Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7,378, for Jacob Reynolds, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Reynolds, Jacob

NUMBER
S. 7378
carded

CONTENTS
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14399 New York
Jacob Reynolds
of Norwich in the State of New York who was a private in the company commanded by Captain --- of the Regt. commanded by Col. Willis [Wyllys] in the Connecticut line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 80 Dollars --- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of May 1833 and sent claimant white's Store NY.

Arrears to the 4th of March  - $160.00
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Sep '33  40.00
200.00

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk
Book E Vol. 4 Page 73

Examined with Orig. Rolls
Sept. 1883. M.G.
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Jacob Reynolds
Pension Declaration
20352
On Rolls Willis [Wyllys] Regt
2 years 5 mo

Admd
24 mo pri
80$
Page 4

State of New York County of Chenango SS
On this thirteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two personally appeared before Charles York, Esq. one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the said County, Jacob Reynolds, a resident of the town of Norwich in the said county of Chenango and state of New York, aged seventy five (75) years. who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the spring of 1777 in a company commanded by Major Wills Clift, Sylvanus Perry, first Lieut. Thomas Jones 1st Sergant - in a Regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel Willis. in Gen. Parsons Brigade, for the term of three years in the Connecticut line of the Continental Troops - That he joined his Regiment at Peekskill in the State
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of New York. Was at Peekskill at the time the Brittish took Fort Montgomery - marched from Peekskill to Red Hook. There heard of the surrender of Burgoyne - Returned to Fishkill Town barracks. from thence to West Point for winter quarters - Assisted in building the first fort at West Point - In the spring of 1778 went down the North River with a party for the purpose of blowing up ships - The party was commanded by David Bushnel from thence over to Connecticut Sound, and remained through the season with the same party in the same business.
On the 10th of January 1779 was taken prisoner on Boyds Neck Long Island & carried to New York. Exchanged and banded at Elizabeth town point the 9th of February. Again joined the Regiment at Horse Neck, and was in the action at that place, and was with Bushnel the following summer. Then joined the s. Regiment and went to Baskin Ridge five miles south of Morristown. On or about the 7th of January 1780 hired a substitute by the consent of his officers and returned home. That when he enlisted he was a resident of the town of Killingly Windham County State of Connecticut.  That he served in addition to the above about two years in the
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State Troops which he has not deemed necessary to particularize in this declaration.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency of any state.
Jacob Reynolds

Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me.
Charles York Judge
of Chenango County Court

And the said Judge does hereby declare his opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states And he also certifies that in his opinion the above applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the court.
Charles York Judge of Chenango County Court

