Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 3298, for John Renison, Pennsylvania
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Continental
Penn.

Renison, John
or Reneson
Mary

NUMBER
W 3298

CONTENTS
[blank]
Page 2

7805
4
Pennsylvania
John Renison
of Butler o in the state of Pennsylvania who was a private in the regiment commanded by
Colonel Hazens of the Continental Penn line, for the term of three years

Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 2nd July 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 19 of March
[illegible] and sent to James Bovard esq
Butler County, Penn.

Arrears to 4th of Mar 1819                 64.80
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sep 1819     48--
[total]                                                  112.80
 Sess 1819.

{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}

Nov 28.1821 Con @ and sent to Wm Campbell
Butler, Penn

30/31   7.74
4/30      1.06
            8.00
            48.00
[total]  64.80
Page 3

John Renison
Hazens Regt
Admitd.
Page 4

Butler County in the State of Pennsylvania
In the Sixth Judicial District
On the second day of July in the year of
our Lord on thousand Eight hundred
and Eighteen Before me the Subscriber
one of the Associate Judges of the Court
of Common pleas for the County of Butler
in the said District Personally appeared
John Renison of the age of Sixty
nine years resident in the County of Butler
in the said District who being duly sworn
according to Law doth on his oath make
the following declaration in order to obtain
the provisions made by the late act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War"
That he the said John Renison enlisted in the month of February 1776 in Capt Tolberts Company for one years sixth Penna. Regiment commanded by Col Hazens at the Expiration thereof inlisted in Capt Terrys Compy for three years Col. Hazens Regiment and continued therein till the fall of 1777 when he in exchanged into Capt Parkers Company 7th Penna Regiment Commanded by Col Hazen and Col Mings and continued therein a non-Commissioned officer untill about the 1st of
Nov 1779 at which time he received an Ensigns commission in Capt Parkers Company aforesaid and continued as such until about the last of February 1780 at which time he got an honorable discharge during the time of the service
Page 5

of the said John Renison he was in the
following engagements [illegible] the three
Rivers, Staten Island, Brandy Wine, White horse, Paoli, Germantown & Monmouth.
That he the said John Renison is nearly Blind and is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support that he has lost his commission and discharge and has no other evidence in his power at present of his said services.
Jno. Renison

Sworn & Subscribed before me
the day & year aforesaid
James Bovard

I James Bovard one of the associate Judges
of the Court of Common pleas in the County of
Butler in the sixth Judicial District in the State of Pennsylvania Do Certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said John Renison did serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration against the Common Enemy that the said John Renison is nearly blind and is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the Assistance of his country for support. I now herewith transmit the proceedings and Testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary of the department of War Remanded to the directions of the aforesaid at of Congress.
Given under my hand & seal this 2d Jul
Anno Domini 1818.
James Bovard [seal]
Page 6

Butler County Penna Ss
I John Negley Prothonotary of the Court of Common pleas for the County of Butler in the State of Pennsylvania
I Do certify that James Bevard who gave the foregoing certificate is one of the associate Judges of the said Court for the County of Butler in the sixth Judicial District in the State of Pennsylvania and that full faith and confidence are due to all his Judicial acts as such as well in Courts of Justice as thereout.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this fourth day of July in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred and Eighteen
Jno Negley Prothy
Page 7

Free
Butler Pa
19 Sept

J  Calhoun
Secretary of War
Washington City

Pd 435
Recd. 27 Sept 1821
Page 8

District of Pennsylvania 
Butler County ss 
On the third day of July in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and twenty one [illegible] appeared in open Court of Common Pleas of Butler County in the fifth Judicial District in the State of Pennsylvania being a Court of record John Renison aged about Seventy one years resident in the County of Butler in the said District who being first duly Sworn according to Law doth on his oath declare that in the year 1776 he enlisted in Capt Tolberts Company 6th Pennsylvania Regiment commanded by Col Irwin and continued therein one year afterwards enlisted
in Capt Youngs Company Col Hazens Regiment
for three years and acted as Sergent [sic] during that period in October 1779 This deponant [sic] was commissioned Ensign in Capt Parkers Company 7th Penna Regiment and acted as such untill [sic] some time in February 1780 when he had an honorable Discharge and was compelled to return home on account of the helpless condition of his parents that this Deponant [sic] was in following battles Viz - Battle of the three rivers, Brandywine, white horse, Paoli, Germantown & Monmouth besides Skirmishes number of his certificate of Pension 7805 And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with Intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled an act
to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other
Page 9

than what is contained in the schedule hereto
annexed and by me subscribed
Schedule to wit
                                                 Dollars
one old bow worth about    10
one old mare worth about   15
Sundry article of House Hold furniture not exceeding in value                20
[total]                                  $45 -
This Deponant [sic] has not pursued any occupation for a number of years past being totally blind that his wife is about sixty two years of age and is very infirm that there is three children residing with them one son and two daughters who are grown up and have in some measure contributed to their support
Sworn to & declared on the 3rd day of July A.D. 1821 In Open Court
Jno Renison
Wm Campbell Prothy

