Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2695, William Davidson, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Ua
Davidson, William
R. 2695—
CONTENTS

State of Virginia Gazwell County {
On this 2 nd day of April in the year of Our Lord 1834 personally appeared before me William Smith an acting justice of the Peace in and for the county of Gazwell and State of Virginia William Davidson a resident in the county and State aforesaid aged Seventyfive years on the 17 th day of March last who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath make the following Declarations in Order to obtain the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated. That he moved from Goat Creek a tributary Stream of New River in what was then called Montgomery County and State of Virginia in the year 1776 to Goat Creek in the Western part of the same County in what at is now called Gazwell County and State aforesaid. That in the Spring of the year 1777 he volunteered under the command of Captain James Moore and entered the service of his country as an Indian Spy that he was stationed in Davidsons Fort which was situated on Goat Creek a tributary Stream of Blue Stone River three miles above its mouth that his Service commenced this year as early as the 1 st day of April and

continued until the 1 st of December following that he again volunteered and entered the service of his country as an Indian Spy under the command of the aforesaid Captain James Moore as early as the 1 st day of April and continued in service until the 1 st of December in the year 1778. that he was stationed as before in Davidsons Garrison. That in the year 1779 he again entered the service of his country as a Volunteer Spy as early as the 1 st day of April and continued in service until the 1 st of December following that he was commanded by the aforesaid Captain Moore and stationed as before in Davidsons Fort. That in the year 1780 he again listed and scouted as an Indian Spy from the 1 st day of April until the 1 st of December. That in the years 1781-82. and 83 he also listed and scouted as an Indian Spy that his services commenced in each of these years as before on the 1 st day of April and continued until the 1 st of November. That he was commanded by the aforesaid Captain James Moore until the year of 1782 in the month of July when Captain Moore and his whole family were murdered by the Indians that after that time he was commanded by Captain George Peary. That the settlement in which he lived during each of the aforesaid years was very weak. so that they were compelled to

call on the country farther east for protection - that a company were sent in each of the aforesaid years to their Assistance from the eastern part of Montgomery County a part of which were stationed with him in Davidsons Garrison - that during the Periods mentioned in the foregoing part of his Declaration the Frontier Settlements of Virginia were very much harassed by the Indians - that there were a great number of events occurred during the foregoing periods - that he has neglected to relate them fearing that he might be guilty of some inaccuracy from the loss of memory - That the nature of his services was to go out on Spying excursions to watch the approaches of the Indians that the company stationed in Davidsons Garrison was divided into three or four Divisions - that when the Spies would come in with a report that they had seen the signs of Indians in the neighborhood it was the duty of these Divisions to go by turns in pursuit of them - That they generally went on their Spying excursions from Davidsons Garrison across the Blue Stone River and from thence across the dividing Ridge between

the Waters of Blue Stone River and those of Guy andott and round by the head Waters of Blue Stone River to Davidsons Garrison that when he was not actively engaged in spying or act with one of the aforesaid divisions which were called Scouting parties he was engaged in guarding and defending the Garrison in which he was stationed That there was a special Order of Col. Preston who was Commandant of the Regiment to which he belonged that the men so soon as they were placed on the muster Roll should be held as soldiers and should be stationed in the different Forts for the defence of the frontier Settlements - That during the whole of the aforesaid time he was commanded by the aforesaid Officers and was stationed as aforesaid in Davidsons Garrison with a regularly embodied corps and was not engaged in any civil pursuits during the Period that he has mentioned in the foregoing part of his declaration - First) That he was born in Ireland in the year 1759 which will make him Seventy five years old (Second) That he has no record of his age but says his Father had one which is now in the possession of one of his Sisters (Third) that he was living when called into Service on Cave Creek a tributary stream of Blue Stone River in the Western part of

what was then called Montgomery now Fazwell County and State of Virginia and that he has lived in the same neighborhood ever since (Fourth) That he Volunteered when he entered the service of his country (Fifth) That he has stated the names of his captains in the foregoing part of his Declaration Sixth) That he never Rec d any written discharge for any of the services he rendered his country Seventh) that he is known to the Rev. W m McGuire & Samuel Cecil who can testify to his good character for veracity and their belief of his services as he states That he can support his declaration by the evidence of
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever 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
Sworn to and Subscribed William Davidson before me an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Fazwell the day and year aforesaid
W m Smith
We William McGuire a clergyman residing in the County of Fazwell and State of Virginia and Samuel Cecil residing in the same do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Davidson who has subscribed and sworn to the above or foregoing Declaration that we believe him to be