State of New York Chenango County SS
I Jarvis K Pike Clerk of the said County do certify that Charles York, before whom the preceding proceedings in the matter of the application of Jacob Reynolds
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for a pension purports to have had was at the date of the same one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County and that I am acquainted with his handwriting & verily believe his name subscribed to the certificate of the affidavit of the said Reynolds to his said declaration and to the preceding opinion to be his genuine hand writing and signatures.   
Witness my hand and seal of Office this 16th day of November 1832 
P. B. Prindle Dep. Clerk 
Jacob Reynolds 
Pension Declaration  
20352 
On Rolls Willis [Wyllys] Regt
2 yrs 5 mos.  
Admd [admitted] 
24 mo pri
80$
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20352
Jacob Reynolds 
Chenango County 
New York 
Admd [admitted] 
Claimant Whites Store Chenango Cty New York
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WAR DEPARTMENT 
Pension Office, 
183
Sir. 
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A Statement, showing the Service of    Jacob Reynolds, Chenango Co. N.Y.
Period when the service was rendered.  1777  Duration of Claimant’s Service.   3 Years.  Rank of the claimant.   Pr.   Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.   Lieut. Perry  Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Major Clift, Col. Willis [Wyllys]    Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  Country through which he marched. N. York    Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.   75 Peekskill, New York, Killingly Connt.    Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   No.
I am respectfully 
Your obedient servant 
JAMES L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2            
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.            
The following regulations have been adopted:                  
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.              
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:  
1. The Regular Troops.  
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.    
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.             
4. Indian Spies.                 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first in stance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.             
DECLARATION.                        
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.           
State, Territory, or District of 
County of } ss.
On this day of A.B. a resident (b) of personally appeared (a) before in the county of and State, Territory or District years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the in the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:    
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]            
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only that of Agency in the State of    
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]            
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I of the Court of hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of for a pension.               
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of & c.            
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.          
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be and C.D. residing in (the same) who has years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.                 
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.                 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]     
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 Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.               
I, Clerk of the Court of contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of & c.         
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission ; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.            
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his  alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.            
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.    
1. Where and in what year were you born?                
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?          
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war , and where do you now live?               
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?              
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.           
6. To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? 
To an Officer. {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what Town officer has become of it?              
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.                 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.         
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject     
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.        
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed his genuine signature.          
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can cure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the person of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.        
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.    
[b]   The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.     
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.    
[d]  The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 
[e]  Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had.        
Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: 
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For---year - months , and days , I served as a - months and --- days, I served as and for such service I claim a pension."   
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority ; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.    
[f]  The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g]  The opinion of the Court is always required.  
[h]  The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i]  The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.               
Mode of authenticating papers.              
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.         
Proof of Service.         
[j]  In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in note [j]  applies to continental troops only.     
[k]  This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.          
R. Newman
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August 11, 1930
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section 
FEL:
Mrs. A. C. Rippier 
413 Third Street 
Brooklyn, 
New York 
Dear Madam:  
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.7378, that Jacob Reynolds, while residing in Killingly, Connecticut, enlisted in the spring of 1777, exact date not stated, served as a private in Captain Wills Clift's Company, Colonel Samuel Wyllys Connecticut Regiment; he assisted in building the first fort erected at West Point, and in the spring of 1778 was detailed in a company commanded by Captain David Bushnell for the purpose of blowing up ships, and went down the North River and over to Connecticut Sound; January 10, 1779, was taken prisoner at Lloyd's Neck, Long Island, was exchanged, returned to his regiment, was in the battle at Horseneck, and served until January 7, 1780. 
