Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,188, William Davis, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Davis, William
S. 23.188
CONTENTS

24815 New York
William Davis Alster Co in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Detrick of the Reg't commanded by Col Hardenburg in the New York for 9 Years.
Certificate issued to Catherine Davis his Widow
Enscribed on the Roll of New York the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of Mar 1834 and P. Van Gansbeeck Kingston Alster Co NY
Arrears to the 4th 29 th June 1832 Pension allowance ending — $105.55
Died 29 June 1832
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by M. Cromwell Clerk. Book E Vol. 4 Page 96

28-165 State of New York Ulster County — } Kingston
In the matter of the application of } for a Catharine Davis widow Pension of William Davis dec d }
Peter Vandycusick Jr Agent & Atty
Admitted Private 2 years
Died 29 th June 1832

Ulster Common Pleas
Of September term 1833
Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress. Pased June 7. 1832
State of New York Ulster County } ss.
On the Ninth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty three Personally appeared in Open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, at a court of Common Pleas holden at the Court house in the Village of Kingston in and for said County now sitting Catherine Davis, widow of William Davis deceased a resident of the town of Marlinton in the County of Ulster and State of New York aged 76 years, who being first sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, Pased 7 th June 1832.
That her late husband the said William Davis deceased, Entered the Service of the United States under the following named Officers, and Served as herein stated -
1 st ? And the said Catherine Davis says: That she has been informed by her late husband, the said William Davis in his life time, and verily believes it to be true; that he was born in the town of Rochester in the County and State aforesaid in the year 1761: 2 nd ? That the Record of his age is contained in the books of the Dutch Church of Rochester: 3 rd ? That at the time he was called into Service he lived in the town of Kingston, now Saugerties in Ulster County, that since the Revolutionary war he lived for about three years in Dutchess County and the residue of his life time resided in the County of Ulster aforesaid =: 4 th ? That he was Enlisted, Drafted and volunteered into the said Service =:

And the said Catharine Davis widow of the said William Davis deceased. Declares. That she has been informed by her late husband the said William Davis deceased, in his life time, and verily believes it to be true, That he the said William Davis served in the Revolutionary War as a private soldier in the Company of Infantry commanded by Captain John L. DeWitt in Colonel Johannis Hardenburghs Regiment of New York Levy at Long Island, Kingsbridge & White Plains in the year 1776 for the term of "Five" Months: That this Service commenced in the month of July and Ended in the month of December of said year. That the said William Davis was verbally discharged at the expiration of his term of Service at Haverstraw in the County of Rockland where the whole company were discharged. That her late husband the said William Davis deceased has left no documentary Evidence nor does she know that he ever had any of this Service, but for proof would respectfully refer to the affidavits of Jacob Brink and Peter Brink two living witnesses who belonged to the same company with her late husband, hereunto annexed
5 Months witnesses Jacob & Peter B Brink Ch. Davis
And the said Catharine Davis further declares that she has also been informed by her said late husband and verily believes it to be true, that her late husband the said William Davis deceased served in the Revolutionary war as a private soldier in the Militia Company commanded by Captain Hendrick Schoonmaker in Colonel Johannis Sniders Regiment of Infantry at Fort Montgomery and Saratoga for the term of 5 Months in the year 1777. That she always understood that he was drafted into this Service, and that he has left no documentary Evidence thereof to her
Witnesses Wm Smith & husband Martin Post Ch. Davis
5 Months.

Knowledge, and that for proof of these Services she would respectfully refer to the Affidavits of William Smith and Martin Post two living Witnesses both belonging to the same company with her late husband the said William Davis as hereinunto appended -
Witnesses Martin Post } C. Davis & } Wm. Smith }
And the said Catharine Davis further declares that she has been informed by her late husband in his life time, and truly believes it to be true That her late husband the said William Davis deceased. Served in the Revolutionary war as a Volunteer in the capacity of a private Soldier on the northwestern frontiers of Ulster County in the frontier guards for the term of "Nine" Months in the year 1778 in detachments stationed at the picket fort around the house of one Van Etten at a place called "Wagshank" in the town of Kingston, under the command of Lieutenant Van Deusen, Post and Carpenter in Colonel Albert Pawlings Regiment. that she has no documentary evidence of this service and that for proof of the same she would respectfully refer to the affidavits of Martin Post and William Smith two living Witnesses belonging to the same Service, hereinunto annexed.
9 months
Witnesses John G. Brand } Sol. Schatt } Ch Davis }
And the said Catharine Davis further declares that she has been informed by her late husband in his life time and truly believes it to be true That her late husband the said William Davis deceased. Served in the Revolutionary war as a private Soldier, and was enlisted in the company commanded by Captain Hunter in Colonel Albert Pawlings Regiment for the term of "Nine" Months in the year 1779, that she
9 months 28 mts

