Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8780, for John Taylor, Maryland
Page 1

(8-1775)
Service
Md.
Taylor, John 
Ruth
Number
W 8780
Contents
Page 2

3389
Kentucky
Ruth Taylor, widow of 
John Taylor, died
a pensioner, Act 18 March 1818,
who Md (died on the)12 May 1827,
of Harrison Co in the State of Kentucky
who was a private in the Company commanded
by Captain Winder of the regt commanded
by Col Smallwood in the Maryland
line for 2 years.

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

Certificate of
pension issued the 10th day of July 1840,
& sent to Hon. W.O. But
House of Representatives
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1840 $720.00
Semiannual allowance ending 4 Sept 40.00
$760.00

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the
3rd}
Recorded by 
D. McCurdy,
Clerk, Book 6
Vol. 1, Page 196
Page 3

[two columns]

[left column:]
relative to apn. for restoration, see letter to Hon. T. Metcalfe H.R. 4 Jan. 1827.
[written sideways:]
Notification sent Dec'r 8, [1820?] to Hon. William Bacon, H. of Reps.

[right column: parts of text cut off on right; filled in with best guess in brackets]
10,922
Kentucky
John Taylor
of [blank] in the State of [blank] who was a Private in the regiment com[manded by?] Colonel Smalwood of the Ma[ryland?] line, for the term of 3 Year's
Inscribed on the roll of Kentucky
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to
the 15 of Sept 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued (AB 21) the 25 of M
and sent to Judge 
Cynthiana Harr[ison County?]
Arrears to 4th of Mar 1819 4
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sept 1821 2
$7
16 2
5 30 35.
Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.
[signature illegible]
Page 4

John Taylor
Affidavit
12th February 1827
Page 5

County of Harrison State of Kentucky Sct
On this the 12th day of February 1827 
Personally appeared before the subscriber a 
Justice of the County Court of Harrison John 
Taylor, a Resident in said County aged 69 year 
who being first duly sworn according to Law 
doth on his oath make the following declaration 
in order to obtain the provisions made 
by the act of Congress of the 18th March 1818 and 
the first of May 1820 that the said John Taylor 
Enlisted for the term of one year on the day 
of April in the year 1776 in the State of Maryland 
in the company commanded by Captain 
Lemuel Smith and the Regiment commanded 
by Colonel William Smallwood in the line 
of the State of Maryland, that he continued 
to serve in said corps untill the day of 1782 
when he was discharged from the service in 
Annapolis in the State of Maryland that he has been 
placed on the pension list and dropped therefrom on 
account of his property-- And in pursuance of the act of the 1st May 1820 I do solemnly swear that 
I was a Resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner 
disposed of my property or any part thereof 
with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to 
bring myself within the provisions of an act of 
Congress entitled an act to provide for certain 
persons engage in the Land and naval
Page 6

Service of the United States in the Revolutionary 
War, passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and 
that I have not nor has any person in trust for 
me any property or securities contracts 
or debts due to me nor have I any income other 
than what is contained in the schedule hereto 
Annexed and by me subscribed, (marked A) that 
Since the Exibition of my first schedule the following 
Changes have been made in my property (marked B)
here see papers marked A & B 
I furthermore declare that my occupation is that 
of a house carpenter and that I am this time 
unable to pursue it - the number of my Family 
is three myself my Wife Ruth Taylor aged
70 years and Levi Sherly a grandson aged 
8 years, not able to contribute anything 
to our support 
Sworn to and declared on the 12th day of 
February 1827 before Wm Asbury JP
attest 
Stephen Barton 
I William Asbury a Justice of the County Court 
of Harrison, holder in the County of Harrison, where the said John Taylor 
Resides do hereby certify that the above named John Taylor from a disease called the Rheumatic 
pains and other diseases which I believe and 
know he has been afflicted with for many years 
and that he is unable to attend the Court of which
Page 7

which I am Justice and I do not think from 
appearances that he will be able to attend the 
Court above named at its next session. I have 
therefore attended at his place of abode and 
in pursuance of the act of congress of the 1 [?]th
of March 1823 administerd to him the foregoing oath as required by Law. 
Given under my hand this 12th day of February 1827 
Signed by me Wm Asbury J P HC
attest 
Stephen Barton 

