Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11050, Memucan Walker, Va.
Page 1

SERVICE
Va.
Walker, Memucan
Rachel
NUMBER
R. 11050.
CONTENTS
Page 2

Power of attorny 
Rachel Walker 
to 
A.H. Markland.
to examine Pension
Papers under the 
act of June 1832.
filed by Memucan
Walker deed.
Virginia
Page 3

Know all men by these Presents = That I 
Rachel Walker of the county of Greenbrier, and
state of Virginia, the widow of Memucan Walker dead
whose claim for pension was sent to the War Depart-
– ment [Department] from the said county and state, and filed
under some act of Congress not known by me, and
which was suspended for further proof; and who
died on the 2d. day of May 1836 – do hereby
constitute and appoint A. H. Markland of Wash – 
– ington [Washington] City, my true and lawful attorney,
irrevocubly [irrevocably] for me, and in my name, to exam –
– ine [examine] all the words, letters, affidavits, and other
documents and papers connected with the said
suspended claim, as well as all the records that
may show the service of my said husband in the
Revolutionary War = hereby confirming whatsoever
my said attorney shall, in my name, do in the
premises : In testimony whereof I hereunto set
my hand and seal this 9th day of June 1833 –.
Attest: [signature] John Hix  
[signature] Marion Gwinn
her
Rachel x Walker [hand drawn seal]
mark
State of Virginia }
Greenbrier Co. } On this 9th day of June 1833, – 
before me, a justice of the peace for the aforesaid county
and State, personally appeared Rachel Walker
and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney
to be fact and deed for the purposes therein men –
– tioned [mentioned] : and I certify that my personal
knowledge the said Rachel Walker is the widow
of Memucan Walker dec. who was reputed to 
be
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be a Revolutionary Soldier &c. Witness my
hand & Seal on this 9th day of June 1833.
[signature] E.J. Gwinn J.P., [hand drawn seal]

State of Virginia }
Greenbrier Co. } ss.
I Joel McHerson of the County Court of said
County, do certify that E.J. Gwinn Esquire be fore [before]
whom the foregoing power of attorney was acknowl – 
– edged [acknowledged], was, at the time thereof, a Justice of the peace
for said county, duly commissioned & qualified by
law to administer oaths &c., and that the above is his
genuine signature.
{Witness my hand and
{Seal this 11th day of
{October in the year 1833.
[signature] Joel McHerson
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Declaration of Memucan Walker in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.
Greenbrier County} 
State of Virginia}  S.S.

On this the 22nd day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the justices of the Court of Greenbrier County now sitting Memucan Walker a resident of said County of Greenbrier and State of Virginia aged Sixty Eight years and one month, 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 services of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated – That he entered the services as a volunteer, under Capt William Dowson at the age of 16 years in the year 1780 in the County of Lunenburg and State of Virginia – That he was enrolled on the 23rd of Sept 1780 – and continued in the service, til the last of November 1781 – That he served in Col Cock’s regiment – That he marched from Lunenburg to join General Green, and did join him at Ervines Ferry on Dan River – and from thence – Under General Green and in Gen – Stevens briggade [sic] continued the march into North Carolina and on to Guilford Courthouse where he was engaged in the Battle at Guilford Court House – from whence he retreated with the army to Troublesome Iron Works, on deep River – Then he pursued the rear of the enemy under Corn Wallace [sic], down deep River to Ramsours Mills – Then they recd  order to return to Virginia, and took up their line of March via Hillsborough North Carolina, thence to the Roanoak [sic] at Sir Peyton Skypeth’s [Skipwith’s] ferry, where they crossed ,  and came on to Petersburg Virginia, from thence to James Town and then on to York, where they entered upon the siege, and continued there
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[illegible] Continental Declaration [illegible]
until the surrender of the British army under
Corn Wallace [Cornwallis] – – At the Battle of Guilford Court
House he was commanded by Capt Dowson
Col. Cock General Stevens was thir [their] Brigadere [Brigadier]
General and General Green was their comman
= der [commander] – – At York Town he was still commanded
by Capt Dowson – General Washington commander
in Chief – – your affiant does not recollect the
names of the intermediate officers at York Town
That he resided in Lunenburg County Virginia
where this affiant was raised when he entered
the service – and he now lives in the County
of Greenbrier where he has resided for the
last twenty years – – That he has no docu
mentary [documentary] evidence of his service, and that
he knows no person whose testimony
he can procure, who can testify to his
service – 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and
year aforesaid – 
[signature] [Memucan] Walker

