Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 9830, Benaijah Davis, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Davis, Benjamin
No. 9830
Waltham
Waltham
2
CONTENTS

Michigan Albany 3.117
Welthan Davis widow of Benaijah Davis
who died on the 26. August 1816 of Genesee Co. in the State of N. York who was a Sergeant in the company commanded by Captain Dexter of the regt. commanded by Col. Greene in the R. Island line for 2. years
Letter to Gideon Gates 15 March 1841.
to Pen Agt. 27 May 1840.
To Michigan from 4. Sep 1840.
5 June 1841. Notification to Gideon Gates. Romeo Macomb County. Michigan
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 120 Dollars ————— Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th day of Nov. 1839 and sent to Mason Co. Smiths. Perry, N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. '39 1121.00 Semi-annual allowance ending Dec. 1st. 60.00
$1181.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3. — }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book A. Vol. 2. Page 206

Mrs. Weltham Davis' Affidavit, in authentication of her family record.
State of New York Greene County I certify that Anthony Moore was Justice of the Peace of the Peacekeeping at the time of having the within affidavit and that the signature to the certificate of taking the same is his hand written. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 10th October 1839 Nicholas Calk
Sworn

State of New York, County of Genesee, Yss.
Welthan Davis of the town of Wethersfield, in said county, being duly sworn, deposed and says, that she is the widow of Benaijah Davis, who was a Sergeant in the war of the Revolution, and died on the twenty-sixth day of August, in the year eighteen hundred and sixteen; - that she was married to the said Benaijah Davis, on the seventeenth day of February, in the year seventeen hundred and seventy-nine; - that the Bible leaf, hereto annexed, is their family record; - that said record is in the hand writing of their son, Wanton Davis, and is a genuine and correct record, which has been in the possession of this deponent, ever since the death of her said husband, until it was forwarded to the Pension Office.
Witness Sidney Stowe
Welthan Davis mark
Sworn to, and subscribed this eighth day of October, 1839, before me, and I certify that the above named deponent, with whom I am well acquainted, is a credible witness. And that the reason why she does not write her name is because she never learned to write.
Sidney Stowe.
Justice of the peace

Benjaier Davis Born D 1752 Welthan Davis Born D 1761 Married together D 1779 William Davis Born 1779 Stephen Davis Born 1781 Wanton Davis Born 1783 Elisabeth Davis Born 1786 Sarah Davis Born D 1788 Lucy Davis Born D 1790 Addila Davis Born 1793 Johnathan Davis Born 1795 Joseph Davis Born 1798 Mary Davis Born 1798 Henry Davis Born 1800 Waterman Davis Born 1803 James Davis Born 1805

State of New York Essex County
I Certify that Sidney Pierce was a Justice of the Peace of the said County at the time of taking the within affidavit and that the signature to the certificate of taking the same is his hand writing.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal this 10 th October 1839
M c Isaac
Mrs. William Davis Affidavit, in authentication of her family record.

Declaration of Melthaw Davis, in order to obtain the benefit of the third Section of the act of Congress, of the 4 th July, 1836.
State of New York, } ss. County of Genesee, }
On this fourth day of June, 1839, before the Court of Common Pleas, now sitting at Batavia, in and for said County, being a Court of record, and having a Seal, personally appeared Melthaw Davis, a resident of the town of Wethersfield, in said County, aged seventy seven years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4, 1836:—That she is the widow of Benaijah Davis, who was a Sergeant in the army of the Revolution, and served three years in the Regiment commanded by Col. Christopher Greene, (commonly called the black Regiment,) in the Rhode Island line, of the continental establishment;—that she cannot specify the names of the Company officers under whom the said Benaijah Davis, served, with the exception of Lieutenant Daniel S. Dexter, who has testified with regard to the service of the said Benaijah Davis, as aforesaid. She further declares that she was married to the said Benaijah Davis, on the seventeenth day of February, in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy-nine, by Elder James Wightman, at North Kingstown, in the County of Washington, and State of Rhode Island;—that at the time said marriage took place, the said Benaijah Davis was in the service, at East Greenwich, in the County of Kent, and State of Rhode Island aforesaid;—that her

maiden name was Weltham Slocum; - that her husband, the said Benaijah Davis, died on the twenty-sixth day of August in the year eighteen hundred and sixteen, at Hoosack, in the county of Rensselaer, and state of New York; and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear, by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
She further declares that she has a family record, on the back of the title page of the New Testament, in her family bible; - that said record was made by her son Wanton Davis, many years ago, and is in his proper hand writing, and has been in her possession ever since it was made.
Weltham Slocum Davis
Sworn to, and subscribed, in open court, the day and year first before written,
M rs M ary S locum Clark