State of Kentucky 
Harrison County ⎬ Sct
I Thomas B Woodyard Clerk Protempore of said Court 
do hereby certify that the above named William Asbury 
who subscribed the above certificate was 
at the time he subscribed the same an acting 
Justice of the peace in & for said County duly 
Commissioned and qualified  and 
that full faith and credit ought to be given 
to all of his official acts as such 
In Testimony I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed my 
Seal of office the 11th Day 
of December 1838. 
Th B Woodyard Clk pt
Page 8

John Taylor
Schedule
10.922

Sept 1819
Not entd
Page 9

At a Circuit Court held for the Circuit 
and County of Harrison in the State of Kentucky 
on the 12th day of September 1820 The following 
statement and schedule was produced and 
Sworn to in open Court and ordered to be 
made a Part of the record in the words and 
figures following (towit) 
State of Kentucky 
Harrison Circuit sct
On this 12th day of September 1820 Personally 
appeared in open Court being a Court of
record for the circuit aforesaid and so Constituted by the law Establishing said 
Court John Taylor aged about sixty six 
years Resident in Harrison County in said 
Circuit who being first duly sworn according 
to Law doth on his Oath declare 
that he served in the revolutionary War 
as follows towit he enlisted in Baltimore 
in April 1776 for one year with Captain 
Samuel Smith first Maryland Regiment 
commanded by Col SmallWood Maryland 
line on Continental Establishment that 
he continued to serve until the year 1777 he
Enlisted under Captain Winder for three 
years same regiment commanded by Colo.
Stone and that in 1778 he enlisted during 
the War under Captain Winder he
further stated that he was in the Battles 
of Long Island White Plains Trenton Brandywine seige Mud Island Battle of Monmouth
Page 10

and Stoney Point where he was wounded 
that he continued to serve as aforesaid from 
the period of his enlistment until he was regularly 
discharged at Annapolis in the year 
1782 which discharge he has lost he further 
stated that his Original declaration was 
made as he believes on the 15th day of September
 1818 and that his Pension Certificate 
is numbered 10.922 and said John Taylor 
further made Oath that he was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th day 
of March 1818 and that he had not since 
that time by Gift Sale or in any manner 
disposed of his property or any part thereof 
with intent thereby so to diminish it as to 
bring himself within the Provisions of an 
act of Congress entitled "An act to provide 
for certain persons engaged in the land 
and Naval Service of the United States 
in the Revolutionary War passed on the 
18th day of March 1818 and that he has 
not nor any person in trust for him any 
property or securities contracts or Debts due 
to him nor had he any income other than 
What is contained in the Schedule hereto 
annexed and by him subscribed.
Schedule
100 acres of third rate land 2 horse 8 head of cattle 26 Hoggs 14 Sheep 6 Chairs a Cupboard Bureau Table 2 Plows 2 pair Chains Tea Kettle Pot hammel Pot kettle to amount 
six Dollars fifty cents Cupboard furniture
Page 11

amount of $4 said Taylor further made 
Oath that he had no Deed for his land and 
stood  indebted about $40 part of the Consideration 
thereof he further made oath his that 
his family consisted of himself wife and 
a Daughter named Mahala his wife aged about sixty Eight years and her Daughter 
about 30 he Stated that neither himself or 
Wife could contribute much and but 
little thru age and infirmity to their support 
and that his Daughter aforesaid is sickly, & 
not able to contribute towards the support of himself or his wife Given under my hand this 12th September 1820 
John Taylor 
Sworn to before me the undersigned one of the Circuit Judges for the Commonwealth of Kentucky the 12th day of September 1820 
W Warren 
State of Kentucky Sct 
I Andrew Moore Clerk of the Circuit Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing oaths 
and the Schedule thereto annexed are truly 
copied from the record of the said Court and 
I do further certify that it is the opinion of 
the said Court that the total amount in value 
of the property Exhibbitted in the aforesaid Schedule is four hundred & nine Dollars fifty cents. 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto 
set my hand and affixed the seal 
of the said Court this 12th day of October 1820 on the 29th year of the Cowealth 
A Moore
Page 12

