Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S.8,747, Elias Hughes, Va.
Page 1

let: 10 March 1842
Hon J. Mathiot
Same April 8. 1842.

Date of death not on AB
Page 2

let: 10 March 1842
Hon J. Mathiot
Same April 8. 1842.

Date of death not on AB
Page 3

Ellis Hughes
PO 4776
Page 4

Declaration in Order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832

The State of Ohio, Licking County Aforesaid.
At a Special Court of Common pleas held at Newark within and for the County of Licking and State of Ohio on the 23rd day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. Personally appeared in open Court Ellis Hughes aged as near as he can recollect about seventy five years, was born on the south branch of Potomac in Hardy County Virginia now resides in Utica in the County of Licking State of Ohio: doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the seventh day of June in the year 1832; States he entered the service of the United States at the first breaking out of the Revolutionary war was comissioned under Col. Benjamin Wilson as a Captain of the Spys at the Commencement of the War; that he served in such capacity under Col Wilson for about two years. When Colonel William Louther (or Lowder) took the command, that he served under the same commission under Colonel Louther, he states that he belonged to the Virginia State Troops that his services was altogether required and performed on the frontiers on the western part of Virginia - that he served under Col Louther for something over one year - when Louther left the services, is under the impression that he resigned (but cannot say positively) Deponent States that when Louther left the service Col George Jackson took the command, under whom he served with until the close of the war - he states however that owing to some new arrangement (when Jackson took the command) in the disposition of the Indian spies the Deponent did not hold his commission, that according to the then regulation, the spies were separated (their services not being required in Companies
Page 5

as previously) & were required to perform their duties two together & had their boundaries pointed out to march over & were to meet at certain points and report their observations and when necessary to carry information of any appearance of the enemy to the nearest stations - Has no documentary evidence. He hereby relinquishes every Claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any State. Ellis Hughes
x his mark
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid A D  Caffee

We Jacob Riley & Stephen McDougal residing in the Town of Newark Licking County and state of Ohio do hereby Certify, that we are well acquainted with Ellis who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about Seventy five years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and we Concur in that opinion.
Jacob Riley
Sworn & subscribed the day
year aforesaid in open Court
S. McDougal
A, H, Caffee Ck
And the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion that, after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, and a full investigation of the matter, the above named applicant was a Soldier of the Revolution And served as he states - And the Court further states that the said Ellis Hughes is personally known to them, and they state that the fact is universally known in this County that he was in the service of the United States spies during the War of the revolution - and they entertain no doubt of the truth of his statement - He is now entirely
Page 6

blind. The Court also states that the said Jacob Riley and Stephen McDougal who have signed the foregoing Certificate are resident of said County personally known to the court and that their statement is entitled to full credit
I Amos H Caffee (Coffee), Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said county; do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Ellis Hughes for a pension. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said County this 24th day of August AD 1832
A, D, Caffee Ck
Page 7

July 26, 1932

Elias Hughes - S.8747
xxxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/EEL (initials signed)

Mr. E. W. Lown
1938 R Street
Lincoln, Nebraska

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Elias Hughes, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S. 8747, based upon the military service of Elias Hughes in that war.

Elias Hughes, the son of Thomas, was born in Hardy County, Virginia, on the South Branch of the Potomac River, date not given, and before the Revolution, moved with his father to the neighborhood of Clarksburg, Virginia.  The soldier's father was killed by the Indians on Hacker's Creek in 1778. The name of soldier's mother is not given.

In 1774, Elias Hughes assisted in building Nutter's Fort in West Augusta County, Virginia, and was in the battle of Point Pleasant on the Big Kanawha River.

He enlisted sometime in 1773, while residing near Clarksburg, Virginia, and served as a private in Captain James Booth's Virginia company until the spring of 1778, when he was commissioned captain and served in that capacity for three years under Colonels Benjamin Wilson and William Lowther in the Virginia Troops: from 1781 until 1783, he served as a private under Colonel George Jackson in the Virginia Troops.  His entire service was as a ranger and a spy against the Indians on the frontiers in western Virginia.  After the peace in 1783, he continued in service against the Indians until General Wayne's treaty with them in 1795.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 23, 1832, at which time he was aged seventy-five years and resided in Utica, Licking County, Ohio, where he had then lived for about thirty years.
Page 8

In 1838, he was residing with a son who had a large family.  the son's name is not given, nor do the names of any other children or that of soldier's wife appear.

