Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2689, Hezekiah Davidson, Conn

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn
Davidson, Hezekiah
R. 2689
CONTENTS

34. 446
In the Matter of the Application of Jeremiah Davidson For a Pension.
NY act 7. June '32

State of New York } County of Oswego } ss.
On this Twentieth day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven personally appeared in Open Court before the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Oswego now sitting Jeremiah Davidson a resident of the Village of Oswego in the County of Oswego and State of New York, aged seventy three 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 of the Act of Congress passed June 4th, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated - That in the fore part of April one thousand seven hundred eighty being then in his seventeenth year, he resided at Lebanon in the State of Connecticut, and was drafted into the Army for eight months service - that in company with a body of seventeen or eighteen others from his place or neighbourhood, who had been in like manner drafted he was marched under the recruiting Serjeant from Lebanon through Hartford, Litchfield and Fishkill to West Point - He cannot recollect the name of the Serjeant, nor those of any of his Comrades - On his arrival at West Point he was attached to the 1st. Regiment of the Troops composing the Connecticut Line commanded by Col. Dyer - He cannot recall the names of any other Officer or private belonging to this Reg t or to his Company - He has no documentary evidence of this service and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to this service - That he served in this Reg t the period of four months as nearly as he can now recollect, during which time he was confined to the Camp, and exercised in Camp duties. - That at the end of this time Genl. Steuben came into the Camp in order to procure recruits for the regular Army, and that he then enlisted into the United States service for the term of three years, and entered the Fifth Reg t under Col. Stillman - Major Olmstead of Hartford Connecticut belonged to the same Reg t - He does not now remember the names of any of the other Officers of the Regiment or of his Company - The names of three of the men belonging to his Company were Bousie, Steele and Shelly - He has recently learned that Steele has been dead some four or five years - What has become of the other two whether they are now living or not, he does not know, nor does he know nor has he ever heard of any surviving witness of his service - That he remained with the troops in Garrison at West Point throughout the remainder of the War - was never in any engagement, and never called into active service - While at West Point he went thro' all the regular Camp duties, such as drill, serving on fatigue parties - on guard etc. - The 5th. Regiment was continued at West Point during the remainder of the War, and he remembers that there were likewise in garrison Regiments composed of Rhode Island and Massachusetts Troops, but thinks there were no militia or State Troops - When he first came to West Point Genl. M c Dougall was there - General Washington was frequently in and out - Major Fitzhugh of Maryland was one of his aids - After Peace was concluded he received a discharge, by whom signed he does not know, but it was handed to him by Major Olmstead - This discharge he has since lost - The time of his leaving West Point was the Summer after peace was declared.

He hereby relinquishes every claim 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
Sworn to and subscribed } the day and year aforesaid } Marinus W Matthews Clerk
Horekiah Davidson
Oswego County
We William Hutchinson a Clergyman residing in the village of Oswego and Eliphalet Steele residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Horekiah Davidson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - that we believe him to be seventy three years of age - that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn & subscribed } the day & year aforesaid } M.W. Matthews Clerk
William Hutchinson
Eliphalet Steele
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 William Hutchinson who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the Village of Oswego and that Eliphalet Steele that Eliphalet Steele who has also signed the same is a resident in the Village of Oswego and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit
I Marinus W. Matthews Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Oswego County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Horekiah Davidson for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this Twenty second day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.
M.W. Matthews Clerk

We the Subscribers Residents of the Village of Oswego having read the statement herein- before contained of the Rev d Mr. Hutchinson and Mr. Steele concur in the correct- ness of the same according to the best of our respective knowledge information and belief and certify accordingly — Oswego Dec r 1837.
Geo S Crafts W. M. White Jos Peck Stephen Ward
W. H. White
Harvey
D. Hamman
John A. Wood
George W. Burd Mr. B. Vincent Geo. H. Emery P. P. D. L. L. L. B. F. Sherman
W. F. Allen E. S. Holden H. K. Thurber J. T. Carrington
Elias Marsh
J. B. Donisthorpe
G. W. Griffiths
C. Dull
J. Carpenter
Abraham A. Pratt
Eli Stevens S. F. Swift
Second Subscribers
Wm. H. L. L. D. H. Marsh
I am personally acquainted with almost every one of the individuals whose names are attached to the foregoing certificate and know them to be gentlemen of high standing and character & entitled to credit.
Washington Ap: 2 d - 1838
A. P. Grant

June 12. 48
Is Hezekiah Davison entitled to a pension?
N. Y.
Commission of Pensions Washington City (P.O.)
Asahel Yale Sodus N.Y.

