Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 40321, for Robert Reynolds, Maryland
Page 1

(3-1776) 

SERVICE 
Md. 

Reynolds, Robert 

NUMBER 
 S. 40321 

CONTENTS
Page 2

[left panel] 
Let to Reynold party to [very faded and blurry - unclear] 
May 14. 1835 
Wheeling P Agt 31 March 1837 [blurry and unclear] 

[right panel] 
Ohio 26473 
Robert Reynolds 
[paragraph that follows is very faded and blurry] 
[faded]  in the State of Ohio 
who was a Private Company commanded 
by Captain Bell [faded] of the Rgt commanded 
by Colonel Rembridge [faded] in the Maryland 
line, for the term of [blank space] 
from [blank] 17 [blank] to [blank] 17 

Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio 
at the rate of Eight Dollars per month to 
commence on the first day of January 1830.  

Certificate of Pension issued the 11th. day of May 
1835 and sent to W. Md. [unclear] 
Clancy Esqr. Wellsburgh, Pa. 
Arrears to 4th of March 35. 497.06 
Semi-all'ce. ending 4 Sept. 35. 96.00 
} [sum bar]  $593.06 

{Revolutionary Claim,} 
Acts March 18, 1818. } [line crossed out] 
May 1, 1820. } [line crossed out] 
March 4, 1826 } [line crossed out] 
Act 30. June 1834 

Recorded Book D vol. 10_ page 41, 
Jno D Wilson clerk
Page 3

State of Virginia } 
Brooke County } ss. 
[faded] that before me the Subscriber a Justice 
of the peace [faded] for the Count aforesaid, personally 
appeared Robert Reynolds who after being duly sworn according to law certified [faded] 
under oath that he served as a private [faded] Soldier in the War of the Revolution in Captain 
Bell's Company of Riflemen in Colonel Rawling's Regiment of the Maryland line, 
that he was wounded and taken prisoner at the surrender of Fort Washington, in 
November, 1776, and was discharged in 1777, which discharge was signed by 
Genl. Gates and accompanied deponent's application to Congress for a 
pension, That his petition to Congress [crossed out] for a pension was forwarded 
to the late Honorable Philip Doddridge who, deponent was informed presented 
the same. That deponent at present resides in the County of Jefferson and State of 
Ohio and has resided there for the space of twenty two years past; and that he is 
the identical person named in the Act of Congress of 1804 for his relief, and 
placing him on the pension list. 

And he hereby authorises the Commissioner of Pensions to forward to 
William M. Clancy of Wellsburg, Brooke County Virg. his pension 
certificate. 
Sworn to and Subscribed} 
this 28 day of July 1834,} 
Before me} 
[signature faded] } 

[signature] Robert his X mark Reynolds 

[bottom paragraph completely faded and illegible]
Page 4

State of Virginia } 
Brooke County } ss. 
I Adam Kuhn Clerk of the Courts of the County 
aforesaid, do certify that Joseph Rose Esquire before 
whom the within deposition of Robert Reynolds was taken, is a Majistrate 
as therein expressed, and that full faith and credit are due to his official 
acts as such. 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal 
of Office, and subscribed my name, this 28 
day of July AD. 1834. 
William Jones Depty for 
[signature] Adam Kuhn Clk. 
[flourish]
Page 5

[top section] 
[extremely faded and illegible] 

[I believe this letter states the following, based on the report to Congress in item 13]

The within named Robert Reynolds, of Captain Bell's company, 
in Colonel Rawling's regiment, of Maryland, is 
hereby discharged from said regiment. Philadelphia 11th July 1777_ 
[signature] Horatio Gates 
Major General [unclear] 
[left panel] 
Reynolds, Robert 
Md. S40321 

[center panel] 
Reynolds, Robert 
Md. S40321
Page 6

[used the report to congress in item 13 to clarify this page since it is included in the report.] 
Robt. Reynolds a Soldier and a prisoner 
belonging to the United States is hereby 
[two words crossed out] and discharged from the 
general hospital in Philadelphia, and 
permitted to go to his 
friends in Maryland 
Benj Rush} PS gmd 
July 11. 1777
Page 7

H.R. 103 
Robert Reynolds 
Revd. Roll of Ohio 
Act 30 June 1834 
$8 per month to commence 1 January 
1830_ 
see letter 6 Aug. 1834 to R. Reynolds 
do. to same 7 Jan. 1835 

send cert to W. Mc.Cluney, Esqr 
Wellsburgh 
Va. 
Committee on Pensions
Page 8

40321
Recy INVALID.
File No. 40321 
Robert Reynolds 
Pri Rev War 
Act: 18th March 18th 
Index: -- Vol. 3, Page 415 

[Arrangement of 1870.] [square brackets in original]
Page 9

Robert Reynolds 
Decem 19. 1833. 
to Committee on
Refc. to Committee on 
Revol'y Pensions 
Mr. Wilson.
Page 10

