Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 40317, for Joseph Raynsford, Connecticut
Page 1

SERVICE
Conn.

Raynsford, Joseph

NUMBER
S40317
Page 2

20268
Pennsylvania
Joseph Raynsford
of Susquehannock in the State of Pennsylvania who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Johnson of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Durkee in the Connecticut line, for the term of 15 months from the year 1775 to the year 1776
Inscribed on the roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the first day of January 1828.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 of November 1830 and sent to the Pensioner. Montrose, Pennsylvania.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1830   209.03
Semi-anu'l all'ce ending 4 Sept 1830  48.00
_______
$257.03

18/65
{Revolutionary Claim, Act 20 May 1830}
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3738
case of Joseph Raynsford
Davis Dimock
Judge
Montrose, Penn.a

rec'd Apl 26 1869

[upside down]
Joseph Raynsford
Did not serve nine months on the Continental Establishment
Rejected

Montrose Pa
April 13

25
To His Excellency
J. L. Calhoun Esq
Secretary of the department of War
City of Washington
Page 4

District of Pennsylvania
Susquehanna County ss.
On this Sixteenth day of April 1818 before me the subscriber, one of the Associate Judges for the said county, personally appears Joseph Raynsford, as in sometimes his father [illegible] aged sixty five years, resident in Bridgewater in the said county, who being by me first duly sworn, according to law; doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision 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 the said Joseph Raynsford Jr enlisted in Canterbury in the state of Connecticut in the company commanded by Major Obadiah Johnson 3th Regt Col. Durkee's for seven months in 1776 served his time out and recd his discharge which has got and in the spring N York was given up he enlisted for 4 or 5 months in Capt. Clevelands compy 2 serve his time out as a mccanick [mechanic?] & discharged [illegible] out far from town.
That he enlisted again soon after he got home as a mccanick [mechanic?] to make waggons for this labour in the town of Brooklin in the state of Connecticut & served three months, the full time of enlistment & recd his discharge all which service was in the service of the United States.
And that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support: and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said service.
Sworn to and declared before me the day and year aforesaid.
David Dimock

I David Dimock, Judge &c as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Joseph Raynsford did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary of the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
April 16th A. Domini 1818.
David Dimock
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April 13th 1819
I do certify that from good testimony I believe that the within named Joseph Raynsford is in indigent circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for his support.
David Dimock

Susquehanna County ss.
I Jabez Hyde, Junr Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the county aforesaid do certify that David Dimock Esquire is and was at the time of taking and signing the within certificate one of the associate Judges of the court of common pleas for the county of Susquehanna, and that full faith and credit ought to be given to all his official acts and deeds as such and that his signature is of his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said court at Montrose the thirteenth day of April AD 1819.
Jabez Hyde Jr Protho.
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[upside down]
The Secretary of War
Washington City
District of Columbia

21.522
Pension Office
[illegible] 23 1830

pen: to com: 1 Jan 1828
under 3d re act May 20 1830
$8 per month
Revy Penn roll

and sent to pensioner

[upside down]
Montrose PA
1 Vol: 18
Page 7

State of Pennsylvania
Susquehanna County}ss.
Be it known that before me David Post Esquire a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Joseph Raynsford and made oath in due form of law. that he is the identical Joseph Raynsford named in the act of Congress passed on the twentieth day of May AD 1830 entitled "An act for the relief of sundry Revolutionary and other officers and soldiers and for other purposes".
That he is entitled to a pension of eight dollars per month on account of wounds and disabilities received or service rendered to the United States during the Revolutionary War. That he served in Captain Obadiah Johnson's company of militia in Colonel Durkees Regiment. That he now resides in Montrose and has resided there for the space of ten years past; and that previous thereto he resided in the state of Connecticut.
Sworn & subscribed before me this 17th day of November AD 1830.
Joseph Raynsford X his mark
David Post JP