I William Campbell Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Butler County in the fifth judicial Pennsylvania Do certify that the foregoing is a true Copy of the application and statement of John Renison and that it appeared to the satisfaction of the said Court that the said John Renison has need of the assistance of his Country for support and that the aforesaid statement of property herein is correct
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Butler this 15th day of September A.D. 1821
Wm Campbell Prothy
Page 10

10684
Pennsylvania
Widow of John Renison decd. who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 18th May 1829 of Beaver in the State of Penn who was a Sergt. & Ensign in the compy
commanded by Captain ---- of the Regt commanded by Col. Hazen in the Revolution
for 1 yr  7.10 Sergt., 4.21 En.

Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburgh at the rate of 143 Dollars 56 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of
July, 1849, and sent to L. M. Drury, Canandaigua NY
Total amount, 

[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Th. Lumpkin, Clerk,
Book C Vol. 1. Page 237.

Payable to Ann Park, Mary Denny, Lucy McGahey & Edward Renison, only children living

Reported
Page 11

13.893 - act 43 -  9668
Mary Renison decd.
Act of 7th July 1838.

admitted
Sergt & Ensign
2 yrs.
Sept 7. 10 = $96.66
Ensign 4.21 = 47.00
[total]          $143.65

Act 7 July 1838
from 4 March 1836 to 29
Novr 1845

on Roll Hazen
Sergt. Torrys Co 2 Decr
1776 [illegible] Nov 1777.

submit Co Comd as to service as Ensign & allow

L. M. Drury
Canandaigua NY
Page 12

State of Pennsylvania
County of Beaver Ss
On this 16th day of March 1849. personally appeared in open Court & before the Judges of said County Lucy McGahey a resident of the town of Brighton in said County who being
first duly sworn according to law doth on her
oath make the following declaration in order
to obtain the amount due to the heirs of Mary Rennison [sic] deceased under the act of Congress passed 7th July 1838, and the acts subsequent thereto-
This declarant states that she is the daughter of Mary Rennison, who was the wife & widow of John Rennison of the Township of Middlesex & County of Butler in said State a soldier in the war of the revolution & a pensioner of the United States, at the rate of 96$ per annum
This declarant states upon information & belief that her said father served in the war of the revolution as follows viz: He enlisted in the year 1776 in the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment commanded by Colonel Irwin & served one year afterwards enlisted for three years in a Regiment commanded by Col Hazen & served that period as a Sergeant - In October 1779 he was commissioned an Ensign in Capt Parkers Company in the 7th Pennsylvania Regiment and served about six months when he was discharged on account of ill health. This declarant states that the proof in support of the claim of her said
father for a pension, is supposed to be on file in the Pension Office at Washington, and that by a reference thereto a description of the said John Rennisons services in the war will more fully particularly appear -
This declarant further states that the said John Rennison died in the said township of Middlesex & County
Page 13

of Butler on the eighteenth day of May in the year eighteen hundred & twenty nine (1829)--
This declarant further states that the said Jos
John Rennison [Renison] was married to the said Mary whose maiden name was Mary Irwin in the month of January or February 1789. (as this declarant believes) near the Tuscarora Valley in said State, by a Justice of the Peace named William Bell - that the said John & Mary Rennison from the time of said marriage to the period of the death of the said John lived together in lawful wedlock & had children born prior to the 1st day of January 1794-
This declarant further states that there is no family record of the afore said marriage or births of children born prior to the 1st of January 1794- known to be in existence.
This declarant further states that after the death of the said John Rennison the said Mary did not again intermarry, but died being his widow, & that she died in the said township of Middlesex on the twenty ninth day of November in the year eighteen hundred & forty five (1845), and that the said John & Mary Bennison left four children surviving them whose names are Ann Park, Mary Denny, Lucy McGahey & Edward Rennison 
Lucy McGahey
X
her mark
[seal]

Sworn & subscribed the day & year first 
above written
Before me-
John Bredin
Page 14

