Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3169, Nicholas Walter, Penn.

SERVICE
SERVICE Penner.
NUMBER _____
Walter Nicholas
N. 3169
Barbara
CONTENTS

Reports
6163 rd Aud. Jan 7. 1850. Enquiry of 1st Aud. Jan. 16. '56 1856 January 18 th Duplicate issued and sent to J. B. Livingston. Lancaster Pa. Special order to pay Feby. 29. 56
Pennsylvania 3939
Barbara Waltr widow of Nicholas Waltr who died on the 24 March 1837 of Lancaster Co in the State of Pennsylvania who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Gruff of the by in the Pennsylvania line for Nine Months
inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia at the rate of 30 Dollars Cents per ann. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Novem ber 1843 and sent to H. Kauf- man. Lancaster Pa.
Arrears to the 4th of September 1843 $ 375.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th March 1843 - 15.10
$ 400
Revolut
Recorded by G. L. Book C Vol. 1 Page

State of Pennsylvania } for Lancaster County. }
On this 24 th day of March. A.D. 1843.
Personally appeared before me, John H. Findlay, Recorder of the Mayor's Court in and for the city of Lancaster, Barbara Walter a resident of East Lampeter in the County and State aforesaid aged 87 years, who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836.
To the best of declarants recollection in the year of 1776, sometime in the summer, my husband Nicholas Walter left Lancaster in Captain Graff's company, of the "Flying Camp," among the soldiers that I saw personally leave with my said husband, was Philip Meek, and one Oment of Lampeter township - they marched towards Philadelphia - after my husband left I did not see him until his return in December 1776 - the same year, or in January of 1777, Mr. Meek Mr. Oment and my husband returned in company with each other to their homes.
That in the year 1777 my husband was again called out, whether he enlisted, or not, I cannot say, he joined a company in Lancaster borough, under Captain Kurtz of the Lancaster, and did not return until sometime in the year of 1779 - to his home in Lampeter Township - on the return of my husband from this campaign, he often related to me that he had been in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth - and was also at the taking of Stony Point under General Wayne, and often related to me anecdotes that occurred whilst in the army.
She further declares that she was married to the said Nicholas Walter on the 16 day of March A.D. 1776; and that her husband the aforesaid Nicholas Walter died on the 26 th day of March A.D. 1837. - that she was married prior to his entering the service - and has remained his widow ever

ever since. Sworn to and subscribe the day and year above written, before me J. V. Findlay Nicholas Walter Barbara her Walter mark
Lancaster City ss:-
I, John H. Findlay Recorder of the Mayor's Court, in and for said City, before whom the foregoing declaration was taken, do certify that Barbara Walter is a highly respectable Lady and that her declaration is entitled to full credit and belief.
Witness my hand and seal this 4 th day of March, A.D. 1843.
J. V. Findlay
Lancaster City ss:
I do further certify that Barbara Walter - is unable to appear in Court, on account of her age and bodily infirmity - Witness my hand & seal this 15 th day of May A.D. 1843.
State of Pennsylvania Lancaster County ss:
J. V. Findlay
On this 23 day of March A.D. 1843.
personally appeared before me, Flannery S. Carpenter a justice of the peace for the county of Lancaster, duly commissioned & qualified, Philip Meek a Pensioner and Soldier of the Revolution, who being first sworn according to law, states he had a personal knowledge of the services of Nicholas Walter, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, and they were as follows: viz:-
In the year 1776, in July, I joined the "Flying Camp" under Captain Graff and marched from the City of Lancaster; in this company belonged the above mentioned Nicholas Walter, who marched with us from the borough of Lancaster to Philadelphia, and from thence we were marched to Elizabethtown from thence to Amboy (here we got a new Captain by the name

