Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8,304, John Davidson, Va.

SERVICE
Va.
Davidson, John
NUMBER
S. 8,304
carded
CONTENTS

12106 Virginia
John Davidson
of Rockbridge in the State of Va
who was a Pvt — in the — commanded
by Captain — of the Regt commanded
by Col Bowyer in the Va
time for 6 mo: 4 days—
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 20— Dollars 44— Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 th day of March 1833 — and David B. McBride M c D Reid, Lexington, Va
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 40.88 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 1— 10.44
51.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nathan Rea Clerk, Book E Vol. 6 Page 6
Letter to John Setzer August 6 1842

State of Virginia
Rockbridge County Vez.
On this 8 th day of August in the year 1832 John Davidson son of said County and State, personally appeared in open court, said court being a court of record for said County, and being duly sworn according to Law, did on Oath make the following declarations, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. The said Davidson states, that he was born in Augusta County, now said Rockbridge County, Virginia, in the year 1757. That he has no record of his age, nor ever had. When called into service, that he was living in Botetourt County, State of Virginia, on James River. That since the Revolutionary War, he has lived, and still continues to live in the said County of Rockbridge. He states that he was drafted into service in 1778 and volunteered against the Indians in Greenbrier, about the 1 st June in the same year. He states that some of the regular officers, of the troops in which he served, were, General Muhlenberg, Col s Parker and Col s Willis. He states that he encamped with a company of law land Militia but never knew how it was designated. He states that he was pressed by Captain Gray to accept a commission of orderly sergeant, during services but being satisfied with the name of a private soldier he refused it. He farther states, that he served as a Militia soldier in the Revolutionary War, as follows. That he was willing to serve in the Virginia Regiments in the Spring of 1778 it having fallen to his lot, as an unmarried man, under the act of the Virginia Legislature of 1777-78. entitled an act for speedily recruiting the Virginia Regiments, on the Continental Establishments, and for raising additional Troops of Volunteers, but was induced by the remonstrances of his Mother to assume the privilege of the act, and hire a substitute, who served 12 months. That he served a tour of about 3 months and 15 days (the days accrued in returning home). In the winter campaign of 1781 under the command of Captain Andrew Moore (now dead)

then of Rockbridge County Virginia. The other officers of the company that this applicant recollects, were Lieutenant John McClung and ensign James McDowell who were under the immediate general command of Col. Banzer - said company rendezvoused at the red house in said County 10 th January 1781. and marched to Portsmouth, Virginia where it chiefly remained, excepting one month, during which it was stationed at the Great Bridge, where Dunsmore was defeated. The troops stationed there, were under the command of Col. Parker. - That he left the service about the 11 th April 1781 and got home in 15 days. - That he received a certificate for said service, which was taken in by the Sheriff for tax. That he served another tour of about 2 months and fifteen days, from the 7 th August 1781 to 24 th October 1781. - That he marched on to the siege of York. that he lay at Burrells Mill about one month as an advance guard, thence marched down to York. This service was under Capt. David Gray (now dead) then of the said County of Rockbridge, the officers of the company were Major John Wilson, and Ensign George Ware. - of which service he received a certificate, which was taken in for tax. This applicant further declares, that about the 1 st June 1778, he volunteered against the Indians in Greenbrier. he went with two or three companies, and was finally under the command of Capt. Wallace at Fort Young. That he was about 12 or thirteen days in this service, as well as he can recollect.
For confirmation of the above statement this affiant refers to the testimony of Captain William Moore and John McClain, both of said County of Rockbridge. accompanying this application.
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 any agency in any State. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written
John Davidson

