Walter Cunningham (1749-1835) Walter's name appears on John Netherton's list of persons in Dunmore County for 1775 with 2 white males over 16, 2 white males under 16, 2 white females. He is listed next to Adam Cunningham and his family. Much of what we know about Walter comes from his military pension application (S9263). His pension was granted in Harrison County, Virginia, February 2, 1833. Walter drew a pension of $20 until March 1835 when it was determined that he did not qualify for the pension. An excerpt of the transcript follows. On the 21st day of August in the year 1832 personally appeared in open court before the justices of said county of Harrison in court now sitting, Walter Cunningham, a resident of Simpson Creek, Harrison County, aged 83 years who being first duly sworn according to the law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. In the year 1776 he resided in the County of Shenandoah, State of Virginia, that in the summer of the year aforesaid year he visited the County of Monongahela in said state. That when there he enlisted in a company of Rangers under the command of Capt. David Scott. That he was employed in reconnoiting the country between the Monongahela and Ohio Rivers. That while thus engaged, the company was frequently successful in discovering the approach of Indians and in conveying intelligence to the forts and settlements, so as to apprise and guard them against danger. That he was discharged at the termination of three months. The discharge is herewith enclosed. In the fall of 1777 after having returned home to Shenandoah, he enlisted under Capt. Michael Radar, marched to Fort Pitt, was attached to a regiment command by General Hand. From thus, he descended the Ohio river to Wheeling where he was discharged after having served three months. He was never directly engaged in any battle during his continuance in said service. The interrogation prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary War soldier and served as he states and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Hamilton Goff who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the county of Harrison, and that J. J. Winters who has also signed the same is a resident in the county aforesaid and is a creditable person and that their statements is entitled to credit. The recorded declaration of Walter Cunningham, who being sworn before me gave me the following answers: Question -When and in what year were you born? Answer - In Shenandoah County, Virginia, in December 1749 Question - Have you any record of your age? If so, where is it? Answer - My age is recorded in an old family Bible now in my possession. There was no documentary evidence except the accompanying discharge signed by Lt. John Mahon, that he knows of no living witnesses, except his brother, Adam Cunningham, whose affidavit is herewith subjoined. That he removed from Shenandoah to Harrison where he now resides many years ago. Walter's pension papers also record the statement of W. G. Singleton, July 12, 1834 in which it is stated that Walter: "remained home in the county of Shenandoah until the year 1776. In the fall of that year he came across the Allegheny Mountains to see his brother in Bingamon creek Harrison cty. - Capt. David Scott was then enlisting men for Rangers he enlisted under Scott was then enlisted under Scott for three months - and ranger on the west for on Bingamom, fishing creek and through the ___ part of Harrison county as at present named. He was Ranging and scouting until his term expired which was on the 7th day of February 1777." On 6 Oct 1784, Walter purchased 120 acres on Jeremy's Run on Blue Ridge Mountain from Josiah Leith and his wife Elizabeth. In 1787, Adam Cunningham paid the Shenandoah County personal property tax of 1 tithe for Walter. Walter, his wife Hannah, and father, Adam, borrowed 114 pounds, 5 shillings, and 6 pence from Joseph Ruffner in August 1792. Joseph was also security for Adam and Walter on a replevy bond to Lewis Duvall for 110 pounds which was payable in March 1793. To secure the repayment they assigned: 1. the land and water grist mill purchased by Adam from the Parlour's in 1765. 2. 120 acres conveyed to Walter Cunningham by Josiah Leith in 1784. 3. 89 acres granted to Adam Cunningham April 1, 1779. 4. Walter gave up his rights and interest in a tract of land for which he had William Shavers bond given to Edwin Young and assigned to him. Another indenture was made on November 23, 1793, between Walter and his wife Hannah, Adam Cunningham [his father], and Joseph Ruffner to Thomas Allen. For 230 pounds, Thomas Allen received: the land and a water grist mill purchased by Adam in 1765, 120 acres conveyed to Walter Cunningham by Josiah Leith in 1784, and 89 acres granted to Adam Cunningham April 1, 1779. In April 1799, Edward and Sarah Cunningham, of Harrison County, sold to Walter Cunningham of Shenandoah County, 273 acres of land in Shenandoah County. This land had previous been owned by Walter Cunningham, Edward's uncle, who died in 1781. On May 18, 1799, Walter and Hannah Cunningham entered into an indenture with Reuben Suttle of Louden County in which the Cunninghams sold 120 acres on the south side of the Shenandoah River adjoining the tract of land Walter sold to Clyah Roye for 25 pounds. The indenture was recorded in Shenandoah County in March 1801. Walter married twice. His first wife, Hannah, died in Harrison County, on March 30, 1803. He married a second time to Ann Randall on December 23, 1804, in Harrison County.

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