Very truly yours

A.D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.


[handwritten note follows]
Date of death not on 9B
Page 9

[page1]
78 Mr. King informed that no increase seems to have been allowed White
1907 Jany. 11. History to L.V. McWhorter - c
1908, Aug. 31. Hist. [history] to Miss Alice Palmer, Cor. 4 and Morill Sts, Newark O. For Monument F.W. 
1932 - July 26 - Hist. [history] to E.W. Lown EEL

[page 2]
Rev War
8747
INVALID.
File No. 8747
Elias [inserted and crossed out: Ellis Hughes] Hughes
Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: - Vol. XII, Page 185
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 10

House of Representatives
March 9th, 1842

Dear Sir, 

I send you herewith a leter from M. M. Caffee Esq of Newark Ohio, enclosing the affidavit of Gen. J. W. Wilson in relation to the application of Capt Ellis Hughes for a pension. You will also discover that Mr. Caffee refers to the case of Barbara Hoover and to the case of Sarah Boyer. ~

If Gen. Wilson's affidavit does not make out such a case as will authorize your Department to grant the pension ask for you will please furnish me with copies of all the papers on file in your office in relation to this case, and return to me Mr. Caffee's letter ~I must also trouble you for the papers or copies of them in the cases of Barbara Hoover & Sarah Boyer.

I received last night the papers in the cases of Alice Upsher and Samual Patchen. There
Page 11

are still a number of cases, in which the papers have not yet been furnished, and which I applied for in a former letter~ Will you please furnish these papers as soon as possible~

As soon as you have examined the case of Capt Hughes, please advise me of the result~

Very Respectfully, 

I Remain Yours

[signed] J. Mathiot

[signed] J. L. Edwards Esq 

Com of Pensions
Page 12

Newark, Ohio Feby 21, 1835

J L Edwards Esq
Com. of Pensions

Dr Sir, From the numerous frauds presently practiced on the Government by Agnes & others in regard to Pensions and in as much as I have been called upon to officiate as the agent of Elias Hughes (whose papers are herewith sent) I have thought proper to refer you to this Hon Mr. Mitchel of the House from this District and the Hon Mr. Ewing of the Senate whose statements so far as my agency is concerned in this matter will I presume be satisfactory. And who can I presume also give a satisfactory statement in regard to the character & veracity of the witnesses (residing in this County) whose Depositions accompany the papers. I have since the passage of the Pension law in 1818 been more or less engaged (with my Brother A [illegible] Caffee as a kind of sub. Agent and Clerk) attending to the business of Pensions within this County, and in my estimation I have seen none whose services better entitle them to a pension than does Mr. Hughes nor have I seen any who stands in greater need of assistance from his Country he has been for some years entirely blind & solely dependant [crossed out: of] on his son for support who with a large family in addition to provide for has recently been reduced to the necessity of seeking for relief under the provisions of the Insolvent law - I have been acquainted with Elias Hughes for about Eighteen years his character for truth stands as fair as any persons in the County I have frequently heard him recount over his services & I do not think I depart from the truth when I say that have heard hundreds speaking of his services & corroborating his statements from Common report I have also heard numerous persons who have been more or less his companions during the Scenes of Warfare on the Western frontiers of Virginia. Most of whom in speaking of him extall his services in the [illegible] and most seeking manner marking him for his peculiar segacity vigilance prudence bravery and activity and ranking in amongst the foremost of his companions unfortunately for him his services have been performed over
Page 13

a section of Country where but little attention has been paid to the organization and arrangements of the forces necessary to be kept further then immergencies [emergencies] seemed to require in order to repel the depredations of the savages and to prevent them from making inroads upon the settlement & And where but few of the many encounters and hardships those old Pioneers have been compelled to undergo. have been or ever will be correctly transmitted to posterity.-