We James Jarrett and Col Samuel McClung residing
in the County of Greenbrier and state of Virginia do
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
Memucan Walker, who has subscribed & sworn
to the above declaration, that we believe
him to be 68 years of age, that he is reputed
and believed, in the neighbourhood [neighborhood] where he
resides, to have been a soldier of the revolu
=tion [Revolution], and that we concur in that oppinion [second “p” crossed out] – But
we have no direct evidence of his services – further than
his own – from many years acquainted during which
time he has always afsumed [assumed] such character – of a
Soldier of the Revolution – .

Sworn to and subscribed the day & year
aforesaid – 
[signature] James Jarrett
[signature] Saml McClung
And the said Court do hereby declare their
opinion after the investigation of the matter
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Ques – Did you ever receive a discharge
from the service and if so by whom
was it given – and what has be
come [become] of it?
Ans – I recd [received] a discharge from Genl
Stevens – But have lost it – 
Ques – State the names of the persons
to whom you are known in your
present neighbourhood, and who
can testify as to your character
for varasity [veracity] – and their belief
of your services as a soldier of
the revolution. 9 – 
Ans – James Jarett and Samuel
McClung–”
Sworn to and subscribed this
the 22d day of July in open court.
[signature] Mem. Walker

Virginia Greenbrier County Towit
At a Court held for the County of Greenbrier
at the Court house thereof on Monday the 22nd
day of July 1833
Memucan Walker who has
Subscribed the foregoing statement and the
Certificate to his Original declaration and
hereto annexed appeared in Open Court and
made oath to, that the same were June which is
Ordered to be testified to the War department
In testimony where I John
Matthews Clerk of Said Court
have hereunto affixed the seal
of my Office & subscribed my
name the 23rd day of July
1833 and in the 58th year
Of the Commonwealth
[signature] John Matthews CGC
Page 8

A supplemental & declaration of Memucan Walker to obtain a pension under the Act passed June 7th 1832 –

Ques – Where and in what year were you Born? – 
Ans – I was born in the year 1764 in the County of Lunenburg Virginia – 
Ques Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it? –
Ans – I have at Home, a copy of my Fathers register –
Ques – Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the revolutionary war – and where do you know [now] live?
Ans – When called into service I lived in Lunenburg County Va I have since lived in the state of Maryland and in South Carolina – and I now live in Greenbrier County Virginia –
Ques – How were you called into service, were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute – and if a substitute for whom?
Ans – I was a volunteer – and served one year two months and seven days – we volunteered during the war –
Ques – 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 service –
Ans – Col Gunley of the Maryland regiment old Gen Morgan of the Riflemen – Col Wm Washington of the Cavelry [sic]– I do not recollect any names for the regiment and my Gen'l service is set forth in my
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and after putting the interrogatories proscribed by the War department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states; and the Court further certify, that it appears to them, that James Jarett and Col Samuel M Clung who
have signed the preceeding [sic] certificate are residents of the County of Greenbrier, and state aforesaid , and are credible persons; and that their statement is entitled to full credit –

Virginia
Greenbrier County Towit
I John Mathews Clerk of the Court of Greenbrier County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings in the matter of the application of Memucan Walker for a Pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
Set my hand and Seal of office this
25th day of October 1832 and in the
57th year of the Commonwealth
 John Mathews CGC

