Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements & Rosters
Pension application of Jonathan Davis R2722 Hannah fn38NC
Transcribed by Will Graves 2/20/10
[Methodology: Spelling, punctuation and/or grammar have been corrected in some instances for ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database. Also, the handwriting of the original scribes often lends itself to varying interpretations. Users of this database are urged to view the original and to make their own decision as to how to decipher what the original scribe actually wrote. Blanks appearing in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original. Folks are free to make non-commercial use this transcript in any manner they may see fit, but please extend the courtesy of acknowledging the transcriber—besides, if it turns out the transcript contains mistakes, the resulting embarrassment will fall on the transcriber.]
State of Tennessee White County
On this sixteenth day of February 1839, personally appeared before me William Hunter one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for said County of White and State aforesaid -- Hannah Davis a resident of said County and State, aged ninety years the tenth day of the present month: (February) who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed the 4th day of July 1836, the 7th day of June 1832 and all other acts of Congress passed for the relief & benefit of the widows of the Soldiers & officers of the revolution --
That she is the widow of Jonathan Davis -- who was a soldier of the revolution as this affiant is informed and believes, her said Husband served a tour of duty, but she cannot now state whether as a Militia man or volunteer nor where he went to, nor who he served under, it was before she was married to him, that she believes he returned home early in the year 1777. That about harvest of that year she was married to Jonathan Davis familiarly and commonly known by the name of Schoolmaster Davis.
She will further state, from all that she can learn and remember, Jonathan Davis entered the Army early in the year 1780 as an officer of some kind, and was killed by the British in the battle at Camden on or about the month of October 1780 --
That she in company with Jonathan Davis's mother visited the Battle ground, a few days after the action, and all that they could hear of Jonathan Davis was that he was seen to fall in the Battle to rise no more -- killed. That Jonathan Davis entered the Army from Rowan County State of North Carolina that she has no documentary evidence whereby she can establish her claim for a pension. She cannot state the corps or grade in which he served and that she verily believes, and is well satisfied he was killed in action as stated,
She further declares, that she was married to the said Jonathan Davis on or about the first day of July 1777 that her husband the said Jonathan Davis was killed in Battle as before stated at Camden in South Carolina on or about the 16th day of October 1780, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. Hannah Davis further declares that she had two sons by her marriage with said Johnson, that are now living to wit Augustus Parks Davis, born the 10th day of November 1778 and Jonathan C. Davis born the 28th day of October 1780 -- the last birth took place but a little time after the said Johnson was killed and that said Johnson entered the Army as well as she can now remember about the first of April 1780 he said he was promised great things if he could go so that I believe he entered the Army for during the war.
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and date above written.
S/ William Bruster, JP
S/ Hannah Davis, X her mark
[fn p. 36]
State of Tennessee White County:
On this second day of April in the year of our Lord 1839 personally appeared before me Benjamine Brown1 aged about eighty-seven years in June next who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following statement to wit that in the year 1777 Jonathan Davis served a campaign of three months as a private in Capt. James Smith's Company against the British at Cross Creek under Col. Locke with this affiant when this affiant returned home Jonathan Davis returned home also, that in the summer of 1777 -
Jonathan Davis was married as he believes to one Hannah Parks -- being at this time some few miles from this affiant saith Hanna is very old and infirm, this affiant will state that he did not see the said Jonathan & Hannah married, but they all lived not far apart in North Carolina at the time, and the said Jonathan & Hannah passed for man & wife they lived together and were reputed to be such and he never heard a breath of suspicion to the contrary and this affiant verily believes that they were lawfully married & about the first of April 1780, Jonathan Davis again entered the Army as this affiant believes as a Lieut. and as this affiant believes a first Lieut. for the reason that at the place of rendezvous he had the command of the Company in the absence of his Capt. and wanted this affiant to go with him saying that Congress had promised the Army a big bounty and great things & that he was going to fight the enemy till the war was over, for this reason this affiant he believes he went for during the war, again that was the impression made on this affiant's mind from the time he parted with Davis until the present day.
Jonathan Davis poor fellow was killed as he believes in the Battle with the British at Camden, the fall after he went to the Army, say in the month of October A.D. 1780. Hannah Davis has lived a widow ever since the death of said Jonathan the said husband, and has two sons Augustine's and Jonathan,
Jonathan the Father was an active businessman, well qualified as an English scholar for any ordinary business and society. This affiant cannot now say what officers Jonathan Davis served under the last term -- nor could he say what line.
