Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2679, John Davenport, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Davenport John Henrietta
R 2679
CONTENTS

State of New York
City and County of New York ss.
On this twenty first day of July One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, Personally appeared before me John B Scott one of the Judges of the Marine Court of the City of New York Henrietta Davenport a resident of the City and County of New York aged Eighty Seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth in her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836, That she is the widow of John Davenport deceased who was an express rider under General Washington in the war of the Revolution.
That he entered the service of the United States as a volunteer under General Washington as an express rider in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy six at the City of New York.
That in the line of his duty as an express rider, he was employed in carrying dispatches from and to General Washington the Commander in Chief, the Quarter Master General, and other General officers, and several of the governors of the States from the commencement to the close of the revolutionary war, in the course of which he was entrusted not only with papers of the highest importance but large sums of money and his routes were often near the lines of the enemy and through the enemies camps; and also passed numerous teams of the enemy into the service of the United States, and was the personal attendant likewise of General Washington, and considered and called his right hand man. That at the time the war broke out the said John Davenport removed to

Aquackenack in New Jersey, and as the enemy approached, he removed his family from place to place for safety, and he also removed them to Pompton in New Jersey, where they suffered much for want of provisions, then to Fishkill, Westpoint, and everywhere else where they had orders to move to,
That the said John Davenport and his wife this Deponent never received any pension from Government. That Major's Grant and Tucker were in the service at the time, as also Major Hise. That the said John Davenport went by the name of old "Seventy six" and "old Continental" until the day of his death.
She further declares that she was married to the said John Davenport on the fifteenth day of April 1769, being by the Minister of the old Dutch Church in Garden Street, which was destroyed by the great fire in the city of New York in the year eighteen hundred and thirty five. That her husband John Davenport died in the city of New York in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seventeen of a bilious cholica or some other sudden complaint, and that she has remained his widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before
Henrietta his Davenport mark
J. M. [unintelligible] Justice of the Peace

I Do Certify That upon examining The Records of Marriages of The Ministers, Elders, and Deacons of The Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of The City of New York in Liber A. page 805. I find The following entry -
   Inget.  Personen met Geboden  getrouwt      1771.  John Davenport  1771    April   April    3.  Boenkje Stagg  21.   
I do further Certify That at the time The above marriage was solemnized and ever since has been a Collegiate Church, and That The Minister who officiated is not named. In witness where of I have hereunto affixed The Common Seal of said Church, and Subscribed my name as Clerk Hereof This Fourth day of January one Thousand eight hundred and thirty eight -
Cornelius Bogaert Clerk.
Joseph Noxe Clerk.
which turns out not to be the fact, as will appear by the annexed certificate. And deponent further saith, that from her advanced age she could not recollect the precise date of her marriage which she now states to be the day set forth in the said certificate.
Sworn to and subscribed this 8th day of January before me 1838
Henrietta Davenport mark
Sylvester J. Stevens Notary Public

State of New York
City & County of New York } ss.
On the tenth of January 1885, personally came before me, Cornelius Boegert to me known who acknowledged before me that he executed the within certificate, & on being duly sworn before me did depose & say that he resides in the City of New York, that he is the Clerk of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the City of New York, that the seal affixed to the within certificate is the Common Seal of said Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the City of New York, & was affixed thereto by their authority.
Isaac A. Barker Commissioner of Deeds in & for the City & County of New York

State of New York City and County of New York ss. Henrietta Davenport who is now an applicant for a pension as the widow of John Davenport deceased being duly sworn deposes and says, that the certi- ficate of Marriage herunto annexed is the certificate of the marriage of this Deponent to the said John Davenport. That this Depo- nent's maiden name was Henkje Stagg, and that the name Henkje Stagg signifies Henrietta Stagg in the Dutch language and that the name Davenport as written in the said certificate is the Dutch way of spelling the name of her said husband which is
STATE OF NEW-YORK, CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK, } ss.
I, Joseph Hoxie, Clerk of the City and County of New-York, and also Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said City and County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Sylvester Spence before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was, at the time of taking the same, a Public Notary in and for said City and County, duly commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same, and that I believe the signature of said Notary thereto subscribed is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court and County, the 10 day of Jany 1838.
Joseph Hoxie Clerk.
that the Daven- port convent. th, that y find at the New York and her nd ispare,
which turns out not to be the fact, as will appear by the annexed certificate. And Deponent further saith, that from her advanced age she could not recollect the precise date of her marriage, which she now states to be the day set forth in the said certificate.
Sworn to and subscribed } this 8 th day of Jany before me } 1838 Sylvester Spence Notary Public
Henrietta Davenport mark

