Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16,946, Benjamin Davison, Conn. Continental (Mass.)

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Davison, Benjamin
N. 16,946
Continental (Mass.)
Roxy
CONTENTS

5768
Albany New York
Roxy Harrison
Widow of Benjamin Harrison dec.
She was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 16 Feby. 1873 of Montego in the State of N.Y. who was a Major of the Comf. G. commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col. Crane in the War of the rebellion for 2 years.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York Albany the rate of 100 Dollars ~ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of Sept. 1840 and sent Ariel Ely Watervliet New York Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1840 $450.00 Semi-annual allowance ending Mar. 40. 50.00
$500.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by W.H. Addison Clerk, Book 4 Vol. 2? Page 75

State of New York Jefferson County ss I Polly Sobey of Brownville in the County aforesaid being sworn upon an oath say that the writing part to this paper is a record of the birth of Benjamin Davis & Polly his wife my father & mother & of their chil- dren of whom I am the oldest & was born on the 8 th day of January 1785 - that the within record was made by my father Benjamin Davis on and in my presence and is in his hand writing and was made about forty years ago, at which time I was married & that I do not know of any other record than this one Sworn and subscribed this 15 th day of August 1820 living near Little Falls N.Y. Polly Sobey H. S. D

Benjamin Davison was born the 19th Day of March the 18th year of our Lord 1766 Mary Davison was born the 14th Day of January in the year of our Lord 1768 Mary Davison was born the 14th Day of January in the year of our Lord 1767 Benjamin Davison was born the 14th Day of January in the year of our Lord 1767 Benjamin Davison was born the 14th Day of January in the year of our Lord 1768
Benjamin Davison was born February 27th in the year of our Lord 1774 and Died March the 11th Day 1795
Abial Davison was Born January 18th Day in the year of our Lord 1796
Edward Davison was Born May 28th Day in the year of our Lord 1798

I certify that Mrs. Toby L. Brownell who makes the annexed affidavit before me is a woman of truth & veracity & her statement is entitled to the fullest credence Matthew G. Olcott J. P.
In the matter of Mary Brownell with 9 Mary Brownell at Aug 7. 1838 Oklawaha by me M. C. Church J. P.

In the matter of Rosy Davis's widow of Benjamin Davis ad July 7. 1838
Papers left by him Thos. C. Chittenden for
Advertised
Since the last July 7 Benjamin who made the announced official before me is a sworn & true copy of the foregoing is correct the foregoing is true to the best of my knowledge & belief J. P.

STATE OF NEW-YORK. } ss. Jefferson County Clerk's Office.
I, Deleg Burchard , Clerk of said County, do hereby certify, that Luther G. Voigt Esq before whom the annexed affidavit  affidavit purports to have been sworn,
was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorised to take the same; and further, that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his name subscribed to the same to be his proper hand writing and signature.
WITNESS my hand and seal of said county, this 13 th day of August in the year 1840
P. Burchard Clerk. By John M. Sigourney  deputy

I John Davis of Olis in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Seventy five years testify & say that I was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution & was well acquainted with Benjamin Davis who formerly lived in London in the County of Berkshire & removed from London to Springfield & from thence to the state of New York - the said Benjamin was a brother of mine - & I was knowing to his being in the service of the United States as hereafter by me stated - viz the said Davis enlisted in Alford in the state of Connecticut as a private in the spring of the year 1776 I think in the month of May for the term of six months under the authority of the state of Connecticut & in a company of Militia & said in said town of Alford the said Benjamin Davis & the company to which he belonged went to Flat Bush Long Island & he the said Benjamin served there in said company during said term of six months when he returned to Alford - I cannot recollect the name of his Captain or Colonel I think the name of the Captain was Mosey but cannot say certainly & I further state that the said Benjamin Davis again enlisted in the fall of the year 1777 at said Alford Providence in Rhode Island into a company of Artillery for the term of one year the name of his Officer I cannot state but I know he was in the service of the United States as a private in the Artillery & remained at a place called Pawtucket in Rhode Island until the fall of 1778 when the year for which he enlisted expired I saw him while a member of said Company & was knowing to his being in the service during the year after - when he returned to Alford & on the first day of June 1781 the said Benjamin Davis & myself - enlisted in the town of Medway in the state of Massachusetts for the term of three years - the said Benjamin enlisted into a company of Artillery the name of his Captain I do not recollect the name

of the Colonel who commanded the Regiment to which he belonged was Crane - I enlisted into another Company commanded by Capt - David Lane in the Regiment commanded by Col L Michael Jackson - for the term of three years. My brother Benjamin after his enlistment last mentioned took the place of a soldier who had enlisted for one during the war & he served till peace was declared. My brother Benjamin was discharged in June 1783 at West Point where he returned to Massachusetts & settled in London now called Ohio - I was stationed at West Point a part of the time & I frequently saw my brother while he was in the service the last mentioned period my brother was discharged before I was. I continued in the service until December 1783 when I was discharged at West Point - the name of the soldier whose place my brother took I cannot state - I also knew my brother Benjamin Davis was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army & served there as is above stated -
And I further testify that the said Benjamin Davis was married in March 1784 at P. London to Nancy Norton then of P. London I was present at the marriage & saw them married. I believe they were married by Nathaniel Kingsley B.A. - D.D. who has been dead many years -
John Larjon