He also stated that he served two years in the State Troops, but gave no details of this service. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 13, 1832, at which time he was aged seventy-five years and resided at Norwich, Chenango County, New York. 
There are no data as to his family. 
The above is the history of the only Jacob Reynolds, under any spelling of the surname, found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau. 
Very truly yours  
E. W. MORGAN 
Acting Commissioner.
Date of Death not on A. B. [agency book]
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1930 Aug 11. Hist. to Mrs A. C. Rippier Letter in case of David Reynolds $ 21939 EEL 
1934, Mar. 22. Hist to C.D. Austin EEL 
1934. June 5 Hist to Grace J. Neola – EEL  
7378
Rev War INVALID
File No. 7378 
Jacob Reynolds 
Priv Rev War  
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: -- Vol. 1st , Page 312 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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532 Walnut St. 
Elizabeth N.J. March 9, 1934
To the Commissioner Bureau of Pensions 
Department of the Interior 
Washington D.C. 
Sir  
Will you please advise me if the record of pensions granted to soldiers of the War of the Revolution show that a pension was granted to Jacob Reynolds born Killingly, Conn. Oct 9, 1757,  died April 1, 1837, or to his wife on Amy (Bennette) Reynolds, died Jany 29 1846, at White Stones, N.Y. 
If a record of the grant of a pension as shown Will you state the service on which granted. 
It is assumed that if he had a Rev. War record it was in the 8th Co. Capt Joseph Elliott, 3d regt. Col Israel Putnam Connecticut line adopted as Continental July 1775 or in 
Third Regt continental Line 1777-1781, Col Samuel Wyllys, Major Wills Cliff’s Co. 1777, enlisted for three years.   
Yours truly C.D. Austin 
532 Walnut St. 
Elizabeth, N.J.
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March 22, 1934
BA-J/EEL. 
Jacob Reynolds - S.7378
Mr. C. D. Austin 
532 Walnut Street 
Elizabeth, New Jersey 
Dear Sir:- 
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the pension record of Jacob Reynolds, of Connecticut, a soldier of the Revolutionary War. 
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.7378, based upon the military service in that war of Jacob Reynolds, the only soldier of that name, under any spelling of the surname, that is found on said records. 
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of Jacob Reynolds are not shown in the papers in the pension claim. 
While residing in Killingly, Connecticut, Jacob Reynolds enlisted in the spring of 1777, exact date not shown, served as a private in Captain Wills Clift's Company, Colonel Samuel Wyllys' Connecticut Regiment; he assisted in building the first fort erected at West Point, and in the spring of 1778, was detailed in a company commanded by Captain David Bushnell for the purpose of blowing up enemy ships and went down the North River and over to Connecticut Sound; on January 10, 1779, was taken prisoner at Lloyd's Neck, Long Island, carried to New York, exchanged and reached Elizabethtown Point on February 9, 1779, returned to his regiment, was in the battle of Horse Neck and served until January 7, 1780. He stated that he served also in the state troops but gave no details of this service. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 13, 1832, at which time he was aged seventy-five years and resided at Norwich, Chenango County, New York. 
There are no data as to soldier's family. 
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the
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name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Jacob Reynolds (S. 7378), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, citing the following data: 
Jacob Reynolds, Certificate No. 14399, issued May 24, 1833, rate $80 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New York Agency.   
Very truly yours A. D. HILLER 
Assistant to Administrator
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[stamp] RECEIVED MAY 25 1934 [unreadable]
Norwich N. Y.
May 24, 1934 
Veterans Administration 
Washington, D.C. 
Dear Sirs – 
I am anxious to learn of the Rev. service of the two following soldiers of Chenango Co. N.Y. 
Elihu Murray was Sergeant in Mass line on roll of Chen Co N.Y. 11-5-1818 aged 79 years 
Jacob Reynolds was private Conn Cont’l  5-24 1833 aged 76 years.   
Thanking you for this information and also any family data. 
Yours Truly
Grace Ingersoll Neola 
1 Front St. Norwich, N.Y.
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June 4, 1934 
Elihu Murray, R. 7518
Jacob Reynolds, S. 7378
BA-J/MCS
Grace Ingersoll Neola 
12 Front Street 
Norwich New York 
Dear Madam: 
Reference is made to your request for the records of Elihu Murray and Jacob Reynolds, Revolutionary War soldiers who were pensioned from Chenango County, New York. 
You are furnished herewith, the records of Elihu Murray and Jacob Reynolds as obtained from the papers in their respective pension claims, R. 7518 and S. 7378.  
Very truly yours A. D. HILLER 
Assistant to Administrator
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June 5, 1934  
BA-J/EL 
Jacob Reynolds - S. 7378 
Grace Ingersoll Neola 
1 Front Street 
Norwich, New York 
Dear Madam: 
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of Jacob Reynolds are not shown in the papers in the pension claim. 
While residing in Killingly, Connecticut, Jacob Reynolds enlisted in the spring of 1777, exact date not shown, served as a private in Captain Wills Clift's Company, Colonel Samuel Wyllys' Connecticut Regiment; he assisted in building the first fort erected at West Point, and in the spring of 1778, was detailed in a company commanded by Captain David Bushnell for the purpose of blowing up enemy ships and went down the North River and over to Connecticut Sound; on January 10, 1779, was taken prisoner at Lloyd's Neck, Long Island, carried to New York, exchanged and reached Elizabethtown Point on February 9, 1779, returned to his regiment, was in the battle of Horse Neck and served until January , 1780. 
He stated that he served a soldier in the state troops but gave no details of this service. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 13, 1832, at which time he was aged seventy-five years and resided at Norwich, Chenango County, New York. 
There are no data as to soldier's family. 
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Jacob Reynolds (S.7378), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: 
Jacob Reynolds, Certificate No. 14399, issued May 26, 1833, rate $80 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New York Agency. 
Very truly yours A. D. HILLER 
Assistant to Administrator.