Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S.3272, Abraham Davidson, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Davidson, Abraham
S.3272
CONTENTS
carded

19,479 West Tennessee
Abraham Davidson
of Humphreys Co. in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Donaldson of the regt commanded by Col. Preston in the Virg. Mil. time for 18 months from 1778.
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 60 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of Sep- -tember 1833 — and sent to Wm B. Johnson, Clarksville.
Arrears to the 4th of September 1833 $120. — Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mch '34 30. —
$150. —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Sam H. Wilson Clerk,
Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 76

Reynoldsburg, Lin
Free
Sept 15 th Nashv.
Lewis Cass
S. of War
Washington
Oct 2 11 529 Tenn

State of Tennessee } in Court Sept Term 1832 Humphreys County }
On this 17 th day of Sept 1832 personally in open Court to Abraham Davidson a resident of said County State of Tennessee aged 77. 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 of an act of Congress passed the 7 th June 1832, That he entered into that service of the United States in the year 1781 under the following officers Capt Billy Hicks, under the command of General Lawson. He entered the service as a Matrossman inillovaia County Virginia, in the month of Sept 1781. And from there he marched to Little York where he remained until the surrender Wallace he then went as a guard to the Prisoners to Norfolk Ferry on the Palomac where the Prisoners were delivered up to the Maryland troops but he doth not recollect who their officer, when he states that on this rout his Capt (Hicks) was taken captive and left behind and he was placed under the com- mand of Capt Charles Williams, on their return about six miles at Leesburg he got his discharge but what has become of his discharge he doth not now know. He states that before this service was rendered, in the year 1778 he entered as a volunteer under the command of Capt John Norfolson, against the Indians, he volunteered in

the County of Pennsylvania. I trust that was his last. He marched from there to New River at Halpenny's fort where they remained until his time of service expired of three months & got a discharge, but he has also lost or mislaid it, after a service of six months. He also under the command of Captain William Bohannon and Christy. He was in the battle fought at the Long Island of Hatton , he thinks in the year 1777. He has not recollect this campaign so minutely, but he has recollect that it was called Christy's campaign. In all he served the United States about eighteen months, as a volunteer & Marylander. He hereby relinquishes any 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 or king. Sworn to in open Court Sept 17 th 1833 W. G. Hudson Clerk. his Abraham Davidson
William Black aged about 86 years states upon oath that he was in the service with Abraham Davidson in the same company at the siege of York that he served with him & was personally acquainted with him then, and is now and lives within a few miles of him that, and that I believe him to be of the age stated, that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood to have been a soldier of the revolution and I do concur in that opinion. Sworn to in open William Black Court Sept 17 th 1833 W. G. Hudson Clerk Henry McConnel a resident of said County

States upon oath that he is acquainted with Abraham Davidson who has signed the above declaration, that he is reputed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that he is of the age stated and that I concur in that opinion.
A. McCarroll
I James C. Mitchell Judge presiding in the County of Humphreys do hereby declare my opinion to be after an investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states and I further certify that it appears to me that William Black & Abner McCarroll who has signed the above certificate are residents of said county and are credible persons.
J. C. Mitchell presiding Judge
William G. Hudson Clerk of the Circuit Court for the County of Humphreys. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of an application of Abraham Davidson for a pension
In Testimony whereof I do hereby set my
hand & private seal having no seal of office in the Town of Reynoldsburg this 17 th day of Sept 1832
W. G. Hudson Clerk of Humphreys Circuit Court

24851 Abraham Davidson Tennessee
1. m
176
D. P. Hudson ch Court Humphrey City Reynoldsburg Tennessee

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 31 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Abraham Davidson Humphrey County State of Tennessee
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     End 1781 about 3 15 priv Capt Dick Genl Lawson Capt Williams 77 years P. County State of Traditional Evidence Witness who says that he saw the applicant at the siege of York but time not stated Papers not authenticated   1778 " 3 " " Capt Donnelson Col Preston Virginia   1777 " 6 " " Capt Bohann Col Chesty  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. (This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.)]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