State of New York, } ss. County of Genesee, }
James Eldridge, of the town of Byron, in said county, being duly sworn, deposes and says, that he was well acquainted with Benaijah Davis, mentioned in the foregoing declaration of Welthaw Davis, widow of the said Benaijah Davis; that this deponent's wife, was a daughter of the said Benaijah and Welthaw; - that the said Benaijah died at Hoosack, in the County of Rensselaer, and state of New York, in the month of August, in the year eighteen hundred and sixteen, to the best of this deponent's recollection; that this deponent saw the said Benaijah after he was dead, attended his funeral, and saw him buried; - That this deponent has been well acquainted with the said Welthaw Davis, ever since the decease of her said husband, as aforesaid; - that this deponent has always understood and believed that the said Welthaw has continued a widow, ever since the decease of her husband, the said Benaijah Davis; and this deponent verily believes that she has not been married since the death of the said Benaijah, but still continues his widow.
This James X Eldridge mark
Sworn to, and subscribed this 12 th day of June, 1839, before me; - and I certify that the said deponent, with whom I am well acquainted, is a person of veracity, and that his statements are entitled to credit.
Amos H. Smith Justice of the Peace

State of New York Genesee County
I, Horace W. Soper. Clerk of said county certify that Amos Hewitt was a Justice of the Peace of said county at the time of taking the foregoing affidavit and that the signature to the foregoing certificate is his hand writing. —
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal this 12 th June 1839 — H. W. Soper. Clerk.
June 20 th 1839. Declaration of William Davis, in order to obtain the benefit of the 3 d section of the act of Congress, of July 4, 1836. 4586
Marsal 17 Feb. 1779 Husband died 24 Aug 1816
Mason L. Smith, Agent, Perry, Genesee Co. N.Y.

Deposition of Benedict Rem- ington, and of Wm. Slocum, in support of the claim of Mrs. Melthaw Davis.

I Benedict Remington of East Greenwich in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island, aged Seventy Nine Years, being duly sworn affirmed do, on oath solemn affirmation testify and say, That I was well acquainted with Benajah Davis, formerly of North Kingstown in the County of Washington in the State of Rhode Island, in the time of the Revolutionary War, and after the war was over; I well remember that the said Benajah Davis enlisted and served as a Serjeant in the black Regiment under Col. Christopher Greene, in the Rhode Island line, at the time said Regiment was raised, which I believe was in the Year 1776. said enlistments were for the term of three years or during the war, and I am not certain which. Said Regiment was stationed at said East Greenwich for the space of Nine Months and I well know the said Benajah served during that time and longer; I left the Regiment at the end of the nine months, and the said Benajah was a Serjeant when I entered and he continued in the Regiment after I left it; I did not see him afterwards until after the war was over; I always understood that he served his time of enlistment out in said Regiment, which was not less than three years. The said Benajah Davis lived some years in Coventry in this County after the war, and moved from thence to the Westward.
Benedict Remington
State of Rhode Island Kent County ss
At East Greenwich April 27 th A.D. 1839. Subscribed and sworn to before me, and I certify that the said Remington sustains a good character for truth and veracity.
Witness, Nathan Whiting Just. Peace
I William Sloum of North Kingstown in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island, aged Sixty nine Years & Seven months, being sworn according to law, do testify and say, that I was first acquainted with Benajah Davis, in the time of the Revolutionary War, while he was in the service as a Serjeant in the black Regiment under the command of Col. Christopher Greene; he served in said Regiment at East Greenwich while said Regiment was stationed there for the term of Nine months or more, and
was