of Doyle; and from Ambay we were marched to Kings Bridge, here we remained but a short time, and then marched to New York Barracks; on our arrival we were ordered to Long Island, here we got into an engagement with the British; was defeated, and lost nearly all of our baggage; from thence we retreated to New York City, the British pursued us, and we retreated to Fort Washington; here we got into an engagement with the British, we then retreated to Fort Lee, remained here a few days, and then got into another engagement with the British - and from thence we retreated to Brunswick - the British still pursuing us, from Brunswick we retreated to Princeton, and then to Trenton - we arrived at Trenton just as the Hessians were about surrendering. After the Hessians had surrendered, our company was ordered as part of the Guard to take them to the Lancaster Barracks. - Nicholas Walter belonged to our company during all this campaign. We were discharged in the Borough of Lancaster late in December or in January 1777.
In the year 1777 I recollect of seeing Nicholas Walter joining Captain Wirtz's company, and saw them leave the City of Lancaster. I did not go with them, he returned in two or three years; he often told me of the battles he was in. And also that I am well acquainted with Barbara Walter, and know her to be the widow of the above named Nicholas Walter, who died on the 26 th day of March 1837. - that she has remained his widow ever since - And further deponent saith nothing.
Sworn to and subscribed the year and day above mentioned, before me,
Henry Carpenter
J. Kaufman, J. P.
Philip his Meek mark
Lancaster County ss.
I, Henry A. Carpenter, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, before whom the forgoing deposition was taken, do certify, that Philip Meek is a highly respectable citizen, and that his deposition is entitled to full credit and belief. (Witness my hand and seal this
23 rd day of March A.D. 1843.
Henry Carpenter

I, John C. Baker, Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of the City of Lancaster, in the County of Lancaster, and the State of Pennsylvania, do certify, that the following extract shewing the marriage of Nicholas Walter and Barbara Miller taken from the records of said Church - to wit from a Register of marriages kept by Henry Muhlenburg formerly Pastor of said Congregation is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows:—
1776.
April 16. Mch. Aucto. Nicholas Walter and Barbara Miller l.W.
which said record was written and kept by the said Rev. Henry Muhlenburg in the German Language in the aforesaid Register, the record of which said marriage being translated into the English Language is as follows:—
1776.
April 16. According to Proclamation Nicholas Walter and Barbara Miller they being married—
I, John C. Baker, above named, depose and say that I hold the office of Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the City, County, and State aforesaid, and that the above German extract is a true extract from the records of said Congregation, and that the English translation of the same is a fair translation of the same.
Sworn to & subscribed before me, an Alderman in and for the City of Lancaster, this 7th day of March AD 1843.
Geo. Nusser. Ald r
John C. Baker (Seal) h. t. Pastor.

Barbara Waller
Pa
Act 4 July 36
m 76 a 37-
adm
9 mo pri
30
8939
Phila
J.B. Kaufman Esq
Lancaster
Pa

State of Pennsylvania } Lancaster County }
On this 25th day of March A.D. 1843.
Personally appeared before me one of the Aldermen in and for the city of Lancaster George Leonard, a resident of said city, a soldier of the Revolution and Pensioner of the United States, who being first sworn according to law doth depose and say as follows:-
That he was intimately acquainted, with, and had a personal knowledge of the military services in the Revolutionary war of Nicholas Walter, late of the Township of Lampeter in the County of Lancaster and State aforesaid, and that they were as follows:-
I saw Nicholas Walter, who was a soldier in Capt Grafton's company, (being part of the "Flying Camp"), leave Lancaster in July, 1776, for Philadelphia, and saw him again on his return about December 1776, or Jany 1777, with the Hessian prisoners - I was at this time standing guard at the Barracks in Lancaster -
In the year 1777 and the said Nicholas Walter joined the Army in Lancaster, we were under the command of Col. Hubley. This was sometime in the spring of the year when we left Lancaster, and were marched to Germantown or some place near there and encamped, we were then marched to Brandywine, we crossed Chadsford, and entered into an engagement with the British, and we retreated to Chester from thence to Germantown, here we got into an engagement, and afterwards retreated to White Marsh, and from thence to Valley Forge - we took up winter quarters here and remained until sometime in June 1778 - after the Camp broke up at Valley Forge - was the last that I saw of Nicholas Walter - I saw him on his return to Lancaster in the year 1779.
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above mentioned
his George  Leonard mark
Geo. Muser W. Kaufman Lancaster City
I, George Muser an alderman duly commissioned in and for said City, before whom the foregoing deposition was taken do certify that George Leonard is a highly respectable citizen and that his deposition is entitled to full credit and belief.
Witness my hand and seal this 25th day of March A.D. 1843.
Geo. Muser

