Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11105, Ephraim Walter, Penn.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Penn.
CONTENTS
Walter, Ephraim or Walters
NUMBER
R. 11105
Page 2

Union Town Penna. Oct 31./54
Hon. L.P. Waldo
The declaration of my Father Ephraim Walters A Captain in the Revolutionary War late resident of Fayette County Penna. was sent to your office a few years before his death which occured [occurred] in 1842 in support of his claim for a United States Pension
You will do me a kindness as one of the Children and Heirs of said Ephraim Walter
to send me a copy of the said Declaration
Yours very Respectfully.
Ephraim Walters
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32, 702
Ephraim Walters
Declaration of Ephraim Walters Snr. 
Pennsylvania
suspd. [suspended]

J. H. Deford,
Union Town Pa
Page 4

State of Pennsylvania}
County of Fayette} ss.
On the 16th day of October A.D. 1834 personally appeared before Samuel Nixon Esqr [Esquire] one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County
Ephraim Walters senior a resident of Germany Township in the County of Fayette and State of Pennsylvania aged 90 years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the
act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. 
"That he was a captain during the Revolutionary war for more than two years. that he first entered the service on the 15th May 1774 and with a number of men as their
captain went in pursuit of the tories in this country (now Fayette County) and took 50 or 60 of them on Big Whitely Creek and took them to "Swearengins Fort," from thence to Union Town Pa. - where some were tried and the rest sent on to Winchester Va. After this he went out again as captain with a number of men in pursuit of the
Indians on Duncard Creek, found 4 or 5 men in a field who had just been killed, and whom they buried - He cannot now from lapse of time old age and loss of memory, state how long during the Revolutionary war he was in the service precisely-- nor can he state how long in each year he was out: but knows that he was in actual service at least one year as a captain guarding and protecting the frontiers along the Monongahela & Cheat Rivers in Green & this (Fayette) County in the years 1774-5-6 - to tell just all the place up and [illegible] and Rambles that he had is now impossible. Nor has he now any documentary evidence of his service, as he lost his commission a long time since-- He knows of no one now living who can testify to the same [illegible]
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it be Henry Smith senior & Robert Hustead - 
to the questions proposed by the war Department he answers as follows - viz
First - He says he was born in Lancaster County Pa. the year exactly he cannot now recollect, but thinks about the year 1744-
Second - He says he has no record of his age-
Third - He says he resided in this country (Fayette County Pa) when he went into the service, has lived here ever since and resides in the same place-
Fourth He says he volunteered his services and was elected captain-
Fifth He says he was the only regular officer in that part of the country where he resides at that time Col. Giddis was commanding officer of the whole, but lived at a distance - 
sixth - He recollects of going down to Pittsburgh to get his commission, and got one, but he cannot now tell by whom it was signed-- it has since been lost
Seventh - He names Joseph Provance and revd. [Reverend] Soloman Aultman to whom he is known in his neighborhood who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as an officer of the Revolution-
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-
Ephraim Walter
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 16th day of October1834}
Samuel Nixon
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We Solomon Aultman a Clergyman residing in the County of Fayette and Joseph Provance residing in the same place, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ephraim Watters senior who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 90 years of age - that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been an officer of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. 
Soloman Allman
Joseph y Provanc
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas.
Samuel Nixon

And I the said Samuel Nixon one of the Judges of the Court common pleas of Fayette County do declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary officer and served as he states. And I further certify that Solomon Aultman who signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County of Fayette and that Joseph Provance who also signed the same is a resident in the said County and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit - And I further certify that the said Captain Ephraim Walters cannot from bodily infirmity attend Court.
October 16th A.D. 1834 Samuel Nixon

State of Pennsylvania}
Fayette County ss}
I Richard Beeson Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for Said County Certify that Samuel Nixon Esqr [Esquire] is one of the Judges of the said Court duly commissioned & qualified to all whose official acts full faith credit an due & that the
foregoing signature purporting to be his are genuine - In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court at Uniontown the 22 day of October 1834
Richd [Richard] Beeson Prothy [Prothonotary]
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Jan. 16, 1933.

Hon. S. A. Kendall
House of Representative.

