Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30989, Ephraim Dicken, Va.
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SERVICE NUMBER
Va. Dicken, Ephraim S. 30989
or Ephriam
CONTENTS
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7479 
Kentucky
Ephriam Dicken
Monroe Co in the State of Kentucky
who was a private in the Company commanded
by Captain Stewart of the Regt. commanded
by Col Welles in the Va.
line for 6 mos

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky
at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of April
1833 and sent to William
Butler Tompkinsville

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $40.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 10.00
$50.00
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 7 Page 7

1889
April 3. Dr. F. S. Nash history Prior

Date of death not on AB-
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21005
Ephraim Dicken
to Declaration
pension
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State of Kentucky Monroe County} Sct
On this 4th day of December 1832 personally appeared in open court before
the Court for the said County of Monroe now sitting Ephraim Dicken resident of Monroe County State of Kentucky aged seventy 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 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated
That some time in January or February in the year 1781 he was drafted in the State of Virginia in Culpeper County and went in a militia Company under the command of a Captain whose name is not recolected
he marched to Hunters forge at the falls of Rapahannock and to the best of his recollection he served some short time not recollected some time in the spring following he substituted and went in the place of Wilhite as a militia man under the command of Capt Henry Toles and Major John Graves after he had served some time in that Company he was attached to a company Commanded by Captain Stewart under the command of Col Willis of Fredericksburg we marched to a place called hot water where we met with a scouting party of the enemy with whom we had an engagement in which he was wounded with a sword and taken prisoner we then marched to Williamsburg and from there to James Town he was there and had the small pox at the time of the
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Battle at the green spring he states that he served in that Tower something over three months the number of Regt not recld
he states that he Substituted again some time in September following and went in the place of his Brother in law John Burdim in Captain Armsted Whites Company under the command of general Edward Stephens and was at the Siege of York when Cornwallis was taken and went to guard the prisoners to Winchester he states that he served in that Tower three Months
he states that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person living in this country whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service
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, sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Ephraim Dicken

We Abijah T. Marrs and William Hudspeth citizens in Monroe County in the neighborhood of Ephraim Dicken and are well acquainted with him the said Ephraim Dicken who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion, sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid A.T. Marrs
Wm Hudspeth

and the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after
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The interrogatories prescribed by the war Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states
and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that A T Marrs & William Hudspeth who has signed the preceding certificate are residents in Monroe County and are persons of good Credit and that their statement is entitled to credit
Wm Hudspeth JPM.C
W H Wooten JPMC
Will C. Price J.P.M.C

I William Butler Clerk of the County Court for Monroe County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Ephraim Dicken for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 4th day of Decr 1832
Will. Butler clk
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21006
Ephraim Dicken
Monroe Co K.

from 1781 private
6 months.
$20.

Stewart
Wells
Va

Mr. Butler C.C
Monroe Co
K.
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of Ephraim Dicken Monroe Co K.
Period when the service was rendered.
draft Jany 1781
Sub: Spring 1781
Sub: Sept 1781
Duration of the claimant’s service. Years. Months. Days.
not recollected
3 months
3 months
Rank of the claimant.
-
pr
"
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
not recollected
Capt Toles
Capt Stewart
Capt White
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
-
Maj Graves
Col Wellis
Genl Stephens
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
-
none
Yorktown
Country through which he marched.
-
Va
"
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
70
Culpepper Co Va
"
"
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
Trady. & witness
who swears that
he met him, in
the war in '81-

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered wand who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of classes are embraced in this law: 
1. The Regular Troops. 
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 
4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claim- ing the benefit of this law its officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. 
County of 
On this ______ day of ______ personally appeared (a) before ___________ A.B. a resident (b) of ____________ in the county of __________ and State, Territory or District of ________ aged (c) _______ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year (d) _______, with ________ and served in the _________ (e) regiment of the _________ line, under the following named officers:
 [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service: (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] 
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of ________
 Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. _____________: A.B. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
 And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I __________ of the Court of _____________ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of __________ for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ________ day of ________ &c. 
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the _______ and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their 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 Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, __________ Clerk of the Court of _____________ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of __________ &c. 
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge of commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration , (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or if detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribed and be sworn to, one of the declarations also provided, according to the nature of his case. 
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 
1. Where and in what year were you born? 
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live? 
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
 6. To a Soldier.} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? 
To an Officer.} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement to the applicant. 
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons-one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. -If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. 
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. 
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
 ______________________ 
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. 
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. 
[d] The declaration must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 
[e] Every continual officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: 
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, 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:-For ____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a ________. For ______ months and _______ days, I served as a _______; and for such service I claim a pension." 
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid reconciling to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase [italicized] about three or four months, is to indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required. 
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. 
Mode of authenticating papers. 
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as not to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. 
Proof of Service. 
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
[pointing finger icon] The notes from [a] t [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. 
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
W. L. Williams Ex Clk
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September 14, 1939

BA-J/AWF
Ephraim Dicken
S. 30989
The Quartermaster General
Memorial Branch
War Department
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your request for the
Revolutionary War record of Ephraim Dicken, who served from Virginia, and later lived in Kentucky.