State of Virginia
Rockbridge County ss.
The Declaration of John Davidson, an applicant for a Pension from the County of Rockbridge, under the late Act of Congress, being returned by the Department with objections, The said John Davidson appeared in open court, this 31 st day of December 1832 said court, being the county court of Rockbridge, and now sitting, who being first duly sworn, doth on his oath make the following amendments to his aforesaid Declaration -
To Objection No 5 th . That early in July 1778, he served a tour of fifteen days, under Capt. William Syle of the County of Rockbridge, in driving Pack Horses, loaded with flour and Bacon, for the Troops stationed on the frontier of Virginia, during the Indian Wars, he states that this was then called a Military service, and so considered by him, he refers to the Testimony of Dr. Capt. William Syle, as evidence in his behalf.
Months Days
  This service amounting to fifteen days is  0  15    His service during the winter campaign of 1781 as mentioned in his Declaration under the command of Capt. Andrew Moore, amounts to three Months exclusive of the 15 days, consumed in returning home is  3  00  
  His service of Two Months & seven days between the 7 th Aug. 1781, & 14 th Oct. 1781. at the siege of York, as mentioned in his declaration, but which is exclusive of travelling, having included traveling in the statement, made in his declaration amounts to  2  07  
  His tour of service of 12 days, in which he volunteered against the Indians in 1778 at Fort Young, under Capt. Wallace, as mentioned in his Declaration amounts to   12  
  Amounting in all to Five Months & thirty four days.  5  34  
The said John Davidson positively affirms his whole service as amounting to the above aggregate of five months and

thirty four days, which is exclusive of a service of ten days, he volunteered, when Tarleton came to Charlottesville, but for which 10 days service the said Davidson claims nothing.
To objections No s 11 & 12. he answers, that he was not aware when he made his Declaration, of the necessity of a Clergymans Certificate, and that since the return of his Declaration, he has obtained such certificate, which is hereto subjoined.
To Objection No. 17 th he answers thus, (questions 1 st 2 o , 5 th 6 th 7 th 8 th 9 th being unsatisfactorily answered).
1 st He states that he was born on the 20 th day of Oct. 1757. in Augusta County Virginia (the part of S t . Augusta County in which he was born, is now a part of S t . Rockbridge County). To ques. 2 o This applicant states, that he has no record of his age in his profession (the large Bible, in which it was recorded having been sold at his fathers death, when this applicant was in his 4 th year) but from what his mother has often told him of his age, in his youth, he distinctly recollects the date of his birth, as told him by her, and that his age now is 75. the 20 th of Oct. last.
To Question 5 th he deems it necessary to declare more fully than he thought was necessary, when he made his Declaration as aforesaid, and answers, that he was draughted as a Militia man, for a tour of three months, in the winter campaign of 1781. Col l Bowyer, Capt. Andrew Moore, Lieutenant James McElung, & Ensign James McDowell, all of S t . County of Rockbridge & now dead, were his company officers, his company rendezvoused at the Red house in S t . Rockbridge, and marched on the 10 th January 1781. to Fredericksburg. thence to Sandy Point on James River, thence to Cabin Point, thence to Suffolk on Nansemond River, and crossed said River on a floating Bridge, a few days afterwards, he recrossed S t . floating Bridge, with a party of Volunteers, and marched down the south side of the River, to the Great Bridge, where Dunmore was defeated in 1775 at which place, they took from the British a Boat with 2. 12 pound Howitzers, which had come up from a British Fort below. they killed 1. and

under the command of Col. Samuel Lewis, a field officer from Botetourt Virginia, as an advance guard ; and on the night of the 28 th Sep. 1781. marched to York, and remained there until the 14 th Oct. This applicant deemed it unnecessary to go into the particulars of this siege. He received no written discharge, he was subject to the orders of Lafayette, who commanded the Virginia line. In this town this applicant served 2 months and seven days.
To question 6 th This applicant answers, that he never received a written discharge, and that he never received a commission, never having been above the grade of a common soldier.
To question 7 th This applicant answers that he refers to Capt. William Moore & John McLane, whose certificates accompanied his Declaration, also to Capt William Lyle, and the Reverend Andrew B Davidson all of his neighborhood who will testify to the service, and veracity of the S d Applicant.
This applicant believing that he has stated his claim as precisely, and amended his Declaration, as fully, as he is able, respectfully submits &c.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year above written. John Davidson.
I Andrew B Davidson, a Clergyman, residing in the neighborhood of the applicant in the above declaration, do hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with said Applicant, that I believe him to be 75 years of age as he states, that S d Applicant is an upright, and credible man, and that he has always been respected & believed in his neighborhood, to have been a Revolutionary Soldier, and to have served as he states, during the Indian Wars. I further certify that no doubts, to my knowledge, have ever existed, as to his service. Sworn to and subscribed the day & year above written — A. B. Davidson.
I William Lyle of the County of Rockbridge, do hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with the applicant in the above Declaration, that I was authorized to prep horses, and purchase provisions for the Troops, stationed on the Frontiers, during 1778. and that the S d John Davidson served under me