In re: Ephraim Walter - War of Revolution.
Rejected File 11,105.

    You are herewith furnished the history of the only soldier of the Revolution named Ephrain Walters found on the records of this Bureau.  From the papers in the above noted claim for pension it appears that Ephrain Walters, or Walter was born in Lancaster County, Penna., and resided in German Township, Fayette County, Penna aged 90 years when he applied for pension on October 16, 1834 and alleged that he served during the years 1774, 1775, and 1776, at various times as a Captain of Penn., Militia guarding the frontiers, in Gasen and Fayette Counties, Penn.  His claim was not allowed, as he failed to furnish proof of said services as required by the pension lives.  He died in 1842, leaving children whose names are not stated, except that of Ephraim who lived in Uniontown, Penn.  The name of his wife is not on record. 
                          Very respectfully,
                                       //s//
                           Washington Gardner
                          Commissioner.
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1922 Jan 16. Hist to S.A. Kendall
1922 Jan 20 Hon S. A. Kendall a w infod [informed] no other aw
1922 Feb. 6. Hist again sent to Hon S. A Kendall aw

REJECTED
11.195
P. O. Ephraim Walter
Service:
Enlisted:   , 18
Discharged:  , 18  
Application filed:  ,18 
The printed list of 1852 gives cause of suspension as: "Suspended for a more perfect
account of his services."
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized. Contra
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32,702
Suspended
Pennsylvania
See letter to Ephraim Walters
J. H. Deford
[illegible arrow] cannot fund
27. Jan 1835
5 May " Same
53
C. E. Swearenger Mch [March] 14/5
A Stewart Augt [August] 22/53
Let [illegible] March 16/54
June, 1832

11105
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Papers copied & sent to Hon J. L. Dawson H of R 7 Feb 1854
Ephraim Walters Nov 13/54

[illegible]
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House of Rep
Jany [January] 27/54
[illegible]
I will thank you to furnish me with a copy of the papers referred to by Mr Stewart
Respectfully
Yours
Jno [John] L Dawson

Hon L. P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
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Andrew Stewart
March 16/54.
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Penna Office
March 16. 1854.
Sir 
In [illegible] with your request, I have hereunto, a copy of a letter from this office dated May 5, 1835, [illegible] to the claim of Ephraim Walters, of
Pennsylvania when [illegible] under the Act of June 7, 1832, [illegible] that it was not shown that the alleged service was [illegible] for by the Penna laws,
Ha Andrew Stewart
[illegible] Town,
Pa.
Page 16

C. E. Swearengen
Mch [March] 14/53
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121
Pension Office
March 14 1853
Sir
At your request. I have examined the claim of Ephraim Walters of Pa, and have to inform you, that he claimed to have been a captain in the Pensylvania [Pennsylvania] Malitia, [Militia] but does not establish the fact by the character of evidence required by the rules of the office, a commission to him should be produced or Record evidence from the files of the Pensylvania [Pennsylvania] Auditor General Office.-- A Certificate of Court must be furnished showing the date of his death, and if the children item to claim, also in [illegible] of their mother, the date of her marriage and death must also be established, who
the names and number of children living at their respective death must be
shown by a court certificate
C.E. Swearingen Esq
Present
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Union town Pa. June 6th '53
Sir
Ephraim Walter son of Ephraim Walters decd [deceased] late of Fayette Co. Pa who applied for a pension Shorty before his death (about the year 1835/ as a
Revolutionary officer or soldier & whose application is still on file, requests me to inquire what were the objections to granting his fathers claim. If you will oblige me by sending me a copy of his application & evidence if compatable [compatible] with your official rules, if not then such statement of the case as will enable me to inform Mr Walters what further is necessary to establish this
claim, defeated at the time by his fathers illness & death
Yours very respectfully
A Stewart