has no documentary evidence in her possession of the last mentioned Service, and for a more particular description thereof, would respectfully refer to the affidavits of John G. Brown and Solomon Schutt two living witnesses, both belonging to the same Company and Regiment with him. Where to appendices -
29 June 1832 }
And the said Catharine Davis further declares that the said William Davis her late husband died in the town of Marbletown, in the County of Ulster and State of New York, on the "twenty ninth" day of "June one thousand Eight hundred and Thirty two", and that she was his lawful wife at that time.
And the said Catharine Davis further says that for proof of her late husband the said William Davis' Character for truth and veracity, and the belief in the neighbourhood of his Revolutionary Services, would beg to refer to John M'Laughlan James Keaton, to whom he was known in his life time.
And she the said Catharine Davis widow and Relict of the said William Davis deceased hereby Relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that she has been informed by her late husband the said William Davis deceased that his name was not on the pension Roll of the agency of any state which she wisely believes to be true -
Subscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid - Q. J. Clarke Clerk W. L. Lake } Judges Samuel Stillwell } Henry Wynkoop
Catharine F. Davis mark

We Jacob Chambers and Abraham G. Hardinburgh residing in the town of Marbletown Do Hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with William Davis late of the town of Marbletown deceased, that we believe him to have been at the time of his death 72 years of age, and that he was reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resided at the time of his death, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid Jacob Chambers Abraham G. Hardinburgh Wills Lake } Judges Samuel Pitkoff Henry Van Dyke
Jacob Chambers Abraham G. Hardinburgh
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 said William Davis deceased, was a revolutionary soldier and served as above stated by the said Catharine Davis the widow of the said William Davis deceased. And the said Court further certifies that it appears and is satisfactorily proved to this Court that the said William Davis the Applicant died on the twenty ninth day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two . And the said Court further certifies that it is satisfactorily proved to them that Catharine Davis who now applies in behalf her deceased husband is the widow and Relict of the said William Davis. And the said Court further certifies that it appears to them that Jacob Chambers and Abraham G. Hardinburgh who have signed the preceding certificate are both residents in the town of Marbletown in said County of Ulster, and are credible persons, and that their

Statement is entitled to credit.
Adolphe Louis Pidge Charles Lake 3 Judges Samuel Pitcairn Henry Wenkoon
I Jacob Snyder Clerk of the said Court of Common Pleas Do Hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the Original Proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Catharine Davis widow and next of William Davis deceased for the pension of the said William Davis deceased In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this ninth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty three -
Jacob Snyder
Wm Davis
Cath Davis

ch Davis affidavit-

State of New York Ulster County - }
ss: Christopher Davis of the City of New York a son of William Davis late of the town of Marlinton in the County of Ulster deceased, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that he was informed and verily believeth that his said father the said William Davis died on the twenty ninth day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, and Catharine Davis his mother is the widow and next of kin of the said William Davis his father deceased, and the said Christopher Davis further saith that he has often heard his father speak of his Revolutionary services and that to the best of his recollection his father told him that he had served for more than three years, in the whole and further saith not -
Subscribed & sworn to the day and Year aforesaid in Open Court Jacob Snyder Clerk of said Court }
his Christopher Davis mark