S/ Wm Hitchcock, JP S/ Benjamin Brown, X his mark
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & date above written
[fn p. 37: on April two, 1839 in White County Tennessee, Jane Brown, 76 last February, wife of Benjamin Brown gave testimony as to her acquaintance with Hannah Davis and her belief that Hannah and Jonathan Davis were lawfully married and that Jonathan Davis was killed as she believes at the battle of Camden by the British in 1780.]
The Amended Declaration of Hannah Davis -- In order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed for the relief of certain officers & soldiers of the war of the Revolution
State of Tennessee White County:
On this fourth day of January in the year of our Lord 1840 personally appeared before me William Bruster one of the acting Justices of the peace in & for said County of White & State aforesaid -- Hannah Davis a resident of said County & State aged ninety-one the 10th day of February next who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following amended declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the various acts of Congress passed for the benefit of the officers & soldiers their widows & heirs of the War of the Revolution.
That from her great age the great length of time & loss of memory she will here make the best and most accurate statement she can, She therefore states that she is the widow of Jonathan Davis who was a Soldier of the Continental line of the State of North Carolina in the revolutionary War, and that [he] was killed in the fall say in the month of October 1780.
That said Jonathan Davis served a tour of three months in the year 1777 in Capt. James Smith's Company against the British at Cross Creek in the Regiment commanded by Col. Lock [sic, Locke] after his return home and during the harvest of that year (1777) she was married to said Jonathan Davis.
That said Jonathan Davis again entered the Continental line of North Carolina as a private soldier for during the war on the first day of April 1780 and was killed in the month of October thereafter she has always or for some time back thought he was killed at Camden South Carolina but of late learning that Battle took place in the month of August 1780 she is satisfied she was not correct for it was after the first of October he was killed. Jonathan Davis lived in Rowan County in the State of North Carolina when he entered the Army. She has no documentary proof in her possession to offer the department in the authentication of her claim.
S/ Hannah Davis, X her mark
Sworn to and subscribed before made this fourth day of January 1840
S/ Wm Bruster, JP
1 Sic, Benjamin Brown FPA S3061
[fn p. 11:
on December 1, 1851, Jonathan C. Davis filed a claim in White County Tennessee seeking the amount due him as an heir of his father Jonathan Davis and his mother Hannah Davis; he states that his mother died November 2, 1840; that his parents have but one son or daughter surviving them and that is this affiant, Jonathan C. Davis; that his mother had applied for but not received her pension as a widow of his father.]
[fn p. 20]
Near Rock Island Tennessee
26 August 1839
Dear Sir
Yours is at hand, I am certain my Father was killed fighting the British, for his country for my own part, I think from what I have long since been told, that he was under the command of a Col. from South Carolina & that he fell fighting Ferguson, he was an officer of some kind, commissioned or non-commissioned as I believe, he may have fallen at King's Mountain, my Mother visited both places (Camden & Kings Mountain) in search of relations in company with other Whig ladies of that day, you are correct about the date of the battle of Camden, it was the 16th of August.
I am sure mother has it all mixed up in her memory from the fact that I had a piece of an old letter that was in the hand writing of my father dated near Cowpens South Carolina 5th of October 1780 -- I am reasonably certain he was not a militia man, I had been told years sense that he entered the Army under the promise of a bounty from Congress --
all this I communicate for the sake of obtaining your kind aid in the investigation of the claim. I am sure no fraud is intended to be committed the truth is all we ask paid us if you please if it is in your power answered this soon if you please.
Yours Respectfully
S/ Jonathan C. Davis
J. L. Edwards, Esqr. Washington City
[fn p. 21]
State of North Carolina Secretary of State's Office I
William Hill Secretary of State in and for the State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that it appears of record in this Office, that they Warrant issued to the Heirs of Jonathan Davis on the second day of February 1786 for 640 acres of land No. 3458 -- for the services of said Jonathan Davis as a private Soldier in the Continental line of this State in the revolutionary war, which is the quantity a loud by law to a War Soldier, or to the heirs of such as fell in the service of their Country.
Given under my hand this 7th day of October 1839
S/ Wm Hill
No matter which battles Davis fought, he was a valiant Patriot who fought a foe wielding an oppressive hammer, threatening the freedom of a people who refused to be threatened. He deserved to be recognized for the role he played in history, so we placed a Memorial Stone in his honor in the Cantrell Gilliand Memorial Garden. May this memorial serve as an expression of the gratitude and respect we owe him for giving his life to help build a new country: our America.