The Commissioner of Pensions
Washgn [Washington] City
D.C.
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A Stewart
Aug 22/53
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301
Pension Office
August 22, 1853
Sir
Enclosed you will receive a copy
of a letter addressed to C. E. Swearingen
from this office, under date of March
14, 1853, which will place your possession
of the facts relative to the pension
claim of Ephraim Walters of Pensylvania,
The claim remain suspended, for
causes therein set forth.
Hon A Stewart
Union Town
Pensylvania
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War [illegible]
P. C. 
May 5 1835
Sir
The additional statement of Ephraim Walters has been received with your letter of the 1st instant. The [illegible] of the actual service of the claimant, as distinguished from were readiness to serve cannot be gathered from this statement. [illegible] neither appears how many time he was called out nor the duration of his tours, so that it is impossible to determine whether his claim is provided [illegible] by law [illegible] not.
It is evident that you have misconceived the tenor of the regulations of this Department Incurring the ant of 7 June 1832 into effect. They require the best eviden [evidence] to be produced in all cases. The claimants statement is not sufficient where other proof can be obtained. As you state there are at least a dozen survivors, who served under Capt [Captain] Walters, testimony to be produced as to the cotent [content] and character of the several terms of service performed by him
It is also nessary [necessary] that he give an account of his Commiss. [commission]
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ion as Captain - from whom he received it by whom I was signed and what has become of it.
If he was called into actual service by compleat [complete] authority he should state whether he was paid for his services, and by whom, and what amount he received. When his rank and the extent of his services shall be established by the best attainable proof, a decision will be made up the claim. The papers remain on file the [illegible] the testimoy [testimony] [illegible] dated

J. H. Deford Esq
Union Town
Penn

J H Deford
5 May 1835
O. C.

Record [illegible] 13
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Union Town Pa.
May 1st 1835
Sir
Your letter in the case of Ephraim Walter Senr. [Senior of the 27th Jany [January] last was duly recd [received] - You require that he should name the places at which he was and the periods when he performed his services - 
this he has done by the enclosed affidavit, as near as it is possible - As to the proof of his services, he is not one of those who is bound to make proof other than his own statement, being a malitia [militia] captain of State troops. so that note [illegible] does not apply to his case - He furnished you the proof as contained in the testimony of Mr. Henry Smith & Robert Hustead now on your files. To [illegible] and strengthen his own statement - There can be no mistaken as to Captain Walters, I suppose your files will shew a dozen names of persons who are now on the pension list, who refer in their declarations to "Capt [Captain] Walters." Besides he is a very respectable old man, and may be fully relied on. Please let me hear from you in this case as early as possible - very respectfully
J.H. Deford

J. L Edwards Esq }
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Union Town Pa.
Oct. 22d 1834.
Dr Sir:
Enclosed with this I send you the declaration and evidence in support of the claim of Capt. Ephraim Walters for a pension under the act of 1832-
You will see that in addition to the declaration of Capt [Captain] Walters you have the evidence of Messrs. Hustead and Smith both pensioners - If you will take the trouble to refer to the papers and declaration of Henry Smith on your files, it will be seen that he refers to and names "Capt. Walters," as his immediate commanding officer in the revolution -
Mr Watters is an old and infirm man as you will see not able to appear in court. and I will add a very respectable man upon whose statements the utmost reliance can be placed-
Will you be so good as to examine his papers in connexion [connection] with the papers on file of Henry Smith. and send me the result as early as practicable -
very Respectfully
Yr. Obt Sert [Obedient Servant]
J. H. Deford

J.L. Edwards Esq }
Page 25

Pennsylvania
Fayette County ss.
Personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in and for said County Ephraim Walters senr [senior] who deposeth [deposes] and saith that in addition to the declaration he has already made he can state that he was a captain in the Militia in the Revolutionary War. that he first went out in 1774 on a scouting expedition, on Whitely Creek in Green County and made our place of station at Minor's Fort on the same
Creek; deponent supposes he was out this tour at least one month, and further that he
was also at Stradlers Fort on Duncan Creek in Virginia guarding and protecting the frontiers. but how long it is impossible for him to tell at this time, this was in 1775 or 76- after this he was at Wheeling station on the Ohio river he was at this place a considerable time, but how many months he cant say-- He believes it was in the year 1777 he was at Wheeling station. These are the places or stations at which he was during the different tours he was out - He was continually scouting from place to place at different times for during the war - He further states "that by reason of old age, (now about 95 years old) and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades I Served also at Riffley Fort in Fayette County near where Mason town now stands
Page 26

for three years (putting the whole time together) I served as a Captain: and for such service I claim a pension" - He further states that his colonel was Gaddis - who was the chief commanding officer during the whole time - Ephraim Walters
sworn to and subscribed before me this 30th day of April 1835.
Moses A Ross J. P.