John G. Kraus } 1779
for
9 mts
M m Davis du d }
affidavit sworn

State of New York Ulster County } ss:
John G. Thorne of the town of Hurley in the County of Ulster and State of New York aged 77 years a Soldier of the Revolution being duly sworn deposes and says that he was well acquainted with William Davis late of the town of Marbletown, now deceased, and whose widow Catherine Davis now applies for a pension in behalf and for the Revolutionary services of her late husband. And this deponent says that he was in the United States Service in the Revolutionary war, and was in the Company commanded by Captain Hinton in Colonel Mott's Poughkeepsie Regiment, and will know the said William Davis that the said William Davis belonged to the same Company with this deponent, that this deponent saw the said William Davis in said Service for "Nine" months in the year 1779 and knows that the said William Davis continued to serve in said Corps in the capacity of a private Soldier until he was discharged. And this deponent says that he always understood that the said William Davis enlisted for the term of Nine Months that the said William Davis was discharged at Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County the beginning of the month of January 1780 where the Company were all discharged, and that this Service commenced on the the first day of April 1779
Sullivan Expositor 9 months
Sworn and Subscribed this 29 th day of April 1833 before me. J. V. Gansbreeke Justice of the peace
John G. Thorne
State of New York
Ulster County } ss: I do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with John G. Thorne above named who signed the above affidavit, that he is a credible person, and that his statement is entitled to Credit.
Hurley April 29. 1833
J. V. Gansbreeke Justice of the peace

State of New York
County of Ulster.
3/5. I. Jacob Snyder Clerk of the County of Ulster and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Ulster County do hereby certify that Peter VanGaasbeek Just e was on the day of the date of the within affidavit a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly authorized to take affidavits &c and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and verily believe his signatures to the within affidavit and Certificate to be genuine In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court - and County this Seventeenth day of September 1833.
Jacob Snyder

State of New York Ulster County
ss: William Smith of the town of Esopus, Ulster County aged 72 years a Soldier of the Revolution being duly sworn deponeth and saith, that he was well acquainted with William Davis of the town of Marbletown now deceased, and whose widow Catharine Davis applies for a pension, in behalf and for the Revolutionary Services of her late husband. And this deponent says that he was in the United States Service in the Revolutionary war, and was in the Company commanded by Captain Hendrick Schoonmaker in Colonel Mydurs Regiment, and well knew the said William Davis, that the said William Davis belonged to the same Company and Regiment with this deponent, that this deponent saw the said William in said Service for "four" months, in the 1777 stationed at Fort Montgomery and knows that the said William Davis continued to serve in said Corps in the Capacity of a private Soldier until he was discharged. And this deponent further says that he always understood that the said William Davis, volunteered for the said term of four months in said Year 1777 and that the said William Davis was discharged at Fort Montgomery, that the said Service commenced in the Month of July and ended in the Month of October of same year.
And this deponent further says that he this deponent served in in the year 1778 in a detachment commanded by Lieutenants Abraham G. Van Aken and Hendrick Terpenning on the Northwestern frontiers of Ulster County stationed at Peter Shats in Woodstock and that the said William Davis was a private in said detachment and served at the same place under the same Officers for one month - and this deponent further says that he has often heard the said William Davis say that he served for the term of three months in the fall of the year 1777 at the taking of General Burgoyne at the
4 m s
1/5 m s
3 m s 8 m s

Sill water and Saratoga and this deponent has not doubt, but that the said William Davis did the last mentioned herein.
William Smith
Subscribed & sworn this 27 th day of May 1833 before me P. N. Gausbeck Jr. Justice of the peace
Ulster County ss. To Herby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above William Smith. That he is a person of credit, and that his statements are entitled to credit.
P. N. Gausbeck Jr. Justice of the peace
State of New York Ulster County
vs I. Jacob Snyder Clerk of the County of Ulster and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Ulster County do hereby certify that Peter Naulgaesbeck Junior was on the day of the date of the within affidavit a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly authorized to take affidavits &c and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and verily believe his signature subscribed to the foregoing Affi- davit and Certificate to be genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court and County this Seven- teenth day of September 1833.
Jacob Snyder
Master's Cost - 4. Ipm. pro. dis. for Aff. M rs Davis 4 5 2 9 16

State of New York Ulster County } ss
§. Martin Post of the town of Saugerties in Ulster County a Soldier of the Revolution being aged 71 Years, and being duly sworn deponeth and saith that he was well acquainted with William Davis late of the town of Marbletown deceased, and whose widow Catharine Davis now applies for a pension for the Revolutionary service of her late husband - And this deponent says that he was in the United States Service in the Revolutionary war and was in the Company commanded by Captain Hendrick Schoonmaker in Colonel Snyders Regiment of Infantry, Stationed at Fort Montgomery, and well knew the said William, that the said William belonged to the same Company and Regiment with this deponent, that this deponent saw the said William in said service for four months in said service at the aforesaid place in the year 1777, and also in the said year 1777 under the same Officers, one month at Stillwater and Saratoga - and that the said William continued to serve in said Corps as a private Soldier until he was discharged, and this deponent further says that he always understood that the said William volunteered for the above term of service.
5 m s
And this deponent further says that this deponent served for the term of nine months in the year 1778 on the Northwestern frontiers of Ulster County in detachments commanded by Lieutenant Van Deusen, Fort Ripene, Tappan and others Stationed at the present fort of Van Epps; and that the said William Davis was Stationed also under the same Officers at the same place, in the capacity of a private Soldier, and that the said William Davis continued to serve in said Corps for the full term of NINE months, and that said troops were discharged in Kingston where the said William was likewise discharged, in the beginning of the month of January 1779 - That this deponent did not obtain a written discharge from said service.
9 m s 14 m s
And this deponent further says that he this deponent