State of Pennsylvania
County of Susquehanna Ss.
I Asa Dimock a Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said county do certify that David Post esquire before whom the above deposition appears to have been taken is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified according to law as appears of record, and that full credit should be given to his official acts as such. That I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the signature "David Post" to the attestation of said deposition subscribed to be genuine and in his own proper hand writing.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, at Montrose the seventeenth day of November AD 1830.
Asa Dimock Proth
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Montrose Nov 17th 1830
Sir I have this day visited Mr. Joseph Raynsford named in the within affidavit and do know him to be the identical Joseph Raynsford who made application to me for to get the benefit of the Pension Law I think in the year 1819 but as I made no record of it I cannot be certain of the year, and no other person by the same name did ever apply to me.
Mr. R. is an old man and a cripple at this time and confined to his bed and his mental far altered since in passd. I have good reason to believe he enlisted under Col. Stores and was discharged by Col. Durkee who succeeded Stores.
Yours respectfully
Asa Dimock
Asst Judge

To the Secretary at War

State of Pennsylvania
County of Susquehanna Ss}
I Asa Dimock of Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said county, do certify that the above named David Dimock is and was in the year 1819 an associate Judge of said county duly commissioned and qualified as appears of record, and full faith & credit should be given to all his acts as such. That I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the above written signature "David Dimock" thereto subscribed to be genuine and in his own proper hand writing.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at Montrose the seventeenth day of November ADA 1830.
Asa Dimock Proth
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Montrose Nov 17th AD 1830
Dear Sir
Enclose I again send you the affidavit of my father Joseph Raynsford amended. Whether it exactly agrees with the papers filed more than ten years ago and sent to the office; or whether it precisely agrees with the one taken before Judge Dimock at that time is more than any one now can determine. If it should not, it is no wonder, for the old Gentleman is very much broken with the infirmities of age & is now confined to his bed with little if any prospect of ever being able to sit up again. That one thing is certain, and beyond all doubt, that he did serve his Country faithfully in the war of the Revolution more than two years. And that he is the identical Joseph Raynsford named in the act of Congress of the 20th of May last, and none other, I believe is fully proven by the evidence herewith transmitted.
If the evidence enclosed is not sufficient to bring the aged soldier within the provisions of the act, especially passed for his benefit, and for him by name too, I shall despair of his ever doing it. It is doubted by me whether he will live til the return mail arrives.
I have again to request of you, dear sir, to send on his certificate & whatever else is necessary to enable him to draw his pension of eight dollars per month from the first of January 1828 to Sept. 1830 with direction &c.
I am respectfully
your obt servt
Joshua W. Raynsford

J. L. Edwards Esq
of the War Department}
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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
AWF/eel

October 27, 1928

Myrtle Judd
Ricing City, Nebraska

Madam:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 403178. it appears that Joseph Raynsford was born in Canterbury, Connecticut, date not stated.

While residing at said Canterbury, he enlisted and served as a private with the Connecticut Troops as follows:

In April 1775, he marched under Captain Benjamin Bacon to Boston, and enlisted in May 1775, and served in Captain Obadiah Johnson's Company, Colonels Storr's and John Durkee's Regiment;  was in the battle of Bunker Hill, and was discharged December 9, 1775; from in July 1776, seven months in Captain James Cleveland's Company and was in the retreat through New Jersey; three months in Captain James Cleveland's Company, and two months, no officers stated, and no dates of these last two tours of service given. It also appears that he was discharged January 7, 1779, as sergeant from Benjamin Bacon's Company to join the Alarm List Company, no further details of this service given.
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he was allowed pension on his application executed April 16, 1818, at which time he was living at Bridgewater Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, aged sixty-five years.
The soldier's son, Joshua W. Raynsford, was living in Montrose, Pennsylvania, in 1830. There are no further data as to his family.
The above noted is the only soldier named Raynsford, under any spelling, that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
In order to search the records of this bureau for a soldier named Timothy Harrington or Herrington, as much as possible of the following data is essential: approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service, and given names of widows.
Respectfully
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
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40317
Revy
INVALID.
File no. 40,317
Joseph Raynsford
Pri Rev War
Act: 18 March 18
Index: - Vol. 3, Page 410
(Arrangement of 1870.)