I certify that the deponant [deponent] is a credible witness and his statement ought to have full credit.
Moses A Ross J. P.

Pennsylvania
Fayette County ss
I Richard Beeson Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said county certify that Moses A Ross Esq is a magistrate as above & that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. In Testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand & the seal of said Court at Union town the 1st day of May 1835
Richd [Richard] Beeson Prothy [Prothonotary]
Page 27

Pennsylvania}
Fayette County} ss
Personally appeared before me Henry Smith Senior who deposeth [deposes] and says that he has been acquainted with Captain Ephraim Walters Senior for more than 60 years. That he was a captain in the Revolutionary war and volunteered under him in the year 1774 for three months but was compelled to leave the service in consequence of sickness. He further states that Walters was out afterwards that deponent was with him on Duncan Creek in pursuit of the Indians, and stood sentry while the men found dead was buried, as referred to by said Walters in his declaration - And further that he Said [illegible] assisted as guard to conduct the tories [Tories] to Winchester Va. and stood by the Jail door as a guard at the time - 
his 
Henry X Smith
mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me the 16th day of October 1834 - Samuel Nixon

Also appeared at the same time Robert Hustead, who deposeth [deposes] and saith
that he knows Ephraim Walters Senior was a captain in the Revolution as generally understood at that time The deponant [deponent] did not serve under him yet he 
believes he was out. Deponent cannot
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say how long Walters was out -
Robert Hustead
sworn & subscribed before me this 20 day of October 1834-
Wm Abraham

State of Pennsylvania
Fayette County  ss
I Richard Beeson Prothonotary of Court of Common pleas in & for said County do certify that Samuel Nixon Esqr [Esquire] is one of the Judges of the said Court & that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine I further certify that Wm. Abraham is a magistrate in & for Said County & that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Uniontown the 22d October 1834
Rich Beeson Prothy [Prothonotary]

affidavits
Page 29

Uniontown March 8 '54
Dr Sir
The copy of Mr Edwards' letter to J. H.  Deford Esq in relation to the claim of Ephraim
Walters to a pension as a Capt [Captain] in the Rev. War dated I think 5 May '35 which you were so kind as to inclose [enclose] to me when in the city a few days ago was sent to the Hon. A Stewart of the House of R. who informed me that he returnd. [returned] it to the Post office. I inquired there but it was not to be found. I have therefor to request the favor to send me another copy of said letter directed to this place
yours respectfully
A. Stewart

Waldo Esq
Com. of Pen:
Page 30

SIXTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS

Halvor Steenerson, Minn. Chairman.
William W. Griest, Pa.
Galvin D. Paige, Mass.
Harry C. woodyard, W. Va.
C. William Ramseyer, Iowa
Archie D. Sanders, N.Y.
Samuel A. Kendall, Pa.
Guy U. Hardy, Colo.
C. Ellis Moore, Ohio
M. Clyde Kelly, Pa.
John C. Ketcham, Mich.
Roscoe C. Patterson, Mo.
Archibald E. Olpp, N.J.
John J. Gorman, Ill.
Richard E. Bird, Kans.
Dan A. Sutherland, Alaska.
Thomas M. Bell, Ga.
Arthur B. Rouse, Ky.
James M. Mead, N.Y.
Lucian W. Parrish, Tex.
John H. Smithwick, Fla.
Rorer James, Va. 
L.M. Sparey, Clerk.

Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads,
House of Representatives, United States,
Washington, D.C.

January Fourteenth
Nineteen Twenty Two.