seventyfive years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier and an Indian Spy in the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to and subscribed before me an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Fazwell the day and year aforesaid
William McGuire
Samuel Cecil
Wm Smith J.P.
And I William Smith the said Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Fazwell and State of Virginia do hereby declare my Opinion after an Investigation of the Matter and after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Soldier and Indian Spy of the Revolution and served as he states - I do further certify that it appears to me that William McGuire who has signed the preceding Certificate is a clergyman residing in the County of Fazwell and that Samuel Cecil who has also signed the same is a resident in the same County and is a creditable person and that their statement is entitled to credit
Wm Smith J.P.

I William Smith the said Justice of the Peace do further certify that William Davidson who has subscribed and sworn to the above or foregoing Declaration from Old age and bodily infirmity is unable to attend the Court of Fazwell County or any other Court of Record in the Commonwealth of Virginia
W m Smith J.P.
State of Virginia } Fazwell County }
On this day of April in the year of Our Lord 1834 personally appeared before me Thomas Purf an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Fazwell and State of Virginia Michael Stump a resident in the County of Fazwell and after being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his Oath make the following Statement That he is well acquainted with William Davidson who has subscribed and sworn to the above or foregoing Declaration That he well Recollects the Services of William Davidson against the Indians during the Revolution as he has stated in his Declaration - Sworn to before me Subscribed me the day and year aforesaid
Thomas Purf J.P.

I Thomas Perry - an acting justice of the Peace in and for the county of Tazewell and State of Virginia do hereby certify that Michael Stump who has subscribed and sworn to the above or foregoing Statement in favour of William Davidson is a resident in the county & State aforesaid and is a creditable person and that his statement is entitled to full credit
Thomas Perry J.P.
Virginia, Tazewell County To wit.
I John Crockett Clerk of the Circuit Superior Court of Law & Chancery for Tazewell County aforesaid, certify that Thomas Perry William Stump, whose certificates are annexed to the foregoing declara- tion are  now are acting justices of the Peace in and for the County of Tazewell, and that the signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine, and that their acts out of Court as well as in Court are entitled to full credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set affixed the seal of office and subscribed my name this The 4th day April 1834.
John Crockett Clerk of The Circuit Supr. Court of Law & Chancery for Tazewell County
Ms. B.C.559-

State of Virginia Tazewell County to wit
On this 20 th day of June 1837 personally appeared before the undersigned a justice of the peace for said County Joseph Davidson aged Seventysix years a Resident of said County who being duly sworn according to law States on his Oath That he is the brother of William Davidson who is now an applicant for a pension, That he knew of his brother marching as a Soldier against the Cherokee Indians That he was absent a considerable time from home the length of time not recollected he also recollects that he served a tour at the Lead Mines in the County of Montgomery Virginia but does not recollect the length of time he also further sayeth that he went in company with his brother under Captain Moore to Fort Chispe in the County of Montgomery Virginia and there joined a Regiment commanded by Col William Preston of Montgomery Virginia and marched from thence to North Carolina and per- -haps to the edge of South Carolina, against the British we were not less than six weeks engaged in hard service at that time, he also States that his brother was engaged at different periods for fourteen years guarding against the Indians being Stationed at different forts during the time on Bluestone and Clinch in the County of Montgomery Virginia now Tazewell And further this affiant sayeth not Joseph Davidson
Sworn to and subscribed before the undersigned the day and year above written
John B. George V.B.

January 26, 1934
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BA-J/EEL Qu Joshua Davidson -S.16099 William Davidson-R. 2695
Mrs. W.H.Hinton 724 East Broadway Altus, Oklahoma
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you state that you believe that the record of Joshua Davidson, S.1192, which was furnished you, is that of the soldier in whom you are interested, but request further records of soldiers with that name, also, of all soldiers of Virginia with the name William Davidson, to aid in identification of your ancestor.
The pension records have been searched and the record of only one other Joshua found, and only one William who served in the Virginia Troops. Those records are given herein as found in the respective claims for pension based upon their service in the Revolutionary War.
Joshua Davidson S.16099
Joshua Davidson was born in April, 1753; the place of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown in the papers in the pension claim.
He enlisted on the Monongahela River, in Pennsylvania, August 13, 1776, served in Captains James Montgomery's and Van Swearingen's Companies, Colonels Aeneas Mackey and Daniel Brodhead's 8 th Pennsylvania Regiment; he served as sergeant until the middle of August, 1779, when he was commissioned ensign and served under that rank until March 20, 1780, when he resigned his commission. He was in the battles of Bound Brook, Brandywine and Paoli.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 8, 1818, while residing in Brown County, Ohio.