State of Pennsylvania } Lancaster County }
On this 29 th day of March, A.D. 1843. personally appeared before me, one of the Aldermen in and for the City of Lancaster, Jacob Hoom, a resident of said City, and pensioner of the United States, who being first sworn according to law states he had a personal knowledge of the services of Nicholas Walter, a soldier of the Revolution war, and they were as follows:—
(That he was born in Strasburg township, adjoining Lampeter township in the County of Lancaster, and was very well acquainted with Nicholas Walter the husband of the declarant; that they worked together frequently in harvest until deponent arrived at the age of 18 years, when he removed up the country and did not see any thing of N. Walter until he joined the "Flying Camp" in July 1776 and marched through Lancaster for Philadelphia. N. Walter belonged to Capt. Graff's company. I forget whether it was at Lancaster or Philadelphia that I next saw him. (From Philadelphia - both the company that Walter and the one I belonged to marched to Amboy and then to Long-Island - here we had a hot skirmish with the British, were defeated and lost nearly the whole of our baggage - from thence we retreated to Fort Washington - the British pursuing us. We had a few skirmishes and retreated to Trenton just as the Hessians were surrendering. After the surrender we marched back to Lancaster having the prisoners under our charge - this was late in December 1776. Nicholas Walter being the whole of this time with us. On arriving at Lancaster I left for my home at Shultz's Valley. And further that I am well acquainted with Barbara Walter, and know her to be the widow of the above named Nicholas Walter, who died on the 26 th day of August March 1837 & that she has remained his widow ever since, And further deponent saith not.
Sworn to and subscribed the year and day above mentioned, before me
Jacob Hoom
Geo. Mufser
over

Lancaster City ss:-
I George Muser, an alderman in and for the City of Lancaster, before whom the foregoing deposition was taken do certify that Joel Hoover is a highly respectable citizen and that his deposition is entitled to full credit and belief.
(Witness my hand seal this 29 th day of March, A.D. 1843.
Geo. Muser
State of Pennsylvania Lancaster County, ss;
I Rudolph F. Rauch Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County - Do Certify that John R. Findlay Esquire, is the Recorder of the Mayors Court of the City of Lancaster, in said County, George Muser, Esquire an Alderman of said City & Henry Carpenter, Esquire a Justice of the Peace in & for said
County, before all whom the foregoing proceedings were had & that the signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine -
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this Twentyninth day of March in the year of our LOR D, One thousand eight hundred & forty three -
Rud. F. Rauch Prothy. Pr. Saml. Howard

1855
Barbara Walter
application for a new Certificate of Pension in lieu of a Lost Certificate.
/yr 1856
Rowland Perry 5 1/2 Sept 29
David Watson 1 2 Nov 30

State of Pennsylvania County of Lancaster } ss.
On the fifteenth day of December A.D. 1855, Before me the subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for said County. Personally came Barbara Walter, aged about 95 years, who being duly sworn according to Law, deposes and says, that she is the Widow of Nicholas Walter deceased. That a Certificate of Pension was issued to her, the date of which she cannot now recollect, but believes it was in 1845. That by Virtue of said Certificate of Pension, Roland Parry of Philadelphia, as her attorney in fact, drew for her, through the 3 rd Auditor's Office, (she thinks,) $135, being the amount due her up to September 4 th 1849 (she believes), at $30. per annum. That afterwards, David Watson, as her attorney in fact, drew for her from the Pension Agency in Philadelphia, $15, being the amount due her up to March 4 th 1850. — Since then she has not received said Pension, or any portion of it. That her Certificate of Pension, was left in the hands & Possession of Daniel B. Vondersmith, who was to look after it for her. That said Danl. B. Vondersmith as she is informed, committed frauds in certain Pension Cases, and was obliged to leave the country and does not now reside in the United States. That she has had search made among his papers, and every place where she thought her Certificate might be found, and has been un- able to find it. She therefore Verily believes said Certificate has been lost or destroyed. She makes this her affidavit for the purpose of procuring a New Certificate of Pension in lieu of the one heretofore issued to her, which has been lost or destroyed. Sworn & Subscribed. before me the day and year aforesaid & I hereby certify that I believe said Barbara Walter to be the Identical person she represents herself to be, and that she is of the age above stated.
Her Barbara Walter mark
Henry H. Baird Justice of Peace.

State of Pennsylvania County of Lancaster
ss. J. B. Bowman,
Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County. Hereby Certify That Abraham Blair
Esq. before whom the within affidavit was made, was at the time of the making thereof and now is a Justice of the peace in & for said County, duly commissioned & sworn. That the Signature purporting to be his is genuine & that full faith & credit is & of right ought to be given to all his Official acts as such.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County, at the City of Lancaster, this Seventeenth day of December A.D. 1855.
J. Bowman, Proth.