was in said Regiment, and went away with them when they marched away from that Station; and continued in said Regiment for a year or two afterward. While he was stationed at East Greenwich he courted a Sister of mine by the name of Weltha Slocum, who lived in the same family with me; and they were married in my father's house, where we lived then, and where I now live, while he was in in the service at East Greenwich, by Elder James Wightman; and I have a strong impression that I was present and saw them married; but am not absolutely certain. His wife continued to live in my father's family until after she had a child born, and while he the said Benajah was absent in the service; and afterwards they went to keeping house, near my father's, and continued to live in the neighbourhood until after the close of the War . The said Benajah was at home on furlough several times, during his continuance in the service, and I cannot recollect when he left the service, but according to the best of my recollection he was in the service three years, at least. And said Davis and his family after the war was over lived in West Greenwich and Coventry for some years, and then moved into the state of New York. After my sister Davis went to keeping house by herself, I lived with her in the winter season, and did chores for her and helped her in the absence of her husband, while he was in the service.
State of Rhode Island County of Kent ss
William Slocum
At East Greenwich April 27 th 1839. I certify that William Slocum subscribed, and made solemn affirmation to the truth of the foregoing Affidavit; and I also certify that he sustains a good and unquestionable character for truth. Witness, Nathan Whiting Just. Pease

Kent Sc. The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations - Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas East Greenwich
I Certify that Nathan Whiting Esqr. is a Justice of the Peace for the town of East Greenwich in said County of Kent, that the foregoing is his signature in his own hand writing, and that full faith and credence is and ought to be given to all his official acts -
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at said East Greenwich this 27 th day of April A D 1839 -
Jer. I. Slocum Cth

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.
State of Michigan County of Macomb ss.
On this Twenty Sixth day of April 18 81 , before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of
Macomb personally appeared Matilda Davis Matilda Davis who, on her oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain Arnold in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Green in the service of the United States; that her his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of New York from whence she has lately removed; that she now resides in the State (District, or Territory,) of Michigan with her son Charles where she intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The follow- are his reasons for removing from Westfield in Genesee County to the town of Richmond in Macomb County, State of Michigan was because all of her children had removed to the State of Michigan and in particular her son Charles Davis with whom she now resides and intends so to probably as long as she lives she soon will depart this life is as she says that she never wrote her name Matilda Davis and cannot write
Sworn and subscribed to before me, } the day and year aforesaid. }
Thomas White Justice of the Peace
William Bates Thomas White witnesses
☞ The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The County Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
☞ The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the pensioner's identity. He must swear that the person who has taken the above oath, is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.
☞ In every case where the Clerk of the Court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should be sent with the papers.
☞ Mode of authenticating papers. —In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officers who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or small ribbon, the ends 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.

State of Michigan } ss, On this twenty sixth day of April A D 1841 County of Macomb } before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Macomb - personally appear- -ned Charles J. Davis who on his oath declares and says that he is well acquainted with and knows that Matthew Doves who made her mark to the foregoing affidavit is the identical person named therein and therein described
Sworn - and subscribed before me } me this 26th day of April } Thomas Wheeler } Justice of the Peace }
I hereby certify that Charles J. Davis who signed the above affidavit is a man of truth and veracity and is to be believed in all cases as such home. Macomb Co. State of Michigan - April 26 th 1841
Thomas Wheeler Justice of the Peace
State of Michigan Macomb County ss }
I Amos Dalby County Clerk in and for said County of Macomb, do hereby certify and make known, that Thomas Wheeler esq. whose name is subscribed to the above and within instruments of writing, was on the 26 th day of April 1841 and still is an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Macomb dwelling in the said County. duly Elected and qualified. And further that I am well acqu- -ainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his signature above and within subscribed is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Circuit Court of said County at Mt. Clemens this 5 th day of May A D 1841. - Amos Dalby Clerk

Jan'y 4-1903-Hist-C E. J. Wright Lansing Mich.
1927 Name 1. photos mailed to Miss Hattie S. Curry. Am.
Rev
9830. WIDOW, &c.
File No. 9830
William Davis
Wid
Benaiah Davis
Priest Rev. War
Act: July 4 th 1836
Index: Vol. A , Page 168
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Papers relating to the claim of Mrs. Welthan Davis, under the act of July 4, 1836.
Welthan Davis 3117 widow of Benajah N.Y.
See letter Mason G. Smith Sept. 25, 1839
Col Greene - } R. I. Hill Capt Dyer } Schuylkill
Sergeant 2 years
Act July 4, 1836

June 3. 1841
M c Evans
James G. Bennett Esq r Pennsylvania Magazine New Bedford Massachusetts

MECHANICS' & FARMERS' BANK,
Albany Pension Agency,
May 30 th 1840
JAMES L. EDWARDS, Esquire,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 27 th inst. I have to state, that Welthan Davis a Pensioner under the Act of 4 July 1836 _____ at 120 _____ Dollars per annum. was last paid to the 4 day of April 1840.
I am, Sir,
Very respectfully,
Your ob't serv't,
Thos M c Lean
PRES'T AND PENSION AGENT.

