Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8,302, for Ephraim Polk, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
Polk, Ephraim Rhoda
NUMBER
R. 8302
CONTENTS

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th July 1838 Entitled an act granting half pay and pension to Certain Widows State of Kentucky } County of Scott }
On this thirty first day of January Eighteen Hundred and thirty nine personally appeared before the Magistrate Court of the county of Scott State of Kentucky Rhoda Polk a resident of the County of Scott State of Kentucky aged Sixty Five years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pension to certain Widows that she is the Widow of Ephraim Polk who she has been Informed and believe was a Regular Soldier on the Pennsylvania Line during the war of the Revolution and entered the Service at or Near the commencement of the War and was in the Service at least Five years he was born in Sussex County State of Delaware and When a boy went to Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania and from that place Marcht under Captain Rodes whether a Regular Soldier or a Militia Soldier at that time I dont know and was in the battle at Germantown and in part of his Services he was engaged in Making Tents poles and tent pins and served out his term and was Honorably discharged which discharge has been lost or destroyed and she refers to the records for evidence of his services She further declares that she was married to the said Ephraim Polk on the Eight day of March Seventeen Hundred and Ninety Two and her Husband the aforesaid Ephraim Polk died on the Twenty fourth day of March Eighteen hundred and Fourteen and she has remained a Widow ever since his death

That she was not married prior to his leaving the Services but the Marriage took place previous to the first day of January Seventeen Hundred and Ninety four in the County of Sussex State of Delaware Viz. at the time above stated and she presents her True and genuine Family Record which is the best evidence she is able to produce which Family record is in the hand writing of her Husband the said Ephraim Polk and she prays that a Pension may be granted to her a poor Widow of a Soldier of the Revolution
Rhoda Polk
I John Miller of Scott County State of Kentucky. State that I believe the declaration made by Rhoda Polk to contain the truth and her Husband the said Ephraim Polk was well known to me to be a man of truth and respectability and I have often heard him state he was a Soldier of the Revolution as set forth by his Widow in her declaration and I believe the forgoing to be her true and genuine Family Record and that her Husband died at or about the time stated by her and she has remained a Widow ever since his death and is a Woman of Respectability Truth and piety
John Miller
I David Morris of Fayette County State of Kentucky State that I have known Ephraim Polk and Rhoda his wife ever since the year Seventeen hundred and Ninety I was at their wedding in the year Seventeen hundred and Ninety two in Sussex County State of Delaware I further state that I heard two regular Soldiers say frequently that they knew the aforesaid Ephraim Polk was a Soldier of the Revolutionary War for they was in the army together and frequently saw him on parade
David Morris

We the undersigned Neighbours of Rhoda Polk State that we believe her declaration to contain the truth and know that her Husband Ephraim Polk was respected and generally believed by his Neighbours to have been a Soldier of the Revolution in which opinion we do most fully concur we know that he died at or about the time stated by her and that she has remained a Widow ever since his death and that she is a woman of Respectability Truth and piety and we believe the foregoing leaf to contain her true and genuine Family Record which is referred to by her in her declaration
James Moore John Miller David Morris
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before the Magistrate Court of Scott County State of Kentucky being a court of record held by James Stucker a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid James Stucker the presiding Justice certify that Rhoda Polk personally appeared in open court and made oath and subscribed the foregoing declaration and presented the foregoing Family Record which was satisfactory proof to the court to be her true and genuine Family Record and that her Husband the aforesaid Ephraim Polk died at the time stated by her and she has remained a widow ever since his death and is a woman of respectability truth and piety and that Col. John Miller James Moore and David Morris all appeared in open court and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing Affidavit and they are well known to the court to be persons of respectability

And truth, and the said Court do hereby declare their opinions after the investigation of the matter that the above applicant has stated the truth in her declaration and that she was married to the said Ephraim Polk at the time stated by her and that he was a soldier of the Revolution as set forth by her in her declaration In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and subscribed my name this 31 st day of January 1839
James Fletcher J.P.S.C and presiding Justice of the Magistrate's Court
State of Kentucky
Scott County Feb
4417 Rhoda Polk Ephraim Fletcher
I Ben B Ford clerk of the Court for the County aforesaid do certify that James Fletcher Esq. before whom the foregoing declaration, and affidavits and depositions to have been taken and made, was at the time of making the same and now is one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for the County aforesaid and the signature purporting to be his is genuine and I do further certify that the Magistrate's Court over which he purports to have presided is by law a Court of Records
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of my said Office in Georgetown the 4 th day of February 1839 and 47 th year of the Commonwealth
At Ben B Ford

