Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 40,880, Methuselah Davis, Penn.

SERVICE
SERVICE Penn.
Davis, Methuselah
NUMBER _____
NUMBER 8 40,880
CONTENTS

19.019.
Pennsylvania
Methuselah Davis
of Chester Co. in the State of Pennsylvania who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Reiss of the Regiment commanded by Colonel St. Clair in the Pennsylvania line, for the term of 1 year in 1776.
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 1 st of March 1823.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 of July 1823. and sent to D r Wm Darlington West Chester, Pa
  Arrears to 4th of Mar: 1823  $ 1 03    Semi anl. all'ce ending 4 Sept 1823  48 00     $49 03  
{ Revolutionary claim, Acts March 18, 1818, and May 1, 1820, & March 1823. }
22/70 Chester 70

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Chester County ss
on this 5 th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty two personally appeared in open court of Common Pleas held at West Chester in and for the County of Chester in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania being a court of Record proceeding according to the course of the common law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount and keeping a record of its proceedings. Methuselah Davis aged seventy years, resident in the township of West Nantmeal in the said County of Chester and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the Acts of Congress of the 18 th of March 1818 and of the 1 st May 1820 that he the said Methuselah enlisted in the township of Charlestown in the said County of Chester and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the month of February in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six, in the company commanded by Captain Reese in the regiment commanded by Colonel Sinclair in the line of the State of Pennsylvania, on the continental establishment and that he continued to serve as a sergeant in the said corps until the month of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven, a period of more than one year when he was discharged - that he was enlisted for one year, that he served in the campaign against Quebec, and was in the battle of the three Rivers, and that he has no other evidence, now in his power, of his services, but the testimony hereto attached
And the said Methuselah Davis doth solemnly swear that he was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th of March 1818 and that he has not since that time by gift sale, or in any manner whatever disposed of his property or any part thereof with intent thereby to diminish it as to bring himself 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 18 th of March 1818 and that he has not, nor has any person in trust for him any property or securities, contracts or debts due to him, nor has he any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by him subscribed
Signed (Methuselah Davis)
Sworn to, declared and subscribed on the fifth day of November 1822 in open Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Chester in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania being a court of record by the laws of the said Commonwealth Thomas Daves } prothonotary of said court (Signed) John Ralston } Judge of said court

Schedule of Methuselah Davis's property
146 Acres of Land probable value about $20 per Acre $2920.
  1 Cow 14.   2 Pigs 4.   Desk 6   Book case 7.   6 Chairs 4.   2 Beds and Bedding 25.   6 Pepper Plates 1.50   And iron Shovel and Tongs 2.50   Iron plate stove 10.00   Total Amount 2994. 
(Signed) Matthew Stanley E. Bradley
Schedule of the debts due from Methuselah Davis
Mortgage { Methuselah Davis } dated November 13. 1810 to Caleb Brinton } on the land for $1544.46 covering the 146 Acres mentioned in the schedule above for $2000.
Judgment Methuselah Davis } dated June 13. 1817 to Caleb North } on land as above for $1544.46 2544.46
Balanced against Methuselah Davis - 550.46
I am by occupation a farmer - have a wife but no children
Methuselah Davis

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Chester County ss
I Thomas Davis Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Chester the same being a Court of record by the Laws of Pennsylvania. Do hereby Certify that the foregoing declaration of Methuselah Davis, and the Schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records 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 in the aforesaid schedule is Twenty nine hundred and ninety four Dollars and that the Debt due from Methuselah Davis, exhibited in the said Schedule is Thirty five hundred and forty four Dollars and forty six Cents In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at West Chester the 26 th day of June A.D. One Thousand Eight hundred and Twenty three
Thomas Davis Proth.

The fifth day of November 1822 before me John Ralston Esquire one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Chester County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania being a court of record according to the Laws of Pennsylvania, personally appeared Evan Evans a citizen and inhabitant of the township of East Nantmeal in the county of Chester and Commonwealth aforesaid who being duly sworn according to Law doth depose, declare and say that during the revo- lutionary war he well knew Methuselah Davis within named - that he enlisted in the township of Charlestown in the said County and com- monwealth aforesaid about the month of February 1776 for the term of one year, that this deponent served in the same Regiment during the campaign to the North and saw the said Methuselah Davis frequently during the year in the service of the United States - that he conducted himself as a faithful officer, and that he the de- ponent is well satisfied the said Methuselah Davis served as a continental soldier for the term of one year for which he was enlisted
(Signed) Evan Evans
Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid
(Signed) John Ralston
Chester County ss
Personally came before me the subscribers one of the justices of the peace in and for Chester County in the State of Pennsylvania John Ralston Esq. and Leonard Sherer who being duly sworn according to Law doth depose and say that they are well acquainted with Evan Evans these forty years, who testified to the services of Methuselah Davis in the Army of the United States in the revolutionary war in order for him to obtain his pension, that the said Evan Evans is a man of good moral character and veracity, and we believe he ought to be believed in whatever he declares on oath or otherwise and further saith not
John Ralston Leonard Sherer
Sworn and subscribed this 8 day of Jan y . 1823 before me John Beerbower

(Dym)
John Ralston
Chester County ss
Personally came before me the subscribers one of the justices of the peace in and for Chester County in the State of Pennsylvania John Ralston Esq. and Leonard Sherer who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that they are well acquainted with Evan Evans these forty years who testified to the services of M c Intosh and Davis in the Army of the United States in the revolutionary war in order for him to obtain his pension, that the said Evan Evans is a man of good moral character and veracity, and we believe he ought to be believed in whatever he declares on oath or otherwise and further saith not  Sworn and subscribed } John Ralston this 8 th day of Jan y . 1823 before me } Leonard Sherer John Beerbower
CHESTER COUNTY, SS. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
I, Thomas Davis — Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Chester, in the Commonwealth aforesaid, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, that John Beerbower — Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavit appears to have been taken, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was, at the time, the same bears date _____ and now is an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for the said county, duly commissioned and qualified, to all whose official acts, as such, due faith and credit is, and of right ought to be given accordingly.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court at Westchester, in the county aforesaid, the 26 th day of June in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty three
Thomas Davis PROTHONOTARY.