I arrived in Clarksburgh on Saturday evening last fall on the day the U.S. District Court closed its session had went into that section of the Country for the purpose of
[crossed out: illegible] procuring the Testimony of some of Hughes companions (if living) by whom I could be able to establish his services but unfortunately I was unable to procure [inserted] the Testimony of [illegible]
most material witnesses and to whom I was specially refered viz Alexander West & David Keith, Mr. West having deceased some weeks before I arrived there and Mr. Keith not to be found, and I in fact (from the
great excitement produced in the Country from the summons prosecutions which had been instituted in the District Court against agents & on behalf of Pensioner) was almost detered from making exertions and did not consequently extend my Enquiries so far as I should otherwise have done. I have been delaying the papers much longer than I should have done in hopes of being able to obtain the Testimony of David Keith to send on with the papers Keith does know that Hughes served as a captain but whether his testimony can be procured or not I am in doubts  I have heard that in consequence of the part he has taken in his official Capacity a magistrate in relation to the pension business he has left the Country which I presence is the case in consequence of his not having forwarded to me his Deposition

Please advise me on examination of the papers what
will be the prospect if further Testimony is required in
order to Establish the Claim as Captain I will endeavour
to procure it. I am myself fully convinced that he
served faithfully as he states in his Declaration & from
his needy circumstances I do hope, that the evidence
may be deemed sufficient [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]
speedy investigation as possible. Mr. Hughes in anxious
to know the result. 

I am Sir Respectfully Your Obt. Sr.
M. M. Caffee

J L Edwards Esq.
Page 14

[bottom of page notation]

Hon. J. Mathiot.
[initials] HR
Page 15

The State of Ohio Licking County. [illegible]
Be it known that on the 5th day of February A.D. 1842 before me John Moore one of the Justices of the Peace in & and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Gen. Thomas W Wilson one of the sons of Col. Benjamin Wilson Senior Deceased late of Harrison County Virginia who being duly Sworn States that he is now thirty eight years of age, that up to the time he was about twenty two years of age he continued to reside with his father in said Harrison County Virginia since which time he has resided in the County of Licking and State of Ohio. That during his residence with his said father he has heard him frequently relate over many incidents in relation to the border warfare on the Western part of Virginia from the commencement of the Revolutionary War up to the time of its close That he has often heard his father Speak of Elias Hughes formerly of said Harrison County in the State of Virginia but now a resident of the County of Licking in the State of Ohio, that his father in representing said Hughes Character allways spoke of him in the highest Terms as a brave and efficient Soldier and Spy and in whom he had the most implicit confidence and that from his peculiar Segacity and knowledge of the Indian Character, combined with his personal activily perseverance and bravery he ranked him amongst the foremost of the Rangers and Spies of his day Affiant states that he has often heard his father say that said Elias Hughes was appointed as Captain of the Rangers and Spies, that he was appointed in the place of one Ratcliff who was discharged as affiant understood on account of his cowardice. That it was necessary for the safety of the Country that said Ratcliff should be removed and that said Hughes should be appointed in his place. that said Ratcliff was a careless trifling cowardly dog and not to be depended upon. [illegible] [illegible] that said Hughes [illegible]
Page 16

[crossed out: and thinks that] it was after the same [unintelligible] that he returned with the [unintelligible] of seven Indians. 

Affidavit states that his father in speaking of said Hughes usually game him the title of Captain but that within this [unintelligible] recollection in hearing said Hughes spoken of it has been the name of Ellis Hughes or more commonly Old Ellis Hughes [unintelligible] states that he has heard many [unintelligible] and anecdotes related of said Hughes buy those of his acquaintance in relation to his [unintelligible] and exploits amongst the Indians in the time of the Revolution and that from the character given to him by all he was highly distinguished for his bravery and must have contributed much in the defense of the Country during the war of the Revolution and further [unintelligible]

[signed] T. W. Wilson

Sworn [unintelligible] certified this 25th day of February [unintelligible] before me [signed] John Moore
Justice of the Peace

The State of Ohio
Licking County 

I Franklin Fullerton Clerk of the Court of [unintelligible] pleas within and for said County do certify that the above named John Moor before whom whom the foregoing deposition was taken was at the time of taking said deposition and now is an acting Justice of the Peace within and for said County duly [unintelligible] and qualifier according to Law

In testimony [unintelligible] I have hereunto [unintelligible]  my hand an affixed the seal of said Court this 4th day of March AD 1842

[signed] Franklin Fullerton [unintelligible]
Page 17

Record division.