State of Kentucky 
Harrison County ⎬ Sct 
On this 4th day of June 1840 
personally appeared before the undersigned an acting Justice 
of the peace, and one of the Justices of Harrison County Court in 
the State aforesaid, Ruth Taylor, a resident of Harrison County 
in the aforesaid State aged about eighty three years who being 
first sworn according to law doth on her oath make the 
following declaration, in order, to obtain the benefit of the 
provision made by the act of congress passed July 4th 1836. that 
she is the widow of John Taylor, who was a common [soldier]
in Captain Samuel Smith company in the Maryland line 
of the American army during the revolution. She further 
states that she was married to her late Husband, John 
Taylor on the 16th day of March one thousand seven Hundred and 
eighty, that her said Husband, John Taylor died on the 12th May 1827. She states that she has been informed and believes 
that her said Husband, John Taylor, in the year of 1776 or 1777- 
enlisted as a common soldier, in the City of Baltimore in the 
company of Captain Samuel Smith, and was in the battle of 
Mud Fort, on the Delaware, he was also in the battle of 
Long Island, and was wounded in that action, and was afterwards 
stationed in Anapolis in the State of Maryland, and in the 
winter of 1779 & 1780, he went into the county of Montgomery 
in the State of Maryland, in company with, and as one of a 
recruiting party in company with Robert Baily the brother 
of this declarant, who also belonged to the army. that this declarant 
then resided in Montgomery County in said State and then became 
acquainted with the said John Taylor, her late husband and 
the 16th day of March 1780 was married to him by the Revd 
Threlkeld a minister of the protestant Episcopal church. She
further states that after her said marriage her said husband was not again called into active service, but remained 
in the County of Montgomery in the State aforesaid, pursuing his 
occupation which was a house Joiner and carpenter untill the 
year of 1798, and in that year he removed with his family and 
settled in the County of Bourbon in the State of Kentucky where he resided
Page 13

about two years, and then removed to the place, where this 
declarants husband, died, which was in Nicholas County but 
by a change in the county line has since been made a part of 
Harrison County, that her said Husband continued to reside 
with his family on said place, untill his death in 1827, as before stated, that this declarant, has continued to live 
on said place ever since the death of her husband untill about 
two years ago, not being able to support herself broke up 
house keeping and now divides her time with her children 
who resides in this county. She still remains the widow 
of her late Husband, John Taylor, and has not married since the 
death of her said Husband. This declarant states she has had by her said Husband, nine children namely 
Elizabeth who was born 11th January 1781 Mary born 27th Sept. 1782 Jemima born 5th Novr 1784. John born 8th Feby 1787 Lesson born 4th May 1791 Hillery born 22 Sept 1793. Mahala born 16th Novr 1795 Washington born 24 Jany 1798 and Walter born 22nd August 1800. 
that Mary 
and Jemima are dead, and the other seven are still living 
this declarant states that she knows the time of the birth of her 
several children, in part from her own memory but, principally 
from a record of the time of the birth of each of her children 
which was kept in a family Bible, in the hand writing of her 
said Husband, as she thinks but the record of the births may not 
have been entirely in her said husband hand writing she states that the family Bible of which she has spoken, 
belonged to her said husband, and was kept in the family untill some 
years ago when it got wet, and was destroyed since which 
time there has been no family record of the births of her 
children. She states that her said Husband, as a revolutionary 
soldier, drew a pension from the United States, under the provisions 
of the first pension law, but when the law was changed requiring 
the applicant to make affidavit, that he was not worth $500. her said Husband refused to make the affidavit and from that 
time, forward to the time of his death he did not draw any 
pension, and that she has remained a widow ever since 
the death of her said husband as will more fully appear 
by reference to the proof hereto annexed
Page 14

Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year first above written 
before Andrew M. Cameron, as acting Justice of the Peace and 
Justice of the Harrison County Court, in the State of Kentucky 
aforesaid.
Ruth Taylor her X mark
Signed in presence of 
A M Cameron
O. G. Cameron 

Harrison County to wit 
This day the above named Ruth 
Taylor, Personally appeared before me an acting Justice of 
the peace and one of the Justices of the County Court in and for 
the County aforesaid, and in my presence, subscribed her name 
to the foregoing declaration, and made oath that the 
statements therein contained are true in substance and in 
fact. In Testimony of which I have hereunto subscribed my name this 6th day of June one thousand eight hundred and Forty.
A M Cameron JP HC