4417
MARRIAGES.
H m R. M. Johnson Wed-1 st N 8

FAMILY
BIRTHS.
of E. Polk's children
Arsenath Polk was was born Feb the 16 th 1793
Polly Polk was born Oct the 12 th 1794
Ann Polk was born August the 9 th 1796
Josephat Polk was born May the 3 rd 1800
J. Polk was born March the 10 th 1802
Daniel Polk was born June the 25 th 1804
Hetty Polk was born June the 14 th 1806
Clement H. Polk was born Sept the 14 th 1808
Gilead Polk was born August the 10 th 1810
Sarah Polk was born June 21 st 1812
Ephraim Polk was born August 10 th 1814

intell to be
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That I Jehosaphat Polk Administrator of Rody Polk in the county of Scott and State of Kentucky the being a revolutionary pensioner of the United States, do hereby constitute and appoint John M Johnson of White Sulphur in the county of Scott and State of Kentucky my true and lawful attorney, for me, and in my name, to receive from the Agent of the United States, for paying pensions in the United States my pension from the 14 day of March 1836 to the 24 day of October 1839
Witness my hand and seal, this 19 day of September 1842
Jehosaphat Polk Administrator of Rhoda Polk De
Sealed and delivered in the presence of
Lewis C Suggate Wm Stuckey
State of Kentucky  Scott
County--ss.
BE IT KNOWN, That on the 19 day of September 1842, before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared Jehosaphat Polk above named, and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be her act and deed. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, the day and the year last above mentioned.
Wm Stuckey JP 8
State of Kentucky  Scott County--ss.
I, Ben B Ford Clerk of the Court of Scott County, certify that James Stuckey is a Magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, is genuine. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name, this 30 th day of September 1842
Ben B Ford Clk
Clerk of the Court of Scott County.
By M Paine
State of
County--ss.
BE IT KNOWN, That on the _____ day of _____ 18_____, before me, a _____ in and for said county, duly authorized by the laws of said State to administer oaths, personally appeared _____ the Attorney named in the foregoing power of attorney, and made oath that he has no interest whatever in the money he is authorized to receive, by virtue of the foregoing power of attorney, either by any pledge, mortgage, sale, assignment, or transfer, and that he does not know or believe that the same has been so disposed of to any person whatever.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year last above mentioned,
Before me,

State of Kentucky Scott County ss
November Court 1839
On motion of I know that Polk Commission is granted him on the Estate of Rhoda Polk deceased who thereupon came into Court, and took the oath required by law and entered into an acknowledged bond in the penalty of One Thousand dollars conditioned according to law
Prove of ally Rhoda Polk
Scott County ss September Court 1842
Satisfactory proof was this day made in open Court by the Oaths of James Tucker and Reason V Lowards that Rhoda Polk Widow of Ephraim Polk who was reputed and generally believed in the neighborhood where he resided to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that the said Rhoda Polk resided in the County of Scott State of Kentucky at the time of her death and that she departed this life on the 24 th day of October 1839 and that she is the same identical person who applied for a pension for her husband's services in the war of the Revolution which is ordered to be certified
State of Kentucky Scott County ss
I Ben B Ford clerk of the Court for the County aforesaid do certify that the two foregoing Orders of Court are fully and correctly transcribed from the Records in my Office given under my hand as Clerk aforesaid this 30 th day of September A D 1842 and of the County the fifty first
Ben B Ford Clk By McPhee D C

August 18, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. Laurence C. Bowes 2223 West 107th Street Chicago, Illinois
EPHRAIM POLK R. 8302 BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Ephraim Polk who died in Kentucky, whose wife was Rhoda Ann Morris.
There is only one claim for pension on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of a soldier named Ephraim Polk. His record follows as found in pension claim, R. 8302, based upon his service in that war.
Ephraim Polk was born in Sussex County, Delaware, and when a boy, moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The date of birth and names of his parents are not shown.
Ephraim Polk married March 8, 1792, Rhoda ___, whose maiden name was not stated. The date and place of her birth, names of parents and place of her marriage to Ephraim were not given. The soldier died March 24, 1814.
Rhoda Polk applied January 31, 1839, for pension which might have been due her on account of the Revolutionary War service of her husband, Ephraim Polk. She was then aged sixty-five years, a resident of Scott County, Kentucky, and alleged that Ephraim Polk enlisted near the commencement of the Revolution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that he served five years in the Pennsylvania troops, a part of the time under Captain Rhodes, was in the battle of Germantown, and that during part of his service he was engaged in making tent poles and tent pins; no other details of his service stated.
Her claim for pension was not allowed as she failed to furnish proof of her husband's service, in accordance with the requirements of the pension law. She died October 24, 1839, while a resident of Scott County, Kentucky.