August 31, 1908.

Miss Alice Palmer,
Corner Fourth and Moull Streets,
Newark, Ohio.

Madam:

In reply to your letter dated the 24th and received in this Bureau on the 26th instant, you are advised that from the papers in claim Sur, [Survivor's] File ss8.747, it appears that Elias Hughes was born on the South branch of the Potomac river in Hardy County, Virginia, and resided at Clarksburg Virginia, when he enlisted in the Virginia troops and served against the Indians.

In 1774 he assisted in the building of Nutter's Fort in West Augusta County, Virginia, and was in the battle at Point Pleasant on the Big Kanawha river; enlisted in 1775 and served as a Private in Captain James Booth's Company until the Spring of 1778 when his father, Thomas Hughes, was killed by the Indians on Hacker's Creek, Virginia, and he was commissioned a Captain of Rangers and Spies, under Colonels Benjamin Wilson and William Louther, for three years; from 1781 to 1788 he served as a Private under Colonel George Jackson. After peace was proclaimed in 1783, he continued to serve against the Indians until after General Wayne's treaty with them in 1795. 
He was allowed pension on an application executed August 23, 1832, at which time he was seventy-five years of age and a resident of Utica, Licking County, Ohio
Page 18

Sur [Survivor's] file S8,747.

Date of death not shown.  for date of last payment of pension, [handwritten notation added] and probable date of death,] apply to the Auditor for the Interior Department, Treasury Department, citing the following data: "Certificate ss 29, 815, issued March 3, 1835, under Act of June 7, 183, at the Ohio Agency." 

Very respectfully,

Commissioner.

[handwritten notation added]
For tombstone.
Page 19

C

Jan.11, 1907.

Mr. L. V. McWhorter,
Lock Box 73,
North Yakima, Washington.

Sir:

In reply to your letter dated the 28th ultimo  and received in this Bureau on the 5th instant, you are advised that from the papers in claim Survivor's File #8.747, it appears that Elias Hughes was born on the south branch of the Potomac river in Hardy county, Virginia, and resided at Clarksburg Virginia, when he enlisted in the Virginia troops and served against the Indians.
In 1774 he assisted in the building of Nutter's Fort in West Augusta county, Virginia, and was in the battle at Point Pleasant on the Big Kanawha river; enlisted in 1775 and served as a Private in Capt. James Booth's company until the spring of 1778 when his father, Thomas Hughes, was killed by the Indians on Hacker's Creek, Virginia, and he was commissioned a Captain of Rangers and Spies, under Colonels Benjamin Wilson and William Louther, for three years; from 1781 to 1783 he served as a private under Colonel George Jackson.  After peace was proclaimed in 1783, he continued to serve against the Indians until after Gen. Wayne's treaty with them in 1795.
He was allowed pension on an application executed August 23, 1832, at which time he was seventy-five years of age and a resident of Utica, Licking County, Ohio
Page 20

Date of death not shown.  For date of last payment of pension (and names of the beneficiaries,) apply to the Auditor for the Interior Department, Treasury Department, citing the following data:  Certificate #29, 815, issued March 3, 1835, under Act of June7, 1832, at the Ohio Agency."
(A careful search of the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fails to show a claim for pension filed on account of the services of Captain William White, who was killed in 1782.)
Very respectfully,

Commissioner.
Page 21

Lincoln Neb June 24 1932

Pension Bureau
Rev Sold Deps
Washington D.C. 

Dear Sir: Will you send me military record of Elias Hughes a Rev. Soldier who died at Utica Ohio 1844. I am desirous to know the names of his children one of whom I believe to be my maternal grandparent also any other information that you can give about the family. 

EW Lown
1938 R

Lincoln Neb
Page 22

[unintelligible] 29815
8747

POSTAL CARD
The Space Below is for the Address Only.