23rd Congress 
1st Session 
Congress of the United States 
In the House of Representatives 
December 19. 1833. 
On motion of Mr Wilson, Va 
Resolved, That the Committee on 
Revolutionary Pensions be instructed to inquire into the 
expediency of placing the name of Robert 
Reynolds on the roll as a revolutionary pensioner 
Attest, 
W. T. Franklin 
6CR: N.R.
Page 11

Robert Reynolds an 
old soldier_ 
Resolution for 
placing on pension list 
His papers_ on 
the said resolution 
February 15. 1830 
refd. [unclear] by sect. [unclear] to the Committee 
on Military Pensions_ 
Decr 12, 1831 
Referred to the Committee 
on Revolutionary Pensions 
Doddrige. Rev. Per
Page 12

Washington 15th_ Feb. 1830 
Sir
Inclosed on the papers of Robert 
Reynolds to be used on the resolution 
in his favor_ Among these papers, 
when I presented them at the pension 
office was the applicants discharge 
from Gnrl Gates_ It has been 
mislaid either in that office or 
[crossed out incompletely] ing my papers_ I will have 
a search made for it 
Yr_
P. Doddridge
Page 13

23d CONGRESS, 
1st Session. 
[ Rep. No. 99. ] [square brackets in original] 
HO. OF REPS. 
ROBERT REYNOLDS. 
[To accompany bill H. R. No. 103.] [square brackets in original] 

DECEMBER 30, 1833.

Mr. WARDWELL, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made
the following 
REPORT: 
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, who were instructed by a 
resolution of this House to inquire into the expediency of placing the name of 
Robert Reynolds on the pension roll, report: 
That his papers were referred to a committee at the last Congress, and 
the report of the committee was as follows : 
"That the petitioner makes oath that he enlisted for three years, in 
August or September, 1776, in a company commanded by Captain Thomas 
Bell, in Colonel Rawling's regiment, in the Maryland line on the 
continental establishment. That he was wounded and made prisoner at Fort 
Washington on the 16th of November, 1776, and was subsequently exchanged 
and sent to Philadelphia. Colonel Rawling's regiment was broken up by 
the disaster at Fort Washington ; and the petitioner, being disabled by his 
wound received a discharge, dated the 11th day of July, 1777. This 
discharge is produced, signed by Benjamin Rush, and is as follows : 
'Robert Reynolds, a soldier and a prisoner belonging to the United States, is 
hereby discharged from the general hospital in Philadelphia, and 
permitted to go to his friends in Maryland.' On the back of the same discharge 
is the following endorsement:  'The within named Robert Reynolds, of 
Captain Bell's company, in Colonel Rawling's regiment, of Maryland, is 
hereby discharged from said regiment. 
"'HORATIO GATES. 
"'PHILADELPHIA, 11th July, 1777.'
"The committee have had no means of ascertaining the genuineness of 
General Gates's signature, but they have been satisfied as to the genuineness 
of the handwriting of Dr. Rush. 
"As this case forms an exception to the general rules which have 
governed the committee in their decisions, it has been deemed right to make their 
report rather longer and more minute than usual. The petitioner is very 
infirm and poor. The committee report a bill for his relief." 
The committee have examined the papers referred to them, and find the 
facts above set forth as substantially correct. They think the petitioner 
entitled to relief, and report a bill accordingly.
Page 14

Robert Reynolds 
May 18th 1830 [year unclear] 
comd. dischd. to be
Military Pensions
Jan 22. 1830 [month unclear] 
Refd. to Comee. for Mil. Pensions
This claim ought, if the papers 
be genuine, to be allowed
EHO. 
December 19, 1833. 
To be referred to 
Committee on Revy. Pensions 
Decr. 30. 1833_ Bill reported No. 183
Mr. Doddridge   Wilson
Page 15

21st Congress 
1st Session 
Congress of the United States 
In the House of Representatives 
February 15, 1830 
On motion of Mr. Doddridge, 
Resolved, That the Committee on 
Military Pensions be instructed to inquire into the 
expediency of placing Robert Reynolds on the 
list of Pensions._
Attest. 
M.S. Clarke 
Clerk
Page 16

[postmark]
WELLSBURG Va. 
MAY 7 
18 3/4 --- 
us [ faded note] 
James L. Edwards [illegible] 
Commissioner of Pensions. 
Washington City
Page 17