was in said Service in said War in the Company Commanded by Captain Evert Bogardus, in Colonel Hathow Regiment of infantry, that the said William Davis belonged in Capt. Colonel Pownall's  Hathow's Company and Regiment with his  as deponent, that this deponent 3 months saw the said William in said Service for the term of "Three" Months in the Year 1779, that the said William served in said Corps as a private, and was discharged at Soughrupse in Dutchess County as this deponent has always understood and verily believes to be true, and that the said William Davis lived at the time he was called into the United States Service in the then town of P'keepsie, now town of Saugerties, in Ulster County and State of New York.
Subscribed & sworn this 30 th day of May 1833 before me J. V. Gaasbeck Jr. Jus: of the peace.
Martin T. Post Mark
Ulster County ss: I do hereby certify that I am personally ac- quainted with Martin Post who was sworn by me to the foregoing affidavit, that he is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit.
J. V. Gaasbeck Jr. Justice of the peace
State of New York
Ulster County
ss: I, Jacob Snyder Clerk of the County of Ulster and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Ulster County do hereby certify that Peter Van Gaasbeck Junior was on the day of the date of the foregoing affidavit a Justice of the peace in and for said County of Ulster duly authorized to take affidavits &c. and further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Justice and verily believe his signature to the foregoing affidavit and certificate to be genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court and County this seventeenth day of September 1833.
Jacob Snyder
Martin Post - for William Davis

State of New York
Ulster County ss.
Solomon Schutt of the town of Saugerties County of Ulster aged Seventy Six years a Soldier of the revolutionary war being duly sworn deposes and says that he was well acquainted with William Davis formerly of the the same town late of the town of Marbletown Co. of Ulster aforesaid a Soldier of the revolutionary war and now an applicant for a pension that this deponent was in the United States Service of the revolutionary war and was in the company of Captain Hunter Colonel Albert Pawlings regiment and well knew the said William Davis that the said William Davis belonged to the same Company and saw the said William Davis in said service in the year 1779 for the term of Nine months or more and well knew that the said William Davis continued to serve as a private until discharged — that this deponent with the said company and regiment marched from the town of Marbletown in said County of Ulster to the town of Shandaken from there to the westward in order to join Genl Sullivan in his western expedition came to late returned to Shandaken from there to Stoney on the Hudson River got out of provisions and went from there to Poperipou and remained there until duly discharged that the said Service on or about the first of April of said year and continued until on or about the first of January in the year 1780
Sworn and subscribed this 23 rd day of May 1833 before me
his Solomon X Schutt mark
Henry Vrynkkoop one of the Judges of the county courts of the County of Ulster
State of New York
Ulster County
I do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Solomon Schutt that he is a man of truth and veracity and that his statement is entitled to full credit
Henry Vrynkkoop one of the Judges of the County Courts of the County of Ulster

State of New York County of Ulster
ss: I. Jacob Snyder Clerk of the County of Ulster and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Ulster do hereby Certify that Henry Wynkoop was on the day of the date of the within affidavit one of the Judges of the County Court of Ulster County duly authorized to take affidavits &c and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Judge and justly believe his signa- tures subscribed to the said affidavit & Certificate to be genuine In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this seventeenth day of September 1833.
Jacob Snyder