Porter Way
County N.H. June 5-18 th
Dear Sir,
Hezekiah Davison a Revolution- ary soldier with his wife, (poorly poor) living in my neighborhood, gives me the following Statement - - -
About ten years ago, a Mr Griffith, (the parties all living in Oswego, N.Y.) undertook as agent for Mr Davison to obtain his pension. Having made application and procured all the necessary papers and documents, stated to them, that the papers were all right, but he could get nothing, for Martin Van Buren had expended all the money. - Mr Griffith soon left for New York City - since which he has not been heard from. We suspect he has pocketed the old hero's pension and that his statement is a fraudulent one - and wish the pension roll examined, to ascer- tain whether the said Hezekiah Davison belonging to the Connecticut Continental Regt is recognized - and paid at that time
An early response to the above will Much Oblige Asahel Hale
The Commission of Pensions -

January 8, 1929
Mrs. Louia Pahl 313 Madison Ave. Valparaiso, Ind.
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 3689, it appears that Hezekiah Davidson alleged, while residing at Lebanon, Connecticut, when about sixteen years old, that he enlisted in April 1780 and served four months in Colonel Durkee's Connecticut Regiment, and that he served in Colonel Stillman's Regiment until the summer after peace was declared.
He applied for pension December 20, 1837, while residing at Oswego, New York, but the claim was not allowed, as he failed to furnish proof of the alleged service.
Soldier stated that he was living in 1820 in Lodus, Wayne County, New York, with his son, whose name is not given.
In 1848, the soldier's wife, her name not given, was referred to as about the same age as soldier. There are no further data as to family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1870.
2689
1925-Sept. 2-Heidi to Mrs. H. Gilda D. Newman Gray 1929-Jan. 8- " " Mrs. Gilda D. Newman Gray Lena Paul Gray
P. O. _____
Hezekiah Davidson
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
She printed list of 1852- shows reasons for suspension-
Charges: "No evidence in the Connecticut records- and none otherwise"
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
Recognized. _____
Contract
Cert. of Dis. _____
Searched for _____
, 18

N. York Hezekiah Davidson Letter to Hon. A. P. Plynunt 13. Ap. '38. not found to G. T. Yates 25 March 1840 " same 31 Dec. 1840 " same 24 June 1841 " John Eric Kippit 2. 1842 Ed. C. A. Hale Nov. 11. 48 not found
2689

No. of Rep- Ap. 2. . . 88
Genl L. Edwards Esq. Sir-
Will you please examine & report to me the result thereof, the within applica= tion for a Pension -
Respectfully Yours Colt. Lieut A. P. Grant

Feb 68 BMO
Davidson J. L. Davidson Esq. 1840
Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions War Department Washington D.C.

Schenectada Feby 3 d 1840
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Sir:
In the matter of the application of Hezekiah Davidson under the act of 7 th June 1832. }
I beg leave to call your particular attention to the enclosed certificate of the Comptroller of Connecticut, showing that Mr Davidson served as appears from the rolls in his office for 7 months & 2 days. As to his service in the Continental troops, the reason why no proof can be found in that office is given, viz, that those troops were paid by the general government. # If no proof of his services in the Continental army can be found with you, he is content to accept a pension for the 7 months & 2 days above provided — Very respectfully,
G. H. W. S. Atty for appl t

Comptroller Office Hartford July 23 1839
Dear Sir
Your favor of July 15 was duly received. I have examined the few Pay Rolls remaining in this office relating to the War of the Revolution. For the name of Elizabeth Davidson or Davison from 1779 to 1783 inclusive and find his name on a Pay Roll of the 8th Mo. Men in the 1st Regiments in the Year 1782 for 7 Mo 2 days — have also examined the Records of the Connecticut Line from 1777 to 1781 without success — we have no means of ascertaining the services of the Continental Troops after 1781 the Troops were then paid by the State offices and we have no record — It appears that this Brown Mountain Pension agrees with the Old Government declaration as respects the 1st Regiments yet the Year does not agree — shall I send you a Certificate of this Pension for various other purposes.
G. H. Griffiths Esq.
Yours Respectfully Your obedt Servant Henry Sherburne Compt.
The usual charge for Certificate is Two Dollars
Yours Sherburne