Record Dept. 
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C.

Record
Page 23

Moull St - [unintelligible] 4th St
Newark Ohio
Licking Co
Aug 24 [ 08?]

Dear Sir, History tells me that Elias Hughes was with Gen Lewis 1774 at Mt. Pleasant = that he was Indian spy 21 years along the Ohio River. Was also in Revolution and War 1812. The last enlistment was in this county but I want his service in the Rev. War. He was long a pensioner and died in 1845. The local chapter D.A.R wish to mark his grave and this to get the necessary proof to present to [unintelligible]

Respectfully
Miss Alice Palmer
Page 24

3-871.
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
_________________________
Briefed by L.D.L.
Claim No. [blank]
Claimant [blank]
Soldier Elias Hughes
Service [blank]
Additional Service Rev. War
No [blank] claim, State records [blank], 190[ ]
No claim, combination records [blank], 190[ ]
REMARKS:
No claim except
Invd. #8747
-----------------------
0-8     \ Cheif Division
Page 25

North Yakima Wash, Dec 28 - 1906
Hon Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C. 

Dear sir,

If you have any record in your office of the military service of either Elias, or Ellis Hughes, War 1776, please send me same. 

He died at Utica Ohio, 1840 or 1845. Were any of the soldiers, or men, who participated in the Battle of Point Pleasant (Virginia = now West NC) in 1774 ever pensioned by the Government. 

The information is for a local history now under preparation. 

[illegible] 

[signed] L. V. McWhorter

[date stamp]
U.S. 
PENSION 
OFFICE
A
JAN 5 1907
Page 26

State of Virginia, [town?]

Be it known that on this 10th day of September AD 1834 before me John Davis one of the Justices of the Peace with and for the County of Harrison in said state personally came Jesse Louther of the County and state aforesaid who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he was [unintelligible] one years of age on the 21st July  [unintelligible]  agreeably to the records of his age kept by his father was born in Harrison County Virginia where he has ever since continued to reside )except about two years & a half, about the year of 1792)

[unintelligible] states that he was acquainted with Elias Hughes from, the time that he was capable of knowing any person that the [unintelligible] that he can relate reflecting said Hughes as an Indian warrior is from information derived from his father William Louther, and then, that during the time of the Revolution he was too young to participate in the scenes of warfare [unintelligible]  going forward on the western frontier of Virginia. Deponent states that he well recollects at one time that Elias Hughes was engaged with his father [unintelligible] Louther (then a Major in March 1781 with [unintelligible]  then pursuing a party of fourteen Indians who were then returning from Randolph County where  [crossed out] they had been murdering and plundering a number of the inhabitants of said Rudolph County - that his father and the [unintelligible] with him pursued said party of Indians on to the Indian Creek a branch of Hughes' River where they overtook and killed five of said Indians and returned with their scalps to said Fort having [unintelligible] one by the name of Daugherty & a [unintelligible] Roney from the Indians (her son another of the prisoners) being killed accidentally in the attack on the Indians. Deponent recollects that the amount of plunder taken from them
Page 27

Indians at that time when pleased to each person  amounted to 14-17-5 that amongst the plunder taken was nine [unintelligible] five silver half [moon?] one whole moon one war club and spear a member of [unintelligible]  Hawks [unintelligible] knives silver arm bands ear rings & nose jewelry ^a number of (or he thinks )one cap containing 44 silver broaches ^ [unintelligible]  pouches (of otter skins) and [paint?] bags - Deponent states that as far back as his recollection existed and from information derived from his father and others said Hughes ^ was from then first amongst the foremost to go farther against the Indians when his services were required has understood that he was a Captain of the spies but at what period her cannot state. Deponent states that from his personal knowledge of Hughes' services as an Indian warrior and from his general reputation as such he ranked amongst the foremost defenders of his country. Deponent states that he has been at Hughes house in Ohio since he left Virginia and he is satisfied that he is the same identical Elias Hughes mentioned in his original declaration made in Licking County Ohio August 23, 1832 now here exhibited No. 4776 thereafter saith not.

