Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8288, James Davis, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va. _____
Davis, James _____
S 8288 _____
CONTENTS
boarded
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.

6328
Virginia
James Davis
of London in the State of Va. - who was a Fifer in the Compy commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col: Lewis - in the Va. - line for 19 months from 1777
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia - at the rate of 69-Dollars 66-Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of Feby: 1838 and delivered Geo: Richard,
Arrears to the 4th of Sept-1832 104.49 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 mths 34.83 139.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nathan Rice - Clerk, Book (D) Vol. 7 Page 125

Interlocutory whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of my office this 10 th day of Sept r . 1832.
J. BARNES clk.
10,563.
J. Davis
10,563.
nom 19 mo before

State of Virginia London County. 31st Dec. 1832
On this 10 th day of September personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the Court of Loudoun County, now sitting, James Davis, a resident of Loudoun County, State of Virginia, age 71 years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, oath on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated: I was born in Philadelphia & State of Pennsylvania, I believe in 1761 I have no record of my age. I have understood that my Parents removed to Loudoun County, Va. when I was five years old. I have resided in said County ever since. I am able to ascertain the year of my birth by remembering that I was 16 years old when first called into service in the Spring before Brandywine Capture, as this was in the fall of 1777, I must have been born in 1761. In the Spring of 1777 I was called to do Militia duty for three mos. & attached to Capt. Joseph Keck's Company. I served in said Company as a fifer. I remember that a Major Cox had the command of several Companies then formed. We marched thro' Hanover & Frederick, crossed the Potomac & Bridge of Keptown & went to Williamsburg. Here Genl. Weedon had the command of the Troops. I did duty between York Town & Richmond as I was ordered. When my term expired I returned home. After some two or three weeks I went a second time as a substitute for Joseph Melgec for 3 mos. I then was in Capt. W. George's Company. Francis Adams Lieut. in said Company. This as well as all my subsequent tours of duty I performed in the same section of country, that is, at different points on James River between York & Richmond - At all times, I also acted as the fifer of the Company. When my 2 d term of duty expired, I returned home & after remaining there a few weeks, I again engaged as a substitute for a man named Rich and went to Bennett, for 3 mos. & was attached to Capt. Humphrey's Company of Loudoun Militia. I performed this tour of duty

and returned home. I was, as far as I can remember, in 3. the Spring of 1778 was again drafted for 3 mos. which service I performed. At this time I do not remember my Captain. I was engaged constantly from 1778 to 1781 either obeying calls on my own account, or as a sub- say 12 or 18 mos. stitute, that is after an interval of some few weeks between each term. I was in a company of 40. Militia commanded by Capt. James Cleveland I was often transferred from one company to another & have forgotten the names of many of my officers. I was again drafted in the Spring of 1781 and placed in the 3. Company of Capt. Stephen - and I was at Williamsburg when Arnold landed below - I remember that Capt. Lee commanded a Rifle Company & opposed his landing but had to retreat to Williamsburg - at this time Capt. Lewis was taken sick & sent off in a wagon to Bowling Green. The Troops moved on toward Richmond I performed this tour of duty and in August of the same year I was again ordered out to march to York Town. I was now placed in a Company commanded by Capt. D. Carlisle. When arrived at York Town the Troops to which I belonged were placed under the Command of Major Ad- -ams a U.S. Officer, I think this was his name. I suppose I was there about 2 months when I was taken 2 sick & had to return home - so that I was not at the surrender of Cornwallis - I was, I think in November that the Prisoners came along thro' London & 2 I engaged for 2 mos. as a substitute for Peter Bonsum or at Guard the Prisoners - I joined the detachment in 3 mos. London. We marched the prisoners to 4 miles above Winchester - the weather was very severe & snow & sleet. I recollect in crossing the Potomac the 1. had some been frozen - It was I think sometime in February preceding before we had our Prisoners to some Maryland Troops - I think the Potomac on the Ice. - I think it was a Col. Stephen Commanded the detachment - I had regular discharge from my respective terms of service which I kept for many years, but it is now I suppose

