Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21440, for William Reynolds, Rhode Island
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Service R.J.
Reynolds, William
Number S. 21440
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Left side blank. 
Right side of page
21.206
Rhode Island
-----------
William Reynolds of Washoylen in the State of Rhode Island who was a male in the Company commanded by Captain Clarke if the Rpc. commanded by Col. Brown in the "[illegicle]" line for 2 years.
==========
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 80 dollars no cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831
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Certificate of Pension issued the 2nd day of August 1835? and sent to S.G. Shearman Wickford, R.I.
==========
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833.           $160.00  
Some-ant. allowance ending 4[illegible]. $40.00
                                                                    ---------                                                                  $200.00
Revolutionary Claim  Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by D D Addison, Clerk
Book.  ? Vol.2.   Page  127
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further certify that said John Spink is well know to me that his character for truth & veracity is good, and his statements entitled to Credit A 
Sylvester G. Shearman
 Justice of the Peace
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I David Greene of North Kingston, in the County of Washington, on solemn oath do testify and say that I am Seventy Two years of age, during the Revolutionary War. I did my duty as a soldier in a Company of Militia belonging to said North Kingston in the summer of 1778, as Company of Militia which belonged to Inidnesst Neck in North Kingston, and stationed at the Smith Ferry, & I saw William Reynolds of North Kingston, now an Applicant for a pension, in said Company doing duty as a private, but cannot say for how long. After the enemy left Newport, I saw him doing duty as a  private on Rhode Island but we belonged to different Companies & I cannot say how long he [illegible].  Whilst he was at the Smith Ferry a skirmish took place, between the Militia and a small party of the enemy.  signed David Greene

Washington F.   In North Kingston 
November 10th 1832

Personally appeared before me, the above subscribed, David Greene & after being carefully examined, [illegible] gave the aforegoing Deposition, & by him inscribed in my presence & I further certify that said David Greene is well known to me & that his character for truth and veracity is good. & his statements entitled to Credit A

Sylvester G. Shearman
Justice of the Peace
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I Isaac Hall of North Kinston, in the County of Washington, and Seventy two years of age during the Revolutionary War, I saw as a private soldier, in a Company of Militia who were I saw [illegible] which belonged to North Kingston of which Porter Wright was Captain and once when I was stationed with that assigned Company, at the House of William Corey in Inidneset Neck, to stand as Guards on the shore, I remember that William Reynolds of North Kingston, now as applicant for a Pension did duty in said company as a private soldier, for I think one month, we belonged to the same Company, but were not called out together. As I remember at  any other time or place, [illegible] I was with him, it was in 1777 or 1778. 
signed Isaac Hall

