Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 2502, Levi Davis, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Davis Levi
S 2502
Carded
CONTENTS

13. 287. Ohio. Pittsburgh
Ordered to pay 14. Sep. 184 Letter to Pen Agt. 19. April 184
Levi Davis.
of Belmont in the State of Ohio who was a Private in the Co. — commanded by Captain Pardon of the Regt. — commanded by Col. Tupper, in the Mass. line for 9 mos.
830
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio. Pittsburgh at the rate of 30. Dollars 00. Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of June 1833. and sent to Hon. Mr. Kennon. Mr. President.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. 60. 00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1833. 15.00 $75.00
{ Revolutionary Claims Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by W. P. Sturtevant Clerk Book E. Vol. 3. Page 109

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832.
State of Ohio Belmont County, ss. On this 28 th day of May, 1838 personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the court of common pleas now sitting Levi Davis a resident of the State of Ohio Township of Belmont County of Belmont and State of Ohio, aged sixty eight 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 act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated —
That he entered the service in the Spring of the year 1780 — He volunteered — He was embodied in no company until he arrived at West Point. He entered at Newbury Port, Essex County, Massachusetts — from thence he marched directly to West Point. He lived at Newbury Port above named at the time he entered, and was, at the time an apprentice to the Carpenter's trade. He was not a substitute. He was in no battle except a small skirmish at Dab's Ferry or North River — with the enemy's shipping. He marched from Newbury above named through Connecticut to West Point on North River: from West Point down into the Jersey, as he says, with Patterson's Brigade, Col. Sappers Regiment. He says his company was commanded part of the time by Captain Pierson & part of the time by Captain Grubbe.

At West Point he was enrolled among the regular troops; he was told, when he enlisted, that he and his fellows, were to supply vacancies in the regular Army. All the time he was out, after he was embodied with the regular Army at West Point, excepting two or three weeks, he was in the Jerries . He was present at the hanging of Andre. General Lafayette had the manuevering of the Army in the Jerries . He frequently saw General Washington: Genl. Green & Genl. Parsons. At the time he left West Point, he says, Arnold commanded, but soon after he heard of Arnold's desertion. He marched back to West Point later in the fall, & on the night of his arrival a heavy snow fell - On the next day, he thinks, he got his discharge - His discharge is lost - He served out his full time of six months.
In the next year, 1781. He, the aforesaid Levi Davis, again enlisted into the service of Newbury for the term of three months. Marched through the same country as above to West Point and continued there for the whole term of 3 months, as he says, on fatigue - making repairs - rowing up and down the river - assisted in taking up and replacing the Great Chain. Genl. M c -Dodd was the Chief Commander of the the point at that time. The names of several Subalterns he does not recollect. He was in the forefront of the column, when engaged and was discharged sometime in the fall - ensuing.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that he is not

Questions propounded by the Court.
1. When & where were you born? Answer. In the year 1764. 19 th day of the 10 th month; in Epsom New Hampshire.
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so when is it? Answer. I have a record of my own making, grounded on information derived from my mother. It is at home.
3. Where were you living when called into service; when have you lived since the revolutionary war, and when do you now live?
Answer. When called into service, I was living in Newbury Port. Mass. Since the revolutionary war I have lived in the States of Massachusetts: Maine: New Hampshire, and now in Ohio, Belmont County, Somerset Township.
4. How were you called into service: were you a captain, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom? Answer. I volunteered.
5. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served; which continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service? Answer. Genl's Washington, Green, Lafayette, Saratoga, Paterson etc. Col. Tappan's Regiment. I entered and served as then stated in the Declaration.
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and, if so, what has become of it, & by whom was it given? Answer. I received a discharge, by lots at the end of my six months & three months service - They are lots lost. I do not recollect by whom they were given.
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? Answer. Isaac Atwater: Wm. Severy: George Davenport: Henry Hiner: Edw. Atwater: John White.

on the pension roll of the agency of my state
Sworn to and subscribed by Levi Davis the day and year aforesaid Geo. Callender Clk
He I Michael Rodgers of Harrison County State of Ohio do hereby certify that and I am well acquainted with Levi Davis who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that he I believe him to be fifty eight years of age; that is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that he concurs in that opinion. Michael Rodgers
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid Geo. Callender Clk
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 mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that
I Geo. Callender Sallman, Clerk of the 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 Levi Davis for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office This 31 st day May 1833 Geo. Callender Clk

Levi Davis Belmont Co Ohio
Adm 9. months
For Mr. Kennon

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
20th June 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 subjunctive 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 Levi Davis Belmont to Ohio
   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.     Vol. ~ 1780 6 for Col. Tupper 68 years Living Witness. —   1781. 3 " Capt. Pierson — Massachusetts  
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)           , who has 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 _____. 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 in 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.