[illegible] Lowther

Harrison Count to wit personally appeared depose me a justice of the peace [unintelligible] the county aforesaid Jesse Lowther and made oath to the [unintelligible]
Page 28

[crossed out: 4.7.7] 4.776

admit a [unintelligible] 
[unintelligible]  H 8
Page 29

The State of Ohio Licking County

Before the [unintelligible] a Justice of the peace of said County personally appeared Thomas W Wilson [one of the sons of the late Col Benjamin Wilson of Harrison County Virginia ] a resident of said Licking County who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he hat been acquianted with Elias Hughes for about five years and is satisfied that he is the same Elias Hughes mentioned in his original declaration made August 23rd 1832 No. 4776 and in his amended declaration made December 5th 1834 in order to procure a pension under the act of the 7th June 1832. Deponent states that from his youth [unintelligible] he had frequently heard his father mention the name of Elias Hughes in the highest terms as an Indiann Warrior and that he distinctly recollects of his father telling him that he had given to said Hughes a [unintelligible]  as Captain of the Spyes to fill the place of a [unintelligible]  captain [name not recalled] who had been discharged by his father from the service on account of his cowardice. Deponent states that this name ^of Elias [or more commonly called Ellis Hughes] has been familiar to him from the he has been capable of recollecting any thing though he has never seen Hughes until [unintelligible] the deponent came to reside in Licking County that from the character uniformly given of him he [unintelligible] always looked upon him as one of the bravest and most efficient [crossed out] Indian warriors in the time of the Revolution. Deponent further states that in hearing his father mentions Hughes he has frequently heard him give the title of Captain Hughes further saith not.

[signed] T. W. Wilson

[unintelligible] this 5th day of February AD 1835 before me

[signed] M M Caffee
Justice of the Peace

I do also further certify that statements of the said Thomas W Wilson are entitled to credit and the above Certificate purporting to be his is genuine. Given under my name officially this 5th day of February AD 1835.

[signed] M M Caffee Justice of the Peace
Page 30

The State of Ohio Licking County

I Amos H Caffee Clerk of the Court of  [unintelligible] please within and for the County, do hereby certify that Mahlon M Caffee before when the foregoing amended declaration of Elias Hughes and certificate of Zarah Curtis deposition of Thomas W Wilson appear to have been made and taken was a the times therein mentioned a Justice of the peace within and for the said County duly commissioned and qualified as such according to law.

I further certify that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine. 

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my Seal of Office and subscribed my name this 20th day of February AD 1835.

[signed] A. H. Caffee Clerk
Page 31

Virginia
Harrison County

I David Davisson Clerk of the County of Harrison County certify that John Davis is a Magistrate as above and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his all genuine. 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my Seal of Office and subscribed my name this 10th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty four.

[signed] D. Davisson
Page 32

State of Virginia To wit

Be it known that on this 8th day of September A.D. 1834 Before me John Mitchel one of the Justices of the Peace within and for Lewis County in the said state personally appeared William Powers Esquire a resident of said Lewis County who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is 69 years of age - that he was first acquainted with Elias Hughes about 60 years ago in West Augusta County in the year 1774 at the building of Nutters Fort near where the Town of Clarksburg now is said Hughes was there assisting in the building of the Fort. Deponent thinks that Hughes was then seventeen years of age and resided with his father at a place now called Westfield in Lewis County Virginia - that from that time forward up to the year 1796 Deponent was more or less acqu=ainted with Hughes - and for a great portion of that period particularly acquainted with him and participated with him in the scenes of warfare then going forward between the whites & Indians on the western frontiers of Virginia Deponent states what with regard to the services of Hughes rendered from the commencement of the Revolution ^ in 1776 up to the year 1783 he cannot state from his own personal knowledge [crossed out] deponent states that he [unintelligible] did not act against the Indians in the same Company that Hughes duties were performed over this section of Country now comprising  the Counties of Harrison
Page 33