28165
Adm. H. C. W.
Recd 29 Jan 1882
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 Wm Davis - deceased by his widow, Catharine Davis -
   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.     1776 5 Pvt Col Hurdinburg Capt Dett Witt 76 years old Living Witnesses   1777 5 " Capt Schoenmiller Col Smyth Kings ton White Plains   1778 9 " " Pauling   1779 9 " " do  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES 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 inquiry 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, deposes and says, 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 _____. For _____ 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 , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years 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.
□ 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 is note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of William Davis a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     July 1776 5 mos. Pat. John L. De Witt Johannes Haidenburgh N.Y.   June 1777 5 mos. " Hendrick Schoonmaker Johannes Snyder   1778 9 mos. " Giants Van Deusen, Post and Terpenning Albert Pawling   April 1779 9 mos. Hunter Albert Pawling  
Battles engaged in, both battles of Stillwater & capture of Burgoyne
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Kingston Ulster Co. N.Y.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 9. 1833 His el. was al.
Residence at date of application, Marbletown Ulster Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, She was 76 years old
Remarks: He was born in 1761 in Rochester N.Y. and died June 29. 1832 at Marbletown N.Y. A son Christopher is referred to. There is no other data as to his family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Revolution
23188 INVALID.
18 Nov. 27 Hish. to Mary K. Douglass Letter in W. 16.693 folio Relyca
File No. 23188
William Davis
Br'd Rev War
Act: June 7 th 89 th
Index: Vol. 2 , Page 100
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of New York Ulster County
In the matter of the application of Catharine Davis widow of William Davis deceased
Aff of Jacob Pier Bank
J. V. Gansbeck agent
The within affts were designed to have been annexed to the papers in the matter of of the estate of but were omitted J. V. G.

State of New York } Peter Brink a pao Seventy Six Years and Ulster County ss: Jacob Brink of Kingston in the County aged 79 Years a Soldier of the Revolution, being duly sworn deponeth and says, that they were well acquainted with William Davis late of the town of Marbletown of Marbletown deceased a Soldier of the Revolution and now an applicant for a pension, that this deponent was in the Service of the United States in the revolutionary war, and was in the Company commanded by Captain John L. Dettl in Colonel Johannes Haverburgh Regiment Youll know the said William Davis, that the said William belonged to the same Company and Regiment with this deponent, that this deponent saw the said William in said Service for five months in the year 1776 at New York Kings bridge, Long Island and White Plains, and knows that the said William continued to serve in said Corps in the capacity of a private Soldier until he was discharged, and this deponent further says that this statement understood
State of New-York, ULSTER COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE:
{ ss.
I, Jacob Snyder, Clerk of the County of Ulster, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Ulster County, Do hereby Certify== That Peter Van Gaasbeck Senior Esquire, was on the day of the date of the Certificates to the annexed Affidavit, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Ulster duly authorised to take affidavits, &c.; and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice _____ and verily believe the signatures "P.V. Gaasbeck Esq" _____ subscribed to the Certificates as the said annexed affidavit to be genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the said Court and County, this twentieth - day of September 1833
Jacob Snyder
Ulster County ss: I Do Hereby certify, that I am personally ac- quainted with Jacob and Peter Brink above mentioned, that they are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to Credit -
P.V. Gaasbeck Esq Justice of the Peace

State of New York § Peter Brink a pao Seventy six Years and Ulster County ss: Jacob Brink of Kingston in the County and 79 Years a Soldier of the Revolution, being duly sworn deponeth and says, that they were well acquainted with William Davis late of the town of Marbletown of Marbletown deceased a Soldier of the Revolution and now an applicant for a pension, that this deponent was in the Service of the United States in the revolutionary war, and was in the Company commanded by Captain John L. Detrick in Colonel Schuyler's Habsburg Regiment Youll know the said William Davis, that the said William belonged to the same company and regiment with this deponent, that this deponent saw the said William in said Service for five months in the year 1776 at New York Kings bridge, Long Island and White Plains, and knows that the said William continued to serve in said Corp, in the capacity of a private Soldier until he was discharged, and this deponent further says that they always understood that the said William enlisted in said Service, and said Service commenced in the month of July and ended in the month of December of said year 1776 and that the said Company were discharged at Haver Straw where the said William was also discharged but that neither they this deponents nor neither of their Company got a written discharge from said Service that General Scott Commanded the brigade
Sworn & Subscribed this 1 st day of July 1833 before me
J. V. Grasbeck Jr. Justice of the peace
his Jacob Brink mark
his Peter Brink mark
Ulster County ss: I Do hereby certify, that I am personally ac- quainted with and says Jacob Brink above mentioned, that they are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to Credit -
J. V. Grasbeck Jr. Justice of the peace

State of New York Nelson County
St. Peter & Paul