Revolutionary War PensionChristian WalterContributed by Claudia P. Bement |
Revolutionary War Pension Application of Christian Walter (RWPA #1950)
To the Honorable John E Calhoun, Secretary of the War Department of the United States:
The petition and declaration of Christian Walter of Otsego in the State of New York, aged fifty eight years, and made on oath setteth forth and declares that in the month of February 1777 he enlisted at Stone Arabia in the State of New York, he enlisted as a private soldier in the Revolutionary War in Captain John Castleman's company of Rangers which was attached to Colonel Gansevoort's regiment of the New York Line of continental troops for the term of nine months. That he enlisted to serve in said regiment for the said term of nine months and was at the battle where General Herkimer was killed and was honorably discharged at the expiration of said term of nine months at Stone Arabia in the State of New York, which discharge is now lost. And he further says that he has never received any pension from Government, and that he does not now know that he can procure any other proof of the time he served as aforesaid than his own oath and the affidavit of John Backus hereto annexed, and he further says that he was also at the skirmish near Johnstown in the State of New York, and he further says that he is now in reduced circumstances and absolutely in need of assistance from his country for support, and he asks to be put on the pension list under laws of Congress. Christian Walter X his mark Sworn and subscribed April 22nd 1818 before me James S. Campbell
State of New York Christian Walter being duly sworn setteth forth and saith that he enlisted as a private soldier in the army of the Revolution some time in the month of February 1777 in a company of Rangers commanded by Captain John Castleman, the Lieutenant of which company was Adam Empy or Ampy, and the Ensign was George Getman. That this deponent supposed the company was attached to Colonel Gansevoort's Regiment of the New York Line, but is not at all certain, he being young and uninformed at the time whether the company was attached to the regiment commanded by Col. Gansevoort, Col. Willet or Col. Brown, as this deponent served on occasions when each of these officers commanded. That this deponent enlisted as aforesaid at Stone-Arabia in the said State of New York where the said Company of Rangers was stationed. The he enlisted for a term of nine months and served during the said term when he was discharged. That this deponent was in the battle of Oswegatchie, near Stone-Arabia, where the said Col. Brown was killed and afterwards again in battle at Johnstown near Stone-Arabia where Col. Willet commanded. That this deponent some time in the year 1818 made application for a pension under the law of Congress of that year and was rejected on the grounds as this deponent understood, that there were no rangers attached to Col. Gansevoort's regiment. That the papers containing the declaration of this deponent upon which said explanation was founded together with the statement under oath of two witnesses of this deponent's services are hereto attached. That one of the said witnesses is now dead and the other has removed to a great distance from the residence of this deponent. That this deponent at the time of the said application resided in the town of Springfield in the County of Otsego and State of New York and that he now resides in the last mentioned town. And further saith not. Christian Walter X his mark
Sworn and subscribed this 25th day of July, 1832 before me
Springfield, Otsego County
To Honorable Lewis Cass Sir: I enclose the papers in two applications for pensions: John H. Genter, has been on the Roll under the law of 1818 and was …… on account of property. I send his certificate and ….
Christian Walter made an application in 1818 and was rejected. The proof of his services was then furnished and the same papers are now again forwarded together with his affidavit. This case is supposed also to come under the exceptions made in the instructions from the War Office requiring a declaration in …Court. Additional Proof - Witnesses
State of New York
Sworn and subscribed the 22nd day of April 1818 before me
I certify that I am satisfied that the above named John Backus is a main of truth and is to be believed under oath. September 14, 1818
State of New York
Sworn and subscribed this 21st day of September 1818 before me
State of New York
Sworn and subscribed this 20th day of February 1839 before me
I hereby certify that the above named George Walter is a man of truth and veracity and that his statement is entitled to convict.
Springfield, Otsego County, New York
To the Secretary of War,
Record transcribed by Declaration. In order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by an act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows".