Wellsburgh Brooke County Va May 7th 1836 [blurry] 
Sir 
At the sames Solicitation of Mr Robert Reynolds, forward me 
to [illegible] you that he has not yet received his pension certificate [illegible] 
respectfully requests that yo will forward it to him [illegible] post office 
in this [illegible]. Mr. Rennolds lives in Jefferson County, Ohio, about two miles 
distant and this is his most convenient post office. 
Most respectfully, 
Your Obt Servt 
W.M. Cluney 

James L. Edwards Esquire 
.
[illegible] of June  [illegible]
Page 18

The Honorable 
Philip Doddridge 
Member of Congress 
Washington.
Page 19

As [illegible] has said I have [illegible] you with his application of [illegible] to be [illegible] on the [illegible].
The applicant is Robert Raynolds, father to a late clergyman. His is a claim I cannot see how Mr. Edwards could get over amending. He produced more than ninety out of an hundred has been able to do that were on first application placed on the list of pensioners namely the regular discharge of his commanding General Gates and the formal certificate of the Surgeon General Doctor Rush in both of whose handwriting is indisputable, yet on examination Mr. Edwards could not find his name on the muster Roll of the Maryland line. This does not appear to me at all strange considering the times in which Reynolds served the hurry of the moment in making returns and the breaking up of his regiment. It is hardly possible that the government will exclude a meritorious revolutionary soldier on the frivolous pretext that some transcribing clerk has neglected to insert his name in a return – what better & what other proof ought to be required of the poor soldier who had no opportunity of examining his officers return, and is sick and one had offered, was not capable of reding it than General Gate’s official discharge and the formal certificate of the Surgeon General, and these
corroberating
Page 20

[illegible-of all prior to the sections below I can only decipher a half-dozen words, none in sequence] This man has been [illegible] kept out of his pension and in no way by any fault or neglect of his own. He applied to [illegible] the year [illegible] to write his declaration and as he lives in the State of Ohio, two or three miles from this [illegible] advised him to employ Mr. Rost, late of Steubenville, and you can observe by the inclosed(sic) how this [illegible] old man had been treated. Mr. Rost made the proper application; Reynolds name could not be found on the Maryland Roll at the War Office agreeably to his statement. Application was then made by the War Department to the Adj’t Gen’l of Maryland to search his records and he finds another man of the same name, enlisted at another time and serving under other officers and then asks if he is not the same, which this Robert Reyunolds indignantly denied. He enlisted, served and was discharged as represented in his Declaration, discharge and Surgeon’s certificate. Application to the Secretary of War personally or in case of refusal to the President, was it perhaps have the desired effect and perhaps too it would be best to induce Mr. Goodman to be good enough to [illegible] as Reynolds lives in his district.
Reynolds agreeably to law and the rest of the War Department in every other case when a pension is allowed, ought to be placed on the list at the date of the completion of his declaration, namely December 16th 1819.
Page 21

I feel [illegible] 
I have [illegible] before [illegible] that the present [illegible] of [illegible] will not reject his claim.
This says [illegible] will satisfy that “auld acquaintance” is not forgot.
 The river continues high and for the first time this season there is a little floating ice, but not enough to impede steamboat navigation. Roads owing to the many rains we have had [are] in a dreadful situation. It takes two days to carry the mail from Wheeling to Petersb’g on horse back.
Wishing you health and happiness, I am Respectfully your friend and servant,
Wm. McCluney

Philip Doddridge Esq'r

P.S. when about to return home, if you can find room in your []--I will thank you to bring two or three quire of the laid letter paper and 5 hundred of the very best quills. Our judlers don't know the use of such, therefore never bring any.

W. Mc.
Page 22

Free
James L Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Wellsburg VA Mail Stamp - Jan 3

Jan 7th
Page 23

Willsburg, [] county Jany 27, 1833

Sir

Robert Reynolds handed to me your letter of the 5 August last and and requested respectfully to remind you of your promise to forward his pension certification presuming that an appropriation has been or shortly will be made. [] is becoming very [] and helpless, and is very discouraged of having the certificate in his own possession.

Whilst troubling you with Mr. Reynolds, permit me to add that the Revolutionary pensioners in this county who receive a pension under the law of 32, are, some of them, in very destitute circumstances. To my knowledge two of them were taken off the poor list, and four or five others [] supported by the poor fund, had not the pensions they received in a great measure supported them, and they are now having failed in continuing to receive their pension in very distressed situations. This Postmaster, Mr. McCarty made known to them the letter of enquiry he had received from you -- his answer and your reply of being satisfied as to the pensioners voucher for by him; and immediately after M. McCarty's letter, one of the most respectable men in this country (Col. John McMillan) addressed you on behalf of these pensioners with whom M.MC. was well acquainted, since which nothing has been heard from Richmond favorable to their claims, although certainly expected after the receipt of your letter to M.M. McCarty.