Wm
WIDOW, &c.
am
File No. 3169
Barbara Walter
Widow
Nicholas Walter
Prin. Rev. War
Act: July 4, 1836
Index: Vol. M. , Page 305.
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Barbara Walter wid Nichola ad July 26 39 39
Memor of Mons Peasant

Penn
Barbara Walter wid Nicholas
July 30 - 39 39
John Stuart McRae Commissioner of Pensions Pension Office Washington City D.C.

P. Pension Office
Decem. 22 1837
Please say to what time the within pensioner has been paid.
Very Respecty.
R. J. Atkinson Esq. 3 d Auditor
R. M c Rae for Commr.
11 Mar 1837

3 d Auditor's Office Decr. 26. 1833.
Sir.
as far as accounts have been received she appears to have been paid to 4 March 1832.
Very Respectfully.
Your H. Servt.
Robt. J. Harris Auditor.
J. Minot Esq. Comm ee of Pensions.

Pa LANC., Decr. 17. 1855
Hon. J. Minot.
Enclosed please find the affidavit of Barbara Walter, asking for a new certificate of Pension in lieu of one lost or destroyed. The old lady is very feeble and unable to leave her room and is very needy. She has due her from Government about $150. which would be of great assistance to her, but she is unable to draw it without a new certificate, as the old one has been lost, mislaid or destroyed. Your early attention to this will greatly oblige her, and also your Humble servant
B. C. Livingston

Barbara Walter widow of Nicholas
Act 11. July 1836
Duplicate to
J
J. B. Livingston Lancaster Pa.

Phila. Oct. 13, 1836
Will the 3d. Audr. be so good as to say whether the within recital is true; that Roland Pany & David Watson received an annuity of pension for Mrs Barbara Walter - Act July 1836, Phila. roll? The question is asked with a view to the hearing of the facts upon the point of identity.
St. J. C. Attention Eng. 3d. Audr.
Respy. H. M. Blair for Commr.
Alb.
3d. Auditors Office. Sept 16th 1836

3 d Auditor's Office. Jan'y 16 th 1837.
Sir.
Upon examination of the vouchers in the case the recital of the within named, Barbara Walters it appears to be strictly true. Whatever arrearages that may be due are payable through this office.
J. Minot Esq. Comm'r of Pensions.
Very Respectfully, Walter G. Simon Auditor.

July 17 1843.
Can
Barbara Healtu
FREE
H. Edwards Esq.
Commission of Pensions
Washington City
3/40 15-

Lancaster July 15 th 1843.
Dear Sir,
I received your letter this morning and in reply would state that instead of five months Flying Camp service, six have been procured; for it is a well known matter of history, that the Flying Camp was on duty for six months, and Walter served out his full term, as appears by the Deposition of Philip Meck who was in the same Company, and now receives $20 Pension per annum.
As to the service of more than 2 years, not being duly sustained, I would say that the full term is not as satisfactory as might be desired yet the Department cannot certainly disregard the testimony of George Leonard, who receives a pension for the service to which he testifies, and Jacob Hoover who saw the company in which Walter was, out in service. I am sure from the whole of the testimony, and the great length of time one year's service in the Penna. Line is proven satisfactorily. The reason why the Old Man did not apply during his life time, was that he thought he had sufficient to live upon during his life, but since his death it turned out that he had so many debts that his whole estate was nearly exhausted in discharging his debts. As to the proof laid before the Pennsylvania Legislature - nothing but the Widow's Declaration was presented, together with the statement made by word of mouth, by Mr. Warfel, a member from this

County, who was intimately acquainted with the old man, and knew the reputation he had of being a long time out in service during the Revolutionary War, I hope the Department will take the case up as soon as possible, as the whole matter is fresh in their recollection, and allow the claim for six months service in the Whiting Camp and one year in the Pennsylvania Line.
I am very truly, Yours &c.
W. D. Kaufman

10 J. B. Kaufman Esq. Lancaster Penn.

Pennsylvania, ss:
Secretarys Office -
Harrisburg May 22 d 1843
I Certify, that in pursuance of an act of the General Assembly of this Commonwealth passed April 18 th 1843, The State Treasurer is authorized and directed to pay to Barbara Walter of Lancaster Co. and others Soldiers & Widows of Soldiers of the Revolutionary and Indian Wars or to their respective Orders, Forty dollars each immediately as a gratuity and an annuity of Forty dollars each during life payable half yearly to commence on the 1 st day of January 1843
Witness my hand and the Seal of said Office the day and year aforesaid
Chas. W. Wirt
Secy of the Commonwealth
Our records show no evidence of Nicholas Walter being in the Service - It appears that Capt Andrew Graff was in the Service in '77 - When appointed or how long he was in the Service our records does not show -
There is no evidence of Capt Wurtz Service The Pay rolls in the Auditor Generals Office have been examined and neither of the above names can be found
Yours &c J B Mansfield Esq
Chas. W. Wirt