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire ss - June 17 th 1879 -
Personally appeared John Devine who made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed - And I further certify that I am well acquainted with the said John Devine & that he is a credible witness -
Defendant      Lester Filly      Jur. Person

7203
Flora Davison widow of Benjamin Davison application for a pension under the act of July 7. 1838
Vol. 32. p. 171. 2 years Matrofs
No 25. March 1784
Husband died 16. Feb 1813
Hon. J. C. Chittenden W.22

I Jonathan Norton of Otis in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged 78 years testify & say that I was acquainted with Benjamin Davis & Roxy Davis wife of the said Benjamin the said Roxy was my sister I was present at her Marriage with said Benjamin Davis - the said Benjamin & Roxy were Married at my father's House in Otis then London in the Spring of 1784. I know the time of the Marriage from this circumstance I was married in December 1783 & they were married in the Spring following - I think they were married by E. Kingly then of Berk now deceased -
Jonathan Norton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire ss - June 17 th - 1839. Then Personally appeared Jonathan Norton who made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed - And I further certify that I am well acquainted with the said Jonathan Norton & that he is a credible witness -
Before me - Lester Fillely Just. Peace -
& that he is a credible witness -
Samuel Pickett Justice of the Peace

I Lester Fille, of - Otis in the County of - Berkshire & Commonwealth of - Massachusetts Clerk - & say that I have at the request of - Mary Davis at the the Records of - the town of - London in which she lived at the time of - her Marriage - with Benjamin Davis & can find no record of - the "Marriage". I have also searched for the Records of - the said Nathaniel Ringsby Esq. in the Clerk's office of - the County of - Berkshire where the same should have been retained in the Records of - the said Ringsby & cannot find the same - the Records of - the said Ringsby have left this Commonwealth & I cannot as my duty finds that his Records are left in this Commonwealth,
Lester Fille
Commonwealth of - Massachusetts
Berkshire ss. July 26 th 1839 -
Personally appeared Lester Fille who made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed & I further certify that I am well acquainted with the said Lester Fille & that he is a credible witness -
Samuel Pickett Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshires:
I Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for said County do certify that Samuel Pickett Esq before whom the foregoing deposition of Lester Fillely Esq was taken on this 26 th day of July is a true copy of the same within & for said County duly commissioned & qualified that Lester Fillely Esq before whom the deposition of Jon a Norton & John Davis were taken on the 17 th of June last was on said day a true copy of the same within & for said County duly commissioned & qualified that the foregoing signatures on this & the accompanying paper, purporting to be by L d Fillely & Pickett are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 26 th day of July 1839 Chas Sedgwick Clerk

Get a County Clerk Certificate to the officer who is the of the judge

State of New York
Onondago County On this 25 th day of November 1839 personally appeared before the subscriber the Hon. Johnson Hall a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Onondago and Roxy Davison a resident of Lafayette in the County of Onondago aged Seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to the laws, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7. 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows;" That she is the widow of Benjamin Davison, who was a soldier in the army of the Revolution and served according to the best information I have as follows: He the said Benjamin enlisted at Ashford Connecticut in May 1776 for 6 months under the authority of the State of Connecticut & in a company of Militia supposed to be under the command of Capt. Moray & believed to be in Col. Willis Regt. but the names of the officers are not certainly known. The said Benjamin & the company to which he belonged went to Flatbush on Long Island where he served until the 6 months for which he had enlisted had expired when he returned to Ashford. In 1777 the said Benjamin Davison enlisted at Providence in Rhode Island into a company of Artillery for the term of one year and performed said service faithfully. It is not now known by this declarant who was his captain, it was a single company of Artillery. On the first day of June 1781, the said Benjamin Davison enlisted in the town of Medway in the State of Massachusetts for the term of three years into a company of Artillery (not now able to state the name of the captain) and was mustered to serve three years