State of Kentucky 
Harrison County } Sct
I Thomas Broodyard Clerk of the County Court for the County afsd do certify that A M Cameron is a Magistrate as above and the signature purporting to be his is genuine 
Given under my hand and seal of Office at Cynthiana June the 8th 1840 
Th B Broodyard Clerk
Page 15

State of Kentucky 
Harrison County 
June Court 1840 
Benj L Dailey and A M Cameron
came into Court and made Oath that 
Ruth Taylor who is an applicant for 
a pension that the said Ruth Taylor, from 
age and infirmity is unable to get to 
Court to be qualified to her Declaration 
A Copy Attest
T B Woodyard Clk 
By Wm W Trimble D C
Page 16


BA-J/AWF
Mrs. Katherine T. Brown
902 Walker Avenue
Paris, Kentucky.
Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter relative to John Taylor, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data furnished herein are obtained from
the papers on file in pension claim, W. 8780, based upon the Revolutionary service of John Taylor.

He enlisted at Baltimore, Maryland, sometime
in April 1776 and was a private in Captain Samuel Smith's company in Colonel William Smallwood's Maryland regiment, was a sergeant in Captain Levin Winder's company in Colonel Stone's Maryland regiment, was an
orderly-sergeant in Captain John Jordan's Maryland company. He was in the battles of Long Island, White Plains, Trenton, Brandywine, Siege of Mud Island Fort, battles of Monmouth and Stony Point, was wounded in last named battle and served until in 1782.

He was allowed pension on his application executed, September 16, 1818, at which time he was living in Harrison County, Kentucky, and aged about sixty-four years.

He died May 12, 1827 in Nicholas County, Kentucky.

He married, March 16, 1780 in Montgomery County, Maryland, Ruth Baily, of said Montgomery County, where her parents were then living. The names of her parents are not stated.

The widow, Ruth, was allowed pension on her application executed June 6, 1840, then a resident of Harrison County, Kentucky, and was about eighty-three years of age.

The children of John Taylor and his wife, Ruth -
Elizabeth born January 1, 1781
Mary " [born] September 27, 1782, deceased in 1840
Jemima " [born] November 5, 1784, deceased in 1840
John " [born] February 8, 1787
Lesson " [born] May 4, 1791
Hillary " [born] September 22, 1793
Mahala " [born] November 16, 1795
Washington " [born] January 24, 1798
Walton " [born] August 22, 1800.

A grandson, Levi Sherly, was eight years old in 1827, the names of his parents are not designated.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 17

State of Kentucky 
Harrison County ⎬ Sct
On this 12th day of June 1820, personally 
appeared before the undersigned an acting Justice of the peace and 
one of the Justices of the Harrison County Court in the State aforesaid 
Mazza Baily a resident of Harrison County in the State aforesaid 
aged about seventy seven, who being first sworn according to law 
doth on her oath make the following declaration, having 
heard, the affidavit of Ruth Taylor read do believe it contains 
the truth, that I knew John Taylor before he married Ruth 
Baily, that I also know that John Taylor, came into Montgomery 
County Maryland, in company with Robert Baily under the 
character of a recruiting party in the revolutionary war, and 
do know that John Taylor became acquainted with Ruth 
Baily about the time as stated in her affidavit. my mother 
and family was near neighbours to old Mr Baily and the 
family was very intimate, that in the day that John 
Taylor and Ruth Baily was married. I saw the party 
going to the parsons I also saw them return. my mother 
being one of the company that on the day after their marriage 
my mother and myself, was each[?] told M Bailys with the 
weded party. do know and believe that Taylor and wife 
was married at the time as stated and according to the 
usage of the day, I have been intimate with Taylor and 
family from the day of his marriage untill Taylors death 
which I believe, was about 12th May 1827, that Taylor and 
wife lived together as acknowledged man and wife and 
do know that the children, named in the affidavit of Ruth 
Taylor, are the acknowledged children of John & Ruth Taylor. that 
I have resided for the last thirty five years, in the same 
neighbourhood, with Taylors family, and that the present 
Ruth Taylor now living as the widow of John Taylor, and 
the person whom I knew in my youthfull day as Ruth 
Baily and that she now remains the widow of John Taylor 
and hath not married since the death of her said 
Husband, I do know that John & Ruth Taylor had 
their childrens names and births registered in an old
Page 18

family Bible, which I have often times seen, and have 
spent many hours in reading said Bible at the house 
of John Taylors. I have been informed that the Bible is 
destroyed in the manner as is set forth by Ruth 
Taylor 
Mazey an baley 
signed the Day & date above mentioned 