Pension application of Jonathan Davis R2722 Hannah fn38NC
Transcribed by Will Graves 2/20/10
[Methodology: Spelling, punctuation and/or grammar have been corrected in some instances for ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database. Also, the handwriting of the original scribes often lends itself to varying interpretations. Users of this database are urged to view the original and to make their own decision as to how to decipher what the original scribe actually wrote. Blanks appearing in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original. Folks are free to make non-commercial use this transcript in any manner they may see fit, but please extend the courtesy of acknowledging the transcriber—besides, if it turns out the transcript contains mistakes, the resulting embarrassment will fall on the transcriber.]
State of Tennessee White County
On this sixteenth day of February 1839, personally appeared before me William Hunter one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for said County of White and State aforesaid -- Hannah Davis a resident of said County and State, aged ninety years the tenth day of the present month: (February) who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed the 4th day of July 1836, the 7th day of June 1832 and all other acts of Congress passed for the relief & benefit of the widows of the Soldiers & officers of the revolution --
That she is the widow of Jonathan Davis -- who was a soldier of the revolution as this affiant is informed and believes, her said Husband served a tour of duty, but she cannot now state whether as a Militia man or volunteer nor where he went to, nor who he served under, it was before she was married to him, that she believes he returned home early in the year 1777. That about harvest of that year she was married to Jonathan Davis familiarly and commonly known by the name of Schoolmaster Davis.
She will further state, from all that she can learn and remember, Jonathan Davis entered the Army early in the year 1780 as an officer of some kind, and was killed by the British in the battle at Camden on or about the month of October 1780 --
That she in company with Jonathan Davis's mother visited the Battle ground, a few days after the action, and all that they could hear of Jonathan Davis was that he was seen to fall in the Battle to rise no more -- killed. That Jonathan Davis entered the Army from Rowan County State of North Carolina that she has no documentary evidence whereby she can establish her claim for a pension. She cannot state the corps or grade in which he served and that she verily believes, and is well satisfied he was killed in action as stated,
She further declares, that she was married to the said Jonathan Davis on or about the first day of July 1777 that her husband the said Jonathan Davis was killed in Battle as before stated at Camden in South Carolina on or about the 16th day of October 1780, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. Hannah Davis further declares that she had two sons by her marriage with said Johnson, that are now living to wit Augustus Parks Davis, born the 10th day of November 1778 and Jonathan C. Davis born the 28th day of October 1780 -- the last birth took place but a little time after the said Johnson was killed and that said Johnson entered the Army as well as she can now remember about the first of April 1780 he said he was promised great things if he could go so that I believe he entered the Army for during the war.
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and date above written.
S/ William Bruster, JP
S/ Hannah Davis, X her mark
[fn p. 36]
State of Tennessee White County:
On this second day of April in the year of our Lord 1839 personally appeared before me Benjamine Brown1 aged about eighty-seven years in June next who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following statement to wit that in the year 1777 Jonathan Davis served a campaign of three months as a private in Capt. James Smith's Company against the British at Cross Creek under Col. Locke with this affiant when this affiant returned home Jonathan Davis returned home also, that in the summer of 1777 -
Jonathan Davis was married as he believes to one Hannah Parks -- being at this time some few miles from this affiant saith Hanna is very old and infirm, this affiant will state that he did not see the said Jonathan & Hannah married, but they all lived not far apart in North Carolina at the time, and the said Jonathan & Hannah passed for man & wife they lived together and were reputed to be such and he never heard a breath of suspicion to the contrary and this affiant verily believes that they were lawfully married & about the first of April 1780, Jonathan Davis again entered the Army as this affiant believes as a Lieut. and as this affiant believes a first Lieut. for the reason that at the place of rendezvous he had the command of the Company in the absence of his Capt. and wanted this affiant to go with him saying that Congress had promised the Army a big bounty and great things & that he was going to fight the enemy till the war was over, for this reason this affiant he believes he went for during the war, again that was the impression made on this affiant's mind from the time he parted with Davis until the present day.
Jonathan Davis poor fellow was killed as he believes in the Battle with the British at Camden, the fall after he went to the Army, say in the month of October A.D. 1780. Hannah Davis has lived a widow ever since the death of said Jonathan the said husband, and has two sons Augustine's and Jonathan,
Jonathan the Father was an active businessman, well qualified as an English scholar for any ordinary business and society. This affiant cannot now say what officers Jonathan Davis served under the last term -- nor could he say what line.