on the first day of June 1781 by Edward Greene muster Master for the County of Suffolk and immediately thereafter marched to West Point & joined the Regiment of Artillery commanded by Col. Crain of Boston and that he continued to serve until in said Colonel Crain or Crain's Regt of Artillery until June 1783 when he was discharged at West Point and that his discharge was sold since the death of her husband to a man in Ohio who bought it for the purpose of getting the Land which he supposed due to the said Benjamin for his service therein named She this declarant further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Davison in London Mass achusetts, (now Otis), by Nathaniel Pringley Esquire at the house of her father on the 25 th day of March Seventeen hundred and Eighty four; that her name before marriage was Roxy Norton; that she has no record of her marriage; That her husband the aforesaid Benjamin Davison died on the Sixteenth day of February Eighteen hundred & thirty six that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz: at the time above stated
Sworn to & subscribed on the here day of year above written before Johnson Hall a Judge of Onondaga Common Pleas Rosey mark Davison
I hereby certify that Rosey Davison the above named declarant cannot attend court in consequence of bodily infirmity Johnson Hall Judge of Onon. Com. Pleas

State of New York
Onondaga county
On this 25 th day of November hundred & thirty nine personally appeared before the subscriber John N. Hall  John N. Hall a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county Abiel Davison who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath say that he is well acquainted with Mrs Roxy Davison the foregoing applicant for a pension; that she is the widow of Benjamin Davison, with whom this deponent was also well acquainted; and that the said Benjamin Davison died in the town of Richmond in the County of Ontario & State of New York on the sixteenth day of February One thousand eight hundred and thirty nine and also that the said Roxy Davison has not intermarried since the death of her husband the said Benjamin Davison, but still remains his widow subscribed & sworn to on the day & year first above written before me
Abiel Davison
Johnson Hall Judge
of Onondaga Common Pleas
I certify that Abiel Davison who has this day made the foregoing affidavit before me is a credible person
Dated November 25 th 1839 Johnson Hall Judge of Onondaga Common Pleas

State of New York } Onondaga County } Clerks Office }
I Elijah Rhoades Clerk of the County of Onondaga and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do certify that Johnson Hall before whom the preceding affidavit was taken and who signed the preceding certificate was at the date thereof a Judge of the Court above mentioned duly Commissioned and qualified and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of said Judge and verily believe his signature thereto to be genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court this 23 rd day of November 1839 E Rhoades Clerk

J.S.C. perdue
Rev. War Section.
September 18, 1913.
Mr. Charles W. Davison. 48 Ryland Block, San Jose, Cal.
doubt exist we this for me again too diffuse probably the person inquiring requested at that way
Sir:
In response to your personal inquiry of the 10 th instant, you are advised that in the papers in claim W. File No. 16,946. Rev. War, it appears that Benjamin Davison enlisted at Ashford, Connecticut, in May 1776, as Private in Captain Marcy's company, Colonel Wylllys' regiment and served at Flatbush on Long Island; six months.
Enlisted at Providence, Rhode Island, in the Fall of 1777, in a company of artillery, officers names not recollected, served one year and returned to Ashford.
Enlisted at Medway, Massachusetts, June 1, 1781, in a company of artillery, (Captain not recollected) in Colonel Crane's Continental regiment, and was discharged in June 1783, at West Point.
He married at London, (now Otis) Massachusetts, March 25, 1784, Roxy Norton, at the home of her father whose name is not stated. Soldier removed from London to Tyringham and thence to New York State.
He died February 16, 1813, at Richmond, Ontario County, New York, and his widow was allowed pension on her application

executed November 25, 1839, at which time she was seventy-three years of age and a resident of Lafayette, Onondaga County, New York.
Family Data:
Benjamin Davison born ---- 19, 1761. Roxe " March 12, 1766. Polly " January 9, 1785. Roxe " April 20, 1787. Clarine " June 23, 1789. Benjamin " February 4, 1792. Jonathan " February 27, 1794. died March 11, 1795. Abial " January 18, 1796. Edward " May 28, 1798.
In 1839 John Davison of Otis, Massachusetts, aged seventy five years, testified to his brother Benjamin's services.
In 1840, soldier's daughter Polly Tobey, of Brownville, Jefferson County, New York, testified that she married about forty years previous.
For date of widow's death, and name of person to whom the arrears of her pension were paid, apply to the Auditor for the Interior Department, U.S. Treasury Department, giving him all of the following data: "Roxy Davison Ctf. No. 5768, issued September 12, 1840, under Act of July 7, 1838, at the Albany, New York Agency".
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

