Ephraim was born in 1790, most likely in what was then Washington County, Virginia to Joseph & Susannah (Stacey) Kiser/Keyser. Some have suggested, even his daughter Rachel Kiser, that he was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia. We know that his father Joseph had settled in Washington County by 1783 (later to become Russell County). It could be possible that Joseph & Susannah were back in Shenandoah visiting when Ephraim was born.
On 16 Sept 1813, at the age of 23, Ephraim enlisted in Russell County, Virginia into Lt. Andrew Caldwell's Company of the Military Infantry, 72nd Regiment of Virginia Militia. They then marched to Norfolk where they were attached to the 4th Virginia Regiment. On 22nd of October 1813 he was then transferred to Capt. George W. Camp's Company of the Military Infantry, 4th Regiment of Virginia Militia and served as a cannoneer in the artillery on Craney's Island. He served for 6 months and honorably discharged on 13th of March 1814. The government granted him 80 acres of land in New Mexico for his service but he never established his claim.
When he returned to Russell County he found that his brother Abednego was preparing to serve in the war as well. Ephraim tried to persuade him not to go by telling him that he was a single man without a family to support and the he would gladly serve in his place. Abednego refused by saying, "No brother, you've served your turn, I'll serve mine." Abednego died during his service of a fever on 4th of October 1814 and is buried at Norfolk. He left behind his wife, Mary (Jesse) and six children.
Ephraim married on 31 Aug 1815 in Russell County, Virginia to Mary "Polly" Sutherland, daughter of James & Sarah (Buchanan) Sutherland. Her father was an immigrant from Scotland.
They were both members of the Dumps Creek Baptist Church. All their children except Elijah, were baptized.
Mary became sick in September of 1857 and lived until 21 Mar 1858 when she died of dropsy. Ephraim died of black erysipelas (an infection on his arm) on 11 Oct 1885. A doctor Harden treated him.
(Written by Mark R. Kiser, a descendant)
Thank you to Sherida Childers for providing the photo of Pvt. Ephraim Kiser
On 16 Sept 1813, at the age of 23, Ephraim enlisted in Russell County, Virginia into Lt. Andrew Caldwell's Company of the Military Infantry, 72nd Regiment of Virginia Militia. They then marched to Norfolk where they were attached to the 4th Virginia Regiment. On 22nd of October 1813 he was then transferred to Capt. George W. Camp's Company of the Military Infantry, 4th Regiment of Virginia Militia and served as a cannoneer in the artillery on Craney's Island. He served for 6 months and honorably discharged on 13th of March 1814. The government granted him 80 acres of land in New Mexico for his service but he never established his claim.
When he returned to Russell County he found that his brother Abednego was preparing to serve in the war as well. Ephraim tried to persuade him not to go by telling him that he was a single man without a family to support and the he would gladly serve in his place. Abednego refused by saying, "No brother, you've served your turn, I'll serve mine." Abednego died during his service of a fever on 4th of October 1814 and is buried at Norfolk. He left behind his wife, Mary (Jesse) and six children.
Ephraim married on 31 Aug 1815 in Russell County, Virginia to Mary "Polly" Sutherland, daughter of James & Sarah (Buchanan) Sutherland. Her father was an immigrant from Scotland.
They were both members of the Dumps Creek Baptist Church. All their children except Elijah, were baptized.
Mary became sick in September of 1857 and lived until 21 Mar 1858 when she died of dropsy. Ephraim died of black erysipelas (an infection on his arm) on 11 Oct 1885. A doctor Harden treated him.
(Written by Mark R. Kiser, a descendant)
Thank you to Sherida Childers for providing the photo of Pvt. Ephraim Kiser
Ephraim was born in 1790, most likely in what was then Washington County, Virginia to Joseph & Susannah (Stacey) Kiser/Keyser. Some have suggested, even his daughter Rachel Kiser, that he was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia. We know that his father Joseph had settled in Washington County by 1783 (later to become Russell County). It could be possible that Joseph & Susannah were back in Shenandoah visiting when Ephraim was born.
On 16 Sept 1813, at the age of 23, Ephraim enlisted in Russell County, Virginia into Lt. Andrew Caldwell's Company of the Military Infantry, 72nd Regiment of Virginia Militia. They then marched to Norfolk where they were attached to the 4th Virginia Regiment. On 22nd of October 1813 he was then transferred to Capt. George W. Camp's Company of the Military Infantry, 4th Regiment of Virginia Militia and served as a cannoneer in the artillery on Craney's Island. He served for 6 months and honorably discharged on 13th of March 1814. The government granted him 80 acres of land in New Mexico for his service but he never established his claim.
When he returned to Russell County he found that his brother Abednego was preparing to serve in the war as well. Ephraim tried to persuade him not to go by telling him that he was a single man without a family to support and the he would gladly serve in his place. Abednego refused by saying, "No brother, you've served your turn, I'll serve mine." Abednego died during his service of a fever on 4th of October 1814 and is buried at Norfolk. He left behind his wife, Mary (Jesse) and six children.
Ephraim married on 31 Aug 1815 in Russell County, Virginia to Mary "Polly" Sutherland, daughter of James & Sarah (Buchanan) Sutherland. Her father was an immigrant from Scotland.
They were both members of the Dumps Creek Baptist Church. All their children except Elijah, were baptized.
Mary became sick in September of 1857 and lived until 21 Mar 1858 when she died of dropsy. Ephraim died of black erysipelas (an infection on his arm) on 11 Oct 1885. A doctor Harden treated him.
(Written by Mark R. Kiser, a descendant)
Thank you to Sherida Childers for providing the photo of Pvt. Ephraim Kiser
On 16 Sept 1813, at the age of 23, Ephraim enlisted in Russell County, Virginia into Lt. Andrew Caldwell's Company of the Military Infantry, 72nd Regiment of Virginia Militia. They then marched to Norfolk where they were attached to the 4th Virginia Regiment. On 22nd of October 1813 he was then transferred to Capt. George W. Camp's Company of the Military Infantry, 4th Regiment of Virginia Militia and served as a cannoneer in the artillery on Craney's Island. He served for 6 months and honorably discharged on 13th of March 1814. The government granted him 80 acres of land in New Mexico for his service but he never established his claim.
When he returned to Russell County he found that his brother Abednego was preparing to serve in the war as well. Ephraim tried to persuade him not to go by telling him that he was a single man without a family to support and the he would gladly serve in his place. Abednego refused by saying, "No brother, you've served your turn, I'll serve mine." Abednego died during his service of a fever on 4th of October 1814 and is buried at Norfolk. He left behind his wife, Mary (Jesse) and six children.
Ephraim married on 31 Aug 1815 in Russell County, Virginia to Mary "Polly" Sutherland, daughter of James & Sarah (Buchanan) Sutherland. Her father was an immigrant from Scotland.
They were both members of the Dumps Creek Baptist Church. All their children except Elijah, were baptized.
Mary became sick in September of 1857 and lived until 21 Mar 1858 when she died of dropsy. Ephraim died of black erysipelas (an infection on his arm) on 11 Oct 1885. A doctor Harden treated him.
(Written by Mark R. Kiser, a descendant)
Thank you to Sherida Childers for providing the photo of Pvt. Ephraim Kiser
Gravesite Details
I've been to this cemetery. It is located right where Mill Creek empties into the Clinch river up near the top of the hill on the southside of the river. (Mark R. Kiser)
Family Members
Siblings