The data which follow were obtained from 
papers on file in claim for pension, S. 30989,
based upon the military service of Ephraim
Dicken in the Revolutionary War.

The date and place of birth of Ephraim
Dicken, and names of his parents are not given.

Ephraim Dicken enlisted in Culpeper County, Virginia, sometime in January or February, 1781, marched to the falls of the Rappahannock, and served a "short time"; he stated that he did not remember the names of his officers. He enlisted in the spring of 1781, served as private in Captain Henry Toles' Company (this Captain's name was probably Towles), under Major John Graves, was transferred to Captain Stewart's company, Colonel Wells' Virginia regiment, was at the battle of Hotwater, where he received a sword wound, and was taken prisoner, later exchanged, date not given.
He enlisted sometime in September, following,served as substitute for his brother-in-law, John Burdine, in Captain Armsted White's Virginia company, was in

Tombstone Data only
Page 12

the Siege of Yorktown, and guarded prisoners to Winchester, length of this service, three months.

The soldier, Ephraim Dicken, was allowed pension on his application executed December 4, 1832, at which time he was living in Monroe County, Kentucky, aged seventy years.

The date of his death is not shown on the records of this office.

The application for headstone for Ephraim Dicken is returned herewith, also a letter from W. E. Thomas of Glasgow, Kentucky.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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Edna Clark

W. Weston
Pros 6
Nov 28 46
Page 14

Ephraim Dicken

In Dec 1832 Monroe Co Ky aged 79 year
Sometime in Jany or Feby 1781 he was drafted Culpepper Co Va marched to falls of Richmond duration of time not recollected nor Capt name
In the Spring 1781 he was a Substitute under Capt Henry Toles & Maj. John Graves and after some time he was attached to the Co of Capt. Stewart & regt. Col. Wells of Fredericksburg proceeded
to Hot Water Here they met a Scouting party with whom there was a fight and he was wounded with a Sword & taken prisoner & marched to Williamsburg & Jamestown when had the Small pox at the time of the battle at Green Springs
(July 6, 1781) was Jamestown
In Sept 1781 he was again a Substitute (for is brother in law John Burdine) under Capt. Armsted White & Genl Edward Stevens & was at Siege of Yorktown when Lord Cornwallis was "taken" & went as one the guard with some prisoners to Winchester
John Dicken of Green Co Ky testified that he lived on or near the head water of Robison's river at the boot of Blue Ridge or Great mountains until Revy war & knew of his service
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30989 1939. Sept. 14 AWF.
Revy INVALID. Tombstone Data to MENW. P.A.

File No. 30,989
Ephraim Dicken,
Pri, Rev War

Act: June 7" 32"
Index:-Vol. - , Page 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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K,Y, State Green County Sct. 1832
The Testimony of John Dicken Deposeth 
and saith that according to register
I was born the, 16th, of April 1759 and
lived on or near the head of Robisons
River at the foot of the Blue Ridge or
Great Mountains untill the Revolutionary
war and the latter part of the year 1778 and
in 1779 vollenteered under a Capt Slaughter
to Guard Prisoners taken at Burguines
Defeat and in the fall of the year 1779
came to Kentucky and in the spring
of the year 1780 Returned and turned out
after Genl. Gates was defeated under a
Capt Yancy with Genl. Stephens into South
Carolina and in 1781 after the battle
at Guilford Courthouse Came into
Virginia and in the latter part of the
Spring or forepart of the summer met
Ephraim Dicken in the service and in a
battle some time in the summer he
Ephraim Dicken was taken Prisoner by the
British forces and when Exchanged turned
out in service again till Cornwallace and
the British army became prisoners and
said he was one of the guard to the
Barracks at Winchester
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Green County Ky.
I Edward Lewis a Justice of the peace for
said County do Certify that John Dicken
personally Came before me and Made oath
that the within statements Contain the
truth to the best of his Recolection and Memory
Given under my hand this 8th of October 1832
Edward Lewis JPGC.