Ephraim Osburn (Harlan County KY)

Born: about 1754
Died: 9 November 1852 Harlan Co. KY (age 100) 
Enlisted: Montgomery Co. VA

Revolutionary War Pension Declaration R.7822

the time of his tour when he was regularly discharged but the discharge he has long since lost or he did not know or expect it would be of any service to him - the were engaged generally in guarding the frontiers agains the Indians that frequent Scouts but no engagement - the time of this service was perhaps a year or two before the Expedition against the Cherokees - He afterwards went as a volunteer under Capt Frederick Edwards for one month on Clinch after the Tories the route catches a deserter that him in but don't remember his name he was out this time one month -

He then went as a volunteer under Capt. Adron Bletcher in the Cherokee Nation first met at the Long Island of Holstein & went on by the Bend of Nola Chucky & there expected an attack but did not have one He thinks staid there two or 3 days - there were a good many troops from North Carolina & Virginia went on from the Island he recollects an Officer with the N. Carolina troops by the name of Williams with a Major or Col but he thinks a Col - His own Col was Christy - Some where on the way before they got to French Broad River a flag was sent in by the Indians for peace but it was understood that there was still more that would not make peace & the Army proceeded on to French broad River & Halted expecting an attack - that night a detachment was ordered out to cross the River in the night above the crossing place & he was one that went - but there was no Indians there but there was signs the next day all crossed the River & took of camp and in prparing tents a man cut down a Saplin & fell it on another that was laying asleep & killed him - from there they went on to the Dragging Canoe Town & they were all gone but one old blind Indian - the Army destroyed all they could find - they were then discharged & he got his discharge this tour was 2 months or he now believes & this tour was before the one after the tours described before this

He again went with Capt. Brummett as a guary of Ammunition from the Lead Mines & Cross the flour Gap to North Carolina & delivd the ammunition he thinks to Capt. va. Cran they stiad several days at the Lead Mines waiting for the Raid & he thinks was gone one month this time - He was several times in scouting parties after the Tories but dont now remember enough to tell the officer nor describe the trips - He is old & infirm & states what he can remember & might state much more, that is what he thinks but wants to state nothing but what he remembers - He has made application in Perry County his adjoining county because there is no one handy to him to do this business as in Perry except at the Circuit court where it is only Lawyers for he had some acquaintences in Perry he hopes it is no differnce as to the County - the time of his service cannot be better identified Much by the Cherokee Expedition which is well known at the department as he cannot remember the year - he has lost all his discharges -

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State

Ephraim Osburn

Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid

Affidavits

We Micajah Napier, Edmund Jones residing in Perry County Ky & who formerly resided in Harlan County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ephraim Osburn who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration & that we believe him to be 80 years of age & believe him to be a man of truth that he is respected & believed in the neighborhood where he lives to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we confur in that opinion.

Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid

Edmund Jones

Micajer Napier

Affidavit of Daniel Duff

Daniel Duff a Clergyman resident in the County of Perry & State of Kentucky certify that I am well acquainted with Ephm Osburn who has signed & sworn to the above declaration & that I believe him to be 80 years of age and have always believed him to be a man of truth & that he is respected & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that I concur in that opinion

Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid

Daniel Duff

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 Revollutinary Soldier, and served as he states and the Court further certifies, that is appears to them that Edmund Jones & Micajah Napier who has signed the preceding certificate are residents of Perry County Ky and are credible persons and that their statements on Oath is entitled to credit - And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Daniel Duff who has also signed a preceeding Certficate is a Clergyman resident of County and that his statement is entitled to credit.

I Jesse Combs Clerk of the Court of Perry County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ephraim Osburn for a pension - In testimony whereof Ihave hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 8th day of September 1834

Jesse Combs

Clerk of the Court of Perry County

Affidavit of Jeremiah Smith

I Jeremiah Smith 74 years of age resident of Harlan County kentucky hereby certify that I was well acquainted with Ephriam Osburn of the County of Harlan who has signed the foregoing Declaration in time of the Rebolutionary War I have known him ever since; And know of my own knowledge that he served under Capt Enoch Osburn at Osburns Fort & was a frequent Scouts from the fort; And I also certify that my Brother Joshua Pennington was in the Expedition against the Cherokee Indians I understood that this Eph Osburn was with him in this tour & always understood that this Osburn did serve in tour

Jermiah X Smith

I John Lewis an acting Justice of the peace for the County of Harlan State of Kentucky hereby certifiy that Jeremiah Smith the above affidavit in my presents was duly qualified to the truth of the same before me according to Law; And I further Certify that this Jeremiah Smith is a credible person & that his statments is entitled to credit given under my hand this 15th Dec 1834

John Lewis JP

I John G. Crump Clerk of the Court of Harlan County Kentucky hereby certify that John Lewis who has signed the above certificate was an acting Justice of the peace for said County of Harlan at the above date and that his name there subscribed appears to me to be his own signature In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office this 16th day of December 1834

John G. Crump Clerk of the Court of Harlan County

File Jacket

Rejected did not serve six months see letter 12 Jany 1835 to A. Patrick

References

Ephraim Osborne Revolutionary War Pension Declaration R.7822

Death Date: 1852 Harlan Co. KY Vital Returns

Additional Information

1850 Harlan County Kentucky District 1 Household # 337

Ephraim Brock, age 104, born Virginia, Pauper

Living in household of George & Rhoda Howard