40 880
INVALID.
Ray
File No.
40, 880
Methuselah Davis
Vi. Va. 1820
Act:
18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol.
8
, Page
122
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Original Claim.
Metheuselah Davis - Private - served 1 year (1776) Proof - one credible Witness -
His age 70 - a Farmer - has a Wife - age not given - no Children
Schedule runs as follows -
146 acres of Land - value $2920.
1. Cow $14 - 2 Pigs $4 - Dett. $6
Bookcase $7. 6 Chairs $4. 2 Beds and
Bedding $25 - other articles $14 -
Total - $2994.
The Recorder of Deeds, under Seal of Office, certifies that the above Land was mortgaged Nov. 17. 1810, for $2000, and remained unsatisfied Nov. 29. 1822 -
The Prothonotary, of Chester County, under Seal of Office, certifies that a judgment was obtained June 13. 1817, against Davis, in favor of Caleb North for $1544 - 46, & remained unsatisfied Nov. 29. 1822 -
Two other judgments against
Applicant, amounting to nearly $500, - judgments, however, since March 18. 1818
Balance of applicant, - not including the two last mentioned judgments -
$550 - 46
Doc t W m Darlington
West Chester,
Pennsylvania
Admit

Mr Edw Page 48
Methuselah Davis app. Wm Darlington, Esq. West Chester Pa Rec. July 2 d 1823
Hon. John C. Calhoun Secy. of War Washington City

West-Chester, Penn: June 26. 1823.
Sir, Methuselah Davis, a Revolutionary Soldier has requested me to forward his application for a Pension; which I have now the honor to enclose. I presented his application at the beginning of the last session of Congress; but it was returned on account of some informality, or defect in the testimony, which he hopes he has now obviated. He was told that he must procure two witnesses of his services; but he informs me he can find but one living, viz. Evan Evans - whose affidavit is annexed; & whose credibility is attested by two Gentlemen of great respectability. one of whom is a Judge of our Court. Mr. Davis hopes the evidence of this one may suffice. I have myself, no doubt of his having served as stated. He was always a respectable man, & was formerly a member of the Legislature of this State for several years; but poverty & old age have overtaken him together. & he now really stands in need of the assistance of his country. If it should appear from his papers, that the regulations of the Department are substantially complied with, I should hope he may be successful in his application. Although he nominally held a farm of indifferent quality, he was completely insolvent as long ago as 1817; but he has postponed his application for a Pension until after he was sold out of house & home. Confident that every justice will be done to Mr. Davis's claim, which the nature of the case will warrant, I have no more to add but that I am with the highest respect Your friend & obedt. Servt.
Hon. J. C. Calhoun, Secy. of War.
Wm Darlington

Mortgage Mathuselah Davis Esq. Dated the 17 th day of to November 1810 on a Mes- Caleb Winton suage and tract of Land situate in West Nantmeal
Township in the County of Chester computed to contain one hundred and forty acres to secure the payment of two thousand Dollars
I Daniel Huster Recorder of Deeds in and for the County of Chester in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Do certify that the above stated Mortgage remains open and unsatisfied in Mortgage Book L page 196 of the records of said County
Witness my hand and the seal of said Office this 29 th day of November A.D. 1822.
Daniel Huster

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Chester County ss
I Thomas Davis Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County do certify that the five foregoing Judgments remain unsatisfied of Record in said Court
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Affixed the Seal of said Court at West Chester the 29 th day of November A. D. one thousand eight hundred and twenty two
Thomas Davis Proth ry

Caleb North vs June 13 th 1817 Judgment by Attorney for — $1544.46 Methuselah Davis vs Sci. Fa. for Judgment N o 77 to November term 1822. — Issued on the above stated Judgment
George Evans vs November 2 nd 1818 Judgment on Bond and Warrant of Attorney Methuselah Davis vs Penal sum — $300. of West Plantmeal vs conditioned to pay — $1500.
William Ritchie vs Amicable Action Case for goods sold & delivered and Methuselah Davis vs Interest on account amounting to $220.83. or in agreement filed Judgment Confessed to the Plaintiff for the above sum of $220.83. or upon award of Arbitrators $161.92 for the use of the Representatives of Aaron Musgrave decd. and the balance for the use of the Representatives of the late firm of Musgrave and Ritchie
Caleb North vs Scire facias to November Term 1822 Methuselah Davis vs For the use of Israel Davis "Scire facias" Nov. 8. 1822 Judgment nisi
William Ritchie vs Scire facias for Judgment Issued to Nov. Term 1822 Methuselah Davis vs For the use of Israel Davis "Scire facias" Nov. 8. Judgment nisi