Brief in the case of
Barbara Walter wid w of Nicholas County and State of Pennsylvania act July 1836.
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
The pensioner declares that she has lost her pension certificate, which was entrusted to an attorney & cannot now be found Duplicate certificate allowed
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Name and residence of Agent.
W. Livingston Esq Lancaster Pa.
R. M. Pa. Examining Clerk.

Oct 31. 1843
M. A.
Pa.
Barbara Walter
Rev. H. B. Sturdivant, Com. of Presby. Washington City.
TRID

Lancaster Oct 27 th 1873
Sir,
Barbara Walla has requested me to state to you, that rather than have her claim delayed so long, for the sake of one additional month's service in the Flying Camp, she would accept the 5 months service together with the two tours of Militia service, which you allowed in your letter to me of the 27 th ultimo, (making 9 months in all,). By referring to your letter of the 27 th ult, you will be enabled to see how the case stands, thereby avoiding another investigation of the vast amount of testimony I forwarded to you. If it will suit you, please send me the certificate immediately.
I am with respect
Yours &c
H B Kaufman
H Edwards Esq. { Com. of Pensions}

Sept 27 '43
Bar. Walter
July 4 '36 Pa
My Liberty - 43
3256
In ad.
FREE
Mem: J. H. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Washington City

Lancaster September 26 th 1843.
Dear Sir,
Pardon me for again asking you to examine the claim of Barbara Walter, widow of Nicholas Walter a Revolutionary Soldier. I returned the papers to you in June last, but upon receiving the printed letter from you in July. I declined troubling you any farther supposing that in its proper time it would be taken up. Thomas Porter Esq, who was in Lancaster a few days ago told me that it must be an oversight, and that I should write again. In referring to your letter I find that if the attorney employed has any reason to think that unnecessary delay has taken place, it is proper for him to ask information. I hope therefore this letter will not be unacceptable. Perhaps it may not be amiss to mention here that I forwarded to you sometime in June the Application of Elizabeth Seibly for one year pension of $21. I have not had a single line from you in regard to it. She called at my Office yesterday in relation to it & requested me to write to you concerning it. She told me she had spoken to J. B. Lockhart Esq, about her claim but that she has since told him that I have it still in my hands, & therefore called on me to urge it on. I hope the Department will not overlook it.
I am very Respectfully
Yours &c.
J. B. Lockhart
Hon. J. Edwards } Com. of Rev.
Eliz Seibly 3 Mar 43 - July 29

5809
May 24 1843
pa. July 4. 1836 Barbara Walts
Anscombe
Hon. J. H. Edwards Com. of Pensions Washington City

Lancaster May 23 rd 1843.
Dear Sir,
In haste I enclose you the again the papers of Barbara Walter, - It is certified now, on the 2 nd Page that the applicant was unable to appear in Court. Enclosed you will also receive a letter from the Sec of Commonwealth, that she is a Pension of the State - and that Andrew Graff - was a Captain in the Rev. War, but when he was appointed the records do not tell. From the imperfect way that Graff's name is mentioned on the records shows that full records were not kept properly - and this accounts for the absence of Wurtz's name - Now - the reason that these witnesses speak so clearly as to his services is that Walter was much older than any of them, and as he was a man of great influence - he exerted it effectually in procuring a great many of the soldiers to enlist under Captain Graff, Deck among the no. W. Meek informs me that Walter was offered a Secretary, but declined it. - It cannot be expected that the witness can speak particularly as to each tour of two months they were out. W. Leonard mentioned about the tours, but I thought it unnecessary to put it in his deposition especially as he did not state it clearly to me. Mr. Wurtz was certainly a Militia Captain and was at Brandywine. Our old men of Lancaster say so positively. and Graff was appointed in 1776. in the "Flying Camp" - Mr. Meek and Susan Kuhn's Husband served under Cap. Graff and now receive a pension from the U. States for that service. The Department can exercise their discretion in granting for the militia service - their decision will be satisfactory, I hope I have complied with your letter of the 11 th inst.
I am very Respectfully yours J. B. Kaufman.
Hon. J. L. Edwards. Com. of Penn.