State of Kentucky 
Harrison County } ss
This day Mazey Ann Baley above 
named personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for the County 
aforesaid and made oath that the foregoing statement as respects Ruth Taylor & family is just and true Given under my hand 
this 12th Day June 1840 A M Cameron  J.P.HC
Page 19

[envelope for letter?]

[at top, upside down]
[illegible] Decr. 26 1828

[main address]
Free
The Honble
The Secretary at War
Washington City
Mail

[sideways:]
Mr. Edwards
Jno. Taylor
Affidavit
Rec'd Jan. 9. 1819
Page 20

Commonwealth of Kentucky 
Harrison County and Circuit Sct 
This day appeared Jno Taylor citizen of 
the Commonwealth and Circuit [?]before me Jno Trimble one of 
the Circuit Judges for the sd Commonwealth in and for sd Circuit
and made Oath that in the month of April in the year 1776 
he enlisted as a private soldier at Baltimore, in Capt Saml 
Smith’s Company; attached to the 1st Maryland Regiment,
commanded by Wm Smallwood; sd Regiment belonged to the 
Maryland line on continental establishment & that 
his enlistment was during the war, as he understood it,
but upon condition not to be removed beyond the limits 
of the State of Maryland. Said Taylor further made 
Oath that the Situation of the Country rendered it necessary and that in the winter following his enlistment, 
he reenlisted at Baltimore, for 3 years unconditionally 
under Capt Levin Winder; and that in the further progress of the war, and he thought in the month of 
March 1778 at Bonbrook in the Jerseys he again 
changed the term of his enlistment and [enlisted ?] during 
the war. He made Oath that he continued to 
serve under Capt. Winder untill he was promoted to a 
Majority, and after that under Capt Jno Jordan untill 
the war closed; that his Service was uninterrupted from 
the period of his first enlistments [?] untill the end of the war; that in the year 1777 he was appointed Sargeant, then orderly Sargeant, which station he
Page 21

held when discharged; that he was wounded in 
the battle of Stony point; and that he was regularly 
and honorably discharged at Annapolis at the 
close of the war, and received a written and regular 
discharge, but that by time and accident it 
had been lost, and that he was now unable to produce
it, or to obtain a witness by whom he could 
establish his enlistment, service & [?] Taylor 
further made Oath that he was poor, and from 
his reduced circumstances in life stood in need of 
and from his country for support.
Sworn to and declared before me this 15th day 
of September 1818. 
John Trimble
I John Trimble Judge of the Harrison Circuit 
Court in the State aforesaid do certify that it 
appears to my satisfaction that the aforesaid 
John Taylor did serve as a private soldier in 
the Revolutionary war against the Common 
enemy for the term of nine months on the continental establishment; and that from his reduced circumstances in life he stands in need 
of [assi]stance from his country for support. 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
Page 22

seal of the Harrison Circuit Court to be affixed the day & year first above written 
John Trimble
Page 23

No 3059 - 2 cases 
John Taylor 
Pr. 1st Md. Regt.

Respectfully sent to 
Thos Karney Esq Auditor 
Genl of Md at Annapolis 
for a certificate of the services 
of the claimant from the 
Pension Office of the War 
Dept 20th April 1819 

When returned, result of decision 
to be made known to Judge Trimble.
 Adm.

on roll at State 
Cept Cap Winder [?]
1st Ret for 3 yrs made
Out Ap[?] 9, 1778
Page 24

Thos Metcalfes Letter 
To 
John Taylor
Page 25

Direct, your papers, as follows
Mrs. Ruth Taylor. (Widow of John Taylor)
Kenton Town
Harrison County (Ky)