S/ Wm Hitchcock, JP S/ Benjamin Brown, X his mark
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & date above written
[fn p. 37: on April two, 1839 in White County Tennessee, Jane Brown, 76 last February, wife of Benjamin Brown gave testimony as to her acquaintance with Hannah Davis and her belief that Hannah and Jonathan Davis were lawfully married and that Jonathan Davis was killed as she believes at the battle of Camden by the British in 1780.]
The Amended Declaration of Hannah Davis -- In order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed for the relief of certain officers & soldiers of the war of the Revolution
State of Tennessee White County:
On this fourth day of January in the year of our Lord 1840 personally appeared before me William Bruster one of the acting Justices of the peace in & for said County of White & State aforesaid -- Hannah Davis a resident of said County & State aged ninety-one the 10th day of February next who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following amended declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the various acts of Congress passed for the benefit of the officers & soldiers their widows & heirs of the War of the Revolution.
That from her great age the great length of time & loss of memory she will here make the best and most accurate statement she can, She therefore states that she is the widow of Jonathan Davis who was a Soldier of the Continental line of the State of North Carolina in the revolutionary War, and that [he] was killed in the fall say in the month of October 1780.
That said Jonathan Davis served a tour of three months in the year 1777 in Capt. James Smith's Company against the British at Cross Creek in the Regiment commanded by Col. Lock [sic, Locke] after his return home and during the harvest of that year (1777) she was married to said Jonathan Davis.
That said Jonathan Davis again entered the Continental line of North Carolina as a private soldier for during the war on the first day of April 1780 and was killed in the month of October thereafter she has always or for some time back thought he was killed at Camden South Carolina but of late learning that Battle took place in the month of August 1780 she is satisfied she was not correct for it was after the first of October he was killed. Jonathan Davis lived in Rowan County in the State of North Carolina when he entered the Army. She has no documentary proof in her possession to offer the department in the authentication of her claim.
S/ Hannah Davis, X her mark
Sworn to and subscribed before made this fourth day of January 1840
S/ Wm Bruster, JP
1 Sic, Benjamin Brown FPA S3061
[fn p. 11:
on December 1, 1851, Jonathan C. Davis filed a claim in White County Tennessee seeking the amount due him as an heir of his father Jonathan Davis and his mother Hannah Davis; he states that his mother died November 2, 1840; that his parents have but one son or daughter surviving them and that is this affiant, Jonathan C. Davis; that his mother had applied for but not received her pension as a widow of his father.]
[fn p. 20]
Near Rock Island Tennessee
26 August 1839
Dear Sir
Yours is at hand, I am certain my Father was killed fighting the British, for his country for my own part, I think from what I have long since been told, that he was under the command of a Col. from South Carolina & that he fell fighting Ferguson, he was an officer of some kind, commissioned or non-commissioned as I believe, he may have fallen at King's Mountain, my Mother visited both places (Camden & Kings Mountain) in search of relations in company with other Whig ladies of that day, you are correct about the date of the battle of Camden, it was the 16th of August.
I am sure mother has it all mixed up in her memory from the fact that I had a piece of an old letter that was in the hand writing of my father dated near Cowpens South Carolina 5th of October 1780 -- I am reasonably certain he was not a militia man, I had been told years sense that he entered the Army under the promise of a bounty from Congress --
all this I communicate for the sake of obtaining your kind aid in the investigation of the claim. I am sure no fraud is intended to be committed the truth is all we ask paid us if you please if it is in your power answered this soon if you please.
Yours Respectfully
S/ Jonathan C. Davis
J. L. Edwards, Esqr. Washington City
[fn p. 21]
State of North Carolina Secretary of State's Office I
William Hill Secretary of State in and for the State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that it appears of record in this Office, that they Warrant issued to the Heirs of Jonathan Davis on the second day of February 1786 for 640 acres of land No. 3458 -- for the services of said Jonathan Davis as a private Soldier in the Continental line of this State in the revolutionary war, which is the quantity a loud by law to a War Soldier, or to the heirs of such as fell in the service of their Country.
Given under my hand this 7th day of October 1839
S/ Wm Hill
No matter which battles Davis fought, he was a valiant Patriot who fought a foe wielding an oppressive hammer, threatening the freedom of a people who refused to be threatened. He deserved to be recognized for the role he played in history, so we placed a Memorial Stone in his honor in the Cantrell Gilliand Memorial Garden. May this memorial serve as an expression of the gratitude and respect we owe him for giving his life to help build a new country: our America.