State of Pennsylvania
County of Beaver Ss
I John Collins Prothonotary of said County do hereby certify that at a Court of Common Pleas held in & for said County on the 16th day of March 1849, it was duly proved by the exhibition of testimony satisfactory to a
Court that John Renneson [sic] late of Middlesex township & County of Butler in said State died on the eighteenth day (18th) of May in the year eighteen hundred & twenty nine (1829). that his wife Mary Rennison [sic]died on the twenty ninth (29th) day of November in the year eighteen hundred & forty five (1845), and that the said John & Mary Rennison [sic] left four children surviving them now living, whose names are Ann Park, Lucy McGahey, Mary Denny & Edward Rennison
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and annexed the seal of the said Court & County this 16th day of March 1849-
John Collins Pro.
Page 15

Received of John Renison Seven Shillings & four pence for fas of Recording a Mortgage from said Renison to John Penn Junior & ohn Penn Snr Esq
Huntingdon County 8 Jan 1793 -
And. Henderson Recorder
---
Recd of George Hacket six shillings for recording a Mortgage from John Renison to Saml Postlethwaite & Same Land
Andrw. Henderson
Huntingdon County 18th June 1792

Revd March 18th 1795 of Mr John Rennison the sum of Eighteen Pounds and six shillings on act of a Bond he Gave to Saml Postlethwait and Sam Laird  he for land sold to him in May 1791 and now in possession of Saml Postlethwait who is not at home
L 18.6.0
Saml Laird1860
●
Sam Laird
●
Page 16

Deed
John Renison & wife
To
Joseph Nelson
This Indenture made the twenty seventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety two Between John Renison of Barree Township in the County of Huntingdon and State of Pennsylvania and Mary his wife of the one part and Joseph
Nelson of the county and State aforesaid yeoman of the other part
Whereas Samuel Postlewaite and Samuel Laird both of the Borough of Carlisle two of the Executors of the Testament and Last Will
of John Agnew Esq. late of the same place and surviving John Miller a Co. Executor By virtue of the power therein given them Have by their Deed Poll bearing date the Twenty second day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety Two. Did grant Bargain and sell unto John Renison aforesaid a certain Plantation or Tract of land with the appurtenances to hold to him the said John Renison his heirs and assigns forever for the consideration therein mentioned as by the said
Deed Poll may more fully appear relation being thereunto had situate in the Township of Barree and County aforesaid Begining [sic] at a
Dogwood and runing [sic] thence North seventy six degrees, East one hundred and ninety three perches to white Hickory thence
North thirty degrees West seventy nine perches to a Chestnut Oak thence North seventy one degrees West seventy eight perches to a
white oak thence North twelve degrees West thirty two perches to a post thence South thirty six degrees West one hundred and thirty eight
perches to a Hickory, thence South fifteen degrees East sixty seven perches to the place of Begining [sic] containing one hundred and ten acres and five perches be the same more or less. Therefore this Indenture now Witnesseth that the said John Renison and Mary his wife for and in consideration of one hundred
pounds now in hand paid at and before the sealing and delivery hereof the Receipt whereof the said John Renison
Page 17

and Mary his wife doth hereby acknowledge and therefore have granted bargained sold released and confirmed and by these presents do grant bargain sell release and confirm unto
the aforesaid Joseph Nelson his heirs and assigns the above described tract of one hundred and ten acres and five perches be the same more or less to have and to hold together with all and singular the messuages buildings Improvements Ways Woods Waters Water courses rights liberties privileges Here
detaments and premisses with the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining and the remainders and reversions thereof, and all the estate right title and interest whatsoever of them the said John Renison and Mary his wife of in and to the premises and every part thereof
To have and to hold the said tract of one hundred and ten acres and five perches as aforesaid be the same more or less and premises be with the appurtenances unto the said Joseph Nelson his heirs or assigns to the only proper use and behoof of him the said Joseph Nelson his heirs and assigns forever free from all the estate right title property interest claim and demand of the sd John Renison or Mary his wife their heirs and assigns forever, subject always to the purchase money due or to become due thereon and all other claims whatever. In testimony whereunto the said parties have set their hands and seals the 
day and year first above written
John Reneson [seal]
Mary Reneson [seal]

Sealed and delivered in the presence of us
Robt Riddle
Elizabeth Riddle
Mary Reneson

Huntingdon County SS.
Personally appeared before me one of the
Justices in and for the County aforesaid John Renison and Mary Renison his wife and acknowledged the within
Page 18

