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Facts and Events
William Davidson was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia
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Military Service
- American Revolutionary War Veteran
Revolutionary War Pension Information
Information from “Virginia/West Virginia Genealogical Data from Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Records”, Vol. 2, compiled by Patrick G. Wardell, Lt. Col. U.S. Army Ret. :
Davidson, William - born 3/17/1759 in County Down, Ireland; resided with parents before Revolutionary War on Dry River, Augusta County, Virginia, where he entered service in 1776; moved to Jackson River, thence to Crab Creek, thence to Bluestone Creek in Montgomery County (area later Tazewell County), Virginia; applied for Pension 1834 in Tazewell County, Virginia & Pension Application rejected, service less than 6 months; brother George living in 1834; brother Joseph resided there in 1837 age 76; sisters mentioned but not named. F-R2695, R748.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ancestry.com. Public Member Trees: (Note: not considered a reliable primary source).
- Graves, William T. Southern Campaign Revolutionary War Pension Statements & Rosters.
Pension Application of William Davidson R2695 VA
Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris.
State of Virginia }
Tazwell [sic: Tazewell] County }
On this 2nd day of Aprile 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 Tazwell and State of Virginia William Davidson a resident in the County and State aforesaid aged Seventy five years on the 17th day of March last who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath make the following Declaration in Order to obtain the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated. That he moved from Crab Creek a tributary stream of New River in what was then [and still is] called Montgomery County and State of Virginia in the year 1776 to Cove Creek in the western part of the same County in what is now called Tazwell 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 Cove Creek a tributary Stream of Blue Stone [Bluestone] River three miles above its mouth that his services commenced this year as early as the 1st day of Aprile and continued until the 1st of November 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 1st day of Aprile and continued in service until the 1st of November 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 1st day of Aprile and continued in service until the 1st of November following that he was commanded by the aforesaid Captain Moore and stationed as before in Davidsons Fort
That in the year 1780 he again Forted and scouted as an Indian Spy from the 1st day of Aprile until the 1st of November That in the years 1781 - 82 and 83 he also Forted and Scouted as an Indian Spy that his services commenced in each of these years as before on the 1st day of Aprile and continued until the 1st 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 [sic: see endnote] – that after that time he was commanded by Captain George Pearis – that the settlement in which he lived during each of the aforesaid years was verry 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 verry much harrassed by the Indians – that there were a great number of events occured during the foregoing periods – that he has neglected to relate them fearing that he might be guilty of some inaccuracies 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 spyes 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 teams in pursuit of them – that they generally went on their spying excursions from Davidsons Garrison across the Blue Stone River and from thence round the dividing Ridge [possibly Indian Ridge in present Wyoming County WV] between the Watters of Blue Stone River and those of Guyandott [sic: Guyandotte River] and round by the head Watters of Blue Stone River to Davidsons Garrison – that when he was not actively ingaged in spying or out 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. [William] 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 Periods 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 Cove Creek a tributary stream of Blue Stone River in the Western part of what was then called Montgomery now Tazwell 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 Sixty) 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’d. Wm. 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 [blank]
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
[Michael Stump (pension application R10285) certified Davidson’s service.]
State of Virginia Tazewell County towitt
On this 20th 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 declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he was born in Ireland in the County Down on the 17th 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 [in present Rockingham County] that from thence he with his fathers family moved to Jacksons River [Jackson River in present Alleghany County] that from thence he as aforesaid moved to Crab Creek a branch of New River in the County of Montgomery that from thence to Bluestone Creek a branch of New River in the County of Montgomery now Tazewell County.
That from thence Called out in the service against the Cherokee Indians and under Captain Robert Moffet [Robert Moffett] we went to the big Islands on Holstein River [sic: Long Island of Holston River at present Kingsport TN] and stationed by our officers at that place with Col. [Joseph] Martin who went to treat with the Indians & were directed by Col Martin If he did not return in six weeks that our Captains & officers should advance us 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 a treaty with the Indians. on the next day the troops were discharged. I had my discharge. I returned to my Fathers on Bluestone Creek now Tazewell County
That he had said discharge for 15 or 18 years afterward but had it at 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 fol[owing] he was drafted under Captain Newel [sic: James Newell] to guard the Lead mines [at Fort Chiswell] 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 1st day of the next February following [1781] 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 tht he was about 6 weeks in the service at that time
This declarant says that his discharge w[as] given jointly with John Peery [pension application R8127] Joseph Davidson [R2690] & Richard Cavet [possibly Richard Cavett R1820] and that John Peery took possession of the same & that long since s’d Peery 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 County for which he has never received one Cent
And that he has resided the greater part of his time since in the 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 appear before a Court for the purpose of making this declaration
William hisXmark Davidson
State of Virginia Tazewell County to Wit
On this 20th day of June 1837 personally appeared before the undersigned a justice of the peace for said County Joseph Davidson aged Seventy six 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 Chissel 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 Carlina and perhaps to the edge of South Carolina against the Brittish, 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 of Bluestone and Clinch in the County of Montgomery Virginia now Tazewell And further this affiant sayeth not
Virginia Tazewell County towitt
This day personally appeard before the under signed a Justice of the peace for s’d. County James Moore and after being first duly sworn upon the holy Evangelist of Almighty God deposeth & sayeth 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 invadeing the Carolinas. That the s’d. 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 & Bluestone Settelments in forts &c 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 s’d. Wm. Davidson went to North & South Carolina to defend was a few days before the Battle of Gilford. The Cause of the s’d Davidson his father & others comeing 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 s’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 s’d Wm. Davidson went to north & South Carolina under his farther as aforesaid that the s’d Davidson was living in this County & after his return as aforesaid & ever since most of his time & now is liveing in this County This affiant further states that he is and has long been acquainted with the s’d William Davidson and that he knows that s’d Davidson is entirely poor & helpless; that he has not been able to walk for the last five years and that he well deservs 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 B. George on the 20th of this Instant in Tazewell County
given under my hand this 22nd day of June 1837.
State of Virginia Tazewell County to wit
On this 8th 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 aginst the Indians for some lenth of time on the head of Clinch and Bluestone in company with himself and others, and he also states that often heard his Fatherinlaw Abner Stafford say that he went in a company with William Davidson commanded by Capt. Moore to North Carolina aginst the british and that Moores Company was attached to a Regiment commanded by Col. Preston, and this affiant has nothing further to state
Depart’t of War/ Pension Office/ Oct 28, 1837
Sir [Jno. B. George Esq/ Tazewell Courthouse Va] I have examined the declaration of William Davidson of Tazewell County, and have placed it in the files of this office. The services claimed for amount to four days over 6 months. There is now upon our files, a declaration made by Mr Davidson in Apl 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 I am [unsigned]
NOTE:
The massacre of Capt. James Moore’s family actually occurred on 14 July 1786. James Moore, Jr. escaped because he was a captive of the Indians at the time.
http://revwarapps.org/r2695.pdf
- ↑ Ancestry.com. Public Member Trees: (Note: not considered a reliable primary source).
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