returned to Suffolk with 11 or 12. Prisoners, and marched down the whole body of Men, composed of four companies from S. Rockbridge County, and four companies from Rockingham County, (a County in the Valley of Virginia), to Edmunds Hill, some times called the Lynn Bridge, from a Bridge over an arm of the Dismal swamp, where the said companies, had a skirmish with the British. At this place these companies were stationed during the Month of March, at the expiration of which, the companies marched to Gregory's Camp where the Carolina Troops were stationed, by crossing an arm of the Dismal swamp, a distance of about seven Miles, on Cedar Trees, which had been felled for that purpose, thence they marched to Suffolk, and thence to Scots Mill where the companies were dismissed. This applicant does not recollect of any regular Field officers having commanded the companies, to which he belonged, but Col. Parker, who was occasionally with them on the march, and was with them at the skirmish mentioned, with the British, these companies were never embodied with any other Troops. This applicant believes, that the companies to which he belonged, were subject to the command of Gen. Muhlenburg. He served with no Continental Regiments. He received no written discharge, but received a Certificate of Service, which the Sheriff took in for taxes. He was dismissed on the 11 th day of April 1781. making a term of 3 Months.
This applicant states that he was again draughted as a militia man, for 2 months, under Capt David Gray, then of S. Rockbridge, now dead, and marched on the 7 th August 1781 directly to Richmond, where his company was embodied with the Augusta County (Virginia) Troops, making one Battalion. thence marched down to the Gulf Spring . (or Holts old Forge) on Chickahominy River, thence to Ruffins Ferry, where they lay one week, thence down the south side of James River, to opposite James Town, at which Town 5500 of the French Troops, were stationed, who with their Boats conveyed the companies across the River, thence marched to Burrels Mills, where the companies were stationed one month,

(as Pack horse Master) for 15 Days as he states in his amended Declaration. I farther certify that I was authorised to give certificates of service,, to those who drove Pack horses under me, with certificates, were to stand in the place of a military tour of duty, I farther certify my opinion founded upon a long acquaintance, that the S r . John Davidson is an upright man, and incapable of making a false statement, that I am well convinced that S r . Davidson served several tours, as he states in his Declaration. That he has been reputed and believed in his neighborhood, to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and to have served in the Indian Wars, as he declares, and that no doubt to my knowledge has ever existed upon the subject.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above written.
Wm Lyle
Virginia
At Rockbridge County court December 31 st 1832
The amended declaration of John Davidson together with the certificates of Andrew B Davidson a Clergyman and William Lyle of which the foregoing are true copies, were produced in court and severally subscribed and sworn to in open court - And the court declared their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states - And the court further certified that it appeared to them that Andrew B Davidson who has signed one of the proceeding certificates is a clergyman resident in this county and that William Lyle who has signed the other certificate is a resident in said county and is a credible person. That their statement is entitled to credit.
In testimony whereof I Samuel McD Reid Clerk of said court have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said county this 2 nd day of January 1833 and in the 57 th year of the Commonwealth.
Sam n McD Reid CLK

7483
John Davidson
Pa
Warrant for 6 mo. Allow from 1778. $204.44 68. 14. 42 1/2
Int: 12.5.6.7.
Page 85.
Rec'd Nov 24 - J. M c D Reid Lexington Pa Virginia
Ed.

7483.
BRIEF in the case of  John Davidson  County of Rockbridge  in the State of  Virginia  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 75  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.     drft. In 1778. 1 st June about 3. 15 private Gen. Bonuyer. Col. A. Moore   again — " 2. 05 Capt. D. Gray Maj. Wilson   1 st June 1778 Vol. about twelve 12 days Capt. Wallis   6 4  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Bote Court City Va  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Witnesses  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.
J. Waugh
Examining Clerk.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section WMRF/ILL
October 6, 1930.
Greenlee D. Letcher Lexington, Virginia.
Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 8304, that John Davidson was born October 20, 1757, in Augusta County, (that part which was later Rockbridge County) Virginia. His father died when he was about four years of age and his mother was living in Botetourt County, Virginia, during the Revolutionary War; their names are not given. ldg
While a resident of Botetourt County, Virginia, he enlisted June 1, 1778 and served twelve or thirteen days as a private in Captain Wallace's Virginia Company.
He enlisted early in July 1778 and served fifteen days in Captain William Lyle's Virginia Company.
He enlisted January 10, 1781, served as a private in Captain Andrew Moore's Company, Colonel Bowyer's Virginia Regiment and was discharged April 11, 1781.
He enlisted August 7, 1781, served as a private in Captain David Gray's Virginia Company, was at the Siege of Yorktown and was discharged October 14, 1781.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 8, 1832 while a resident of Rockbridge County, Virginia.
It is not stated whether soldier was ever married.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