Date of death not on QB In 1821, Joshua Davidson was still a resident of said Brown County, Ohio, and then referred to his wife as aged fifty-eight years but did not give her maiden name nor the date of their marriage; he also referred to four children, then residing with him, as follows: Jonathan, Joseph, Rachel and Nancy, aged respectively thirty-four, twenty-eight, twenty-four and twenty-two years.
There are no further family data.
*****
William Davidson R.2695
William Davidson was born March 17, 1759, in County Down, Ireland, and before the Revolutionary War lived with his father and family in Augusta County, Virginia, on Dry River; moved to a place on Jackson River; thence to Grab Creek; thence to Bluestone Creek, in Montgomery (later Tazwell) County, Virginia. The names of soldier's parents are not shown in the papers in the pension claim.
He applied for pension on April 2, 1834, while residing in Tazewell County, Virginia, and alleged that while residing on Cove Creek, in Montgomery (later Tazewell) County, Virginia, he volunteered and served from the spring of 1776 until 1783, at various times on short tours and at the forts defending the inhabitants from the invasions of the Indians, as a private and Indian spy and ranger under Captains James Moore, George Peery, Robert Moffett and Newell, Colonels William Preston and Martin in the Virginia Troops.
His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of six months' service in an embodied military corps as required by the pension law.
It is not stated that soldier was ever married.
In 1834, soldier's brother, George Davidson, was referred to, and in 1837, his brother, Joseph Davidson, was aged seventy-six years and resided in Tazewell County, Virginia; soldier's sisters are also referred to, their names not given. There are no further family data.
*****
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

1932 - Aug. 26 - Visited. Fair. Do not return. N. Runners 1934 - Jan. 26 - Visited. To Mrs. H. H. Winston - Selby in case Joshua Davidson D. 16099 - E. S. A.
2695
P. O. William Davidson
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Printed list of 185-2
Alleges: shows cause of rejection: "Did
Re-enlisted: not serve six months"
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
Recognized. _____ Contract.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

SEVENTY-SECOND CONGRESS
HATTON W. SUMNERS, TEX., CHAIRMAN ANDREW J. MONTAGUE, VA. LEONIDAS C. DYER, MO. FRED H. DOMINICK, S. C. C. A. CHRISTOPHERSON, S. DAK. HENRY ST. GEORGE TUCKER, VA. RICHARD YATES, ILL. TOM D. MCKEOWN, OKLA. EARL C. MICHENER, MICH. GORDON BROWNING, TENN. J. BANKS KURTZ, PA. EMANUEL CELLER, N. Y. C. ELLIS MOORE, OHIO FRANK OLIVER, N. Y. FIGRELLO H. LAGUARDIA, N. Y. W. V. GREGORY, KY. HOMER W. HALL, ILL. MALCOLM C. TARVER, GA. CARL G. BACHMANN, W. VA. FRANCIS B. CONDON, R. I. CHARLES I. SPARKS, KANS. ZEBULON WEAVER, N. C. WM. H. DIETERICH, ILL.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES U. S.
COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY
WASHINGTON, D. C.
August 22, 1932.
The Bureau of Pensions, Veterans Administration, Washington.
Gentlemen:
I am inclosing herewith a communication which I have just received from my constituent, Mrs. J. Carter Bardin, of 429 Centre Street, Dallas, Texas, and which is self explanatory.
I will very much appreciate it if you will furnish me a report, if he is found in your records, with reference to the service and pension of the Revolutionary veteran referred to, William Davidson.
Respectfully,
ew inc