Washington FC.  In North Kingston 
November 10th 1832
Personally appeared before me, the above inscribed, Isaac Hall, and after being examined, [illegible] and duly recorded, gave the aforegoing Deposition which was by me reduced to writing in his presence and by him subscribed in my presence. And I further certify that the said Isaac Hall is well known to me and that his character for truth and veracity is good & his statements entitle to Credit.
Signed Sylvester G. Shearman
Justice of the Peace
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[illegible]. in his presence, and by his subscribtion and by my presence. And I further certify that the said Isaac Hall is well known to me and that his character for truth and veracity is good and his statements entitle to Credit. 
Signed: Sylvester G. Shearman
Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island & Penitence Plantations
Washington Fa-    Clerks Office of the Provst(?) of [illegible]for the town of North Kingston. I Jonathan Reynolds, Clerk of the Provst(?) [illegible] do hereby certify that Sylvester G Shearman, whose signature is affixed, as a Justice of the Peace, to the Disposition of [illegible] David Greene & Isaac Hall, which before [illegible] are hereby annexed as a Justice of the Peace of the town of North Kingston, legally chosen & qualified as the law requires & that full faith and credit might to be given to his [illegible] the United States of America, and I further certify that the signature fixed to said  dispositions is in his hand [illegible]. In testimony whereas I have hereunto [illegible] hand & seal of Office this 13th day of September in the year of 1872.
Signed: Jon. Reynolds PCLK(Clerk)
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For the purpose of preventing their landing and making depredations which they often did, not withstanding the Guards and their vigilance and carried off both men and cattle and burnt houses and barns.  The guards were taken with the Militia. The Captains of the different Companies were ordered to find guards for certain detained along shore and they detached the privates of the Company, for that purposes their turns come.  Sometimes, front or half of the privates, belonging to a Company, were stationed as guards and sometimes the whole.  At the time of the Expedition of General Spencer in 1777, the object of which was to dislodge the Enemy, for the land of Rhode Island, he marched with the rest of the Company, to which he belonged, to Wornish Neck to join the forces under General Spencer, but he was there discharged as unfit for duty,
Lenny just got over the Small Pox.  The Company of Militia, to which he belonged, was stationed, most of the time, whilst the Enemy held possession of Newport, at Inidnesott Neck in North Kingston, one summer, they were stationed nearly the whole summer, near the South Ferry in South Kingston & whilst there had a skirmish, with a small party of the Enemy which landed there, in which some of the Enemy were killed & [illegible] as he was infirmed. When all the privates of a Company were not stationed on the shore as guards. then their privates were under orders to march to the shore immediately on an alarm being made which was often the case, arriving to Tipells being driven on shore by the Enemy, who filled the Bay with their Crusiers, Galleys & Barges, and to their landings. Owing to the distance of time, and his old age, he came to state [illegible] his services. But he is confident that he  actually served during the war, as much as two years in the whole standing guard on the shores.  He never at any time served under any Continental Officers, nor never had any written discharge and never has no documentary evidence of his services. Robert Brown was Colonel of the Regiment, when the
war first began, to which he was attached.  Signed: George Perry
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...iah A Colonel & Charles Tyer, Major.  Thomas Clarke, was Captain of the Company, afterwards  Peter Wright was chosen Captain, John Manchester, Leut. and Sylvester Pearce Ensign, Peter Wright continued Captain for two years & then Samuel Dryer was chosen Captain, William
Davis, Leut & Stukey Hill Ensign.  The Enemy landed several times in Inidnesott Neck burnt buildings upon which alarms were made & all the Malitia mustered, but they always retreated upon the appearance of the Militia.  Once when they landed, one of their Tipels got on shore called the Slough Genge, and was taken by the Militia, and this Applicant was present at taking and drew part of the prize money, cursing from the condemnation of, and sloop & [illegible] on him. After the Enemy left Rhode Island, the Company of Militia, to which he belonged, and part of the Regiment, was carried on to the Island and and detained there some time on duty, but he cannot say how long, most of his Comrades [illegible], but Isaac Hill John Spink, who belonged to the same Company, one more living, David Greene, whom he recollects of seeing on duty in another Company, at the South Ferry is also living. He [illegible] relinquishes every claim to a Pension or Annuity, except the present, and declares that is name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.  There  is no 
Clergyman in his vicinity who can testify to the tradition & belief of hs having been a soldier of the Revolution but he refers the [illegible] to Daniel E. Updike and Richard Thomas, who can testify [illegible] the same and the gooding of his character for truth.
Sworn to & [illegible] the day & year aforesaid.
Signed : William Reynolds X his Mark
Jon Reynolds
Attached to bottom of page (printed form)
We, Daniel E Updike, Richard Thomas, residing in the Town of North Kingston hereby certify that we are acquainted William Reynolds who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 79 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.
Signed and subscribed the day aforesaid: Daniel Eldridge Updike & Richard Thomas
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Washington fc -- In North Kingston
July 20th 1833

Personally appeared before me Subscriber, one of the Justice of the Peace for said North Kingston, William Reynolds of said North Kingston, whose signature is afixed, to the Applicant, hereto attached, and after being by me, duly considered & sworn, made oath too the truth of said Avidavit, and was by me, reclaimed by writing in his presence and he being unable to write from blindness, affixed his mark in my presence, and I made his name in his presence.  And I further certify, that the said William Reynolds is well known to me, that his character for truth is good & said Affidavit entitled to full & [illegible] Credit.
Signed:Sylvester G. Shearman
Justice of the Peace
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Washington County fc

I Thos. P. Wells, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court within and for the County of Washington do hereby certify that Sylvester G. Shearman Esq. before whom the preceding Affidavit of William Reynolds was taken and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace of North Kingston, County aforesaid, duly elected and qualified, and that his signature thereon is in his own preface handwriting.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this 31st day of July 1833.
Signed: Thos. P. Wells Clerk
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No: 18858
William Reynolds
Washington County
Rhode Island

Signed: Private Lyons

5.10 & 11.06
July 10, 1833

Sylvester G. Shearman, 
Wickford,
Rhode Island
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BRIEF in the case of:  William Reynolds
of: Washington County
In the State of: Rhode Island
ACT 7th June 1832

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge:    Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he: 79 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period:    Duration of Service:  Rank:   Officers
1776.             3 mo. 5 days   Private     G.Spencer
1777            6 mo.
The applicant thinks, states, that he must have served two or more years during the War

5: What battles was he engaged? None  
6: Where did he reside when he entered the service?  North Kingston, Rhode Island
 7: Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary evidence, by Incidental evidence or by the rolls? Traditionary & 3 living witness certification credible, No documentary certifications.
8: Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? If so, in what respect? Not  properly attached, Clerks Seal defective 
 
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Signed:  Rick Watts, Examining Clerk
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O. W. & N. Div.
L. W. B.
I 21440.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
WASHINGTON, D. C.,

June 17th, 1896.