1917 Apr. 27 Hist to F. Vine Rainsford aw
1920 June 8 hist to Margaret Myers aw
1920 Dec 7 Hist to Mrs. C H Hay  aw
1928 Oct 27 " " [Hist to] Myrtle Judd aws
Page 13

Joseph Raynsford
Jan 7 1828
r 20 Comm Mil Pensions
Ap 29 1828 Bill reported No 283
December 5 1828
Refd to the Com on subj pensions
December 16 1829
refd to Com Milt Pensions
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Canterbury 7th January 1779

Whereas Mr Joseph Raynsford Jr being one of my Company and always don the duty of a good soldier and as he has been in the army and he servd as a sergeant and hes a Sargt warrant he has a desire to go into the Larram List Company and Liberty is hereby granted to the said Sargt Raynsford to join said company and is hereby discharged from my said Company.

Benj Bacon Capt


Camp Cambridge Decemr 9th 1775 Joseph Raynsford in the 34 Regt in Major Johnson's Company is hereby discharged from the Army and six days allowed hm for travel by order of John Durkee LT Colo
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2 Discharges
Page 16

Jos Raynsford
Granted
$8 per month
Page 17

The committee on Military pensions to which was referred the petition of Joseph Raynsford.
Report
The petitioner states he volunteered his service in 1775 immediately after the Battle of Lexington was marched to Boston under Capt. Bacon at which place he enlisted for seven months. was at the battle of Bunker Hill. after serving the period of seven months he was required to remain two months longer which he did until new recruits would arrive. He then returned home and in 1776 he again enlisted. In all he served his country twenty one months seventeen of which was in the regular service and four in the militia. All of which is proven by the evidence of [illegible] witnesses some of whom served with him accompanied by a large recommendation from his neighbors. And two discharges from his officers.
The committee report a [illegible]
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Joshua Raynsford Esq
Montrose Pennsylvania
Page 19

Canterbury June 8 1826
I hereby certify that Joseph Raynsford a native of Canterbury Windham County State of Connecticut & now residing in Montrose Pennsylvania was in the Revolutionary war, int he first campaign about eight months in 1775, also in 1777 he was in the campaign at Trenton for a number of months, say about five months. I was in the same company with him at both places.
John Barstow

Windham County ss. Canterbury June 8 1826
Personally appeared Deacon John Barstow and made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed.
Before me, Rufus Johnson Jr Justice of Peace

My Dear Friends, I recd your request & had to attend to the same. I would inform you that myself and family are in comfortable health through Divine good [illegible] hope these may find you enjoying the same right. Blessing it is a time of very great hapiness in this region but God is progressing his work of grace in many parts of our land may be [illegible] engaged in the cause and rejoice to see the kingdom of Christ progressing in our land and world. Much is now doing for the spread of Christian knowledge. What we do was be done soon for the time is short. Further Joseph we stand in the [illegible] work. May be double our dilligence as a vast eternity is crowding in upon us. Made advance in the Divine life may we so run [cut off] that rest that remains for the [cut off]
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Susquehanna County Ss.
Personally appeared before me David Dimock one of the Associate Judges in and for the county aforesaid, Joseph Cleveland, of the town of [illegible] presently of Brown State of [illegible] who being by me first duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with Joseph Raynsford who has applied for the privileges of the late law of Congress making provision for revolutionary soldiers. and knows that he served nine months in the army of the revolution - he being in the same company with him and enlisted at the same time in the town of Canterbury & state of Cont. on or about the first of May 1775 under the command of Major or Col. Johnson for seven months. They served their time out and then orders were given that they must stay until the new enlisted troops came on which was two months after the seven months enlistments was out from which circumstance he knows the said Joseph Raynsford served nine months and then was regularly discharged and further deponent saith not.
Joseph Cleavland

Sworn and subscribed
[cut off] 1819
Page 21

Pennsylvania Susquehanna County ss.

I Jabez Hyde Jr Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Davis Dimock Esquire is and was at the time of signing the within deposition one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Susquehanna and that full faith and credit ought to be given to all his official acts and deeds as such and that his signature us of his own proper hand writing.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court at Montron the fifth day of May AD 1819.

