Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7800, William Walker, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va
Walker William
S 7800
CONTENTS
carded
VT

Letter 21. April 1837 Pen agent
Virginia 31,262
William Walker, Son, of Charlotte Co. in the State of Virginia. who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Pennington of the Reg't commanded by Col. Nelson in the Virginia for 6 months & 17 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 21 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14. day of Nov. 1837 and sent to Wm. J. B. Bedford, Esq. Charlotte C. H. Va.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 37 142. 22 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1. Mar. 38. 10. 94 $153. 16
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book E Vol. 6 1/2 Page 39

State of Ohio } Darke county } on this 19 th day of November AD 1833. Personally appeared before the court of common Pleas of said county, now sitting William Walker,  the a resident of Twp. Township in said county, and state aged seventyfour years last march  of years Who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States and in the Virginia Militia under the follow- ing named officers and served as herein stated That he volunteered for the term of five months in Captain John Shannons Company in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Broadhead and M c Intosh was an General; of the time I commenced in the service of the United States and volunteered as aforesaid was same time in September the year of our Lord AD 1778 and I then resided in Botetourt county state of Virginia and he marched from said county to Fort M c Intosh where myself and part of the Troops were stationed; and the remainder of the Troops marched to the Susque- hanna Indian Towns I served the said five months for which I enlisted and then returned home
The said applicant states that he enlisted as aforesaid time in same time in the month of December AD 1780 in the Virginia Militia in the company of Captain James Hance who was their Captain and David Campbell was their  an Major and commanded at that time that he  he resided at that time to wit his second enlistment in said county of Botetourt and state of Virginia and from which county he marched in said company in the 2 nd Month of December through the state of North Carolina and joined General Murgans Army between Broad River and Cataw- ba River in South Carolina. two days after the Battle of the Cowpens - That he was in and engage- ment under said Captain Hance who was taken prisoner by a party of British soldiers belonging to General Cornwallis Army

and which engagement took place on the Banks of the Yadkin River in then North Carolina and which thinks the last day of January AD 1781 and that he said applicant continued in the service of the United States under said second enlistment until the first of March AD 1781; before he was discharged and making at least three months service he performed under said second enlistment and including both terms of service it would make eight months time which said applicant saith that he did serve in the United States service as aforesaid - and said appli- cant would further state that he feels very confi- dent and verily believes that served in all inclu- -ding both terms of service; in the United States Service nine months but that he has now become very old and has no documentary or written evidence of his time of service - but that he recollects his term of service to be as he first stated because he enlist- ed for said several periods, and that he served therein - and also longer than the time for which he enlisted as aforesaid but the precise time he does not know - but feels very confi- dent that it would amount to one month more than the time for which he enlisted (which including the two terms as aforesaid amount to  was eight months) would make nine months in all - that he did not know how long he served after my service I lived in Surry County about three years then moved to Oldenburg County State Virginia North Carolina and lived there about ten years. Then he moved back to Botetourt County Virginia and lived about eleven years from thence to Fincastle County Tennessee and lived there eighteen years from thence to Noble County O - lived there about five years from thence to Darke County Ohio lived there until the pres- ent time and where I now reside. That he recei- ved written discharges of his terms of service from his proper offices but lost them many years ago That he was born in Bedford County of Virginia State AD 1759 That he has no record of his age. That he has no docu- mentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service but that he can testify as to his enlistment (H. Owen of Mt. P. - or

Sworn to and subscribed in open court the 14th of year 1833
John Beers Clerk
Wm Walker
We John H Allen a clergyman residing in the county of Darke and state of Ohio William Byers residing in said county do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the said William Walker who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy four years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revo- lution and that we concur in that opinion sworn and subscribed John H Allen the day and year aforesaid William Byers John Beers Clerk
I James Davis a clergyman residing in said county of Darke and State of Ohio do hereby certify that that I was acquainted with the said William Walker when he liv- ed in the state of Virginia and that he has also been acquainted with him since he came to this county and that he believes him to be seventy four years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neigh- bourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution - and that he believes him to be a man of truth and veracity - and concur in the opinion of the neighbour- hood where said applicant resides that he was a soldier of the Revolution
sworn and subscribed to James Davis the day and year aforesaid John Beers Clerk
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion -n, 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 James Davis who has signed the foregoing certificate is a clergyman resident in the county and vicinity of said applicant - and that John R. Owen and William Byers who have also signed the heret above certificate are residents in said county & vicinity of said applicant - are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit by order of the court John Beers Clerk I John Beers clerk of the court of Common Pleas of Darke county Ohio - do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of William Walker for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 19 th day of November A D 1833 John Beers Clerk

November 4, 1939.
Mrs. R. T. Bowen P.O. Box 95 Bluefield, West Virginia.
BA-J/ILL William Walker S. 7800
Dear Madam:
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 7800, based upon service of William Walker in the Revolutionary War.
William Walker was born in March 1759 in Bedford County, Virginia; the names of his parents were not given.
While a resident of Botetourt County, Virginia, he volunteered in September 1778, served as private in Captain John Shannon's Virginia company at Fort McIntosh against the Indians, which fort was commanded by Colonel Brodhead, and returned home after service of five months. He enlisted a second time in December 1780, served as private in Captain James Hanley's (or Hawley's) company, Colonel David Campbell's Virginia regiment, marched south, was in an engagement a few days after the battle of Cowpens and served until about March 1781.
The soldier resided in Botetourt County, Virginia, for about three years after his service, then moved to Mecklenberg County, North Carolina, where he remained about ten years, then returned to Botetourt County, Virginia, and lived there about eleven years, after which he moved to Knox County, Tennessee, and resided about eighteen years, then moved to Preble County, Ohio, thence, after a few years, to Darke County, Ohio.
William Walker was allowed pension on his application executed November 19, 1833, at which time he resided in Darke County, Ohio. He made no reference to wife or children.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name

and address of person paid and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the following data:
William Walker Certificate #25733 Issued December 27, 1833 Rate $26.66 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Ohio Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

