John Davidson Pension Application

[Mark Elliott]

Sully at the CW gunshop gave me copies of a couple pensions applications he thought I might like to see.  One was for John Davidson.   Here is a link to a scan of a transcription of the John Davidson's pension application for his service in the American Revolution.    I found it very interesting and somewhat humorous at one point.    This was testimony that John Davidson gave in court relating to his military service.   For those of you who have dealt with the Veterans Administration,  you will see that nothing has changed in 183 years.   It looks like John Davidson's service ended  at the siege of Yorktown, and apparently Lafayette was not into paperwork.    

https://s3.amazonaws.com/markelliottva/BBS+Stuff/John_Davidson_pension.pdf

[brokenflint]

Anyone know what this means "That he received a certificate for said service that was taken in by the sheriff for tax"

[Mark Elliott]

It means that he was able to trade his military service for the local taxes he owed.   

[bones92]

I have a copy of The Revolution Remembered, which contains 79 depositions for Revolutionary War pension applications.

If you haven't read it, but enjoy these kinds of things, I highly recommend it.  Amazon has hardcover used copies for $5.   

I read it and came away with a much greater understanding of the personal experience of the RevWar... and a much greater appreciation for the role the militia played in ultimate success. 

[brokenflint]

Thanks Mark, I thought that might have been the case but I've not seen the term / usage before.

[vtbuck223]

I have a copy of The Revolution Remembered, which contains 79 depositions for Revolutionary War pension applications.

If you haven't read it, but enjoy these kinds of things, I highly recommend it.  Amazon has hardcover used copies for $5.   

I read it and came away with a much greater understanding of the personal experience of the RevWar... and a much greater appreciation for the role the militia played in ultimate success. 

Thanks...just checked out that book and placed my order!

[bones92]

You'll like it. It offers a neat view into many aspects of military...including the long periods of doing mundane roles and administrative "issues".

[Bill Paton]

My $3.99 used hardback is on its way from ABEBOOKS, too. Thanks for the tip! Bill Paton

[bones92]

Hope you like it as much as I did, Bill. 

I have become more and more fascinated by the history of this land from the mid-1700s through the mid-1800s.   

I have a thick book titled "Crucible of War: The Seven Years' War and the Fate of Empire in British North America, 1754-1766"  It is next on my list to read.  I have determined that to really understand the American Revolution, one must understand the period from the Seven Years War up through the mid-1770s.  I am particularly looking forward to reading about Washington's early days as a British officer, as well as various other figures who later played prominent roles in the War of Independence.