thirty years since they with my Horse & furniture were all destroyed by Fire. I am now very infirm and have forgotten the names of officers and regi- ments with whom I served, since in the army of some of my captains: but I know I was in the service as a musician, either drafted or as a substitute, from the spring of 1861 to the time I left with occasional intervals of a few weeks between each term of duty. I remember an adjutant of my mother, or Maryweather, who was a U.S. Officer and very severe disciplinarian.
There is but one person living whom I now remember who can testify to my service. His certificate accompanies this declaration. I hereby re- quest every claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
James Davis mark
We Thomas Birkby a sergeant residing in the present off London p.m. and Johnston Cleveland residing in said County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Davis who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be 71 years of age, that his belief & reputation in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution of that we concur in that opinion. J.C. Cleveland further testified that he knows said Davis was in the Militia service in the Rev. War. Sworn & subscribed to } this 10 th day of Sept. 1832. }
Thomas Birkby Johnston Cleveland
* Mr Cleveland is the High Sheriff of Loudoun County G.R.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter of 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 Thomas Birkly who has signed the preceding certificate is a layman residing in London County and that J. Cleveland who has also signed the same is a resident in said County for a credible person of that their statement is entitled to credit.
J Charles Burns Clerk of the Court at London County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of James Davis for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of my office this 10 th day of Sept r . 1832.
J Burns Clerk
10563.

round
19 mo fifer.
G. Richard

BRIEF in the case of James Davis  County of Loudoun in the State of  Va  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 71 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed, 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Spring In 1777- 3 Tipser Gen. Capt Lewis M c Gow G d Wheaton   3 " Capt Gause   3 " Capt Humphrey   1778 3 " officers not recollected   He states that he was engaged from 1778 to 1781 in the Malitia 12 or 18 M th Capt Cleveland   Spring of 1781- 3 " Capt Lewis   August 21 - 1781 2 " Capt Carlisle M c Hughes M c Adams   Winter 1781-1782 2 " Col Stevens    W. In what battles was he engaged?
 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Loudoun Co Va  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By a living witness  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richard Cotts Examining Clerk.

L. W. B. I. 8288.
This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
January 25th, 1899.
Sir:-
In response to your recent communication you are advised that a very careful search has been made and from the data given the name of Suprey or Suphrey Davis has not been found upon the Revolutionary war pension or bounty land records on file in this Bureau.
James Davis made an application for pension on September 10th, 1832, at which time he was 71 years of age and residing in Loudon County, Virginia, and his pension was allowed for nineteen months' actual service as a fifer in the Virginia troops, Revolutionary war. He enlisted from Loudon County, Virginia, and served under Capt. Lewis.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. Creed T. Davis,
Richmond, Virginia.
Room 15, Goddins Hall.

8288
Rec'd
INVALID.
Jany. 25 "99. Creed T. Davis, Richmond, V
a.
File No. 8288
James Davis Wife, New War
Act: June 7th 82
Index: — Vol. 1st , Page 90
[Arrangement of 1870.]

T. Paget for Isaac Davis
Timothy Paget is now very infirm as I am informed lives near Cab Run - near the southern line of Loudoun Co. G.R.

London County 3. Oct. Virginia 3.
This day personally came before me Charles Lewis a Justice of the Peace for said County, Timothy Paget, who made oath that he is well acquainted with James Davis now applying for a Pension under the act of Congress of June 7. 1832. and that he was a member of Capt. Joseph Lewis's Company in the Spring of 1777 & marched in company with said James Davis to Williamsburg on a tour of service only for three months.
Sworn to before me
This 5 th day of Sept r 1832
before me.
Charles Lewis J.P.
Timothy Paget his mark

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of James Davis Section 6 th Va which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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 shewn 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

The Richmond Dispatch,
By the DISPATCH COMPANY.
C. O'H. COWARDIN, Pres. H. THEO. ELLYSON, Sec'y & Treas. W. D. CHESTERMAN, Vice-Pres.
Richmond, Va.
June 7 th 1898
In answer to yours of
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir;
I wish very much to know, if the names Suprey (Suphrey) Davis, and James Davis, latterly of Hanover Co Va can be found on the Pension Lists, of either the Continental or Va State line of troops, in service during the Revolutionary war. The Regiments and Companies of these persons are unknown. Any trace of these names in your books will be thankfully received.
Yours Truly
Levi Davis Room 15, Goddins Hall Richmond Va