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON
August 26, 1932
William Davidson-R.2695
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BA-J/EL
Honorable Hatton W. Summers House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
My dear Mr. Summers:
Reference is made to your letter of August 22, 1932, with which you enclosed one, returned herewith, from Mrs. J. Carter Hardin, of 429 Centre Street, Dallas, Texas, in regard to securing information relative to William Davidson, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, R.2695, based upon the military service of William Davidson in that war.
William Davidson was born March 17, 1759, in County Down, Ireland, and before the Revolutionary War lived with his father and family (names of his parents not given) in Augusta County, Virginia, on Dry River; moved to a place on Jackson River; then to Crab Creek; and then to Bluestone Creek, in Montgomery(later Tazwell) County, Virginia.
He applied for pension on April 2, 1834, while residing in Tazwell County, Virginia, and alleged that while residing on Cove Creek, in Montgomery(later Tazwell) County, Virginia, he volunteered and served from the spring of 1776 until 1783, at various times on short tours and at the forts defending the inhabitants from the invasions of the Indians, as a private and Indian spy and ranger under Captains James Moore, George Pearcy, Robert Moffett and Newell, Colonels William Preston and Martin in the Virginia Troops.
Mrs. F. said arrange it this way.
His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of six months service in an embodied military corps as required by the pension laws.
It is not stated that soldier was ever married.
In 1834, soldier's brother, George Davidson was referred to;

In 1837, his brother, Joseph Davidson, was aged seventy-six years and resided in Tazwell County, Virginia. Soldier's sisters are also referred to; their names are not given.
The foregoing is the history of the only soldier named William Davidson, who served with the Virginia Troops, that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this office.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.
Did not tell her Jos. also served.
Joseph Davidson
Has a claim for pension R-2690

Mr Danderson
ja
Ref. Mr B. George
Oct 28 1837
2695
Ad 7 June 37

State of Virginia Fayette County to wit
On this 8 th day of August 1837 personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid Michael Stump aged seventy one or two, years of age a resident of said County who being duly sworn according to law, states that he knew of William Davidson guarding on the against the Indians for some length of time on the head of Clinch and Blue Stone in company with himself and others, and he also states that often heard his Father in law Abner Stafford say that he went in a company with William Davidson commanded by Capt. Moore to North Carolina against the British and that Moores Company was attached to a Regiment commanded by Col. Preston, and this affiant has nothing further to state
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Alex w Harrison J.P.

Virginian Fayetteville County to wit
This day personally appeared before the under- signed a Justice of the peace for said County James Moore and after being first duly sworn upon the holy Evangelist of Almighty God deponeth & saith that he well recollects that William Davidson was taken to North & South Carolina under James Moore the father of this affiant who was then Captain in the defence of America against the British who were then invading the Carolinas.
That the said William Davidson served & returned with his father after 6 or 8 weeks service. he also states that the said William Davidson after his return was in the defence of this Country against the hostile Indians on Clinch & Blue Stone Settlements in forts etc. for about fourteen years there after that the said William Davidson was one of the few of the protectors & defenders of this Country against both British and Indians. he further states that the day or year he does not recollect but he well recollects that the Campaign above mentioned which said William Davidson went to North & South Caro- lina to defend was a few days before the Battle of Guilford. The cause of the said Davidson his father & others coming home was to defend their & the families in their own neighbourhood. This affiant further states that this County was then Montgomery (now

Tazewell This affiant further states that the o d William Davidson is from appearance from the size when first known by this affiant about seventy eight or eighty years of age This affiant further states that at the time the o d W m Davidson went to north & South Carolina under his father as aforesaid that the o d Davidson was living in this County & after his return as aforesaid & ever since (most of his time & now is living) in this County This affiant further states that he is and has long been acquainted with the o d William Davidson: and that he knows that o d Davidson is entirely poor & helpless; that he has not been able to recollect for the last five years and that he well deserves the bounty of his Country This affiant further states that the aforesaid William Davidson is the only William Davidson entitled to the pay for services aforesaid, in this County that the aforesaid William Davidson is the same who made his declaration before John P. George on the 20 th of this instant in Tazewell County given under my hand this 22 nd day of June 1837. James Moore
Tazewell County Court I do hereby certify that James Moore made oath to the foregoing affidavit before me according to law this 20 th day of June 1837. Erasmus G. Harman

J. B. George
va
Oct 28 1837
OL

Dept of War Pension Office Oct 28. 1837
Sir
I have examined the declaration of William Daniels of Fayette County, and have placed on the files of this office. The services claimed for amount to four days on 6 months. There is now upon our files, a declaration made by Mr Daniels in Sept 1834, in which he declares that he was engaged as an Indian spy seven months in each year from 1776 to 1783. No mention whatever is made of any other service. The claim was considered as a very doubtful one in 1834, and from the discrepancy between his two declarations, this opinion has become confirmed. The claim is therefore rejected.
Yours
H. B. George Esq Fayette Co Ky Va
wt 30559 2