Greenbrier County Sct.
I Memuken [sic] Walker do hereby certify that the reason why the certificate of a clergyman was and is not obtained  to the foregoing declaration was and is that I live in a remote and obscure part of the county in which no clergyman resides in this county and I know no clergyman whose [marked out: could] certificate could be obtained  I further certify that the whole period of my service during the revolutionary war in the character of a volunteer (private) in the militia of Virginia was one year two months & seven days.  Memucan Walker
Sworn & subscribed to in open count.
Teste
John Mathews CGC
Page 10

Greenbrier Cty [County] Sct [Sect]
I Memucan Walker do hereby certify that I was eng-
aged [engaged] in the continuous tour of 14 months without
intermifsion [intermission] having Entd [entered] the service (as specified in
the preceeding [proceeding] application) as a volunteer for and during
the war, and was kept Engaged in Guarding the military
stores, &c after the tour to Guilford, untile [until] I was
marched to Yorktown as stated in My Declaration
[signature] Mcm [Memucan] Walker
Greenbrier County To Wit
This day Memucan
Walker came before me the subscriber
a Justice of the peace in & for the
county aforesaid & made Oath that
the above certificate is true given
under my hand this 2nd day of
Nov 1833.
[signature] James Frazer

[written vertically at center right]
Memucan
Walker’s
Declaration

[written vertically at center left]
Thas. Mathews
Lewisburg Va.

Virginia
Greenbrier County Js
I John Mathews clerk of Said county do
hereby certify that James Frazer the Person
before whom the above affidavit was mad [made] is
an Acting Justice of the Peace in and for
Said county duly commifsioned [commissioned] & qualified
as Such and that the above Signature purporting
to be his appears to be Genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
Affixed the Seal of my office and
Subscribed my name this the 2nd day
of November 1833 and in the 58th
year of the commonwealth
[signature] John Mathews CGC
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[illegible handwriting top left page]
March 6. 1915.
Honorable Stephen M. Sparkman,
House of Representatives
My dear Mr. Sparkman:
In response to your letter dated the fifth instant. I have the honor to advise you that in the Revolutionary War pension claim [Underlined text] Rejected File No. 11,050, [Text no longer underlined] it is alleged that [Underlined text] Memucan Walker [Text no longer underlined] was born in Lunenburg County, Virginia, in 1764, and resided there when he enrolled September 23, 1780, and served as Private under Captain William Dowson, in Colonel Cocke's regiment of Virginia Militia, until the last of November, 1781. He was at the battle of Guilford and Siege of York. He died May 2, 1836, leaving a widow, Rachel, who was living in Greenbrier County, Virginia, in 1855. 
He applied for pension on October 22, 1832, while residing in Greenbrier County, Virginia, but his claim was not allowed for the reason that he failed to furnish sufficient proof of service, as required by the Act of June 7, 1832, under which application was made.
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The Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to Mansfield Walker. 
Very truly yours, 
GMSaltzgaber
commissioner.
Memucan Walker - 2 -
Page 13

[left side of page]
REJECTED
11,050.
P.O.
Memucan Walker
Service:

Enlisted: [blank space], 18 [blank space].
Discharged: [blank space], 18 [blank space].

Application filed: [blank space], 18 [blank space].

Alleges:

Re-enlisted:

Attorney:
P.O.

[blank space] Recognized. [blank space] Contract.
[blank space] Cert. of Dis. Searched for [blank space], 18 [blank space].

[Right side of page]
1915 Mar 6. His. to S.M. Sparkman
MS.
Page 14

Memucan Walker
Va
Suspended –
Letter 11 Nov: 1833 to
Thos. Mathews
11505
Act of June 1832
Page 15

Memucan Walker
Va suspended act 32
Mr. Cutcher [illegible]
Page 16

[right side of page]
Memucan Walker
Va

15, & 26

Suspended, See letr [letter]
11 Nov 1833 to
Thos. Mathews
Lewisburg
Va
30 Augt [August]
[“Jas. D Boulin” crossed out]
[“Lewisburg” crossed out]
[“Va” crossed out]
Page 17

BREIF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Memucan Walker of Alexandria Co. Virg. which require further proof of explanation. 