The following names of children of Ephraim Polk and his wife, Rhoda, are shown in the claim:
Asenath Polk, born February 16, 1793 Polly " " October 12, 1794 Ann " " August 9, 1796 Jehosaphat " " May 3, 1800 J. J. " " March 10, 1802 Daniel " " June 25, 1804 Hetty " " June 14, 1806 Clement " " September 14, 1808 Gilead " " August 10, 1810 Sarah " " June 21, 1812 Ephraim " " August 10, 1814
In 1842, one Jehosaphat Polk was administrator for the estate of soldier's widow, Rhoda Polk, in Scott County, Kentucky. It is not shown whether he and the soldier's son, Jehosaphat, were one and the same person.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

1886 Aug 5 Chas E Polk with history Prodr.
May. 21. 1899 - History to Miss E. T. White La Fayette, Indiana.
Feb. 23/98. To Hon. Jas. N. Hyner. P. O. Dept. City.
1938 Aug. 18 - Hist to Mrs. Lawrence C. Polk - D, L B
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
8302
P. O. Sheldon Polk
Service: Elkhart
Pinked List of 1852, Rejected & suspended claims show following cause of Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18 Service in the Penn. line required further proof of specification, the rolls being silent
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Chas E Polk 211 E. 10th St. Pete L. ... Sonoma Co. Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. Dis. Searched for _____, 18

OLD WAR & NAVY MAR 31 1897 FILMS.
MAR 29 1897 U.S.
La Fayette Ind March 26. 1897.
Commissioner of Pensions Dept. of Interior Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-
I am desirous of obtaining an attested copy of the Pension papers of an ancestor Ephraim Polk who served through the war of the Revolution in Capt. Rhoades Com- pany of the Pa. Line having enlisted in Philadelphia in 1776.

His wife Rhoda (Lewis) Polk applied for a pension in the year 1839.
I wish to become a "Daughter of the Amer. Revolu- tion" - and although I am aware that the official evidences, other than these attached papers have been destroyed by fire, yet it is thought to be sufficient proof - and as a relative of mine has a duplicate copy, I hope I may also be in possession of the same.
If for any reason a fee is necessary before these papers are granted me would you kindly inform me?
I addressed a similar letter to this depart- ment a few weeks ago and have never recd any reply - but hope to be more suc- cessful this time as that was not directed correctly.
I shall be very grateful to you for this favor.
Miss Rebecca Tynes White 110 Sheetz St. - West Side La Fayette Ind.

Dated July 22 d 1886. From Polk, E. E.,  Petaluma  Cal
SUBJECT:
Wants complete statement of military record of Ephraim Polk, in the Revolutionary War.
[1-460.]
Department of the Interior,
July 30 1886
Respectfully referred to the Commissioner of Pensions, and the writer so advised.  M. M. Northwood Chief Clerk  (M. M. N.)
R 8362 Rhode

Rhoda Polk Ephraim Kentucky
Suspended
See let 26 th Feb. H39 Hon. R. M. John
Let to Gen. J. Taliaferro, (very long & requiring many other cases) April 11, 1840.
let 24 Apr '42 M. St. L. Clarke see letter in Jeremiah Adams R.N.
Act 7 July 1838
copies of the enclosed papers made for W. H. Polk.
Paris Ky.
copies were made by permission of Joseph Locke Dep. Comp- Chastleton Apr. 5/73.

Old war Div Pvt Ex't. No.
Department of the Interior PENSION OFFICE
Co. Reg't
Return this letter with your reply.
Washington, D.C. August 5 th , 1886
Sir,
Enclosed you will receive, agreeable to your request of the 22 d ult., a statement on a separate sheet, of such information of the military services of your grandfather, Ephraim Polk, in the war of the Revolution, as is contained in the application for a pension by his widow, to be used only for genealogical purposes.
The soldier died prior to the passage of a pension law under which he might have been entitled.
The soldier did not survive the passage of the last providing pensions for service in the above mentioned war.