No. 30,559
William Davidson's Declaration and Affidavits.
Va Oct 1832,
Geo. B. George Tazewell Co. Va

I John B. George, a Justice of the peace for the County of Fazewell do hereby certify that Joseph Davidson, James Moore & Michael Stump, whose affidavits are hereunto annexed as witnesses in support of the claim of Wil- iam Davidson to a pension, are men of respectability and fully entitled to credit; I do further certify that there is no clergyman resident in the neighborhood of the said Davidson, whose testimony could be obtain- ed. I do further certify that I myself have full con- fidence in the statements made by said Davidson. Given under my hand this 28 th Sept. 1837.
John B. George
Virginia.
I John Crockett Clerk of the County Court of Fazewell County do hereby certify, that John B. George Alexander Harrison and Erastus G. Harnan, whose names are subscribed to certain Declaration and certificates hereunto annexed, are and were at the time of making the same, Justices of the Peace for the County of Fazewell, that full faith & credit is due to their official acts, and that the signa- tures purporting to be theirs are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office at Jeffersonville the 28 th day of September 1837.
John Crockett C. by Geo. Browne D.C.C. Fazewell County.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
State of Virginia Fayette County to wit
On this 20 th day of June 1837 personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the peace for said County William Davidson aged seventy nine years a resident of said County who being first duly sworn according to Law doth make on his oath the following de- claration. in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he was born in Ireland in the County Down on the 17 th day of March 1759. that the first recollection he has in this Country he with his fathers family were living in Augusta County on Dry River that from thence he with his fathers family Moved to Jacksons River that from thence he as aforesaid Moved to Crab Creek a branch of New River in the County of Montgomery that from thence to Prestons Creek a branch of New River in the County of Montgom- ery now Fayette County. That from thence called out in the service against the Cherokee Indians. and under Captain Robert Moffett we went to the big Islands on Holstein River and stationed by our officers at that place until Col. Martin who went to treat with the Indians. were directed by Col Martin If he did not return in six weeks of that our Captains & officers should advance towards the Indian town. & he having failed to return accordingly we were marched on and met Col Martin after several days march. he having entered into treaty with the Indians. on the next day the

troops were discharged. I had my discharge. I returned to my Father's on Bluestone Creek now Fayette County.
That he had said discharge for 15 or 18 years afterwards but had it at his George Davidson's his brothers and the house was accidentally burned down & the said discharge was consumed. That he was in said service from the time he left home until he returned 2 months & 22 days.
That on the first day of the next August following he was drafted under Captain Newel to guard the Lead mines on New River in Montgomery County now Wythe against the British and were stationed at that place for 2 months. This declarant further states that there was about 400 soldiers stationed at that place and most of the time that he was there he with a part of the troops were busily engaged in erecting a fort. &c.
This declarant further states that he was then regularly discharged & he returned home.
This declarant further states that on the next 1st day of the next February following was called out under the command of Captain James Moore to advance to the protection of North & South Carolina which was then invaded by the British Col. William Preston was the head commander. This declarant says that he was about 6 weeks in the service at that time.
This declarant says that his discharge was given jointly with John Perry Joseph Davidson Richard Garet and that John Perry took possession of the same & that long since said Perry removed from this County to Tennessee & is since dead.
This declarant further states he was employed in guarding the country for a number of years afterwards against the Indians on the waters of Clinch & Bluestone. In the spring & summer of each year

for about 14 years. that in this way the prime of his life was spent in the service of his country for which he has never received one cent. And that he has resided the greater part of his time since in this county then Montgomery County. he being unable to walk for the last five years and now calls on the bounty of his country for relief in his old age being poor and entirely unable to support himself. that believes he can prove his
services by Michael Stump & Joseph Davidson and perhaps others (respectable men who reside in his immediate vicinity)
He hereby relinquishes every claim to any pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. further that he is too infirm & weak to appear before a court for the purpose of making this declaration.
When his William Mark Davidson
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year afore said and I do further certify that William Davidson the declarant above is in my opinion unable from bodily infirmity to attend before a court,
Wm. Blyeorge J.P.