Comprising the lower part of Harrison & upper part of [unintelligible]  Counties adjoining to [unintelligible] County deponent states that while they were so engaged as [unintelligible]  and spies that he frequently saw Hughes when not on duty that from conversation with Hughes on those occasions & from general report during the times of those scenes of warfare and from the conversation with [unintelligible]  per the more immediate companions of Hughes (who are now nearly or quite all deceased) he is induced to believe that Hughes was (if not all the time) engaged in the service as a Ranger and spy from [crossed out" the] some time in the year 1778 up to the year 1783. Deponent states that he was present at one time in the spring of 1781. When Col Louther with 16 others of whom Elias Hughes ^way of the [unintelligible]  returned into Clarksburgh with five Indian scalps [unintelligible] great quantity of plunder and [crossed out: three] two prisoners which they had taken and resqued [rescued] from the Indians. Deponent states that he has examined the original declaration made by Hughes in Licking County state of Ohio on this 23rd of August AD 1832 No. 4776 and that he ^is satisfied from the facts there detailed that he is the identical Elias Hughes [unintelligible]
Page 34

for about thirty years. Deponent further states that after the peace between great Britain and the United States in 1783 the war with the Indians on the western fronter did not subside for a number of years that consequently a force was necessary to be kept up for their [unintelligible] defense against the [unintelligible] actions of the Indians. Deponent states that by this [unintelligible] him (deponent) and Hughes were thrown together on 
(from the year 1783 up to the year 1795) numbered occasions where he had an opportunity of forming a pretty good estimation of the character of Hughes as an Indian warrior that he believes that the Country in those days did not contain a more vigilant brave and efficient solder that from all he has seen or heard of Elias Hughes he was [unintelligible] his services were needed to go on an expedition at all times ready at a moments warning. Deponent states that he has no knowledge whether Hughes did or did not hold a commission as Captain that their services wee not performed any part together until after 1783

[signed] W Powers

This day William Powers before me one of the Comonwealths Justices for the County of Lews and made oath that the above statements correct according to his knowledge. [signed] J Mitchel  J
Page 35

I further Certify that William is of good respectable character and a man of [unintelligible] given under my hand this [unintelligible] th Day of Sept 1834

[signed[ John Mitchel J

State of Virginia 
Lewis County

I, John Talboth Clerk of the County Court of Lewis County a foresaid do certify that John Mitchel is a Magistrate above, and that I verily believe the foregoing signature purporting to be is genuine.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my Seal of Office at Weston[sp?] this 9th day of September 1834

[signed] J. Talbott Clk
Page 36

J L Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
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The State of Ohio Licking County