Deed
John Reneson & wife
To
Joseph Nelson

Paid
Fees
$1.22 1/2
Page 19

Instrument of writing to be their respective act and deed and as such desires that it may be Recorded the sd. Mary being of full age and Examined seperate [sic] from her husband & contents made known. Given under my hand and seal the twenty seventh day of June AD. 1792
Robt Riddle
[seal]
A true copy from the original the 17 March 1795
And. Henderson
Recorder

Huntingdon County ⎬
I Mathew G. Campbell Recorder of Deeds &c. in and for said County Do certify that the above and foregoing is a true copy of a Deed from John Renison & wife to Joseph Nelson so full and entire as the same remains of Record and recorded in Book D. page 477 &c. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said office at Huntingdon this 24th day of March A.D. 1849
M. F. Campbell
Recorder
Page 20

State of Pennsylvania
County of Butler SS. 
Be it known that before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Butler personally appeared Mary Denny a resident of the Township of Middlesex in said County aged sixty nine years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath state that she was personally acquainted with John Rennison [sic] late of said Township of Middlesex a revolutionary soldier & pensioner of the United States, and his wife Mary Rennison [sic] whose maiden name was Mary Irwin that she knew them both prior and subsequent to their marriage, and while they were living in Tuscarora Valley in said State of Penna; that she lived the first fourteen years of her life in the same neighbourhood [sic] with the said John & Mary Rennison; that the said
John & Mary Renison were lawfully married (as this deponent believes) in the year seventeen hundred and eighty nine (1789) by a Justice of the Peace named Bell, in the said vally [sic] of
Tuscarora; that she was not present at the solemnization of their marriage, but is firm in the belief that they were lawfully married and never heard the fact questioned by any person
This deponent further states that she removed to the said County of Butler a few years prior to the time that the said John & Mary Rennison
came to reside here in said County of Butler; that she knew the said John & Mary to have lived together in lawful wedlock from the time of their marriage up to the time of the death of the said John Renison and had children born prior to the 1st January 1794 that two of their children were born prior to that time viz John & William Rennison, and deponent is not certain but that one or two other of their children were born prior to the time stated-
This deponent further states that the said Mary
Renison did not intermarry after the death of
Page 21

her said husband, but died being his widow
And further saith not
Mary Denny
X
her mark

Sworn to and subscribed on this 24th day of April 1849
Before me
Wm Cunningham
J. P.

I do certify that I have been acquainted with Mary Denny, for the last ten years, and she is a creditable witness and entitled to belief, and that she is a professor of religion, and of sound mind
Wm Cunningham
J P

I do certify that the insertion of the word married between the lines marked A were done before the writings were fully executed
Wm Cunningham
J P
Page 22

State of Pennsylvania
County of Butler SS. 
Be it known that before me William Cunningham a Justice of the Peace in & for
said County of Butler personally appeared William Denny a resident of Middlesex Township in said County who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath state that he was present at the burial of Mary Rennison [sic] widow of the late John Rennison of Middlesex Township in said County of Butler, who was a revolutionary pensioner of the United States; that he assisted in digging the
grave of the said Mary Rennison, that the death of the said Mary Bennison occured [sic] on the twenty ninth (29th day of November in the year eighteen hundred and forty five (1845) And further saith not
Wm Denny
 
Sworn to & subscribed on this 24th day of  April 1849 Before me
Wm Cumingham J.P.

I do certify that William Denny, is a creditable
witness, and is entitled to belief, and is a
professor of religion.
Wm Cunningham

Butler County ss
State of Pennsylvania
I C E Purviance Prothonotary of the Courts of
Common Pleas in and for the County of Butler
in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania do by these presents certify that Wm Cunningham Esq before whom the foregoing affidavits were taken and who has thereunto in his own proper hand writing subscribed his name was at the time of taking such, and now is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County duly commissioned and sworn, to all whose acts as such due faith and credit are, and of right ought to be given throughout the this
State and elsewhere In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Butler, in the said County this 24th day of April 1849
C E Purviance Pro.
Page 23

Ann Park, Mary Denny, Lucy McGahy [McGahey]
& Edward Rennison [sic]
Page 24

Revy
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 3298 ┃
Mary Renison
Widow 
John Renison
Sergt. Rev. War
---
Act March 3rd 43 June 17,  44
Index: -- Vol. M, Page 153 ┃
{Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 25

8590
Pennsylvania
Mary Renison, decd.
widow of John Renison
who was a Penna Sergt. & Ensign
in the Revolution
Husb. died 18th May 1829