Jabez Hyde Jr Prothonotary
Page 22

Pennsylvania Susquehanna County ss
I Jabez Hyde Jr Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the county aforesaid do hereby certify that David Dimock Esquire is and was at the time of signing the within deposition one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Susquehanna and that full faith and credit ought to be given to all his official acts and deeds as such and that his signature is of his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court at Montrose the fifth day of May AD 1819.
Jabez Hyde Jr. Prothonotary
Page 23

To the Hon. the Senate & House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, the Petition of Joseph Raynsford respectfully showeth,
That in April 1775, immediately after the attack made by the British troops upon our people at Lexington, there was an alarm on general calls to arms. From Canterbury, Windham County, Connecticut, where he then resided, your petitioner voluntarily turned out and marched to Boston in a militia company commanded by Capt. Benjamin Bacon. At this place he enlisted for seven months under Major Obediah Johnson, was at the Battle of Bunker Hill and remained in the army for the said term of seven months and two months longer. He then returned home to Canterbury, and in July 1776 he was drafted for two months and marched to New York. While here he enlisted as he thinks for about five months under Capt. James Cleveland and was employed in constructing and sinking chevaudefrize [Cheval de frise] in the Hudson River. He crossed the Hudson to Fort Lee where the American troops remained a few days and were then compelled by the British to leave the fort and retreat through New Jersey crossing the Delaware at Trenton. (The sufferings of the American soldiers in this retreat are too well known to mention) serving out his full time was honorably discharged, and returned to his place of nativity in Canterbury, where he arrived on the 10th of January 1777, poor & naked. He soon after enlisted again for three months under the said Capt. James Cleveland, and was employed in constructing waggons for the use of the army and hon. discharged at the expiration of the term. After this was again drafted for two months, marched to New Haven in Connecticut, to Rhode Island
Page 24

to new London and back to Rhode Island where he was discharged, making in all a term of twenty one months, seventeen of which were in the army and four in militia.
That your petitioner now resides in Montrose, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, at seventy five years old, is poor, afflicted with disease, lame, unable to procure a living by labor, and is in need of the assistance of his country.
That your petitioner applied to the office of the department of War on the 4th day of May 1819 for the benefits of the Act of the 18th March 1818, was rejected, his documents returned with the following words endorsed thereon "The applicant did not serve nine months at one term of enlistment & is not entitled to pension by the act of 18th March 1818." That he made all the proof of his services that was in his power, that some of the officers under whom he served are dead or cannot be found, particularly Capt. James Cleveland.
Your petitioner himself prays that your Hon. Bodies will take his case into consideration and grant such relief, by passing an act directing his name to be entered upon the pension roll, or whatever else your wisdom, in accordance with the gratitude and commiseration of an independent wealthy, growing, happy and powerful republic, for the comfort of suffering old soldiers may devise.
And your petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray.
Joseph Raynsford 

The subscribers, inhabitants of Susquehanna county in the state of Pennsylvania, beg leave to represent, that they are personally acquainted with
Page 25

the above petitioner, and firmly believe all that he has set forth in his petition. That he ought to be put upon the Pension List, and his pension to commence at the time he made application to the War Department, to wit, on the 4th May 1819. That it will be seen that the services of the above petitioner were voluntary & patriotic, that the Independence of the country is wholly based upon the early evolution of those principles, in the revolution, cannot be questioned.
Montrose 25th Dec 1827
[signed]
Wm Jessup
Benjamin Sayre
Nathan Raynor
Joshua W. Raynsford
Daniel Curtis
Thos. Dy. Murry
John D. Stephens
Burr Baldwin
Charles Waterman
Samuel Hodgdon
David Dimock
Ben A Denin
Eustice Catlin
William Darrow
Jonah Brewster
Stephen Minch
Everett Wessenger
Lester Nuckerson
C. Lyons
B. Lyons
Charles Fraser
S. S. Mulford
Levi Fuller
D. Dimock Jr
E. Ringsbury Jr
C. T. Bliss
____ Post
A. H Bolles
A. L. Post
Wm L. Post
Rufus B. Gregory
Daniel A. Luthger
H. D Fuller
Asa Dimock Jr
Hiram Finch
Hyde Crocker
Stephen Vaughn
Daniel Searle
Timothy T. Foot
Angus McMillan
Luke Blakeslee
George Clagett
Page 26

[signed]
John Buckingham
Samuel Chamberlain
Isaac Post
Samuel Warner
Sloan Hamilton
Stephen F. Keeler
Abel Sherman
B. T. Case
David Post
Edison Fuller
W. G. Woodhouse
John Williams
Edward W. Fuller
Francis Fuller
John Dexon
Martin Curtis
William Demiss
Solymon Shelley
Page 27

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTON.

