This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/wNHBAIB/2891.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Mary Davidson Shelton applied for a pension based on Joel's service record in War of 1812. I think she applied first in Perry Co., TN, but later, she was in Greene/Christian County when she applied again. Josiah Davidson and his wife, Rachel, signed on her behalf and said they were at her wedding in Dickson Co. This is part of her bounty claim: Bounty Land Claim Form of Declaration for Widow of Deceased Officer or Soldier State of Missouri County of Greene ss On this 18th day of May A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, personally appeared before me, Addison H. Walker, a Justice of the Peace, duly authorized to administer oaths within and for the County and State aforesaid, Mary Shelton aged 62 years, a resident of Greene County, in the State of Missouri, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Joel Shelton, deceased, who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Hudson in the regiment of Tennessee Militia, commanded by Colonel Lauderdale, in the war of 1812, that he said husband volunteered at Dixon (Dickson) County, Tennessee, on or about the 14 day of September, A.D. 1814, for the term of six months, and continued in actual service in said war for the term of six months – and was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn. Home on the 13 day of Apr. A.D. 1815. She further states that she was married to the said Joel Shelton in Dixon (Dickson) County, Tennessee on the 5th day of March, A. D. 1812, by one William Reed, a Justice of the Peace, and that her name before her said marriage was Mary Davidson; that her said husband died at Perry County, Tennessee on the 9th day of September, A.D., 1835, and that she is now a widow. She further declares that she has heretofore made application for bounty land under the act 28 Sept. A.D. 1850 and obtained a land warrant for eighty acres, No. 57,411 which she has legally disposed of, and it cannot now be returned. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under “act approved March 8, 1855.” (signed) Mary (X her mark) Shelton We, Josiah Davidson and Alvoree Davidson, residents of Greene County, in the state of Missouri, upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Mary Shelton in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the application, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. (signed) Josiah Davidson (signed) Alvoree Davidson Josiah Davidson was in Dickson County on 1820 and 1830 census and in Greene Co., Mo in 1840 and later years. Josiah is supposedly her brother. Alvoree Davidson was the son of Levi Davidson of Perry Co, TN -- at least he served as administrator of Levi's estate. Levi Davidson is my ancestor and -- unproven -- I believe could be a younger brother of Mary Davidson Shelton and Josiah Davidson. One other thing: Josiah Davidson also purchased a steer from George Shelton's estate.