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON
FEB 2 1898
ILLINOIS,
January 29, 1898.
My dear Sir:
To accommodate a young kinswoman of mine who is exceedingly anxious to trace her ancestors into the Revolutionary Army, I desire to make the following inquiries for such answer as the rules will permit you to make:--
Do the muster rolls or other records of your office show that one Harris Tyner served, either as an officer or as an enlisted man, during the Revolutionary War? His name will probably be found upon the rolls of South Carolina soldiers.
Do these records show that one Ephraim Polk served in the Revolutionary Army? The name, if it is not enrolled on the Pennsylvania list, may possibly be upon that of Tennessee.
I will thank you for any information concerning these two names which it is possible and proper for you to give.
Very truly yours,
W. N. Fanner
Hon. H. Clay Evans, Commissioner of Pensions.

War Dept: Pen. Offic. Feb 26 1839
Sir
The papers in the case of Mrs Rhoda Polk widow of Ephraim Polks decd. have been examined and filed with suspended cases in this Office. She alleges that her husband served as an enlisted soldier of the Pennsylvania line. His name is not found on the records in this office of those who belonged to that line. It is therefore doubt- ful why then if he served as a regular soldier. She should amend her declaration and state the company and regiment to which her husband belonged and the time of his entering and leaving the service and the service should be proved by witnesses who should make such a statement as is required of the claim- ant and who should swear thereto from personal knowledge.
I herewith

return Mr. Anggett's letter to you.
Hon. R. M. Johnson July 26 1839 cc
Hon. R. M. Johnson Recd Pres cc U. States
No 4407 act 7 July '38

Wm
La Fayette Ind.
March 10 1897
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
P
Dear Sir:-
I desire to obtain a duplicate copy of the pension paper of Ephraim Polk , who served through the Revolution in Capt. Rhoades Company of the Pa. Line having enlisted at Phila. Delphi in 1776 . His wife Rhoda (Moore) Polk applied for a pension in the year 1839 .
I am told that the original muster rolls of Harrisburg Pa. and the duplicate records at Washington have both been destroyed by fire, but I am desirous of becoming a "Daughter of the Amer. Revolution" and it is thought that this will be proof sufficient, providing they can be obtained. I hope I shall be successful as a relative of mine has an attested copy of these papers which he obtained while in Washington a few years ago.
If for any reason a fee is necessary before a duplicate is granted me would you kindly inform me.
Respectfully -
Miss Elizabeth Tynan White 110 Sixth St. West Side La Fayette Ind.

LAURENCE C. BOWES
CHICAGO, ILL. 2223 W. 107TH ST.
Revolutionary War Records Section.
June 28 th 1938
Dear Sir:-
m file Please tell me if I have written to the right department or where I should go for my information.
one only I would like very much the military history record of an ancestor and to know if what I have is correct.
Said ancestor Ephraim Polk 3 rd born in Sussex County Delaware, Nov. 24 th 1758 died in Kentucky Nov. 25 th 1814 (served in Revolutionary) joined the Company of Capt. Joseph Rhoads as a private September 10 th 1777.
Took part in battle Germantown and Valley Forge and in other campaigns of Washington.
Ephraim Polk 3 rd was married March 8, 1792 to Rhoda Ann Morris 1 st wife 12 children Ann Nancy Polk was the 3 rd child of Ephraim and Rhoda Morris Polk. born in Lains Run Scott Co. Kentucky. Aug 9 th 1796 died March 11 th 1850.
Married Isaac Adams also of Scott Co. Ky. in fall of 1826. He was born Aug. 13 th 1799 died Oct 7 th 1857.
Marcellus M Adams son of Isaac Adams and his first wife Ann Nancy Polk. was born Nov. 12 th 1834 died Aug. 4 th 1909
Fanny M Adams was the daughter of Marcellus M Adams and his first

LAURENCE C. BOWES
ROSE HOLLAND BLVD. CHICAGO, ILL. 2223 W. 107TH ST.
Wife - Miranda V Bailey born April 17 th 1836 died June 11 th 1873
Fanny M. Adams was born in Hancock County Indiana January 28 th 1862 died March 13 th , 1895 married Martin Pemberton Stuteman in Hancock County Indiana January 21 st 1885
Nancy Stuteman daughter of Fanny M Adams and M.P. Stuteman was born in Hancock County Ind. Oct 24 th 1886. Married Laurence C. Bowes in Indianapolis Ind. Sept. 4 th 1920. Have 1 child son Franklin Adams Bowes. born June 30 th 1921.
I Will appreciate what ever help you may be able to give me.
Thank You for your trouble and kindness.
Sincerely
Nancy Stuteman Bowes
Mrs Laurence C. Bowes 2223 West 107 th St Chicago, Ill.