st. 6 n
Rev War
8304
INVALID.
File No. 8304
John Davidson
Re: Rev War
Act: June 7 th '32
Index: Vol. 1st , Page 90
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Mar. 17-1903 - to Miss Mary Davidson Lexington Va
1908 Dec. 28 Hist. to Mrs. J. R. Webster 1914 Nov. 24. " " Mrs. B. S. Bentley letter in W. 6006 Robert Shaw, N.C. F. 1925-May 28-Hist. to Hon. Guy D. Goff. M.H.F.
1930 - Oct. 6 - Hist. to G. D. Letcher - L.L.L.

John Davidson pri. 20. 44 Richmond act 7 June last paid? 4 aug '42
GMC
p to 4 March 1834 JH

John Setchen
Aug 6. 42

Pen H Aug 6. 42
Sir
In answer to your enquiry I would inform you that John Davidson of Rockbridge a pensioner under the act of 7. June 32 appears to have been paid from 4 March '31 to 4 March 1834 at the rate of 20. 44 per an m The amount due him from the last pay ment to the day of his death is payable at this place to his widow if he left one or to the children who survive him if he left no widow — An Atty. is authorized to draw the arrears due by executing the proper vouchers and with a certif- cate of his qualification — John M c Elhany does not appear to have been a pensioner —
John Fletcher Esq Lexington Va

7483
John Davidson
Declaration

Captain William Moore of the County of Rockbridge, State of Virginia, testifies that he has known the said Applicant John Davidson since boyhood, that he has lived in his neighborhood since, and that he believes him to be 75 years of age, from his intimate acquaintance with him, he believes it to be the general belief of the neighborhood, that he was a revolutionary soldier, and knows that said Davidson was a revolutionary soldier from his own knowledge, as he served with him near Portsmouth. The said Captain Moore farther says, that he does not recollect of seeing the said Davidson at York, but from his general acquaintance with said Davidson, and from said Davidson's minute description, of scenes and circumstances at York, he is as fully satisfied of his having been there, as if he, the said Moore, had seen him. —
Wm Moore
John McClain of the same County aforesaid, deposes that he has lived in the immediate vicinity of said John Davidson, for about 60 years, that he has known him during that time, that he believes him to be of the age of 75, and that it is the general belief of said Davidson's neighborhood, that he was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. That he knows from his own knowledge, that said Davidson was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, from his having served with him at Portsmouth, three months and 15 days, having been his intimate companion through the service. —
John M c Lain
Virginia
At a Quarterly Court continued and held for Rockbridge County at the Courthouse, the 8 th day of August 1832 —
The declaration of John Davidson together with the annexed certificates of William Moore and John McClain of which the foregoing is a copy was produced in court and severally subscribed and sworn to by said Davidson, Moore & McClain in open court — And the Court do hereby declare their opinion, after

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 Moore & John McLain who signed the proceeding certificates are residents in Rockbridge county and are credible persons, and that the said William Moore is the Senior Justice of the peace for said county.
In testimony whereof I Samuel D. Reid Clerk of said County court have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said county this sixth day of September 1832 and in the 57th year of the Commonwealth.
Samuel D. Reid

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS
U. S. Pension Office, Washington, D. C.