[sideways:]
V 4177
Ruth Taylor
Act 136 Kentucky
Page 26

I Mazza Baily of Harrison County and State of Kentucky 
now about seventy five years of age, being called on by Ruth 
Taylor, widow of John Taylor a revolutionary soldier, to state all I know 
relating to herself and John Taylor, being man and wife and how long 
I have been acquainted with them, under the character of man and 
wife, do declare that I knew John Taylor, before he married 
Ruth Taylor. Some time toward the latter part of the revolutionary 
war, Taylor, came to Montgomery County Maryland, with a recruiting 
party, while stationed there he became acquainted with Ruth 
Baily, and did marry her. Ruth Bailys father and my 
mother, was near neighbours, and the familys was very intimate 
that on the day that John Taylor and Ruth Baily was married 
my mother, with many other friends, did accompany Taylor 
to the parsons residence, to get married, that I saw the 
parties going to the parsons and did see them return the 
same day. That on the day after their marriage my mother 
and myself with other friends, was with Taylor and wife, partaking 
of the customary civilities of the marriage. it was the custome 
in those days when persons were about to get married, the 
parties, and friends generally set out for the parsons residence 
and get married, as was the case with Taylor
I have been very intimate with Taylor and wife from the day of 
their marriage, untill Taylors death, and do know 
of my own knowledge that the said Taylor and wife, did live 
together as man and wife untill Taylor death and the 
present, Ruth Taylor, now living, and widow of John Taylor 
is the same person whom I knew as Ruth Baily in early 
day and the person, who has always been acknowledged 
as the wife of John Taylor (decd) this 7th December 1838
Mazey a baley [handwritten] seal
Witness 
Benj Daly 
A M Cameron
Page 27

State of Kentucky 
Harrison County ⎬ SS
This day Mazza Baley Personally appeared 
before me a Justice of the peace for the County 
aforesaid and made oath that the within 
stament is just and true Given under 
my hand this 7th day of December 1838 
A M Cameron JPHC

State of Kentucky 
Harrison County ⎬ sct
I Thomas B Woodyard Clerk Protempore of the Court
of Harrison County Court Certify that A M Cameron whose 
name is affixed to the foregoing certificate is an acting Justice of the peace of the County of Harrison 
and that the foregoing signatures of his are genuine 
and that full faith & credit ought to be given to all of 
his official acts as such 
In Testimony whereof I have 
hereunto affixed my seal of 
office and subscribed my 
name this 11th Dec 1838 
Th B Woodyard CPt HCC

State of Kentucky 
Harrison County 
I Haman Million Presiding Justice of 
the Harrison County Court do hereby certify 
that Thos B Woodyard whose signature appears to 
the foregoing certificate is Clerk of our said Court and that 
his certificate is in due form of Law and that full faith 
ought and should be given to all his official acts as 
such both in and out of this State. Given under my 
hand this 11th day of December 1838 
Haman Million P.J.H.C.C
Page 28

State of  Kentucky 
Harrison County } SS 
This day Ruth Taylor 
personally appeared before me A M Cameron 
a Justice of the peace for the city 
aforesaid and made oath in due form 
Law that She is the Identical person named in the Deposition of Benjamin J Daley and 
Maziean Baley and that her maiden 
name was Ruth Baley and her and 
John Taylor was married on the 16th Day 
of March 1780 in Montgomery County State 
of  Maryland and her husband John 
Taylor Departed this life on the 12th Day 
May 1827 and she still remains a widow 
and is now about 82 years of age Given 
under my hand this 26th Day of December 
1838
A M Cameron J,P,H,C
Page 29

[printed seal]
ANNAPOLIS Md 1

FREE

J.L. Edwards, Esqr.,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington City,
D.C.
Mail
Page 30