V 720.3-
Let. to G. C. Whittenden July 13, 1840.
Act. 7 July 38-

Watertown Jefferson County —
New York August 18 1846
Sir
Your letter of the 13 th ultimo. to the Hon. Thos. H. Chittenden of the House of Representatives in relation to the claim of Mrs. Mary Davison widow of Benjamin Davison says, "The records in your office contain two years service of the said Benjamin as a Major in Col. Cramond's Regt. from 25 th June 1781. but that the relation of husband & wife should be established by the records of births & deaths now in possession of Churches towns & of one or more of the branches of most families". By referring to the papers you will perceive that Mrs. Davison was married by a Justice & that no record of it was made on the town books & also that the marriage is established by two eye witnesses. When I made out the papers for Mrs. Davison she did not know of any family record. Since the receipt of your letter from Mr. Chittenden I have proceeded in finding in possession of one of her daughters a record of the births of the whole family. That of Benjamin Davison is illegible but that of his wife & children may be made out. This record shows four children born previous to 1 st Jan y . 1794.
Will you be so good as to send me a Certificate as soon as possible, for the agent for paying pensions in Albany will not,

if it is not dated previous to H th September, pay until 4 th March next. As the term is established, I hope no such delay will happen & if it does that you direct pay must to be made to H th left.
Very Respectfully Yr Ob d Serv t Adm t Ealy
Lt. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions Washington

7203
Rosey Davison
Ad. July 7. 1838
Married 25 March 1784
Husband died 16 Feb 1813
Col Cranes m th of Artillery - See Vol 32 p. 171
Admitted
Private matter 2 years $100 -
Adm d Ely Esq r . Watertown N.Y.

Mr. Charles N. Davison,
San Jose,
California.
48 Ryland Block
Sept. 10, 1913.
Miss C. D. Deter E

Rev WIDOW, &c.
1913 Sept. 12. Chas. W. Davison sur. list. 1949 Dec. 4 Hist. to Arthur H. Davison
File No. 16946
Rosey Davison Widow of Benjamin Davison Deaths Rev War
Act: July 7 th 1938
Index: Vol. A , Page 171
[Arrangement of 1870.]

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 Benjamin Tansion 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.     May 1776 6 mos. Pvt. Macey Hillys Conn.   Fall 1777 1 year names of officers not stated   Enlisted at Medway Mass. June 1. 1781 June 1783 Brant's Artillery  
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, United at Ashford Conn.
Date of application for pension, Nov. 25-1839. His d. was of
Residence at date of application, Lafayette, Onondaga Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, 73 years
Remarks: He was born in 1761 & married at London (Ots.) Mass. Feb. 25. 1784. Rose  born Mar. 12. 1786  He died July 16. 1813 at Richmond Ontario Co. N.Y.  Children Polly b. Jan'y 8. 1785. Rose b. Apr. 20. 1787. Clarine b. June 23. 1789  Benjamin b. Feb'y 4. 1792. Jonathan b. Feb'y 27. 1794 died Mar. 11. 1795  Edward b. Jan'y 18. 1796. In 1840 Polly Tobey  of Brownsville N.Y. testified that she had been married 40 years
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

ARTHUR H. DAVISON 1324 E. NINTH ST. DES MOINES, IOWA
Put S...
MEMBER OF THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF IOWA THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION THE NATIONAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY THE NATIONAL TAX ASSOCIATION
COMPILING DAVISON-DAVISSON-DAVIDSON FAMILY HISTORIES
November 18 1919.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C.
Sir;
Zephaniah Davison who resided at Ashford Conn. at the beginning of the Revolution, had sons, Thomas, b. 1757; William, b. 1759; Benjamin, b. 1761; John, b. 1763, and others too young for service. I have the record of the son John and am very anxious to complete the record of the family. William was in the service. Vol. 12, p. 131 and 166, Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll., mention his service.
Benjamin was at Monmouth. He is referred to in V. 12, 297, Conn. Hist. Soc. Coll. and V. 4, 463, Mass. Soldiers and Sailors of Rev., as follows, "Davidson, Benjamin; Men of Cont. service agreeable to resolve of Dec 2 1780; engaged June 1 1781; for town of Medway; term three years." He and his brother John enlisted same day at Medway. Second enlistment of each of them.
The father of this family Zephaniah, did some service for which he made application for pension, which was denied; tradition says because he had too much property. Am very anxious to learn what service he claimed to have rendered.
If under the rules of your department you cannot at one time examine as to all these persons, give attention first to Benjamin, second to William and third to Zephaniah.
If I now make a record by printing your department letters I will thereby save you repeated inquiries as to each of these in the future.
I am,
Yours very truly,
A. H. Davison
The Mass. Records spell Name. Davidson.
This family removed to Louden (now Otis) Berkshire County Mass. before the close of the Revolution.
John W 14600 already sent William none as des - Zephaniah none. Benj. W 16946 Thomas S 15066