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements & Rosters
Pension application of Jonathan Davis R2722 Hannah fn38NC
Transcribed by Will Graves 2/20/10
[Methodology: Spelling, punctuation and/or grammar have been corrected in some instances for ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database. Also, the handwriting of the original scribes often lends itself to varying interpretations. Users of this database are urged to view the original and to make their own decision as to how to decipher what the original scribe actually wrote. Blanks appearing in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original. Folks are free to make non-commercial use this transcript in any manner they may see fit, but please extend the courtesy of acknowledging the transcriber—besides, if it turns out the transcript contains mistakes, the resulting embarrassment will fall on the transcriber.]
State of Tennessee White County
On this sixteenth day of February 1839, personally appeared before me William Hunter one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for said County of White and State aforesaid -- Hannah Davis a resident of said County and State, aged ninety years the tenth day of the present month: (February) who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed the 4th day of July 1836, the 7th day of June 1832 and all other acts of Congress passed for the relief & benefit of the widows of the Soldiers & officers of the revolution --
That she is the widow of Jonathan Davis -- who was a soldier of the revolution as this affiant is informed and believes, her said Husband served a tour of duty, but she cannot now state whether as a Militia man or volunteer nor where he went to, nor who he served under, it was before she was married to him, that she believes he returned home early in the year 1777. That about harvest of that year she was married to Jonathan Davis familiarly and commonly known by the name of Schoolmaster Davis.
She will further state, from all that she can learn and remember, Jonathan Davis entered the Army early in the year 1780 as an officer of some kind, and was killed by the British in the battle at Camden on or about the month of October 1780 --
That she in company with Jonathan Davis's mother visited the Battle ground, a few days after the action, and all that they could hear of Jonathan Davis was that he was seen to fall in the Battle to rise no more -- killed. That Jonathan Davis entered the Army from Rowan County State of North Carolina that she has no documentary evidence whereby she can establish her claim for a pension. She cannot state the corps or grade in which he served and that she verily believes, and is well satisfied he was killed in action as stated,
She further declares, that she was married to the said Jonathan Davis on or about the first day of July 1777 that her husband the said Jonathan Davis was killed in Battle as before stated at Camden in South Carolina on or about the 16th day of October 1780, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. Hannah Davis further declares that she had two sons by her marriage with said Johnson, that are now living to wit Augustus Parks Davis, born the 10th day of November 1778 and Jonathan C. Davis born the 28th day of October 1780 -- the last birth took place but a little time after the said Johnson was killed and that said Johnson entered the Army as well as she can now remember about the first of April 1780 he said he was promised great things if he could go so that I believe he entered the Army for during the war.
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and date above written.
S/ William Bruster, JP
S/ Hannah Davis, X her mark
[fn p. 36]
State of Tennessee White County:
On this second day of April in the year of our Lord 1839 personally appeared before me Benjamine Brown1 aged about eighty-seven years in June next who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following statement to wit that in the year 1777 Jonathan Davis served a campaign of three months as a private in Capt. James Smith's Company against the British at Cross Creek under Col. Locke with this affiant when this affiant returned home Jonathan Davis returned home also, that in the summer of 1777 -
Jonathan Davis was married as he believes to one Hannah Parks -- being at this time some few miles from this affiant saith Hanna is very old and infirm, this affiant will state that he did not see the said Jonathan & Hannah married, but they all lived not far apart in North Carolina at the time, and the said Jonathan & Hannah passed for man & wife they lived together and were reputed to be such and he never heard a breath of suspicion to the contrary and this affiant verily believes that they were lawfully married & about the first of April 1780, Jonathan Davis again entered the Army as this affiant believes as a Lieut. and as this affiant believes a first Lieut. for the reason that at the place of rendezvous he had the command of the Company in the absence of his Capt. and wanted this affiant to go with him saying that Congress had promised the Army a big bounty and great things & that he was going to fight the enemy till the war was over, for this reason this affiant he believes he went for during the war, again that was the impression made on this affiant's mind from the time he parted with Davis until the present day.
Jonathan Davis poor fellow was killed as he believes in the Battle with the British at Camden, the fall after he went to the Army, say in the month of October A.D. 1780. Hannah Davis has lived a widow ever since the death of said Jonathan the said husband, and has two sons Augustine's and Jonathan,
Jonathan the Father was an active businessman, well qualified as an English scholar for any ordinary business and society. This affiant cannot now say what officers Jonathan Davis served under the last term -- nor could he say what line.