3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Washington, D. C., April 27, 1917

S. 317

In reply to your request of ......, received ........ for a statement of the military history of Joseph Raynsford a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.
[column headings]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | STATE.
April 1775 | ~~ | ~~ | Captain Benj. Bacon and marched to Boston. | Conn.
May 1775 | 9 mos | pvt | Captain Obadiah Johnson, Colonel Storrs & John Durkee | Conn.
July 1776 | 7 months Dec Dec 9-25| Captain James Cleveland | conn.
~~ | 3 months | Pvt | Captain James Cleveland | ~~ | Conn.
~~ | 2 months | Pvt | No officers stated | ~~ | Conn.
also discharged Jan 7 1779 as Sgt from Benj Bacons Co to join the Alarms List Co. no dates given

Battles engaged in, Bunker Hill and in the retreat thru New Jersey
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Canterbury Conn.
Date of application for pension, Apr 16, 1828. His claim was al.
Residence at date of application, Bridgewater, Susquehanna Co. PA.
Age at date of application, 62 yrs. He was born in Canterbury Conn, date not stated. 

Remarks: Soldiers son Joshua W. lived in Montrose Pa in 1836. There is no further data on file as to his family.

The above noted is the only soldier named Raynsford (under any spelling of that name) found on the Rev. War records of this Bureau
Page 28

Rev. Sec RWS

"Oseney Crescent, London, N. W. 
7th April 1917

Sir
Having been referred to you by the adjutant General at Washington in reply to my inquiry as to the services &c of Capt. Eli Rainsford & his father, who is reported to have served on General 


As there was only this one pensioner under any spelling of the name, I sent it & told the person so.

[stamped]
U. S. PENSION OFFICE E
APR 26 1917
Page 29

Putnam's bodyguard force in the Revolutionary War. 
In Nov last an obituary notice appeared in the NY Tribune of Waldo Rainsford at Plainfield Conn at 98, a son of the above, which gave particulars above.
The family are probably descendants of Mr. Rainsford who settled in Boston in 1835.
Taking great interest in genealogy I am anxious to record all the data I can obtain as to the Rainsford or Raynsford family and should feel grateful for any information you can send me.
I believe had Jno brothers of my name found in the American Rev War on opposite side.
[illegible] me
Yours faithfully
F. Vine Rainsford
Page 30

Rising City, Nebraska
Jan. 23 1928

bureau of Pensions
Washington DC

Gentlemen
Please advise us if you have record of Joseph Raynsford or Rainsford of Canterbury Conn or David Raynsford same term, having served in the American Revolution. Joseph Raynsford Sr. was born 1725. He had a son Joseph Jr born 1754. If either of these Josephs fought can you tell us which one it was.
Very sincerely
Myrtle Judd

Also do you have record of Timothy Harrington or Herrington, of Plainfield Conn in same war.
Page 31

Rev Sec.

Pension Office
Washington DC

Dear Sir
Will you please send me a copy of the application for pension of Joseph Raynsford S40317 - Draper Index Connecticut - Revolutionary Pensioners. I work in for D. A. R. records.
Margaret Myers
405 N. 9t St.
Independence Kansas

May 16, 1920

[stamped]
U. W. PENSION OFFICE D
MAY 19 1920
Page 32

Nov. 1
Hay
aw.

[stamped]
U. S. PENSION OFFICE M
NOV 1 1920
Page 33

address: 44 Elm St
Albany, N. Y.
Oct 29 1920

Rev ED

Comm. Pensions
Washington DC

Dear Sir- 
Jos. Ransford - Raynsford applied for a pension in 1818 - April 16. it was granted. he was then living in Penn. Was the pension granted to Capt. Jos Rainsford
Page 34

or to Private Jos. Rainsford- Raynsford - both father & son served in the Rev. War & I am trying to find out which one was Capt. Raynsford. I thank you.
Anna Raynsford Hay
(Mrs. E. H.)
44 Elm St.
Albany NY