Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2762, Daniel Davis, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER
mass
Davis, Daniel Ruth
R. 2762
CONTENTS

11857 Mrs Ruth Davis Widow of Daniel Davis decd. Late of Bradford decd.
Wd April 19. 1845.
Mass.
act. 7 July '38.
2762

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, of the 7th July, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows."
State of Massachusetts, } ss. County of Essex
On this 15 th day of April in the year Eighteen hundred and Fortyfive. Personally appeared in Open Court, before the Subscriber, Judge of the Court of Probate for Essex County in said State, John Davis a resident of Haverhill in the county of Essex, aged  years, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, 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 son of Daniel & Ruth Davis , late of the Town of Bradford, County of Essex and State aforesaid, both deceased; And that according to the best of her knowledge & belief, said Daniel Davis, his late Father performed several tours of Military duty during the Revolutionary War. That he commenced Service in the year 1776, at the age of 16 years old, and served as a private eight months during the campaign of that year, during which he was at the taking of the Hessians, at Trenton New Jersey, and he returned home in the year 1777 having had a severe fit of sickness at Morristown & at his recovery all the hair of his head came off - in this situation he returned home in the fore part of 1777. Then again in the same year said Daniel was called into the service and performed about three months service at Coeymans Heights, below Albany on the Hudson River, in Captain Joshua Nason's Company of Colonel Stephen's Regiment: During the year 1778, said Daniel performed a tour of military duty at Cambridge, in the Guards over General Burgoyne's Army, of three months duration, in Captain Edward Farmer's Company of Col. Gerrishes Regiment of Militia. Then again in the year 1780, said Daniel performed a further and last tour of military duty at Westpoint and vicinity, of three months duration in Captain Jonathan Ayres Company of Col. Nathaniel Wades Regiment, which last mentioned tour terminated his military service during the Revolutionary War. Said Daniel Davis was an applicant for a Pension under the Act of 18 th March, 1818, & employed Esq. Minot of Haverhill to assist him, who gave the case up, on learning that eight months was the longest period he had served at any one time.
She further declares that she was married to the said Daniel Davis on the Fifteenth day of May in the year seventeen hundred and Ninety ; that her husband, the aforesaid Daniel Davis died on the Twentieth  Seventh day of December in the year Eighteen hundred & Twenty  Seven 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. That the aforesaid Ruth Davis died on the fifteenth day of March in the year Eighteen hundred & forty two . By which the Declarant and the other surviving children of the said Ruth Davis became entitled to the benefits of the act of 7 th July 1838. Sworn to, and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me,
D. White  John Davis Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston April 16. 1843.
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Daniel A. White was, Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Sawyer,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Essex, ss. Probate Office.
I Nathaniel Lord junior, register of probate for said county, hereby certify, that Ruth Davis, late of Bradford in said county, widow, deceased, intestate, was the widow of Daniel Davis, late of said Bradford, deceased, who was a soldier in the American revolution; that said Ruth Davis died on the fifteenth day of March, A.D. 1842; and that she left seven children, viz. Daniel Davis, Ruth Davis, John Davis, Amos Davis, Melchabel Davis, Asa Davis (and Leonard Davis); and that all said children are still living, and each of them is of full age; ————— " " ————— " " —————
as appears by the records in said office.
Given under my hand, and seal of office, this fifteenth day of April, A. D. 1845.
Nath. Lord Jr.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Essex ss. On this 8 th day of November in the year 1851 personally appeared before the subscri- ber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County John Davis a resident of Haverhill in the State and County aforesaid aged 45 years who being duly sworn according to law makes the following declar- ation in order to obtain the benefits of the existing pension laws of the United States
And this declarant states that he is one of the sur- viving children of Daniel and Ruth Davis both de- ceased, that his father the said Daniel Davis was a resident of Bradford Massachusetts in the time of the Revolution and was a soldier for several campaigns in that war. From the traditions in the family and from what he has heard old people say relative to his father's service he believes that he was in the service longer than is set forth in the certifi- cate of the Secretary of State hereto annexed.
He also states that his mother Ruth Davis made a declaration for a pension several years ago and he believes that she proved the time of the death of her husband the said Daniel Davis and also the date of her mar- riage to him. She refers the Commission of Pensions to that declaration and to the proof filed therein.
He further states that his mother Ruth Davis died

on the 15 th day of March A.D. 1842, and that she remained a widow to the time of her death and that the only surviving children of Ruth Davis are John Davis Daniel Davis Asa Davis Amos Davis Mehita- ble Davis & Ruth Davis. He therefore claims a pension that was due his mother and aduces the following additional testimony in support of his claim.
John Davis
Efey 55. Then personally appeared on the day & year first above written John Davis the abovenamed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declar- ation by him signed
Before me
Alfred Kittredge
Just Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, November 11 th 1851
S  H ereby C ertify. That at the date of the annexed attestation Alfred Kittredge was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex,
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Marcus Walker Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Capt. Jonathan Ayer, Sir please to pay to Mr John Day what Money is due to me for my Service, while I belonged to your Company, in the Year 1780. & Your oblige
Yours humb. Servt. David Davis Bradford Feb. 12. 1782.