S/ Wm Hitchcock, JP S/ Benjamin Brown, X his mark
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & date above written
[fn p. 37: on April two, 1839 in White County Tennessee, Jane Brown, 76 last February, wife of Benjamin Brown gave testimony as to her acquaintance with Hannah Davis and her belief that Hannah and Jonathan Davis were lawfully married and that Jonathan Davis was killed as she believes at the battle of Camden by the British in 1780.]
The Amended Declaration of Hannah Davis -- In order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed for the relief of certain officers & soldiers of the war of the Revolution
State of Tennessee White County:
On this fourth day of January in the year of our Lord 1840 personally appeared before me William Bruster one of the acting Justices of the peace in & for said County of White & State aforesaid -- Hannah Davis a resident of said County & State aged ninety-one the 10th day of February next who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following amended declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the various acts of Congress passed for the benefit of the officers & soldiers their widows & heirs of the War of the Revolution.
That from her great age the great length of time & loss of memory she will here make the best and most accurate statement she can, She therefore states that she is the widow of Jonathan Davis who was a Soldier of the Continental line of the State of North Carolina in the revolutionary War, and that [he] was killed in the fall say in the month of October 1780.
That said Jonathan Davis served a tour of three months in the year 1777 in Capt. James Smith's Company against the British at Cross Creek in the Regiment commanded by Col. Lock [sic, Locke] after his return home and during the harvest of that year (1777) she was married to said Jonathan Davis.
That said Jonathan Davis again entered the Continental line of North Carolina as a private soldier for during the war on the first day of April 1780 and was killed in the month of October thereafter she has always or for some time back thought he was killed at Camden South Carolina but of late learning that Battle took place in the month of August 1780 she is satisfied she was not correct for it was after the first of October he was killed. Jonathan Davis lived in Rowan County in the State of North Carolina when he entered the Army. She has no documentary proof in her possession to offer the department in the authentication of her claim.
S/ Hannah Davis, X her mark
Sworn to and subscribed before made this fourth day of January 1840
S/ Wm Bruster, JP
1 Sic, Benjamin Brown FPA S3061
[fn p. 11:
on December 1, 1851, Jonathan C. Davis filed a claim in White County Tennessee seeking the amount due him as an heir of his father Jonathan Davis and his mother Hannah Davis; he states that his mother died November 2, 1840; that his parents have but one son or daughter surviving them and that is this affiant, Jonathan C. Davis; that his mother had applied for but not received her pension as a widow of his father.]
[fn p. 20]
Near Rock Island Tennessee
26 August 1839
Dear Sir
Yours is at hand, I am certain my Father was killed fighting the British, for his country for my own part, I think from what I have long since been told, that he was under the command of a Col. from South Carolina & that he fell fighting Ferguson, he was an officer of some kind, commissioned or non-commissioned as I believe, he may have fallen at King's Mountain, my Mother visited both places (Camden & Kings Mountain) in search of relations in company with other Whig ladies of that day, you are correct about the date of the battle of Camden, it was the 16th of August.
I am sure mother has it all mixed up in her memory from the fact that I had a piece of an old letter that was in the hand writing of my father dated near Cowpens South Carolina 5th of October 1780 -- I am reasonably certain he was not a militia man, I had been told years sense that he entered the Army under the promise of a bounty from Congress --
all this I communicate for the sake of obtaining your kind aid in the investigation of the claim. I am sure no fraud is intended to be committed the truth is all we ask paid us if you please if it is in your power answered this soon if you please.
Yours Respectfully
S/ Jonathan C. Davis
J. L. Edwards, Esqr. Washington City
[fn p. 21]
State of North Carolina Secretary of State's Office I
William Hill Secretary of State in and for the State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that it appears of record in this Office, that they Warrant issued to the Heirs of Jonathan Davis on the second day of February 1786 for 640 acres of land No. 3458 -- for the services of said Jonathan Davis as a private Soldier in the Continental line of this State in the revolutionary war, which is the quantity a loud by law to a War Soldier, or to the heirs of such as fell in the service of their Country.
Given under my hand this 7th day of October 1839
S/ Wm Hill
No matter which battles Davis fought, he was a valiant Patriot who fought a foe wielding an oppressive hammer, threatening the freedom of a people who refused to be threatened. He deserved to be recognized for the role he played in history, so we placed a Memorial Stone in his honor in the Cantrell Gilliand Memorial Garden. May this memorial serve as an expression of the gratitude and respect we owe him for giving his life to help build a new country: our America.
