Regiment above mentioned, and who, he has every reason to believe, did perform the service as mentioned by his said son John Davidson
Jonas his X Rich Mark
Subscribed there before me this day + year aforesaid. R. Temple Jus. Peace
State of Vermont Rutland ss 3
In testimony that the above named Robert Temple was a magistrate, duly authorized to administer oaths and to the acknowledgments, I hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed my seal of office this 16 th day of August 1830 R. Pearson
County Clerk

39 422 INVALID.
Rev
File No. 89,422
Barnabas Davidson
His Rev. Rev
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 122
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Rutland Dec. 10. Nov. 1830
Sir
Your letter of the 18. ult. enclosing Land Warrant No. 1680, issued to John Davidson for services here at law of Barnstable Davidson, who was a private in the Invalid Regt. during the Revolutionary war, has been duly received.
I am Sir, respectfully
Your obedt.
R. Brinsley
Wm Gordon Esq. Penny Land Office

R. Temple
Aug. 28. 1830
N 680
Recorded P. 122, Vol. 9.

R. Temple Esq. Rutland — Vermont,
War Dept. Bounty Land Office Aug. 28. 1830
Sir
In acknowledging the receipt of yours, of the 20. th Inst. covering the papers in the case of the Claim for Bounty Land, by the Son and Heir of Barnabas Davidson, who was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution, I have to remark that, the Statement furnished of the services of Barnabas Davidson in Cranes Reg t Artillery M o nt d Line , and his discharge at the close of the War "from said Reg t , or from the Invalid Reg t ", being unsatisfactory, resort has been had to his Affidavit in relation to said services, filed in the Pension Office in April 1818, wherein he states that, "he enlisted in May 1781, for the term of three years in Capt. Northinghams Comp y . Cranes Reg t Artillery M o nt d Line , and served the full term of said enlistment , and was "honorably discharged at West Point" — Thus showing that, he was not discharged until May 1784, being a period of nearly two years after the discharge of the Men who engaged for the specified term of "during the War", which Men alone were entitled to Bounty Lands from the U d States; and demonstrating at the same time, that his engagement was for the limited term of three years , which engagement gave no title to Land Bounty — Under these circumstances, the conclusion is inevitable , that, he did not belong to, and was not discharged from, the Invalid Reg t ; and this conclusion is further confirmed by the fact that, in his Declaration and detail of his services, in April 1818, he makes no mention whatever of so prominent a fact as that of having been discharged from the said Invalid Reg t — I am therefore bound to say that the Claim must be rejected, unless Clear and Satisfactory evidence is adduced to prove his service in, and discharge from, the aforesaid Invalid Regiment
Yours H b W. Gordon

State of Vermont Rutland Probate District } p
I Rodney C. Royce Register of the Court of Probate for the District of Rutland do certify that satisfactory evidence has been produced to said Court to prove that John Davidson is the only child and legitimate heir at law in fee to Borchas Davidson late a soldier in the Regiment commanded by Col. Crane of the line of the State of Massachusetts who died since the Revolutionary war (truth) in 1827 and who was discharged from said Regim- ent in the Invalid Regiment in 1783 Given under my hand and seal of office at Rutland this 20 day of August AD 1830
Rodney C. Royce Reg m

Rutland Vt. 20. Aug. 1830.
Sir
Enclosed is the application of the heir of Banahar Durdan for a land warrant for Revolutionary bounty land. Mr. Durdan wishes to exchange it for scrip under the late act of Congress; and if no act is required on his part, you will please hand it over to the office of Commr. of Genl. Land office for their purpose.
I am Sir, respectfully, Yours obedient R. Temple
W. Gordon Esq. Clerk. Bounty Land Office

John Rich, Saint Patrick Co by Reg Robert Alden 17 April 1777 to 25 April 1780
Barnabas Deyo - Alvah Cox Shepard, 4 Mass Reg 23 Feb 1778 to 28 Oct 1778

State of Vermont Rutland p — 3
On the 9 th day of October 1830, personally came before the undersigned authority, Jonas Rich, who being duly sworn both depose & say, in addition to his affidavit of 16. Aug. 1830, in the case of Barnabas Davidson, that he the deponent was a soldier in Col. Crane's Regt. at the same time the P. Davidson was, & knew him well — That after said Davidson had served a short time in P. Regt. he was found in consequence of age & ill health, unfit for the Artillery service, & was transferred to the Invalid Regt. and the deponent has no doubt he was discharged from the last mentioned Regt. at the close of the war — and further the deponent says he has heard the said Barnabas Davidson say that he supposed he had enlisted for 3 years, but he found he was returned as a deserter the war was over — from before me the day before as per?
R. F. Root Jus. Peace
Died 23 Feb 1837

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Davidson, Benjamin GRADE Private LINE Hazen's Regiment
WARRANT NUMBER 12982 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED October 9, 1792 to Albert Harrick, Administrator
*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.