State of New York City and County of New York ss. Henrietta Davenport who is now an applicant for a pension as the widow of John Davenport deceased being duly sworn deposes and says, that the certi- ficate of Marriage herunto annexed is the certificate of the marriage of this Deponent to the said John Davenport. That this Depo- nent's maiden name was Henkje Stagg, and that the name Henkje Stagg signifies Henrietta Stagg in the Dutch language and that the name Davenport as written in the said certificate is the Dutch way of spelling the name of her said husband which in English is spelt Davenport and that the name in the said certificate of John Davenport, is the same John Davenport who was the husband of this Deponent.
And this Deponent further saith, that in consequence of the destruction by fire of the Dutch Church in Ga. dent Street at the time of the great conflagration in New York this Deponent had been informed and believed at the time of making her previous statement, that the Records thereof had been consumed by said fire, which turns out not to be the fact, as will appear by the annexed certificate. And Deponent further saith, that from her advanced age she could not recollect the precise date of her marriage which she now states to be the day set forth in the said certificate.
Sworn to and Subscribed } this 5 th day of January before me } 1838
Henrietta Davenport mark
Sylvester Spencer Notary Public

2679
P. O. _____
Henrietta Davenport
Service: _____
with John
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____
Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. _____
Searched for _____
, 18

2358
N.Y.
Let. to J.P. Pierson 8 aug. 37. " do 16 Nov. " " do 15 March '38 " do 13 Apl. " - Hon. A.B. Aland 22 apl. '40.
2679.
act 4 July '36

Hennetta Davenport widow of John V 2358
New York —
for 40 yrs.

State of New York City and County of New York ss.
Be it known that before me Sylvester Spencer a Notary Public in and for the city and county aforesaid person- ally appeared Catharine Catharine Vank widow of Peter Vank deceased, and made oath in due form of law, that she is a resident of the city and county of New York, that she is eighty years of age, and was personally acquainted with John Davenport, deceased who was the Brother of this Affiant, and Henrietta Davenport his wife now his wi- dow, having lived a near neighbor to them from childhood, that they were married on the fifteenth day of April, Seventeen hundred and sixty nine, and that she was present at their marriage and acted as Brides-maid on that occasion, and the mar- riage ceremony was performed by Dominic Pettronder, who is now deceased & was one of the Ministers of the old Dutch Church in Garden Street, and that the said Henrietta Davenport his widow, has never been mar- ried since the death of her husband, John Davenport, and still remains his widow
That she was knowing to the fact of the said John Davenport, being engaged and serving in the United States Army as an Express Rider, under General Wash- ington from the commencement to the close of the Revolutionary War.
Sworn and Subscribed this 25 th day of July 1837 before me
Catharine her Vank mark
Sylvester Spencer Notary Public
I hereby certify that the above named Catharine
(over)

Vunk, is a very respectable old Lady of this city. residing with her Son, and that she is a credible person.
Sylvester Spencer Notary Public

(Turn over)
John Davenport of the city of New York respectfully represents to his fellow citizens, that he engaged in the service of his country, in the year 1776. "The times that tried Men's souls." — That he was employed in the army, as an express rider, in conveying dispatches from and to the Commander in Chief, Quarter Master General, and other General officers, and several of the Governors of the States; in the course of which employment, he was entrusted not only with papers of the highest importance, but with large sums of money, and his services near the lines of the enemy, and his

In justice to the merits of Mr John Davenport I certify that I know the matter stated in his address to be true; and that my situation, in the army, afforded me opportunities of witnessing his exertions, courage and fidelity, in the cause of his Country.
W. M c Cl e

State of New York City and County of New York
In this twenty sixth
2 City and County of New York ss.
I do hereby certify that the said applicant is unable to attend Court from bodily infirmity and that I am satisfied the said Commissioner Darius Smith is entitled to credibility
dated 21 st July 1837.
John B. Scott Justice of the Marine Court
I, John B. Barbeine Clerk of the Marine Court do hereby certify that John B. Scott is a Justice of the said Court and that the said Court is a Court of Record and that the above signature is his genuine signature
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the said Court this twenty first day of July in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven
John B. Barbeine

examined No 619. NY Daven. Port & St. Edward St. Commission Merchant Washington D.C.