4417. Rhoda Polk Ky Ephraim Ser: X Pa roll act 7. July 38
4417 Feb 21. In at Ken July 38 P.C. P.

Col Edward
Please give me an ans r to the within I oblige
A. Johnson
Please return the letter & Mr Suggett
R. J.
19 Feb 1839

Mrs Rody Polk
8302

War Department, Pension Office,
February 26 1839.
Sir, The papers in the case of Mrs Rhoda Polk, widow of Ephraim Polk, dec d . have been examined & filed with suspended cases in this Office. She alleges that her husband served as an enlisted soldier of the Pennsylvanian Line. His name is not found on the records of that line in this Office; it is therefore doubtful whether he served as a regular soldier. She should amend her declaration and state the company & regiment to which her husband belonged, the time of his entering and leaving the service; and the service should be proved by witnesses who should make such a statement as is required of the claimant & swear thereto from personal knowledge.
I herewith return Mr Suggett's letter to you.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, Your obt Servt. J L Edwards
Hon. R. M. Johnson, V. Pres. U. States.

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
L. W. B.
R. 3302.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
May 21, 1897.
Madam:-
Replying to your request for information concerning Ephraim Polk, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that Rhoda, widow of Ephraim Polk, made an application for pension on January 31, 1839, at which time she was 65 years of age and residing in Scott Co., Ky.
In her application for pension she alleges that her husband served at least five years as a private in the Penna. troops, Revolutionary war, - a part of the time under Capt. Rhodes. That he enlisted at Philadelphia, Penna.
Her claim was rejected, however, on the ground of insufficient proof of the service alleged.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Miss Elizabeth Tyner White,
110 Sheetz St., West Side,
La Fayette, Indiana.

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
L. W. B.
R. 8302.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
February 23, 1898.
Sir:-
Replying to your communication of a recent date you are advised that a very careful search has been made and from the data given the name of Harris Tyner as not been found upon the Revolutionary war pension records on file in this Bureau. Your attention is invited to the note in the upper left hand corner of this sheet.
Rhoda, widow of Ephraim Polk, made an application for pension on January 31, 1839, at which time she was 65 years of age and residing in Scott County, Ky. In her application she alleges that her husband served at least five years as a private in the Penna. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time under Capt. Rhodes; and that he enlisted at Philadelphia, Penna. Her claim was rejected, however, on the ground of insufficient proof of alleged service.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Hon. Jas. N. Tyner, Assistant Attorney General, Post Office Department, City.

Rhody Polk
July 10. 1840 Report versus - N o 664
Feby 10. 1840 Com Revy Pension
Mr W. O Butler

26. Congress 1st Session
Congress of the United States
In the House of Representatives
February 10. 1840
On motion of Mr W.C. Butler
Resolved, That the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions be instructed to enquire into the propriety of granting a pension to Mrs Rhody Polk, Widow of Ephraim Polk, whose declaration and papers are now on file in the office of the Commissioner of Pensions.
Attest H. A. Giddings Clerk.

C. E. Polk, Dep. County & City Assessor. PETALUMA, CAL.
Petaluma Cal
July 22 d 1886
Hon L.D.C. Laman.
Secretary of the Interior
Sir. The writer
Wishes to ascertain the Complete Military Record of his Grandfather which I am told may be had on written application to your Office. I would be very glad to have same. I have have learned from my father (long since dead) that my Grandfather was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War. Now it will be of much value to me if I can have a copy of his record from your office his name in full was Ephraim Polk he was a native of Georgetown Sussex Co - Delaware, he must have

have been in a Delaware Comm- and, -Co on Regt, though possibly he may have entered a Comm d at Phila d elphia - as he was living there at the outbreak of the War of Independence.
I will say further that I have heard that he entered the Service as a private Soldier but was promoted before the close of the war to a Lieutenancy or Capt, and that he was with Washing- ton at Valley Forge and Trenton.
If this request is not asking too much I would be very glad to have a copy - what the Records says of my Grandfather in a Military way With Respect
Yours truly Chas. E. Polk.