May I ask you to have the goodness to say to these poor old suffering relics of better days what prospect there is in this favor. It is presumed a re-examination by an Authorized agent will be had, and it is very desirable by the pensioner that it should take place soon.

I have the honor to be your most obt Serv't,
W. McCluney

James L. Edwards Esquire
Page 24

War Department
Pension Office
Marcy 31, 1834

Sir
The papers in the care of Robert Reynolds are herewith returned.  I have not the least doubt whatever that the Signature purporting to be that of Gen. Horatio Gates is genuine.
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
J. L. Edwards

Hon. G. Tomlinson   }
Senate U. States      }
Page 25

Private 108

Following section crososed out:

23rd Congress - 1st Session

H.R. 103.

December 30, 1833

Read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.

Mr. Wardwell from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions reported the following bill:

A BILL

The rest is NOT crossed out:

An Act for the relief of Robert Reynolds.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of War be and he is hereby required to place the name of Robert Reynolds on the list of revolutionary pensions and to pay him a pension at the rate of eight dollars a month to commence and be computed from the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and thirty.

Approved June 30, 1834

Depts of State
August 1st, 1834

A true copy compared with the rolls in this office.

Ashery Dickens
Chief Clerk
Page 26

5576
Robert Reynolds
Jefferson County, Ohio
16 December 1819

Col Rawlings' Regt
Maryland line
Aug 1776 to July 1777

The Auditor General for the state of Maryland is requested to furnish evidence from the rolls of this applicant's service.

Dec 12, 1831 - Ref 5 mo Rev Pensions
Mar 21 1832 - Bill reported No 500

Ephraim Root, Agent
Steubenville, Ohio
rec'd 1st Jany 1820
Page 27

State of Ohio
County of Jefferson}
Robert Reynolds of the said county and state, [illegible], upon oath made the following declaration.
That the said Robert Reynolds in the latter end of the month of August or beginning of September, the dates not perfectly recollected, in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six entered as a private for the term of three years in Capt. Thomas Bell’s Company of Riflemen in Col. Rawley’s Regiment in the Maryland line of the Continental Establishment. That the declarant was at the defense of Fort Washington on the 16th day of November in the year Seventeen hundred & seventy six, and was there with others of the United States Troops taken prisoner, and by the British carried to New York and was afterward exchanged and sent to Philadelphia where said declarant on account of the Regiment to which he belonged, the third, being broken by the defeat at Fort Washington, the said declarant having thereat received a severe wound in the left let, together with his being in a sickly state of health, as will appear by the annexed discharge signed by Maj’r Gen’l Horatio Gates and certificate of Doctor Benjamin Rush, dated the 15th day of July A.D. 1777; and that the declarant faithfully served from the time of his said enlistment until he was discharged.
That the declarant is nearly sixty five years of age, very infirm and from his reduced circumstances in life is now in need of assistance from his country for support; and that he hereby relinquishes his claim to every pension heretofore allowed him by the laws of the United States.
Robert (his x mark) Reynolds
Decb’r 16th 1819
Page 28

State of Ohio, County of Jefferson}ss.
On this sixteenth day of Dec. A.D.1819 personally appeared before me James Moores one of the Associate Judges for the Jefferson Couty, State aforesaid, the above named Robert Reynolds, and on my [illegible] subscribed and made oath to the aforewritten declaration by him made, and it appearing to my satisfaction that the aforenamed Robert Reynolds served for more than nine months, to wit, from the latter end of August or beginning of September in the year Seventeen hundred & seventy six to the Eleventh day of July in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy seven at one period of the War of the Revolution on the continental establishment against the common enemy and that he is in reduced circumstances, and needing assistance from his country for support. I hereby certify the testimony in the Court, and proceedings thereon to the Honorable, the Secretary of the Department of War.
In Testimony whereof I herewith set my hand and seal this 16th day of Dec. A.D. 1819. James Moores }Assoc’t Judge
State of Ohio, Jefferson County ss
I John Patterson clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said County of Jefferson do certify that James Moores Esquire before whom the within declaration appears to have been acknowledged and whose name is affixed to the above certificate is at this time a associate Judge within and for said County duly commissioned and qualified to whom official acts as such full faith and credit are due. In testimony above I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Steubenville this 16th day of December A.D, 1819—John Patterson Clk
Page 29

State of Ohio
Certificate to be returned
to Eph'm Root
Steubenville, Ohio