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within and for the County aforesaid Elias Hughes who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he [unintelligible] of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot minutely enter into a detail of his services in the Revolutionary War. Deposeth stated however without fear of contradiction that served as a ranger and spy during the whole of the Revolutionary War from the year 1775 to the year of 1783 and against the Indians ^was at the Battle of [unintelligible] present on the big  [unintelligible] in the year 1774 that his last service ^ever performed in the year of  [unintelligible] with the Indians in the 17?3 (as he thinks) in the neighborhood of Buchannan against a party of  [unintelligible] Indians by forcing them and giving the  [unintelligible] to the settlement that said Indians succeeded in getting of  [unintelligible] Mr. Bozarth ( [unintelligible] of John Bozarth) two of the children as prisoners who were delivered safe to General  Wayne after the treaty
(Deponent stats that after the declaration of war in 1775 he volunteered in the service in the Virginia states troops ( he thinks under one Captain James Booth under whom to the best of his recollection he continued to serve  [unintelligible]to the year (in  [unintelligible]) of 1778 when his father  [unintelligible] Hughes was killed by the Indians in  [unintelligible] Creek Virginia deponent states that about that time  [unintelligible] Stephen Ratcliff (or  [unintelligible] who held a commission as Captain (under Col Louther) left the service and went back  [unintelligible]to the south branch of the Potomac Deponent states that he was then commissioned by Col Benjamin Wilson as a Captain to  [unintelligible] the vacancy  [unintelligible] of the said Ratcliff leaving the service Deponent states he well recollects that his Commission was printed but by whom it was signed he cannot say but is written on  [unintelligible] that  [unintelligible] was  [unintelligible] by the Governor of Virginia . Deponent states as [unintelligible] before stated in his original declaration
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that he served not less than three years as Captain of the Rangers or Spys that he may perhaps be mistaken (from the great length of time which has elapsed and from loss of memory what he is [unintelligible] has failed him very materially) in order and deposition of [unintelligible] Col Benjamin Wilson Col William Louther as officer of the Revolution of the time he was so engaged and [unintelligible] aforesaid he is however satisfied that they were the two principal leaders in the commencement of the Revolution in [unintelligible] County Virginia and whether they did or did not at that time hold commissioning [unintelligible] the Government as Col [unintelligible] he cannot say positively (they have at least [unintelligible] titles) he is satisfied however that ^they [unintelligible] or had in fact such authority delegated to them by the Government that they took upon themselves the organization and arrangement [unintelligible]  position if the troops in that section of County and of paying off the [unintelligible]recommending this appointment of [unintelligible] and that he did in fact hold a commission served as Captain in the [unintelligible] for not less than three years as before stated Deponent stats on [crossed out: having] leaving his memory refreshed that ^he is mistaken in saying (as stated in his original declaration) that he was commissioned as Captain at the commencement of the war that it was not until the spring of 1778 (as he thinks)
Deponent states from from his youth [unintelligible] he had always a peculiar fondness for his gun and that his principal occupation was that of hunting from the time he was able to carry a gun up to the time of the Revolution that a number ^of years before the time of the Revolution [unintelligible] recollect the year)  removed with his farther in the neighborhood of Clarksburgh Virginia together with several other family  [unintelligible]
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John Hacker Wm Hacker Saml. Pringle Wm Ratcliff John Cutright & John Hacker with their families that at the breaking out of war, his services being required he of Choice Volunteered his services as he has before stated - that his name is mentioned in the Border Warfare a mark published by Alexr. Withers at Clarksburg 1831, and in which a part of his services is detailed (though not generally or particularly) Deponent states that his services may be Computed as follows viz as a private from the year 1775 up to the year 1778 - as a Captain from 1778 up to the year 1781 - and from the year 1781 up to the year 1783 as a private - Deponent states he has sent on to Virginia in order to procure the Testimony of Witnesses who lived with him and by whom he expected to be able to prove his services, better as a private and as Captain in the service but in consequence of the death of Alexander West and the absence of David Sleith his most important witnesses he has not been able to Establish his services as satisfactorily as he expected to be able to do. Deponent states positively from his own knowledge that he has actually served as above stated. that he did serve faithfully during the whole of the Revolutionary War without an intermission and that he also served after the peace of 1783 p to the year of 1795. Deponent states that he is unable to say whether he will be able to procure any further testimony in regard to his services than that which is attached to his original Declaration to wit the Testimony of Wm. Powers Esqr and Jesse Souther - that he does not know at this time of any person living within his knowledge (except David Sluith) whose testimony will be material
Deponent states that for three years past he has been entirely blind and [illegible]
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papers to submit to the Department his originals and Amended declaration with the Testimony accompanying the same with a view that the same may be acted upon giving to the department a discriminatory power to grant him a pension as Captain or Private as the evidence in the case may in their discretion seem to justify
Elias Hughes x his mark
Sworn & Subscribed this 5th day of December AD 1834 before me Ch M Caffee, Justice of the Peace

I Zerah Curtis a Clergyman residing in Licking County State of Ohio do hereby certify that for twenty five years past I have been well acquainted with the above named Elias Hughes have frequently heard him recount his services in the Revolutionary war on the western part of Virginia have this day examined his original declaration made in August 23, 1832 No. 4776. & now present and witnessing the taking of his Amended Declaration have frequently heard the Character of Hughes mentioned by diverse persons some of whom were personally acquainted with said Hughes services from all which I have no hesitation in saying it is my belief that he served as he states. I further certify that I have always Considered said Hughes a man of truth and upon whose word or oath the strictest reliance may be placed.
Zarah Curtis

I Mahlon M Caffee a Justice of the Peace of Newark Township in the County of Licking & State of Ohio that the above affidavit or Certificate signed by Zarah Curtis was taken sworn to & subscribed before me on this day & that the