G. F. Yates
25 March 1860
OL

Pension Office
25. March 1840
302
Sir The letter  certificate of the Comptroller of Comptroller of Connecticut in return to the revolutionary services of Hezekiah Davidson enclosed in your letter of the 3 rd ult o has been filed with the claimants papers - The Comptroller should give a certificate of the facts set forth in his letter: The claimant was by letter of the 13 th April 1838 required to assign a sufficient reason for having so long neglected to apply for a pension
James F. Yates Esq. Schenectady N.Y.

In the Matter of the Application of Hezekiah Davidson for a Pension Oswego County ss. Hezekiah Davidson being duly sworn says that his reasons as required by the Commissioner of Pensions to be given why this deponent has so long delayed his application for a Pension for his services as a soldier during the war of the Revolution are these to wit: —
That for many years after he had been informed of the passage of an act by Congress granting Pensions to Soldiers of the Revolution and until the year 1815 or thereabouts this deponent held real estate in fee simple and was worth from Three to four thousand dollars over and above all his debts and demands against him — And that he was informed and believed that such Soldiers of the Revolution as owned a freehold were not intended to be included within the provision of the said act of Congress —
And this deponent further saith that until about the year 1820 this deponent was in comfortable and easy circumstances, and that before that time he did not deem the pension worth the trouble and time and expense necessary to procure the same
That about the year 1820 this deponent became reduced in his circumstances & poor and left the City of Albany where he then resided to live inodus in the County of Wayne with his son on his said son's farm & where he continued to live for 4 or 5 years and thence removed to Port Byron in Cayuga County where he worked at his trade which was that of Carpenter for 2 years — that thence he removed to Oswego in Oswego County where he has resided for about 13 years.
And this deponent further saith that from said year 1820 when as aforesaid this deponent became poor and reduced in his circumstances he was not able to procure the assistance of any competent to aid him in establishing his claims to a pension, and that he himself was ignorant of the proceedings to be observed therein and was thus compelled through the want of means to delay the his application for the same.
Sworn before me this 4th. day of April in the year 1840
Thomas C. Cady Justice of the peace
Hezekiah Davidson

State of New York } Oswego County } S.S.
I Daniel H. Marsh Clerk of the County Courts of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify, that John M. Casey is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified: That his commission is dated on the first day of January 1839, and will expire on the thirty first day of December 1842 - That I am well acquainted with his hand writing and that I verily believe his signature above written is genuine
Given under my hand and the Seal of said County the fourteenth day of April 1840.
D. H. Marsh Clerk
Feb: 1840

Recd
Ms. B. 1. 6 v. 10 p. 45
G. F. Yates Esq. Schenectady New York

Comptroller's Office
Baelford Apr 11 1840
I certify that I have examined all the Pay Rolls remaining in this Office relating to the Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1782 inclusive embracing Short Services for the Year 1779 & 80 also the Connecticut Line - particularly the 5th Regiment - for the Name of Hezekiah Davidson (without success) I find by the Records in this Office that Col. Philip B. Mawley Commanded the 5th Conn't Regiment from 1777 to 80 and that Col. Isaac Sherman Commanded the 5th in 1781 In said Regiment I find recorded the names of William, David, and Asa Davidson and Paul Davidson (also known as Paul, by the name of Davidson) And that nothing is found in this Office that either confirms or discredits the alleged service of Hezekiah Davidson
Henry Sherburne Compt

May 18. 1840
My Dear Cousin Mrs: Davidson,
J. L. Edwards Esq. Merrill Pender Esq.

J. L. Edwards Esq
Comm ee of Pensions Sir:
In the matter of the application of Hezekiah Davidson for a pension under the act of 7 th June 1832, he was by your letter of the 25 th March 1840, required to give a reason for having so long delayed to make his application under said act. I trust the inclosed affidavit will prove satis- factory. By your same letter, a certificate from the Comptroller of Customs as to certain facts was also asked for. It is now furnished.
I am very respectfully your obed t client
Giles H. Rootes
Schenectady May 18 th 1840

Mrs H. Yates, Esq. July 31. 1840. O.C.