Sir: --
Replying to your request for information concerning the military
record of William Reynolds, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you
are advised that he made an application for pension on November 12th,
1832, at which time he was residing at North Kingston, Rhode Island,
and 79 years of age, and his pension was allowed for two years' actual
service as a private in the Rhode Island troops, Revolutionary war; a
part of the time he served under Capt. Thomas Clarke and Col. Robert
Brown. He enlisted at North Kingston, Rhode Island.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. C. S. Reynolds,
1 Custom House St.,
Providence, R. I.
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25 check mark

Nothing else legible on page
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Sheridan Ellsworth Gardiner, M.D.
General City and Office Practice
Specialites

Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat
Mount Pleasant, Mich.

August 23rd, 1916
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington DC
My dear Sir:
 William Reynolds, ensign of Company 1st of Train-band June 1775
Private in R.I. Troop under Capt. Clarke and Col. Brown. Pensioner of U .S.

Can you the date of birth or the family of this man?  Thanking you, I remain,
Yours very truly,

S.E. Gardiner
Secretary of the Pension Board
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Appears to be a postcard Nothing is legible except the postmark of April 25, 1896
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Charles V. Payne
Real Estate and Loans
Room 107 Richardson Building
Seventh and Market Sts

Chattanooga, Tenn.  4-23-1896

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir - 
I wish some documentary  evidence in proof of the service of an ancestor of mine in the Revolutionary War, and am told by one of my Relatives, that this man, whose name was William Reynolds, of North Kingston, Rhode Island, was granted a pension in 1832, at the age of 79, for two years service in the Rhode Island Troops of Revolutionary War.  
I should like a certificate to the effect that this pension was thus granted, as will, of course, appear upon your records.
Please advise me of any expense connected with this matter.
Very truly yours, Charles Payne
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O.W& N.

O.C. Devereux Co., Manufacturing Jewelers,
Factory 224, Eddy St,
Providence R.I.                Stamped by Navy April            
102 Chambers Street.            26, 1905 into Files
New York. April 22, 1905

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir;  I am told that my Grandfather William Reynolds of North Kingston, R.I. was a pensioner for services rendered during months of the Revolution, that he applied for a pension about Nov. 1832 and that it was allowed.
Will you kindly inform me whether the records in your office bear out the above statement, and if so, do they show his record of
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[folded paper without contents except Stamp of the US Pension Office D Jun 11, 1896]
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C.S. Reynolds
Manufacturing Stationer and Printer
1 Custom House Street
Providence, R.I.
Telephone

Hon. Lochreu, Esq.
Commissioner Bureau of Pensions

Dear Sir:
Please mail me a certificate of the service of Wm Reynolds, a Revolutionary Pensioner of R.I.
Resp't yours
Signed:  C S  Reynolds
6/10/1896
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[Folded paper stamped by [illegible] dated Oct. 9, 1902 FILES
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[FORM  3-079, Old No. 3-651]

16/146 [Handwritten]

Bureau of Pensions,
Office of the Commissioner,

-----------------------,  190_____
No. Claim, 21.440
Cert No______________
Claimant,  William Reynolds
Soldier, ____________________
Co, _______Reg't. Rev. War

ACTION AND ORDER:
Ans, Oct. 9/1902

Our reply by Oct.6, 1902 letter through desk
Commissioner
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[Form & Letter]
LEFT PAGE: [along side]1916 Dept. I. History- 
to S.E.Gardiner, M.D.
FORM:   INVALID
Revolution 21440
File No.    21.440
William Reynolds
[illegible]
Act:  June 7, 89(?)
Index:-Vol.  2, Page 835

[Arrangement of 1870]
RIGHT PAGE:   Mar.2, 189_
To [illegible] Pensioned
Miss Helen W. Reynolds
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
[illegible] Soldier [illegible] C.S. Reynolds, Wickford, R.I. [illegible] & W.O. Arnold, [illegible]

Apr. 30, 1896 Sold paused to Chas. Payne Chattanooga, Tenn.  Signed: LWS

June 17, 1896 Sold paused to CS Reynolds Providence, R.I.
Page 30

18858
Wm Reynolds


Sylvester G. Shearman
Wickford, R.I.
Page 31

[FORM]
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension 
Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, apply to the claim of William Reynolds  which require further proof of explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war he served?  yes
V. *Has he mentioned 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?  NO He must state each [illegible] tour of active service, the length of each, time when [illegible] & the names of all the officers under who he served.
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?   yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?   yes
IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?  yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? No
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[Page 3 of form on pgs31,32]
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as 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 they served two years 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.