Dear Mr. Gardner:-
    I shall appreciate it if you will let me know if you have a pension record of one Ephriam Walters, who was supposed to have had a part in the Revolutionary War, and who resided in a part of the country which is now the State of Ohio.
    Thanking you for giving this your prompt attention, I am.
                           Yours very truly,
                                      //s//
                                 S.A. Kendall

(Date stamps)

Retirement of Pension
Jan 16, 1922
Bureau of Pensions


Office of 
The Commissioner
Jan 16, 1922
U.S. Bureau of Pensions
Page 31

SIXTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS

Halvor Steenerson, Minn. Chairman,
William W. Griest, Pa.
Calvin D. Paige, Mass.
Harry C. Woodward, W. Va.
C. William Ramseyer, Iowa
Archie D. Sanders, N.Y.
Samuel A. Kendall, Pa.
Guy U. Hardy, Colo.
C. Ellis Moore, Ohio
M. Clyde Kelly, Pa.
John C. Ketcham, Mich.
Roscoe C. Patterson, Mo.
Archibald E. Olpp, N.J.
John J. Gorman, Ill.
Richard E. Bird, Kans.
Dan A. Sutherland, Alaska
Thomas M. Bell, Ga.
Arthur E. Rouse, Ky.
James M. Mead, N.Y.
Lucian W. Parrish, Tex.
John H. Smithwick, Fla.
Rorer James, Va.
L.M. Sparby, Clerk


Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads,
House of Representative, United States,
Washington, D.C. 

January 18, 1922.

Hon. Washington Gardner,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Commissioner Gardner:

    Kindly advise me whether of not the name of Ephriam Walters, who is supposed to have resided in the territory, which is not Ohio, appears on the records of the revolutionary War.  As you doubtless know this territory had no organized government in the time of the Revolutionary War, part of it being claimed by the other thirteen colonies, including Virginia and Connecticut.
    I shall appreciate it if you will give me this information at your earliest convenience.
    Thanking you, I am.

                                       Yours very truly,
                                                 //s//
                                        S.W. Kendall

(Date stamp)
Office of 
The Commissioner
Jan 19, 1922
U.S. Bureau of Pensions.
Page 32

Sixty-Seventh Congress
HALVOR STEENERSON, MINN., CHARIMAN
WILLIAM W. GRIEST, PA.
CALVIN D. PAOGE, MASS.
HARRY C. WOODYARD, W.VA.
C. WILLIAM RAMSEYER, IOWA.
ARCHIE D. SANDERS, N.Y.
SAMUEL A. KENDALL, PA.
GUY U. HARDY, COLO.
G. ELLIS MOORE, OHIO.
M. CLYDE KELLY, PA.
JOHN C. KETCHAM, MICH.
ROSCOE C. PATTERSON, MO.
ARCHIBALD E. OLPP, N.J.
JOHN J. GORDMAN, ILL.
RICHARD E. BINO, KANS.
DAN A. SUTHERLAND, ALASKA.
THOMAS M. BELL, GA.
ARTHUR D. ROUSE, KY.
JAMES M. MEAD, N.Y.
LUCIAN W. PARRISH, TEX.
JOHN H. SMITHWICK, FLA.
WILLIAM S. BOWLING, ALA.
L.M. SPARBY, CLERK.

Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads,
House of Representatives, United States,
Washington, D.C.

February 1, 1922

Honorable Washington Gardner,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

    I enclose you a letter of January 30th regarding the record of Ephriam Walters.  In this letter you state that you sent me a letter giving the history of an Ephriam Walters on January 16, 1922.
    I desire to state that I have not received that letter and will be glad to have a copy at your earliest convenience.
    Also, kindly return me the enclosed letter of January 30th.  (Returned Feb 6)
    Thanking you, I am.
                                       Yours very truly,
                                                 //s//
                                       S. A. Kendall
Page 33

Jan. 20, 1922
R.11105

Hon. S. A. Kendall
House of Representatives.

In res: Ephrain Walters - War of Revolution.

    You are advised that this Bureau is unable to furnish the history of a soldier of the Revolution, unless a claim for pension, or bounty land has been made on account of his services and a careful search of the records fails to show such a claim on file for an Ephraim Walter, or Walters who resided in Ohio, or in regard to any other Ephrain Walter, or Walters other that the soldier of that name, Rejected File 11,108, whose history was sent you January 16, 1922, and it does not appear that he lived in Ohio.

                                 Very respectfully,
                                  (illegible)
                                  Commissioner.