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes

V. * Has he mentioned 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? Yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
Yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
Yes
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[typed form with handwritten responses]
[center at top of page]
2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolu-
tionary [revolutionary] service?
Two credible witnesses – no clergyman 

XII. If the clergyman’s affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain-
ing [obtaining] it? No

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes

XIV. †If the applicant’s name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant’s service?

XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered? 2, 4, 6,7

[center at bottom of page]
EXPLANATORY NOTES.

QUERE V. 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 recol-
lection [recollection] he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For [blank space] year [blank space] months, and [blank space] days, I served as a [blank space] For [blank space] months and [blank space] days, I served as a [blank space]; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 19

 3
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 according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too 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 au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie 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.
QUERE XIV 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. 
QUERE XVI 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 to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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,

It can hardly be supposed that the applicant served as a volunteer in the militia for the term of 14 months as one continuous tour- which was not the [illegible] during the revolutionary war. They were always called out for short and limited periods. The applicant will therefore specify his services as requested above
Page 20

To the Hon Lew [paper torn]
Sec

Va  Nov 7 
reto #15.426

Nov 7 1833
Pensions Office
[stamp] [illegible] NOV R 3
Page 21

Lewisburg Nov. 2d 1833
To The Hon'l Lewis Cass
Mr Bowlin who has held the management of the Enclosed papers, having removed from this place, has Left the Said proceedings with me to forward  You will perceive that the applicant has Stated on the Last page that he was 14 months on one continuous tour, has Sworn to the Same and obtained the requisite certificate from the Clk-- [?] the applicant is in quite necessitous circumstances, and if there be any thing coming to him would gladly be informed of it By your warrant Enclosed to Your
Obt Svt
Tha's Mathews
Page 22

Sixty-Third Congress

Stephen M. Sparkman, FLA... 
Chairman,
George F. Burgess, TEX.                  
Benjamin G. Humphreys, MISS.
George W. Taylor, ALA. 
Charles G. Edwards, GA.
John H. Small, N. C.
Charles F. Booher, MO.
Thomas Gallagher, ILL.
Daniel A. Driscoll, N. Y.
Michael Donohoe, PA.
Thomas J. Scully, N. J. 
William F. Murray, MASS.
Charles Lies, IND.
William Kettner, CAL.
William E. Humphrey, WASH. 
Charles A. Kennedy, IOWA.
Andrew J. Barchfeld, PA.
James A. Hughes, W. VA.
Robert M. Switzer, OHIO.
Caleb Powers, KY.
Allen T. Treadway, MASS.
William C. Brooker, Clerk.
Joseph H. McGann, Assistant Clerk. 

COMMITTEE ON RIVERS AND HARBORS,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES U. S.,
WASHINGTON D. C. 
March 5, 1915

The Commissioner, 
    Bureau of Pensions, 
        Washington, D. C. 
My dear Sir: -- 
    I have a request from a constituent of mine for
the military record of two parties who served as soldiers during the Revolution. I have had this matter up with the Adjutant General, War Department, but he advises me that he is unable to find either of the names on the rolls of his office and suggests that if they received a pension for their services I could perhaps obtain their military records from the Bureau of Pensions. I quot below so much of my constituents letter as bears upon this subject:

    "An uncle on my mothers side, several times removed, Mansfield Walker, served on General Washington's Staff during the Revolution and I am desirous of getting his complete army record."

    "He lived on the Walker homestead in Virginia. I would also like to have the military record of Memican Walker, who I am informed served as a soldier during the Revolution."

I shall appreciate it very much if you can furnish me with the military record of these two parties.

Yours very truly,

[illegible signature]