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 143 Dollars 66
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March, 1843.
and ending 29th Novr. 1845

Certificate of Pension issued
the 11th day of July, 1849
and sent to
L. M. Drury
Canandaigua
N. York

(Acts of March 3, 1843 & June
17, 1844.)
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 115

Payable to Ann Park, Mary Denny,
Lucy McGahy [McGahey] & Edward
Renison only children living

Reported
Let to Hon. M. Hampton Apl 10 / 51
J. M. Buden 14 June 1832
Hon Thos. M. Howe Oct 5 1852
Hon A Gilman Dec 27  1852
Page 26

Sir Please to have one pr [pair] of shoes for a solder of the 7th Penn Regt and you will oblige yours &c.
Jno. Renison Lieut.
7th Penn Regt

March 21 17[illegible]

To M. Morgan Q M [quartermaster]
Page 27


March 21st 1777
Rec'ed on the within order one pair of Shoes
of Jacob Morgan [illegible]
by David Hall

Rec'd for
Shoes
7 Regiment
Page 28

Rec't for
Shoes for
7 Regiment

March 28th 1790 Recd on the [illegible] of Jacob Morgan [illegible]
Page 29

Canandaigua N. Y. May 3d 1849
Sir
The claim of the heirs of Mary Renison widow of John Renison of Penn., deceased, under the act of 7th 1838, is herewith presented
The record of the deed given in 1792 by John & Mary Rennison [sic] establishes the relation of husband & wife prior to 1794- Some original papers connected with that transaction are transmitted in the case-
I wish to call your attention to an original order given by John Rennison Ensign on the 21st March 1780 which accompanies the papers. That order shows that he was an Ensign as late to the 21st March 1780- over one month longer than is stated by him in his original declaration, I believe - But the original rolls in the Pension office will I suppose how the length of service as an Ensign
Respectfully
your obt servrt
L. M. Drury

J L Edwards Esq
Court of Pensions
Washington
DC
Page 30

Allens Hill, NY
June 22

Revs Roll
MC

Hon J L Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Washington 
DC

Hon R L Rose

Jun 26 / 90
Smith
Page 31

Canandaigua June 18, 1849
Dear Sir:
Can I trouble you to write again for me to the Court of Pensions & enquire as to the reception of several claims sent by me to the Pension Office through you?
On the 3d of May last, I mailed a package addressed to you at Washington, on obtaining papers in the following cases viz
That of Mary Rennison [sic], widow of John Rennison under act of 7th July 1838-
That of Elizabeth Powell widow of William
Powell, under act of 7th June 1832.
That of Elizabeth Ruckman, widow of John Ruckman under act of 1st July 1848-
I make no doubt that these papers were duly
received by you, & transmitted to the Pension Office - But as I have heard nothing from them, and as I have had returns from several claims
sent since that date, I feel somewhat anxious about their fate -
I will esteem it as a favor if you will be good enough to write to the Commissioner of Pensions concerning them & you will oblige, yours truly -
L Drury

Hon R. L. Rose
Page 32

Butler June 3d 1852

Dear Sir

There is a suit rec'd in our court to be tried on the 2nd Monday of this month, including certain pension rules, in regard to the payment of pension due to the Heirs of old John Renison - The application for the back pension was made out in the name of the living heirs of the said Jno. Rennison [sic] and your department issued a certificate authorizing, as I understand, payment to the living heirs, the certificate has been rec'd. by the living heirs,  and money drawn and distributed among them, now David Kennedy the admr. of one of the heirs of said John Rennison, brings suit 
against the living heirs for the portion of pension that might be due to the deceased child, who died before application was made, 
I wish to know if under your regulation, the
decd. child of the pension, would be entitled
through his administrator to receive any portion of the pension, and if he is, would 
the living heirs be entitled to pay any portion
of the money by them to the admr of the
Decd heir of the said Pensioner.
Please answer soon, as this case will be tried in a few weeks and without information from the department
Page 33

great injustice might be done to the parties.
I am Yours very truly
James M Rudin
atty for the living heirs of Jno. Renison

Hon. Jas E Heath
Page 34

House of the Representatives
Washington July 13. 1852

Hon. James E Heath
Comr of Pensions

Sir -

I enclose hereto a letter of Thomas Kennedy of Butler County on asking information in regard to the back pension of John Renison
Will you favor me with a reply at the earliest convenience of the Department
& oblige yours very respectfully
Thos. M. Howe