New York February 17 th 1838
Sir
Mr. Spencer having kindly undertaken to be the bearer of this letter to you, I avail myself of the opportunity of calling your attention to the application of Mrs. Henrietta Ravenport for a pension.
I transmitted to you on the 11 th of last month her marriage certificate & the additional affidavit of Mr. De Camp, & I have flattered myself that nothing was now wanting to establish her claim. Under this conviction, I hope I may be excused in delaying its consummation as it is an old case, having been commenced in June last, & the old lady is entirely dependent on her daughter (who is very poor) for support.
As I am a stranger to you, I beg leave to refer you to Mr. Spencer for

my character & standing.
I am Sir
very resp y Your obed t serv t
W. P. Ripley
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington

James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington

New York Sept: 10 th 1837.
Sir,
In accordance with the instructions contained in yours of the 8 th of last month in reference to the application of Henrietta Davenport for a Pension, I enclose the affidavit of John De Camp containing the required information.
I am Sir, Your obedt Servt
To James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington W. P. Wilson Dr. Whatham Jr.

James L. Edwards Esq. Coun. of Pleas. Washington.

New York Jan'y 18 th 1838. N o 9 Chatham Street,
Sir,
In compliance with the directions contained in your letter of the 16 th of November last, I have obtained an additional affidavit of Mr. De Camp in relation to Henrietta Davenport, and I have contrary to my expectations, procured a certified copy of the registry of her marriage to the deceased, which in my opinion places her claim to a pension beyond the possibility of a doubt, the identity being established by her affidavit annexed to the certificate, and also by the affidavit of Mr. De Camp. —
As to the discrepancy in the date of marriage, between the time mentioned in the certificate, and that pointed out by Mr. Davenport and her sister in law Mrs. Mink (her bridesmaid) it is to be attributed to defect of memory through advanced age. I am satisfied there is no deception nor attempt at deception, as they were both very accurate in detailing events, but at a loss as to dates. —
M rs Davenport is an estimable old woman, but entirely dependent on a widowed daughter for support, who is in a state of indigence, and herself advanced in years. —

As this case has been a long while pending, and it is now mid-winter, may I venture to crave the earliest attention to this poor woman's application, that it may possibly be in your power to bestow.
I am Sir
Very Resp y
Your obed t Serv t
W. P. Wilson
James L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions Washington

New York April 11 th 1838. H. J. Chatham Street
Sir,
I enclose an additional affidavit of Mrs. W Yunk, who was bridesmaid to Mr. Davenport. In reply to each of your letters, I have sent you the kind of testimony you required in this case, and I cannot but regret that you did not make all your objections in your first communication so that at each step, we might not have met with difficulties, which could not be anticipated from your first communication & which is dashing the hopes of the aged widow, now tottering on the brink of the grave, to the ground. From the unequivocal respectability of the character of the applicant, and of the proofs in support thereof, further strengthened by the enclosed, I trust, that no further obstacles will be thrown in the way of this just claim.
I am Sir
Very Resp y
Yr o obed t Serv t
J. H. Wilson
James L. Edwards Esq re Commissioner of Pensions Washington

James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioning of Pensions Washington

New York July 27 th 1837.
Sir
I enclose the papers in behalf of Henrietta Davenport widow of John Davenport who was an Essex rider under Genl. Washington in the war of the Revolution in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836.
I am Sir
Very resp y
Your obed t Serv t
James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington
W. P. Wilson
Counsel at Law No. 10 Chatham St.