Pension application of Jonathan Davis R2722 Hannah fn38NC
Transcribed by Will Graves 2/20/10
[Methodology: Spelling, punctuation and/or grammar have been corrected in some instances for ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database. Also, the handwriting of the original scribes often lends itself to varying interpretations. Users of this database are urged to view the original and to make their own decision as to how to decipher what the original scribe actually wrote. Blanks appearing in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original. Folks are free to make non-commercial use this transcript in any manner they may see fit, but please extend the courtesy of acknowledging the transcriber—besides, if it turns out the transcript contains mistakes, the resulting embarrassment will fall on the transcriber.]
State of Tennessee White County
On this sixteenth day of February 1839, personally appeared before me William Hunter one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for said County of White and State aforesaid -- Hannah Davis a resident of said County and State, aged ninety years the tenth day of the present month: (February) who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed the 4th day of July 1836, the 7th day of June 1832 and all other acts of Congress passed for the relief & benefit of the widows of the Soldiers & officers of the revolution --
That she is the widow of Jonathan Davis -- who was a soldier of the revolution as this affiant is informed and believes, her said Husband served a tour of duty, but she cannot now state whether as a Militia man or volunteer nor where he went to, nor who he served under, it was before she was married to him, that she believes he returned home early in the year 1777. That about harvest of that year she was married to Jonathan Davis familiarly and commonly known by the name of Schoolmaster Davis.
She will further state, from all that she can learn and remember, Jonathan Davis entered the Army early in the year 1780 as an officer of some kind, and was killed by the British in the battle at Camden on or about the month of October 1780 --
That she in company with Jonathan Davis's mother visited the Battle ground, a few days after the action, and all that they could hear of Jonathan Davis was that he was seen to fall in the Battle to rise no more -- killed. That Jonathan Davis entered the Army from Rowan County State of North Carolina that she has no documentary evidence whereby she can establish her claim for a pension. She cannot state the corps or grade in which he served and that she verily believes, and is well satisfied he was killed in action as stated,
She further declares, that she was married to the said Jonathan Davis on or about the first day of July 1777 that her husband the said Jonathan Davis was killed in Battle as before stated at Camden in South Carolina on or about the 16th day of October 1780, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. Hannah Davis further declares that she had two sons by her marriage with said Johnson, that are now living to wit Augustus Parks Davis, born the 10th day of November 1778 and Jonathan C. Davis born the 28th day of October 1780 -- the last birth took place but a little time after the said Johnson was killed and that said Johnson entered the Army as well as she can now remember about the first of April 1780 he said he was promised great things if he could go so that I believe he entered the Army for during the war.
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and date above written.
S/ William Bruster, JP
S/ Hannah Davis, X her mark
[fn p. 36]
State of Tennessee White County:
On this second day of April in the year of our Lord 1839 personally appeared before me Benjamine Brown1 aged about eighty-seven years in June next who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following statement to wit that in the year 1777 Jonathan Davis served a campaign of three months as a private in Capt. James Smith's Company against the British at Cross Creek under Col. Locke with this affiant when this affiant returned home Jonathan Davis returned home also, that in the summer of 1777 -
Jonathan Davis was married as he believes to one Hannah Parks -- being at this time some few miles from this affiant saith Hanna is very old and infirm, this affiant will state that he did not see the said Jonathan & Hannah married, but they all lived not far apart in North Carolina at the time, and the said Jonathan & Hannah passed for man & wife they lived together and were reputed to be such and he never heard a breath of suspicion to the contrary and this affiant verily believes that they were lawfully married & about the first of April 1780, Jonathan Davis again entered the Army as this affiant believes as a Lieut. and as this affiant believes a first Lieut. for the reason that at the place of rendezvous he had the command of the Company in the absence of his Capt. and wanted this affiant to go with him saying that Congress had promised the Army a big bounty and great things & that he was going to fight the enemy till the war was over, for this reason this affiant he believes he went for during the war, again that was the impression made on this affiant's mind from the time he parted with Davis until the present day.
Jonathan Davis poor fellow was killed as he believes in the Battle with the British at Camden, the fall after he went to the Army, say in the month of October A.D. 1780. Hannah Davis has lived a widow ever since the death of said Jonathan the said husband, and has two sons Augustine's and Jonathan,
Jonathan the Father was an active businessman, well qualified as an English scholar for any ordinary business and society. This affiant cannot now say what officers Jonathan Davis served under the last term -- nor could he say what line.
