Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15063, Peter Davidson, Conn.

SERVICE
Davidson Peter
NUMBER
bonn
S.15063
CONTENTS
banded

20580 Peter Davison
of Sennepee in the State of New York who was a Private in the Corps commanded by Captain Clark of the Regt commanded by Col. Oly in the Cont. line for 18 Mos.
by no 20580
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 60 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of Sept 1833 and Dutton T. Fitch Clk. Tennessee Co.
  Arrears to the 4th of Sept '33  $ 150    Semi-ant. allowance ending Apr '34  30     $180  
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by G. Styles Clerk, ok E. Vol. 1, Page 54

x
Peter Davison's application for a Pension
18323
✓
Adm
* 1840/41
60

State of New York } Geneva County }
On this 15 th day of Oct r 1822 personally appeared in open before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas name sitting Peter Davidson a resident of the Town of Stafford in the County of Seneca and State of New York Aged Twenty five years and six months who being first duly sworn according to law both in his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 1 st 1832 That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served wherein stated (viz) That he Enlisted in the Spring of 1776 he thinks in the Month of May into the Company of Capt Gersham Barrons of Mansfield in the State of Connecticut Ripley of Mendham Lieutenant Col Mills of Mendham Col John Chester of Weatherfield General Putnam were the officers with whom he was acquainted and under whom he served This Detachment together with the Company to which he belonged went first to New York and from thence to Long Island Then he became acquainted with Generals Washington Sullivan & Woodhull That he was in the Battle at Flatbush near Brooklyn Long Island Thinks that General Sullivan had the Command in time of the Action which took place he thinks in the Month of Aug t That he this Detachment well recollects that the Enemy retreated in the night and that the Retreat was conducted by Gen Washington from Long Island this Detachment went to New York and from thence to White Plains under the Command of General Washington at which place the Army built an encampment; the last of November 1776 this Detachment's term of service having expired he was Discharged by General Washington after having served for the term of six months and returned home

This Deponent further saith that he again enlisted in the spring of 1867 into the Company of Capt. Deane of Mansfield for a term of Eight Months the Company were first stationed at New London Connecticut Col. Eliz. A. Dyer commanded the Regiment Maj. Elias Burt of Connecticut but was also an officer at that place. This Deponent does not recollect the precise time that they stayed at New London; they then went to the Little Comptons in the State of Rhode Island stayed there between one and Two Months from there we marched to Norfolk and from there to New London where this Deponent was discharged by Col. Eliz. after having served for a term of Eight Months and returned home to Mansfield Connecticut.
This Deponent further saith that in the Month of May 1878 he was drafted and went to New London was stationed near Fort Grotton served a little more than Two months under Capt. Joseph Whittman and Lieutenants John Barrows of Mansfield and John Col. Stone of Mansfield commanded the Regiment after said term had expired was discharged and went home.
This Deponent further saith that in the spring of 1872 he was again drafted and went to Castleton in Vermont under Capt. Samuel Clark served for a term of Two Months and was discharged and went home.
This Deponent hereby relinquishes all claims whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State. He further declares that he was born in the Town of Lebanon in the State of Connecticut and

lived in that Town untill until he was Twelve years of Age he then with his Father removed to Mansfield Co. and lived also in Mansfield when called into the service, and when the war closed that he has now reached his 21st year of age to his knowledge that he never received a written Discharge but was Discharged verbally that he is acquainted with Thomas Tunn and served with him for a time of about Eight Months in the Pennsylvania Army he is also acquainted with Stephen Greenwald Esq. and Ebenezer Rich Esq. of the Town of Stafford Green County where this Department now Resides  This Department states that he removed to Vermont from Mansfield to the Town of Pallett then went to Williamstown in Massachusetts from there to the Town of Marshall N. York and from there to the Town of Stafford where he now Resides  That he has not been called to the service or any of the present war and that his name is not on the list of the army of any state  Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Peter J. Davis in open court Timothy Fitch Clerk
We Thomas Tunn of Elmer Green County and also living of the Town of Bolivar in same County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Peter J. Davis of the Town of Stafford Green County State of New York that we believe him to be twenty five years of age that he is believed and reputed to have been a Soldier of the revolution and that we can say in that affair  Subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid in open court  Thomas Tunn  Morris Jennings Timothy Fitch Clerk

And the said Court do hereby certify as in realization of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a veteran soldier and served as he states and further that Thomas Turner is a Resident of the Town of Elber and above names are Resident of the Town of Elber and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
Grace Wilson
Robert D. Carr
William Mitchell
I Timothy Fitch Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Linn County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Peter Davidson for a Pension and that E. D. Davis was on the day of the dates of the annexed affidavits of Thomas Turner a resident of the Town and acting under the authority of his states and that the signature is in his own proper hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 15 th day of October 1832
Timothy Fitch Clerk

State of New York } Yonkers County } Town of Elmer }
Thomas Turner of the Town of Elmer and State of as said being duly sworn saith that he is acquainted with Peter Davidson of the Town of Haddon in said County and has known him for more than fifty years. That in time of the Revolutionary war said Davidson lived in the Town of Mansfield, Connecticut and near neighbor to this Department and he further saith that he this Department informed by Captain Gersham Barron of Mansfield that said Davidson was an Enlisted Soldier in his Company for the term of six months in the year 1776 and this Department knew that said Davidson was absent from home at that time and that Common Report in his neighborhood was that he was in the service. This Department further saith that said Peter Davidson Enlisted in the Company of Capt. Deane of Mansfield in the Spring of 1777 and served eight months as near as he can recollect and that this Department was an Enlisted Soldier in the same Company during the same time; The Company went first to Staten Island then to New London went from there to Little Compton Rhode Island then to Norwalk and back to New London and were there discharged after the term of Enlistment had expired; Col. Ely of Lyndon commanded the Regiment and Gen. Sullivan in Brigs commanded Brigade. This Department further saith that the said Peter Davidson was always reputed to be a man of truth and veracity and further saith that he has subscribed and sworn
Aug. 11th 1832 before me
Thomas Turner
E. D. Davis Justice of the Peace
I, E. D. Davis do certify that I am well acquainted with Thomas Turner who has subscribed & sworn to the above affidavit and that the said Turner is a credible witness and that his statement is entitled to credit.
E. D. Davis Justice

State of New York
Genesee County p; I Timothy Fitch Clerk of Genesee county do hereby certify that Eleazar D. Davis before whom the foregoing affidavit of Thomas Turner purports to have been taken was on the day of taking the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county & that full faith and credit are to be given to his acts in that capacity & further that I am well acquainted with the signature of the said Justice & verily believe that the signature of the said Justice subscribed to the said affidavit is his genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fifteenth day of October 1832
Timothy Fitch Clerk

No. 18323
Peter Davidson Genesee Co. N.Y.
liij.
Timothy Fitchett Genesee Co. N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These 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.
New York  A Statement, shewing the Service of Peter Davidson Genesee Co-
   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.     Entd Spring 76 Private Col Wells - - 75 years Thomas Turner - actuary for   ctra 76 6 Col Chester - thencefor 698 months & traditional   ditt Spring 77 8 Genl Sullivan dd Conn- evidence - -   Died May 78 over 2 months Genl Washington necticut   ditt Spring 79 2 Col Lynn   Major Buel   Col Ely -   Col Harn   Capt Clark  
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 the 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 _____; 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
John Ashton

15063 INVALID.
cin
File No. 15. 063
Peter Davidson Prior Boer War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1, Page 428
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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