State of New York City and County of New York ss: On this twenty second day of March One thousand eight hundred and thirty eight; Personally appeared before me, John B Scott, one of the Judges of the Marine Court of the Marine Court of the City of New York Catherine Funk, widow of Peter Funk deceased; and made oath in due form of law, that she is a resident of the City and County of New York and eighty years of age and that she is the sister of John Davenport de- ceased, whose widow Henrietta the Davenport is now an applicant for a pension as such. That the said John Davenport was an Ensign rider from the commencement to the close of the Revolutionary war, and that he was married to the said applicant on the twenty first of April 1771, as stated in the certified copy of the certificate thereof which this depo- nent is informed has been transmitted to the War department, this Deponent having officiated as bridesmaid on that occasion. Deponent further saith, that in her previous affidavit she made a mistake as to the date of the said marriage which occurred from defect of memory (as to dates) through advanced age, although this deponent is in other respects in good health and full possession of her mental faculties. She is deponent now corrects the same, by reference to the said certificate, and for other parts in this case she begs leave to refer to her said previous certificate.
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before me
John B Scott
Catherine her Funk mark Witness to signature of Catherine Funk her mark. Wm. H. Hudson

City and County of New York ss. I do hereby certify that the within book is a true and correct copy of the original thereof. New York 23 rd March 1838
John M c Donough the Mayor
I, John Barberie Clerk of the Marine Court of the City of New York do hereby certify that James Scott is one of the Justices of said Court and that the said Court is a Court of Record and that the signature to the above Certificate is his genuine signature.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the said Court this twenty fourth day of March in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty eight
John Barberie
3

State of New York City and County of New York } ss: Personally appeared before me James A. Whiting a Notary Public in and for the State of New York residing in the City and County of New York John DeCamp of the said City now Inspector of Iron under the General government, who being by me duly sworn doth depose and say, that he is the same John DeCamp who is now in the receipt of a pension as one of the corps of Espion- riders in the Revolutionary War, and that during his service as such he became acquainted with John Davenport who belonged to the corps of Espion riders in the said Revolutionary War, and that the said John Davenport was stationed when the said Deponent so knew him at a place called Newfound- land in Morris County New Jersey at the house of Cornelius Davenport where four or five Espion riders were stationed, of whom the said John Davenport was one; this Deponent having carried letters then from his own station at Morristown in the same County and State in his own line of duty as an Espion rider for them to distribute to the Northern and Eastern. And this Deponent further saith, that having been requested to call on Harri- ett Davenport the widow of the said John Davenport to ascertain whether he was the same individual as she has des- cribed in her application for a pension, this Deponent from the conversation he had with the said widow and her daughter has no doubt that he was the same individual.

STATE OF NEW-YORK, CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK, } ss.
I, Thomas Jeremiah , Clerk of the City and County of New-York, and also Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said City and County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That
James R. Whiting Esq. before whom the annexed affidavit was taken, was, at the time of taking the same, a Public Notary in and for said City and County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature thereto subscribed is genuine, as I verily believe.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court and County, the 15 th day of Sept r 1837.
Thos. Jeremiah
Clerk.
faith, that of Joseph added the same when at the ordinary war- red and until his about the in hundred captain then, and then Dunn continued ch command this the corps riders to States
where such regiments were commanded to go, and that they were always subject to the immediate orders of General Washington, and also General Green, and Timothy Pickering who was General Master after General Green.
Sworn to and subscribed this thirteenth day of September 1837 Before me.
John DeCamp
W. H. Whiting
Notary Public.

And this Deponent further saith, that the captain of the said corps of Reserves riders was named Jeremiah Dunn, at the commencement of the Revolutionary war or in the year seventeen hundred and seventy six and continued so until his death which happened in the about the middle of the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven, and that captain commanded when deponent joined them, and Asgill succeeded the said Captain Dunn in the command thereof, and continued as this deponent believes in such command until the close of the war. And this deponent further saith that the corps of duty of the said Reserves riders were in every part of the United States where such Reserves riders were commanded to go, and that they were always subject to the immediate orders of General Washington, and also General Green, and Timothy Pickering who was Quarter Master General after General Green.
Sworn to and subscribed this thirteenth day of September 1837 Before me.
John DeCamp
W. H. Whiting.
Notary Public.