*QUERE XIV  PROOF OF SERVICE
In the 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 entering the service , and the time and manner if 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 office, under the seal of office.
** QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.  
***In every case where the clerk of the court, or other  certifying officer, 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.
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Department of The Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C 
 O.W.&N. Div.
P.S.
M.E.C.
T. 21440

March 18, 1896

Sir:
In response to your personal request, in behalf of Mr. John J. Reynolds, of Wickford, R. I.  for the military record of William Reynolds, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, I have the honor to advise you that he made an application for pension on November 12, 1832, at which time he was residing in North Kingston, R.I., and seventy-nine years of age, and his pension was allowed for two years of actual service as a private in the Rhode Island Troops, Revolutionary War; a part of the time served under Captain Clark and Col. Brown.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner
 Hon. Warren O. Arnold
House of Representatives.
Page 36

J. R. W. Exr.
No. 21440 - Inv.
Rev. War.

May 1, 1905.

Sir:

In reply to your inquiry, you are advised that the records of this Bureau afford no information relative to the service of William
Reynolds in the Revolutionary War in addition to that
furnished you October 9, 1902.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Mr. T. A. Reynolds,
No. 102 Chambers St.,
New York City.
Page 37

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

O.W.& N. Division
P. S.
M.E.C.

April 3, 1896

Miss:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of William Reynolds, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in the Bureau.
It appears that he was a member of the militia company of the town of North Kingston R.I., during nearly the entire period of the Revolutionary war and was called out to render short tours of duty whenever occasion demanded. In this [illegible] probably performed at least two years actual service.  In his declaration for pension he mentioned the following officers under whom he served at different times: Capt. George Pierce. Capt. Thomas Clarke, Capt. Peter Wright, Capt. Samuel Dyer and Col. Robert Brown. 

Battles engaged in, was probably in the expeditions of Spencer and Sullivan.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, North Kingston, R.I.
Date of application for pension; Nov. 12, 1832
Residence at date of Application;  North Kingston, R.I.
Age at date of application; Seventy-nine years
Remarks:

Very respectfully, 
Commissioner

Miss Helen W. Reynolds
Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
Page 38

Fort Madison, Iowa. Feb. 14th 1904

Eugene Ware:
Will you kindly  send me any proof of Revolutionary War service of William Reynolds to be found in your office that his descendants may join the D.A.R?  William Reynolds was born and died at North Kingston, Rhode Island.  Was born in 1753 & died in 1841. He is said to have been pensioned for two years actual service. A prompt reply will thankfully received by yours respectfully.

Signed: Florence M. Eshig
Registrar  Jean Espy Chapter D.A.R.

Stamped by US Pension Office F. 
February 16, 1904
Page 39

Left side of page
3938

Dated  October 1, 1902
From T.A . Reynolds
#102 Chamber St
Room $7, New York City

BRIEF OF CONTENTS
Requests statement of the Revolutionary War Service of William Reynolds, a U.S. pensioner

Right side of page
21440

Department of the Interior
October 3, 1902
Respectfully referred to the Commissioner of Pensions for such information as the records of his office may afford touching the Revolutionary War service of the within William Reynolds, a United States pensioner.  Return of papers requested. 
Signed:  Thos. Ryan, Acting Secretary
Page 40

In reply to your request of --------, received----for a statement of the military history of William Reynolds, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in the Bureau. 
 SF 21,440'
Dates.  Length    Rank.    Officers.                       State
1775.    3 days.   Private.  Capt.Thomas Clarke.   R.I.
                                             Col. Robert Brown
1776.    3 months   "          Capt. Peter Wright
                                            Col. Charles Dyer
1777.     6 months.  "         Capt. Peter Wright
1778.     8 months.  "         Capt. Samuel Dyer
1779.     6 months.  "               "
1780.     1 month.     "              " 

Battles engaged in,     none
Residence at enlistment,  North Kingston, R.I.
Date of Pension Application, Nov.12, 1832 
Residence at date of application,  North Kingston, Washington County. R.I.
Age at application, 79 years Born in North Kingston
Remarks:  There is no date relative to family
Respectfully, Commissioner