Lexington, Virginia September 23, 1930
Dear Sirs:
I am anxious to trace any Davidson or Fletcher Ancestors who were Soldiers in the Revolutionary War. My understanding is that my ancestor, John Davidson of Rockbridge County, Virginia, a Private was a Revolutionary Soldier and it has been suggested that your office could give me his record, which I would very much appreciate if you will.
Very truly yours,
Greenlee D. Fletcher,
GDL:K

Bureau of Pensions.
12/06
John Davidson Va. Rev. War
Pensioned $2044
Act June 7. 1832
Miss Mary (Mary) Davidson Box 305 Lexington Virginia

J. D. LYNCH, PRESIDENT WM. M C KINLEY, VICE PRESIDENT
W. H. WOODS, CASHIER H. B. WEBSTER, ASST. CASHIER
MONMOUTH TRUST & SAVINGS BANK CAPITAL $125,000.
MONMOUTH, ILL., December 10 th 1908 Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D. C.
Dear Sir
I desire to be informed if Joseph Percy of the Connecticut Troops, and who lost a leg in the Revolutionary War is on the Pension rolls in Pension office. It is not known by the family whether he ever received a pension or not. Also, of John Percy father of Joseph who was also in the Revolutionary War.
I want information of John Davidson of the Virginia Troops or possibly Maryland. His home was in Lexington Va and he died there in 1835. In a letter from him in 1832 "he said that a pension had been granted him but there was no money with which to pay it. Consequently nothing was ever received. There should be a record of this somewhere. Hoping that something may be found sufficient for admission to the D.A.R. Respectfully, for Mrs. Fannie Dawson descendant of Davidson Mrs. J. R. Webster Regent - Mildred Warren Washington Chapter D.A.R. Monmouth Illinois

JAMES W. WADSWORTH, JR., N. Y., CHAIRMAN FRANCIS E. WARREN, WYO. DUNCAN U. FLETCHER, FLA. RALPH H. CAMERON, ARIZ. MORRIS SHEPPARD, TEX. DAVID A. REED, PA. WALTER F. GEORGE, GA. FRANK L. GREENE, VT. SAMUEL M. RALSTON, IND. HIRAM BINGHAM, CONN. WILLIAM CABELL BRUCE, MD. GUY D. GOFF, W. VA. LAWRENCE D. TYSON, TENN. W. H. MCMASTER, S. DAK. COLE L. BLEASDE, S. C. W. B. PINE, OKLA. SMITH W. BROOKHART, IOWA
R. E. DEVENDORF, CLERK W. A. DUVALL, ASST. CLERK
United States Senate
COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS
May 26, 1925.
Honorable Wilder S. Metcalf, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
My dear Commissioner Metcalf:-
If the data is available, I will be glad to have you furnish me with the military and pension records of the following named soldiers of the Revolutionary War:
✓ Joseph Davidson (Prince Edward) S. of W. 1835. Virginia.
John Davidson (Prince Edward) S. of W. 1835. Virginia.
✓ John Davidson (Rockbridge) S. of W. 1835. Pen. 2,193. Virginia.
Very sincerely yours,
Not in our files - Our Duval list in Pr. Ed. Co. 1835 -

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Davidson a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ( or his widow's ) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S. File 8314
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June 1, 78 12 days Wallace ✓ Va.   July 78 15 " Wm Hyle ✓   Jan 10, 81 to Apr 11, 81 Andrew Moore Bowyer   Aug 7, 81 to Oct 14, 81 David Gray ✓  
Battles engaged in, siege of Yorktown
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Botetourt Co., Va.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 8, 1832.  allowed
Residence at date of application, Rockbridge Co., Va.
Age at date of application, born Oct. 20, 1757 Augusta Co., Va.
Remarks:

MINNIE
May 28, 1925
Honorable Guy D. Goff United States Senate
My dear Senator:
In response to your letter of the 26th instant, I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 8304 it appears that John Davidson was born October 20, 1757 in Augusta County (that part which was later Rockbridge County), Virginia.
X While a resident of Botetourt County, Virginia he enlisted June 1, 1778 and served twelve or thirteen days as a private in Captain Wallace's Virginia Company.
He enlisted early in July 1778 and served fifteen days in Captain William Lyle's Virginia Company.
He enlisted January 10, 1781, served as a private in Captain Andrew Moore's Company, Colonel Bowyer's Virginia Regiment and was discharged April 11, 1781.
He enlisted August 7, 1781, served as a private in

Captain David Gray's Virginia Company, was at the Siege of Yorktown and was discharged October 14, 1781.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 8, 1832 while a resident of Rockbridge County, Virginia.
It is not stated whether he was ever married.
Yours very truly,
Date of death not on ar
WILDER S. METCALF. Commissioner.