1894 Dec. 13 Hist. to Anna D. Bailey, Newburyport Mass.
9762
P. O. Ruth Davis. Service: wid. of Daniel
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

11857
Mrs Ruth Davis
Mrs Widow of Mrs Daniel Davis deceased.
Act 7 th July 1838.
et. R Baldwin June 2 nd 45
at the same Nov 25: 45
Sec: C. Ames. Feb: 14/52.
act-7 July 1838

Boston, April 16 th 1845.
Sir.
I transmit herewith the application papers, in favour of the children of Ruth Davis, widow of Daniel Davis deceased, claiming arrears of Pension, due said Children under the Act of July 1838.
Be pleased to give the above mentioned case the usual course of investigation, and transmit the result to me at this place.
Very Respectfully Sir I am Your Obedient Servant Reuben Baldwin
N. B. The alleged service of 8 months in 1776, not being supported by the Rolls, is not insisted upon. R. B.
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions. Washington.

64 Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
October 29. 1857.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Daniel Davis is borne on a pay roll of Capt. Joshua Nason Co. Col. Stevens' Reg't from Essex Co. as private, from Aug 14 1777. 2 mos. 25 days. —
On a pay roll of Capt. Edward Farnsworth Co. Col. Gerrish's Reg't. guarding troops at Bunker Hill, from Feb 20. 1778 3 mos. rank not stated. —
On a pay roll of Capt. Edward Richardson Co. Col. Perrin's Reg't. as a private from July 5. 1778. 5 mos. 14 days. Service at North River, N. Y. —
On a pay roll Capt. Jonathan Ayres Co. Col. Wadsworth's Reg't. as private from July 7. 1780. 3 mos. 15 days: — dated at Haverhill — Daniel Barker's name is on this roll. —

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Abraham Lincoln Secretary of the Commonwealth.

To the Secy of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The undersigned one of the children of Daniel & Ruth Davis do requests the Secy of State to exam and certify as to the Revolutionary service of Daniel Davis.
Daniel Davis was a resident of Bradford in the time of the Revolution. From the traditions in the family and from the best information that he can obtain from old men some of whom served with his father he believes that he was in the Army of the Revolution several campaigns. In the first place he believes that he served several months in 1776., in Col Stevens Regt in 1777 and was at Cambridge to guard the captured troops of Burgoyne, in 1778 & 1779 under Capt Richardson and in 1780 in Capt Ayres Company. A part of his father's service was in New York. He has heard that Daniel Ba- ker James Smiley & Samuel Remick served with his father in some of his campaigns. He therefore requests a certificate of all the service that can be identified as having been performed by his father the said Daniel Davis. And for the purpose of this application I appoint

Freeman Bradford of Portland my attorney the premises.
John Davis
A. Kittredge
Essex ss. October 20 th 1851 Then personally appear ed John Davis and signed the foregoing in my presence
A. Kittredge { Justice of the Peace

Washington Novem 27 1837 James E. Heath Esq Sir,
I enclose herewith a Power of Attorney, and a new declaration, from the Children of Ruth Davis widow of Daniel, who was an applicant for a pension under the act of 7 July 1838 from Massachusetts, authorizing me to assist them in the prosecution of their application.
I present also the Certificate of the Secretary of Massachusetts showing service credited to Daniel Davis for upwards of 14 months. There are no rolls of the Allegany Service in 1776, but I hope the evidence now filed together with that already in your office will be sufficient to authorize the allowance of a full pension.
Very Respectfully Rev Abt Dunt Geo L Dunt