Henrietta Davenport Case for Pension

State of New York City and County of New York
vs. John De Camp of the City of New York the Inspector of Iron under the General Government being duly sworn doth depose and say that in his affidavit dated the thirteenth day of September last he this Deponent stated all the facts it was possible in the nature of things to state in relation to his knowledge of John Daven- port the husband of Henrietta Davenport who is now an applicant for a pension as his widow.
And this Deponent further saith that in his said affidavit he stated he knew the said John Davenport and he this Deponent herein reiterates the fact that he did know the said John Davenport to be an Express Rider in the Revolutionary War and that he this Deponent is satisfied from the description given of the said John Davenport by his said Widow Henrietta Davenport and Mrs. Malone their daughter that her the same identical person who this Deponent knew as such Express Rider in the said Revolutionary War. That deponent says the said John Davenport at the time they were stationed at a place called New- foundland in Morris County New Jersey at the house of Cornelius Davenport where four or five Express Riders were stationed of whom the said John Davenport was one.
That at the commencement of the Revo- lutionary War Captain Jeremiah Dumm who commanded was Commander of the said Corps of Express Riders in the year 1776 and that at his death in 1777 Captain Argill succeeded to the Command thereof and continued in such command until the close of the war (as deponent very believes)
And this Deponent further saith, that as the said Corps of Express Riders were under the immediate command of General Washington assisted by Generals Greene and Henry Pickering

and as they were in fact (what their names imply) Express Riders , they had no particular hours of duty, but went wherever they were sent individually and not in squads or companies, and therefore it was to the impossible for any one of the said Express Riders to state where the other went even were they all living and flourishing in the full vigor of their intellect. For this Deponent saith that the said Express Riders were sent wherever General Washington commanded them to go and also General Greene & Major Master General Pickering. And this Deponent further saith, that the duty of such Express Riders was very arduous and very hazardous as they often went through the lines of the enemy and were entrusted with the most important documents and large sums of money and were exposed to every danger and difficulty. And this Deponent further saith that he has seen the
STATE OF NEW-YORK, CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK, } ss.
I, Joseph Hoxie , Clerk of the City and County of New-York, and also Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said City and County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Isaac O. Barker before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was, at the time of taking the same, a Commissioner of Deeds in and for said City and County, duly commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same, and that I believe the signature of said Commissioner thereto subscribed is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court and County, the Eleventh day of Jany 1837.
Joseph Hoxie Clerk.
making the subse- quent description here that identity, that he did not after the command- having to and this differential
dear being such commander from that circumstance at the commencement of the said war, in which he continued until his death which Deponent believes occurred in 1777 after which the said company was commanded by the said Captain Stzell .
Sworn this 29 th day of Decem r 1837.
Isaac DeBarr
Isaac Barker Commissioner of Deeds

and as they were in fact (what their name, simply) Express Riders , they had no particular time  time of duty, but went wherever they were sent individually and not in squads or companies, and therefore it would be impossible for any one of the said Express riders to state where the other went even were they all living and flourishing in the full vigor of their intellect. For this Deponent saith that the said Express riders were sent wherever General Washington commanded them to go and also General Greene & Major Master General Pickering. And this Deponent further saith, that the duty of such Express Riders was very arduous and very hazardous as they often went through the lines of the enemy and were entrusted with the most important documents and large sums of money and were exposed to every danger and difficulty. And this Deponent further saith that he has seen the said Kenneth Ravenport since the making of his previous affidavit, and in the subsequent conversation had with her, he this Deponent has, no doubt from the description of the said John Ravenport given by her that there can be no mistake as to his identity.
And this Deponent further saith, that he did not join the corps of Express Riders until after the death of Captain Jeremiah Dunn the first commander thereof who was this deponent's uncle having married this deponent's father's sister and this Deponent knows the part of the said Jeremiah Dunn being such commander from that circumstance at the commencement of the said war, in which he continued until his death which Deponent believes occurred in 1777 after which the said company was commanded by the said Captain Wyll.
Sworn this 29 th day of December 1837.
Isaac Debarr
Sworn before me this 29 th day of Dec r 1837 Jno. J. Buel Commissioner

Before my Dear Mother Cammie