1913 Mar. 17. Hist. to P. Allen Parsons.
Rev. Davis
2502
INVALID.
File No. 2502
Levi Davis
First Rev Par
Act: June 7 1832
Index: Vol. A, Page 88
[Arrangement of 1870.]

James L Edwards Esq Pension office War Dept - Present -

Washington June 19 th 1883
I herewith send the applications of Levi Davis & Richard Wardlaw for Pensions
I shall remain in the City a few days & should be much pleased to obtain your decision within that time on the above cases
Yours very respectfully
William Henson
Ho on J S Edward } }

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Essex ss.
I John Prince jr. Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in said County do hereby certify that W. Woart is a Justice of the Peace in said County & that I believe his signature within is genuine.
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court at Salem Oct. 2. 1832.
John Prince Jr. Clk.

I Aaron Rogers, of Newbury, in the county of Essex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy years and upwards, on oath do testify and say, that I am well acquainted with Levi Davis, who now lives in the State of Ohio, and who formerly lived in said Newbury, and I do know that the said Levi Davis was a soldier, in the service of the United States, in the war of the revolution, and served at Westpoint, and in New Jersey in the year 1780, the full term of six months, and to the best of my recollection in Col o Spratt's regiment - I know it was General Potter's brigade.
I was a soldier in Colonel Wesson's regiment, and in General Larnad's brigade - the said Levi Davis arrived in camp at said Westpoint only two days after I arrived there - I was then and had previously been well acquainted with him, and when not on duty we were generally together - I know that he enlisted, and knew that he served, as I have before stated the full term of six months. I do further testify that after said term of service expired, the said Davis again enlisted, and marched from said Newbury to serve for three months, and that he was absent for that service more than three months, in the year 1781 but am not able to say in what company or regiment he then served.
Aaron Rogers
Newburyport October 1 st 1832.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss. Newburyport October 1 st 1832. Then personally came Aaron Rogers above named who is personally well known to me, and made oath in due form of law, to the truth of the above written deposition by him subscribed in my presence - I do also certify that the said Aaron Rogers, is believed by me to be a credible witness.
John D. Sleeper
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page, mostly illegible.]
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text at the bottom of the page, mostly illegible.]

J L Edwards Esq Carnegie Museum of Natural History Washington D.C.

Wheeler, Va
April 14 th 1827
Dear Sir
I herewith send you the Voucher of Levi Davis, Pensioner of Belmont County, Ohio, for examination, which you will please return as early as practicable
J. J. Edwards Esq.
Very Respectfully, Yours obedt Servt A. Newman P.M.

Over
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Levi Davis a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ( or his widow's ) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S. 2502
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Spring 1780 6 mos. Greenleaf Tupper Mass.   Summer 1781 3 mos. Pearson assisted in taking up the great chain across the river at West Point. Gen. McDougall  
Skirmish at Dobbs Ferry Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Newburyport, Mass.
Date of application for pension, May 28, 1833. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Somersett Twp, Belmont Co., Ohio.
Age at date of application, born Oct. 19, 1764 at Epsom, N. H.
Remarks:
No family data.
See Mass. book.
*Office note - Moses Greenleaf, Newburyport - Capt. of Tupper's regt.
John Pearson Capt. in 1781
Very respectfully,

JACKSONVILLE PINES TEN MILES FROM JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA THE WOMANADA LAND ASSOCIATION NEW YORK, N. Y. JACKSONVILLE, FLA.
ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO 71 WEST 23 RD STREET NEW YORK, N. Y.
178 South Arlington Ave East Orange N. J. Mar. 6 '13
General Pension Bureau Washington D. C.
Gentlemen -
Would you be so kind as to send transcript from application for a pension from my maternal great great grandfather Levi Davis, of Newbury, Massachusetts, who was a soldier in the Revolution and died a pensioner at Somerton Ohio in 1848 I believe. Also whatever information about him and his war record there may be in your records.
I would also appreciate similar information concerning my great great grandfather on my father's side, John Varoom, who lived from 1780-(1810?) at Newburyport Mass. but was neither born nor died there.

He was also a Revolutionary Soldier, and I am anxious to get his birth place, date of birth and where he died and date of death. His wife was Hannah Morse! If you can assist me in this I will be truly grateful.
Thanking you in advance I am Very Truly Yours P. Allen Parsons
Self addressed & stamped envelope enclosed