We now all men by these presents that H. John Davis of Haverhill in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby constitute & appoint Freeman Bradford of Portland State of Maine and George C. Dimes of Washington City (D. C. my true and lawful Attorneys irrevocable for me and in my name and for my use, to present my claim for a pension (due me as son & heir of Ruth (Davis late of said Haverhill,) under the Acts of Congress passed on & since the 7th July 1838, and for the purposes aforesaid my said Attorneys or either of them are authorized and required by me to obtain whatever proof may be necessary relative thereto, and they or either of them are authorized to examine any papers relative to said claim now in the Pension Office or any other Department at Washington, and generally to do and perform any other act or thing in the same manner that I might do were I personally present.
Hereby ratifying and confirming whatsoever my Attorneys or either of them may lawfully do in the premises.
In witness whereof I

have hereunto set my hand and seal this Tenth day of October A.D. 1851.
John Davis
Witness T. M. Hays
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Essex ss: October 10th A.D. 1851. Then personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized to administer oaths, take acknowledgements of Deeds, Powers of Attorney and other instruments, the above named John Davis, and acknowledged the above Power of Attorney by him subscribed to be his free act and deed.
T. M. Hays } Justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, October 15 th 1851
W hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Thomas W. Hayes was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and qualified ; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Nathan Waite Secretary of the Commonwealth.

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES, MADE BY THE WIDOW OF THE PARTY WHO RENDERED THE SERVICE.
State of Massachusetts County of Suffolk Town of City of Boston.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of my late Father  husband's service in the war of the Revolution. Viz Daniel Davis
He enlisted from the town of Bradford in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts in the year 17 as a in the Company commanded by Captain in Regiment and he served as follows,* viz:—
That My late Father Daniel Davis aforesaid performed several tours of Military duty as Private Soldier in the army of the Revolutionary War, of short duration. But of the particulars I have no means of knowing only I have always understood that he was in service at White Plains in the state of New York, and also in the Guards at Winter Hill near Boston; Ezra Brink a fellow Townsman of my late Father was also a fellow soldier with him.
John Davis
Subscribed by John Davis, the party above named in my presence. B. F. Hallett Justice of Peace October 14 th 1844.
*Here describe as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank &c. of the soldier, or the capacity in which he served, and all other particulars known.

I am now                      years old, and my memory does not enable me to state my husband's services more fully than above stated.
WITNESS my hand, this                      day of A. D. 184 .
Signed by said in my presence.
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. }
808

18th Dec 1841 London
Dear Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th inst.
and in reply to inform you that the same has been forwarded to the proper authorities.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
J. C. Mansel-Pleydell

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
Jan y . 9. 1845.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Daniel Davis is borne as a private upon a pay Roll of Capt s Joshua Sason in the late Col Stevens' Regt t , for the Southern Army - "discharged at Freeman's Heights since from Aug. 15. to Oct r 23. 1777" - including 15 days to go home, - 83 days; - and upon a pay Roll of Capt s Jonathan Ayers's Comp y , Col. Nathaniel Wade's Regt t in the County of Essex, to reinforce the Continental Army, from July 7. to Oct r 10. 1780, including time to return home, 3 months, 13 days. There are two of the same name upon the Rolls of Guards at Bunker Hill, both doing duty during a portion of the same period of time, but neither the residence, or towns from which they enlisted appear.

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application and order hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Parsons, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I Lydia Head, Widow of Reuben Head late of Bradford in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Deceased, Aged Eighty Years, being sworn, do testify and say, that I was born and brought up in said Town of Bradford where I have always resided until the present time, I knew and was well acquainted with Daniel Davis late of said Bradford Deceased, and with his Wife Ruth, whose family Name was Head, and with their Family, said Daniel and Ruth were married at my husband's House by the Rev. Jonathan Allen Pastor of the Congregational Church Society in said Bradford in the year Seventeen Hundred and Ninety in the Month of May, but I cannot recollect the particular Day, the reason why I recollect the particular Year and Month of their Marriage is, that my late Mother in Law, Mehitable Head Died in Seventeen Hundred and Eighty Nine in the Month of September, and that her Daughter the aforesaid Ruth Head was married to said Daniel Davis in May of the following year, that said Daniel and Ruth lived together as Man and Wife hereafter, and in process of time had a Numerous Family of Children being Eight in Number, Seven of whom are Now Living, to wit Daniel Davis, Amos Davis, Mehitable Davis, Asa Davis, Ruth Davis, John Davis, and Leonard Davis, and one Son who Died in Infancy, I Further testify and say, that the above Mentioned Daniel Davis Died in said Town of Bradford in Eighteen Hundred and twenty Six, and left said Ruth Davis, his Widow who also Died on the fifteen th Day of March One Thousand Eight Hundred and forty two aged Eighty two Years.
I Further testify and say, that it was Always reported, and believed, that said Daniel Davis was a Soldier in the Army of the Revolutionary War, this fact has never been contradicted by any person whatever to my knowledge.
Lydia Head