Genl. H. Aug July 31. 4/0
Sir
The Comptn certificate in the case of Hezekiah Davidson shews that the records afford no evidence of his alleged service of 3 years in the Con t Line - and he has adduced no parol proof of his statement - His claim is therefore disallowed
Col. F. Yates, 2 d Schenectada N.Y.

V. T. Gales
June 24 th 1841
ab.

Sir
New York June 24 th 41
In reply to the enquiry respecting the case of Miss Nicholas Payson I would refer you to the communication to Hon. D. Brewster of 22 inst which has no doubt been forwarded to you and in respect to the case of Hezekiah Davidson I would remark that his statement of the service is contradicted by the rolls and his claim rejected as communicated to you on 31 July 40
Giles H. Yates esq Schenectady NY

Apr 2 1842
NY
A Davidson Pension Office Washington
ENED

Osweego March 28 th 1842
Sir,
I have been requested by Mr Hezekiah Davidson a Revolutionary Soldier to write to you in relation to a Pension - I wish you would have the goodness to inform me if there has ever been any application made or any papers lodged in your office relative to it - or any information that you can give will be gratefully received.
The following are the circumstances that has induced me to trouble you with this communication - Some 6 or 7 years since Mr D- employed a Mr Griffith to make out his papers and assist him to get a Pension - Mr G- I believe employed a Mr Edwards to transact the business at Washington for him what progress they made Mr D- could never learn - Some 2 or 3 years since Mr G- left here & went to reside in New York since which time I am informed that there has been circumstances transpired which has placed his character in more than doubtful position as to honesty - which has induced Mr D- to think that possibly he may have got his

pension allowed and drawn the money and applyed it to his own use -
Mr Davidson is now in his 79 th year poor & helpless & every way a worthy man & I believe honestly entitled to a pension he is now together with his wife nearly his own age supported by the charity of a friend - which must with the above circumstances be my apology for troubling you
yours with respect
To the first officer of the Pension Office
John Enn

Wm Cno April 24 1842

John Eno Aswgyo N.Y. Apr. 28 '42
in
In answer to yours of 28 in the case of Weykhan Davidson I would respectfully refer you to the enclosed copy of my letter to Mr. Yairs of 31. July 1840. and inform you that no papers have been since rec d . in his case
John Eno Esq Aswgyo N.Y.

Apr. 3
Mr Luce
In att.
James F. Silverthorne Esq. Commissary General New York

Gooding, Idaho. July 2, 1925.
Pension Bureau, Washington D.C.
Dear Sirs. - would you please send me all the data in the files pertaining to the application and allowance of pension to Hezekiah Davison of Connecticut, R. 2689, page 164 of Draper's compilation of Connecticut pensioners.
I shall be very grateful for the same. yours sincerely.
Mrs. Hulda D. Beaman.
Gooding. Idaho.

Pension Bureau Washington, D. C.
3/22/28
Sir,
I desire information as to service of Hezekiah Davison file number R 2689 in the Revolutionary War. in Connecticut.
I also wish certification as to whether Sally Negus is given as his wife. Can you supply me with this information?
respectfully Mrs Louis Pahl 313 Madison Ave., Valparaiso, Indiana.

Rev. and 1812 War Section.
Sept 7 September 3, 1925
Mrs. Hulda B. Beeman Gooding, Idaho.
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 2689, it appears that Hezekiah Davidson alleged, while residing at Lebanon, Connecticut, when about sixteen years old, that he enlisted in April 1780 and served four months in Colonel Durkee's Connecticut Regiment and that he served in Colonel Stillman's Connecticut Regiment until the summer after peace was declared.
He applied for pension December 30, 1837, while a resident of Oswego, New York, but the claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of the alleged service.
Soldier stated that he was living in 1820 in

Lodus, Wayne County, New York, with his son, whose name is not given.
In 1848, soldier's wife, her name is not stated, was referred to as about the same age as soldier.
There is no further data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Davidson, Isaac GRADE Private LINE Connecticut
WARRANT NUMBER 5689 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Apr. 9, 1791 to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.