S/ Wm Hitchcock, JP S/ Benjamin Brown, X his mark
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & date above written
[fn p. 37: on April two, 1839 in White County Tennessee, Jane Brown, 76 last February, wife of Benjamin Brown gave testimony as to her acquaintance with Hannah Davis and her belief that Hannah and Jonathan Davis were lawfully married and that Jonathan Davis was killed as she believes at the battle of Camden by the British in 1780.]
The Amended Declaration of Hannah Davis -- In order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed for the relief of certain officers & soldiers of the war of the Revolution
State of Tennessee White County:
On this fourth day of January in the year of our Lord 1840 personally appeared before me William Bruster one of the acting Justices of the peace in & for said County of White & State aforesaid -- Hannah Davis a resident of said County & State aged ninety-one the 10th day of February next who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following amended declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the various acts of Congress passed for the benefit of the officers & soldiers their widows & heirs of the War of the Revolution.
That from her great age the great length of time & loss of memory she will here make the best and most accurate statement she can, She therefore states that she is the widow of Jonathan Davis who was a Soldier of the Continental line of the State of North Carolina in the revolutionary War, and that [he] was killed in the fall say in the month of October 1780.
That said Jonathan Davis served a tour of three months in the year 1777 in Capt. James Smith's Company against the British at Cross Creek in the Regiment commanded by Col. Lock [sic, Locke] after his return home and during the harvest of that year (1777) she was married to said Jonathan Davis.
That said Jonathan Davis again entered the Continental line of North Carolina as a private soldier for during the war on the first day of April 1780 and was killed in the month of October thereafter she has always or for some time back thought he was killed at Camden South Carolina but of late learning that Battle took place in the month of August 1780 she is satisfied she was not correct for it was after the first of October he was killed. Jonathan Davis lived in Rowan County in the State of North Carolina when he entered the Army. She has no documentary proof in her possession to offer the department in the authentication of her claim.
S/ Hannah Davis, X her mark
Sworn to and subscribed before made this fourth day of January 1840
S/ Wm Bruster, JP
1 Sic, Benjamin Brown FPA S3061
[fn p. 11:
on December 1, 1851, Jonathan C. Davis filed a claim in White County Tennessee seeking the amount due him as an heir of his father Jonathan Davis and his mother Hannah Davis; he states that his mother died November 2, 1840; that his parents have but one son or daughter surviving them and that is this affiant, Jonathan C. Davis; that his mother had applied for but not received her pension as a widow of his father.]
[fn p. 20]
Near Rock Island Tennessee
26 August 1839
Dear Sir
Yours is at hand, I am certain my Father was killed fighting the British, for his country for my own part, I think from what I have long since been told, that he was under the command of a Col. from South Carolina & that he fell fighting Ferguson, he was an officer of some kind, commissioned or non-commissioned as I believe, he may have fallen at King's Mountain, my Mother visited both places (Camden & Kings Mountain) in search of relations in company with other Whig ladies of that day, you are correct about the date of the battle of Camden, it was the 16th of August.
I am sure mother has it all mixed up in her memory from the fact that I had a piece of an old letter that was in the hand writing of my father dated near Cowpens South Carolina 5th of October 1780 -- I am reasonably certain he was not a militia man, I had been told years sense that he entered the Army under the promise of a bounty from Congress --
all this I communicate for the sake of obtaining your kind aid in the investigation of the claim. I am sure no fraud is intended to be committed the truth is all we ask paid us if you please if it is in your power answered this soon if you please.
Yours Respectfully
S/ Jonathan C. Davis
J. L. Edwards, Esqr. Washington City
[fn p. 21]
State of North Carolina Secretary of State's Office I
William Hill Secretary of State in and for the State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that it appears of record in this Office, that they Warrant issued to the Heirs of Jonathan Davis on the second day of February 1786 for 640 acres of land No. 3458 -- for the services of said Jonathan Davis as a private Soldier in the Continental line of this State in the revolutionary war, which is the quantity a loud by law to a War Soldier, or to the heirs of such as fell in the service of their Country.
Given under my hand this 7th day of October 1839
S/ Wm Hill
No matter which battles Davis fought, he was a valiant Patriot who fought a foe wielding an oppressive hammer, threatening the freedom of a people who refused to be threatened. He deserved to be recognized for the role he played in history, so we placed a Memorial Stone in his honor in the Cantrell Gilliand Memorial Garden. May this memorial serve as an expression of the gratitude and respect we owe him for giving his life to help build a new country: our America.
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