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Essex ss Bradford February 3 d 1845, Then personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the Peace within and for said County of Essex, Lydia Head within named, to me well known, and made solemn Oath to the truth of the within affidavit by her subscribed; and I further certify that said Lydia Head is a respectable inhabitant of said Town of Bradford,
Edmund Kimball Just Peace

I James Day of Bradford in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Aged Seventy seven years being Duly Sworn Do testify and say that I was formerly well acquainted with Daniel Davis late said Bradford Deceased, also with his Wife Ruth, whose family name was Read, and with the family, — Said Daniel Davis was a Soldier in the Army of the Revolution, and performed therein, several hours of Military Duty, one of which, I always understood was of Eight months duration, and on his return from said Service, he hired out to my late father John Day in said Bradford, I distinctly recollect although a lad, of the return home of said Daniel Davis, from the circumstance of his being entirely Bald in consequence of losing all his hair as a consequence of a fit of sickness, while he was with in the Service I distinctly recollect that when said Davis' Hair grew again it was much darker than formerly, and was very curly, I have often heard said Daniel Davis relate Anecdotes of Capt. Houdang, and of their Service in the Jersey's during said War and said Daniel performed a tour or more on the Hudson River as I have understood but I cannot from the length of time and loss of memory give the name of his Officers — Said Daniel Davis married for his Wife Ruth Read in the year One thousand seven hundred and ninety by whom he had a numerous family of Children I think eight in number, all of whom is still living according to the best of my knowledge, except one, who died in infancy, said Daniel Davis died in the year eighteen hundred twenty six in the Month of May, and left said Ruth Davis his Widow who also died March 1 st eighteen hundred forty two.
James Day

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss. Bradford February 3 d 1845. Then personally appeared before me the Subscribed Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Essex same day within named to me well known to be a respectable inhabitant of said Bradford, and made solemn Oath to the truth of the within Affidavit by him subscribed
Essex ss. Thomas L. Merrill Just e Peace
Essex ss. D. D.

I Lydia Head, Widow of Newberry Head late of Bradford in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Deceased aged eighty years being sworn to testify and say that I was born and brought up in said town of Bradford where I have always resided, and that I knew and was well acquainted with Daniel Davis late of said Bradford deceased and with his wife Ruth Davis, and that said Daniel and Ruth were married at my Husband's House by the Rev. Jonathan Allen of said Bradford, in the month of May 1790, but I cannot recollect the day, myself, and my late Husband were present on the occasion, that said Daniel, and Ruth lived together as man and wife thereafter and had eight children, seven of whom are now living, to wit, Daniel Davis, Amos Davis, Mehitable Davis, Asa Davis, Ruth Davis, John Davis, and Leonard Davis, and one son who died in infancy; that said Daniel Davis died in said Bradford December 27 th 1826, and left said Ruth Davis his Widow, who also died on the fifteenth day of March 1842. — aged eighty two years, — Bradford February 3 rd 1845 — Lydia Head
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Essex ss. Bradford February 3 rd 1845. Then personally appeared Lydia Head above named and made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by her subscription, and further certify that said Lydia Head is a respectable inhabitant, and a credible Witness. — Edmund Knowlton Clerk.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Essex, ss.
I Ebenezer Shillaber Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in said County, do certify that Edmund Kimball Esq r is a Justice of the Peace in said County. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court April 1. 1845.
E. Shillaber Clerk

no identical w
2762 R.
Sir,
Will you assist me about my Great Grandfather we think his name was Samuel Davis of Bradford or Haverhill, he went to the Revolution we are sure of that by the stories our Fathers used to tell; the oldest relative now living says he was killed on horseback at the battle of Bunker Hill, and he also he was shot in the leg killed two Englishmen that he was called Major Davis

whether this was an honorable appellation of war or whether it was his first; name she didn't know, but she says his wife's name was Ruth Wead where we have always thought my Grandmother's name was Ruth Wead I have written to the Haverhill and Bradford records but cannot find out anything.
This same old lady says she don't think maybe Davis wife ever got a pension because she died before the pension act was passed,

My father's name was Asa Davis his father's name Daniel Davis mother's name Ruth Head? grandfather Daniel Davis (Capt.) of Haverhill or Bradford (who went to the Revolutionary) he had four daughters one married Blood
" " Morse " " Loring " " Cole Isaac Isaac Davis S. Daniel Davis J.W.
If you can advise me where to send to get information Yours
Annie Davis Bailey, 60 Seine St., Mass., Newburyport.