State of New York On this seventh day of March in the year 1845 personally appeared before me, Jabez D. Hammond, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said County, Catharine Walter, as resident of the town of Springfield in the County of Otsego and said state of New York, aged 83 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by an act of Congress passed July 7th, 1838 entitled "an Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows". That she is the widow of Christian Walter late of the town of Springfield in said State of New York who departed this life on the sixth day of May 1844. That her husband, the said Christian Walter, was a soldier of the United States during the War of the Revolution, and at the said time of his death a pensioner under the Act of June 7, 1833. That Declarant has frequently heard her said husband relate particulars of his revolutionary services. She herself remembers that he served under General Herkimer, Colonels Brown, Waggoner and Capt. John Casselman from time to time during the whole war, but owing to old age and loss of memory she cannot state the different expeditions in which he was engaged. And Declarant further saith, that she was married to said Christian Walter on the third day of February, 1787 by Reverend Henry Krutts at Minden, Montgomery County; that the following persons were present at her marriage, to wit: Henry Sitts, Mary Sitts and Nancy Sitts, and that the accompanying is her family record begun 56 years ago. That previous to her marriage she resided in the town of Mohawk and bore the maiden name of Catharine Sitts. That her husband, the said Christian Walter, died as aforesaid on the sixth day of May, 1844, since which time she has remained a widow. Catharine Walter X her mark Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, before me, Jabez D. Hammond, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Otsego and State of New York. I certify that I know the above named Catharine Walter, and that by reason of bodily infirmity she is unable to attend the Court of Common Pleas of Otsego County or any other County of New York to make the above declaration dated March 7, 1845. Jabez D. Hammond
State of New York
Franklin Coleman of the town of Springfield in the said County, age 48 years, being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he was well acquainted with Christian Walter late of Springfield in said County who was a pensioner of the United States, and who died on or about the sixth day of May 1844. That said Christian Walter left a widow him surviving whose name is Catharina and who still lives in said town of Springfield and is an applicant for a pension. And deponent further saith that the family record book attached was the family record of said Christian and Catharina Walter. That the same is in the hand writing of Jacob Walter, son of said Christian and Catharina, and had been torn from the said widow's family bible for the purpose of accompanying this affidavit in the matter of her application for pension.
Submitted and sworn this 22nd day of December 1845 before me and I certify that said Franklin Coleman is a credible witness and that the above affidavit was read by him and declared to be true and correct before execution.
Christian Walter was born July 15, 1758
I certify that this is the true family record as kept by Jacob Walter and the same as sworn to by Franklin Coleman.
State of New York
Nancy Sitts, now Nancy Kesler of the town of Springfield in said County, aged 79, as being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that she is a sister of widow Catharina Walter who now lives in the town of Springfield in said County and is an applicant for a pension. Said Catharina is the widow of Christian Walter who was a pensioner and who died in Springfield aforesaid on or about the sixth day of May 1844. Deponent was present at the marriage of her said sister Catharina to said Christian Walter and witnessed the marriage ceremony which was duly performed by the Rev. Henry Krutts at Minden, Montgomery County, NY in the winter of the year 1787. Deponent remembers the year from the following circumstances, viz that she was then living with her brother Henry Sitts, where they were married. That her brother then had two children, little girls; and that her sister Mary with her husband Adam Kesler were present at the marriage and that her sister Catharina was married six years before she was and that she was married November 12, 1793.
The said Christian and Catharina Walter continued to live together as husband and wife until the death of said Christian as aforesaid, since which time said Catharina has remained a widow.
Subscribed and sworn this 20th day of December, 1845 before me and I certify that said Nancy Sitts, now Kesler is a credible witness, that the above affidavit was read to her and by her declared to be true and correct before execution. Nancy Kesler made her mark hereon as she cannot write.
State of New York Mary Kesler of the town of Minden, Montgomery County, aged 80 years, being duly sworn deposeth and saith that she is a sister of widow Catharina Walter who now lives in the town of Springfield in said County and is an applicant for a pension. Said Catharina is the widow of Christian Walter who as a pensioner and who died at Springfield aforesaid on the sixth day of May, 1844. Deponent was present at the marriage of her sister Catharina to said Christian Walter to witness the marriage ceremony which was duly performed by the Rev. Henry Krutts at Minden, Montgomery County, New York in the winter of the year 1787. Deponent remembers the year from the following circumstances, viz, that they were married at her brother Henry Sitts who then had two little girls and that said Catharina was married about four months after she was. That she was married October 2nd, 1786. That said Christian and Catharina Walter continued to live together as husband and wife until the death of said Christian as aforesaid and that since that time she has remained his widow. Mary Kesler X her mark
Subscribed and sworn this 17th day of December 1845 before me and I certify that said Mary Kesler is a credible witness and that the above affidavit was read to her and by her declared to be true and correct before execution. I certify that Mary Kesler made her mark hereon as she cannot write.
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