1939. Nov. 4 - Hist. to Mrs. R.T. Bowen. J.L.L.
Rev. War
7800 ✓ INVALID.
File No. 7800 William Walker Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 25 , Page 398
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Chic
25,733
William Walker
Dark Co in the State of Ohio
who was a Dr in the Company commanded by Captain Shannys of the Regt commanded by Col Broadhead in the Virginia - Militia -
8 Mo Pnd - $ 25. 55
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio - at the rate of 25 Dollars 55 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 th day of Dec r and 1 st of Jany 1833 to Bill, Greenville, Ohio
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 65.55 Semi-ant. allowance ending Dec '34 13.33
$79.98
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. V. Sprague Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 8 Page 29

Wm. Wall Kaw Mar 31. Ohio add acc 1832 No. 25,733
Free
Edward S. Harkness Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Ohio case 9 April 1834
Free
L. Edwards Esqr Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

What will be done in the business that I may know when Mr Walker can draw his money With Respect I am your ob st Serv t
To J. L. Edwards Esq r } Hiram Bell Comm r Issuer of Pensions }

25,733
Greenville March 29 th 1834
Dear Sir  The Pension certificate of William Walker bearing date the 28 th day of December A D 1833 - which was forwarded to me for said Walker, does not correspond with the instructions to Franklin B h of Cincinnati - a Power of Attorney was executed by Mr Walker &  was sent down to said Bank to draw the money - and the Attorney was informed that said Bank had been instructed to pay Mr Walker's Pension for only six months back - Whereas the certificate calls for it to commence on 4 th March 1831 which is according to the Law regulating Pensions - I thought it most correct to write you - that you might correct the error in the instructions to the Bank - Mr Walker needs the money but he will not draw any until it is corrected so as appears satisfactory to the Department - I hope Sir on the Receipt of this you will direct the agent for paying pensions in Ohio - to pay said William Walker for three years as he has not yet drawn - Mr Walker is a Pensioner living in Darke county Ohio - Pleas to write me as soon as this is received

Franklin Bank of Cincinnati 25 March 1837
Sir
The enclosed pension voucher of William Walker who was a private in the war of the revolution & now a pensioner under the act of 7 th June 1832 at the rate of $26 66 / 100 per Annum, is for your examination, which if found correct you will please return to this Agency with an order for payment.
I am yours
Very respectfully John H. Groelsbeck Fin Agt By R. M. Lawrence
J. B. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington P.O.

Free
To the Secretary of War of the U.S. on J. H. E. [?] Russian agent Washington city D.C.
Russian property

Greenville O. Nov 25 th 1833
Dear Sir enclosed is an application for a Pension for William Walker - his first application was rejected because it was not taken according to the form prescribed by War department. After I received an answer from the department I informed the applicant Mr Walker that he was sick and unable to attend until the present term of service - you will perceive by adding the terms of his service together that it would make eight months which he is positive of and he thinks 9 months - The applicant is very frail and needy - and I hope the department will attend to his application as soon as possible. I perceive by your letter - that the Department had information that he served in the militia I presume therefore that as this application is made in the form forwarded and the situation of the applicant being such that he could not before attend to it - that the Department will soon advise him of the result. If anything more is required please to give instructions to me and they shall be duly attended to. You will direct your letter to the undersigned at Greenville Darke Co. O.
To J. L. Edwards Pension agent
Respectfully H. Bell

4900 25.733
William Walker Ohio
Adm 8 Months
$24.16 3
26.66 79.98 18 3/4
53.32 13.33
66.65
The Bales
Greenville
Ohio

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 subjined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew 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, shewing the Service of
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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 and 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 cases 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 claiming the benefit of this law as 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 that C. D., who has also signed the same is a 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 or 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 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 of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above 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 of 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 traditional 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 inquiry 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 the 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 declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental 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 particularity, the amount of pension he is entitled to. 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 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 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 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

November 4, 1939.
Mrs. R. T. Bowen P. O. Box 95 Bluefield, West Virginia.
EA-J/ILL
Charles Bowen aw
S. 16055
William Walker  Letter in his
S. 7800  claim.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Charles Bowen who served from Virginia and William Walker who received pension in Darke County, Ohio.
The records of Charles Bowen, pension claim, S. 16055, and William Walker, pension claim, S. 7800, are furnished you herewith.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

P.O.Box 95, Bluefield, W.Va. October 8, 1939.
The Pension Bureau, Washington, D.C.
only me
Will you please send me a copy of the pension application of Charles Bowen of the Virginia Militia who participated in the Battle of King's Mountain. He had brothers in this battle, one Lieutenant Rees Bowen who was killed. These men enlisted from Southwest Virginia.
Will you also send a copy of the pension application of William Walker of Dark County Ohio. This William Walker was in the Revolution, possibly from Botetourt County, Va. At the time of his application he gave his name age as 75
Thanking you, I am,
Very truly,
(Mrs.R.T.) Lena Walker Bowen.
one