Deposition of Daniel S. Dexter, & Certificate of the Sec'y of State of R.I. in support of the claim of Mrs. Waltham Davis.

I Daniel S. Dexter of Providence in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island &c being now in the eightysecond year of my age on oath do testify and say That I was Lieutenant, Adjutant and afterwards Captain, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Christopher Greene, on the Continental establishment of the Rhode Island line, during the War of the Revolution. And I further testify that I well remember a man by the name of Benajah Davis. He was a Sergeant in the Company of which I was Lieutenant in said Regiment and enlisted for three years. I further testify that it appears by an old Muster Roll now in my possession, that I mustered him with the rest of the Company on the Seventh of February 1780. I was in Command at this time as Lieutenant as aforesaid and as acting Adjutant and Commissary of Muster pro tem.
Danl Dexter.
State of Rhode Island &c Providence &c In Providence May 13. 1889
Then the aforesaid Daniel S. Dexter subscribed and made oath to the foregoing before me, And I further certify that said Daniel is a credible witness.
W. Aplin pro. Clerk

State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations.
Secretarys Office May 14. 1839.
I Henry Bowen Secretary of said State and Keeper of the Record and the Seal thereof
Do hereby certify, that the name of Benajah Davis, Sergeant, is borne on the list of those who had enlisted for three years in Col. Greene's Regiment: And that it appears from a Report of the list of balances due the non commissioned officers and privates of said Regiment up to August 1st 1780, that the sum of £34"4"3 was due said Davis to make good his depreciation - which report was received by the General Assembly and the balances allowed Jan. 10. 1781.
I further certify, that at the session of the General Assembly of said State holden on the first Wednesday of May inst. William aplin was elected Justice of the Peace for the town of Providence for one year, and commissioned accordingly: As appears of record.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said State at Providence, the day and year first above written
Henry Bowen

Certificate of the Town Clerk, of North Kingston, R.I. relative to the marriage of Mrs. Melthaw David.

Saxon Clerks Office
North Kingston, R.I., April 26, 1839
I hereby certify that I have examined the records of said office, and can no where find any record of the marriage of Benajah Davis to Wettka Slocum in said office.
Nich. N. Sprink J. M.

Perry, Genesee Co. N.Y. October 11, 1839.
Sir,
I herewith enclose the family record of Mrs. Welthaw Davis, which was returned, with your letter of the 25 th ult. for further authentication.
I am, very respectfully, Your ob t . Serv t .
Mason G. Smith.
James S. Edwards, Esq., Commissioner of Pensions.

Pension Office 15 th March 1841.
Sir.
I herewith return the papers in the case of Nathan Davis. The enclosed printed instructions should be strictly complied with.
I am Sir Very Respectfully Your obed Servt. J. S. Edwards
Romeo. Macomb Co. Michigan May 11 th 1841
Honble. J. S. Edwards
Dr. Sir - as I am the only person (almost) who has in this section of country done any thing for pensioners. I am still troubled with their claims - since receiving this letter from your honor I had your petitioner before me and heard her story with many of her acquaintances and friends. and have no doubt that she is the person truly whom she represents herself to be (to wit) the true and living Widow of Benjamin Davis of the Revolution, and that she is the true and living mother of all her children - her children now reside in Michigan which has induced her to follow them here to remain
Respectfully your Obedt. Servt
Gideon Gates
Gideon Gates Esq Romeo Macomb County Michigan
P.S. Please direct to my home at Romeo. Macomb Co. Michigan.
G. Gates