State of Tennessee Humphreys County 355.
In addition to the accompanying declaration heretofore made by him in the Circuit Court of Humphreys County Abraham Davidson personally appeared before the County Court of Humphreys at their April Session 1839 & being sworn according to law, makes the following additional Declaration for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the act of Congress of June 7 th 1832 - Relating that in the first Campaign against the Cherokees in the year 1777 he enlisted during the War with the Cherokees under Capt. Capt. Bohannon was attached to the Regiment of Col. Christie marched not only to New River but to the Cherokees towns on the Tennessee River - he left home in Feby 1777 & returned home about the same time in the year 1778 the precise time he does not recollect but he knows it to have been at least twelve months from the time he left home until his return - the second Campaign as above stated when the battle was fought at Long Island on Holston he served three months - in the Third Campaign as above stated to Norfolk when Cornwallis was taken, from the time he left home until his return home was about three months & a half - he having engaged to serve three months - making in all at least eighteen months service.

he further declares that he was born in Guilford County North Carolina His parents removed when he was very young to Halifax County in Virginia & he continued there during the war which was afterwards made Pennsylvania & until he removed to Dickson County Tennessee in the year 1805 when he remained until three years then removed to Humphreys County where he has ever since resided still resides - that he was born on the 22 nd day of October 1755 as informed by his parents as he believes he has no record of his age nor never had any He also declares upon oath that the annexed declaration made in the Circuit Court is true Sworn to & subscribed Abraham Davidson
in open Court 23 rd of April 1833. J. P. Henderson Clerk
We Jacob Browning a Chapman Episcopalian in Humphreys County and Mitchell Childers citizen resident in said county do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abraham Davidson who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration - that we believe him to be seventy eight years old. that he is respected the loved in the neighborhood where he lives to have been a soldier of the Revolution & we concur in that opinion Sworn to & subscribed in open Jacob Browning J. P. Court this 23 rd of April 1833 J. P. Henderson Clerk Mitchell Childers

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the Interrogatories presented by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a soldier of the Revolution and served as he states - and the Court further certifies that Jacob Browning who has signed the foregoing certificate is a clergyman resident in said County that Melchior Childers who also signed the same is a resident of said County and a credible person that their statement is in all the respects -
Isaac Little Isaac W. Moore W. B. and Harris
I Davesey P. Dulia Clerk of the County Court of Henry Plurys do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abram Davidson for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my private seal there being no public seal, at Reynoldsburg this 23 rd day of April 1833
Seal
D. D. Wilson Clerk

24851
A. Nathan Davidson
The within Certificate was made by Davies J. Hudson the acting Clerk of the County Court of Humphrys in my presence. He has no seal of office. The same is in the usual form. The Certificate of W. G. Hudson to the original petition is in his proper hand writing. He was at that time the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Humphrys but has since died. There is no public seal of office within the Circuit or County Court.
Reynolds Borough
C. Johnson
23 rd April 1833

Re-Work
3272
INVALID.
am
File No. 3272
Abraham Davidson
Pvt. Co. Me. Inf.
Act: June 7 th 33
Index:—Vol. A , Page 89
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No 11529-
Abraham Davidson
Humphrys County
Tennessee
for 1778 prints 18 months
$60.
No. 6 Johnson.
Clarksville
H. G. Hudson. Atty
Humphrys County Court
Tennessee

BRIEF in the case of  Abraham Davidson  of Humphreys Co. in the State of Tennessee  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court.  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 77  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.     Sept. In 1781. Private Genl. Greene   Volunteer 1778- " Capt. Donnelson Col   about 18 " Brig. Genl. Preston & Capt. Johnson  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? of Long Island of Warrenton  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Not Stated  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living Witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? No public Seal affixed - without certificate of a member of Congress 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Dyer Caston  Examining Clerk.

Reynoldsburg, New } July 24 th
Yrs
Master Nelson of Adam Thacker
J. L. Edwards Esq r Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Flm 24

Reynoldsburgh
24 th July 1833
Dear Sir,
I return to you the enclosed pension papers - I write with much regret, the exceptions taken to this as well as many other pension papers returned to this part of the country - the length of time of each campaign is precisely stated in the amended Declaration there is no seal of office to other court here - the answer to every interrogatory is contained in the body of the declaration - the certificate to the amended Declaration is in the usual form - the witness never can state the length of service - The two declarations make a complete case - Some of your Clerks do not give a proper examination to the papers before they are rejected & produce great unnecessary trouble to the old men who are entitled to the benefit of the law - This negligence of the Clerks is the cause of great complaints in every section of the country in which I have been - there is no man more deserving or of better character than the applicant whose papers are enclosed
Very respectfully
Your friend
C. Johnson