Eight Years in Auditor General's Department in charge of Tax Sales, and Four Years as Chief Clerk. Compiler of the Annotated Editions of 1898-1900 of the Michigan General Tax Law. Author of Wright's Assessor's Manual.
BOTH PHONES. NOTARY PUBLIC. BANK VAULT.
Edward J. Wright
102-103 CITY NATIONAL BANK BUILDING TAX ADJUSTMENTS AND STATE AFFAIRS BUSINESS TRANSACTED WITH ALL STATE DEPARTMENTS
REFERENCES:
HON. ROSCOE D. DIX, Ex-Auditor General. HON. STANLEY W. TURNER, Ex-Aud. Gen'l. HON. GEO. W. STONE, Ex-Auditor General. HON. H. M. OREN, Attorney General. HON. FRED A. MAYNARD, Ex-Atty. Gen'l. CITY NATIONAL BANK, Lansing. LANSING STATE SAVINGS BANK, Lansing. IONIA COUNTY SAVINGS BANK, Ionia.
Lansing, Mich. Dec. 31st, 1902.
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:- I am informed by one who has personal knowledge of the fact that Welthan Slocum Davis , widow of one Benj. Davis, during a considerable part or all of the period from 1830 to 1850 (my informant thinks as late as 1851 or 1852) drew a pension which he thinks was $96.00 per year as the widow of one Benj. Davis who served in the Revolutionary War with troops from Rhode Island. It is important that I procure the military record of the said Benj. Davis. Inquiry of the Bureau of Records of the Adjutant General's office and in some other directions shows that there were several Revolutionary Soldiers from Rhode Island by the name of Benj. Davis. Will you do me the favor to advise me from the records in your department what body of troops the Benj. Davis belonged to whose widow named above was the pensioner who received pension during the period above stated in Macomb County in this State? Whether she received her mail at Mt. Clemens or at some small office in the vicinity then in existence, I am unable to state.
I might present this request through personal friends in the Senate or House but hardly think for the purpose it will be necessary to ask the intervention of any one. I will be greatly obliged by your advices.
Yours truly,
W/N.H.

3-2233
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
May 28 1927
Chief Rev. War. Section Division.
I have this day received from
Miss Kate Curry
cash No.
for $ 75/100, requesting
photostat copy post-office addresses) as per
letter herewith.
1927 June 1 Photos mailed Didroy Finance Act
O. J. RANDALL
Chief Finance Division.
W.E.L.
cc 31

May 27. 27.
Comr. of Pensions:
Please furnish photostats (not certified) of the following Rev. War pension claims.
Penayah Davis W9830 - 4 - David Brown S29655 - 1 - 5 -
for Miss Kate S. Curry 1420 Girard St. N.W. Washington D.C.
received payment 75 cts A. Wilson Chief Rev. War Section

All inquiries regarding this job should refer to Requisition No.
Requisition for Duplicating, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WASHINGTON
CHIEF, Division of Publications, Room G 137.
May 31, 1927. 192
Please furnish work specified below.
Bureau ordering Reuben
Deliver to Room No. 5033
(ALL COPY FOR DUPLICATING WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN ELITE TYPE, EXACTLY LINE FOR LINE AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON FINISHED JOB.)
Title and description of job photostat copies of 2 pages* from the Rev. Warren E. Davis, W. 9850, Benaijah Davis,
No. of copies 2 negative copies of each page. Shall form be kept standing? days
For further information see A. E. Wilson 5064 541 Room No. Phone No.
Approved: A. E. Wilson Chief Clerk of Bureau
A. E. Wilson Chief of Branch or Division
NOTE: No order made "SPECIAL" unless statement showing necessity is written below and approved by Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering
CHECK WORK DESIRED
Duplicate
Multigraph single or double space? Facsimile signature?
Mimeograph one side or both sides? Facsimile signature?
Folding once or twice?
Assembling
Stapling Once? Twice? Side? End?
Electric typewriter Fill in addresses? Dated?
Addressograph from lists
Table with 2 columns: Envelopes, size; Cards, size. Rows include: Proof list; Pay rolls. Labels (submit sample); Corrections. Fill in letters; Tabulation sheets.
Photostat x Size actual Official use? Repay? yes $ 0.60. Blue Print Size Official use? Repay? $
Remarks

NOTE: Routine changes of addresses may be made on this blank without formal reference through or initialing of chiefs of branches or chief clerks of bureaus.
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(Date)
INDICATE BY AN X IN PROPER SQUARE ACTION TO BE TAKEN.
Make new addressograph plate
Change present addressograph plate
Destroy present addressograph plate
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as follows:
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Should read
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FOR USE OF DUPLICATING AND ADDRESSING SECTION
ADDRESSOGRAPH
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