Land Office Annapolis, 30th June, 1840, 
Sir,
Your letter of the 27th Inst, respecting the claim of 
Mrs Ruth Taylor, the widow of John Taylor, a soldier of the revolution, 
was received, - You state, that it is alleged “he enlisted in April 1776, in 
Captn. Samuel Smith’s company of the 1st Maryland Regiment, afterwords 
enlisted for three years under Captain Levin Winder and in 
1778 or 1779, for during the war, and was under Captain John Jordan 
and Colonel Stone, that in 1777 he was made a Sergeant and afterwards 
an Orderly Sergeant.” I have carefully examined the records 
of the Revolution in this office, and find a Number of persons of 
the name of John Taylor upon the rolls, but two however of that 
name, that appear to have enlisted for and during the war, and both 
of them were privates, (neither were non commissioned officers,)
upon the Muster roll of the 1st Regiment, there are three John 
Taylors, the two first named on the roll, enlisted on the 10th day of of 
December, 1776, and both deserted, one in 1777, and the other in 
June, 1780, the third and last named enlisted for nine months only, 
and was discharged on the 5th of April, 1779, the date of his enlistment 
is blank on the roll, Captain Saml Smith appears by the 
Army Legers, to have commanded a Company in 1776, (a Volunteer or 
Independent Company) and on the 10th of April, 1777, was appointed 
Lieut Col of the 4th Regiment in the Maryland line. Captain 
Levin Winder, was appointed a Captain in that 1st Regiment, on the 
10th Decr 1776, and on the 17th April 1777, promoted to the 
rank of Major, Captain John Jordan and Colonel Stone, also both 
belonged to the 1st Regiment. Now upon the rolls of the 1st Regt
I find only the names of the three John Taylor's above mentioned,
and I do not find the name of John Taylor upon any of the rolls, 
that appear to have enlisted and performed the service as stated in your letter, 
very respectfully,
Yr Obt Svt,
G. G. Brower 

J. L. Edwards, Esq
Page 31

I William Asbury, late a Justice of the peace 
for Harrison County and State of Kentucky now about fifty eight years of age - being called on by Ruth Taylor, widow of John Taylor, to state all I knew of herself and John Taylor, being man and wife and how long I knew them, as also to state, what I knew relating to John Taylors, pension papers.
- Do declare, that I became acquainted with 
John Taylor and Ruth his wife in the year of 
eighteen hundred and three and lived within 
a half miles of them untill Taylors death 
which took place, about 12th May 1827.
I have frequently heard Taylor and his wife say they were married in Maryland, in the year Seventeen hundred and eighty - that their oldest child was born in Seventeen hundred and eighty one - I have frequently heard, Taylor say he married his wife Ruth, before the close of the revolutionary war. I have no hesitancy in saying from my information that 
they were married, in the year above stated - and I do know of my own knowledge, that John Taylor and the present, Ruth Taylor (now living) did live together as man and wife from my first acquaintance with them, untill Taylors death, and that they were allways respected by our neighbours as man and wife 
I further, state, that the paper presented to me, as the affidavit of John Taylor Sworn to before me on 12th February 1827 is an original paper, that on the same day, in my official character did proceed (with Stephen Barton) to make a schedule and valuation of said Taylors property, which was done in manner and form, as directed by the pension agent, in order that Taylor might be restored to the pension list, and that the amount of property so scheduled did not amount to four hundred Dollars.
Page 32

The schedule taken, by me, and some other papers which Taylor had, relating to his service as a soldier, in the revolutionary war; is not now with the papers shown me - nor do I know, what has become of them - the property held and possessed by John Taylor, ever since I knew him, would at no one time, command, five hundred Dollars in cash.
Some few days, before Taylors death, I was called on to write, said Taylors will - which i did, and the said Taylor did bequeath, all his property to his wife Ruth Taylor - consisting of a small piece of poor land, with some perishable property which the said Taylors wife resided on untill she had not a sufficiency to support, her in her old age -
7th December 1838 -
William Asbury [Genl.?]

Richard Moverbay
A McAmron

State of Kentucky
Harrison County SS
This day William Asbury [sign?] personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for the county aforesaid and made oath that the above Statement is just and true
Given under my hand this 7th day of December 1838
A McAmron J.O.P.
Page 33

[printed seal]
ANNAPOLIS Md JUL 7

FREE
J.L. Edwards, Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City,
D.C.

Mail
Page 34

Land Office Annapolis, 17th July, 1840, 
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 3rd Inst, which I have just received I have to state, that having no muster or payroll of Captain Levin Winder’s Company, I cannot certify as to the fact of John 
Taylor having enlisted in his Company, the rolls do not show the Company to which a Soldier belonged, except in some few cases, when an 
entry is made in the margin of the Remarks in the record, stating the fact of his belonging to a certain Company, but no such entry is made in the case of John Taylor. Captain Levin Winder, under whom it is alleged he served, belonged to the 1st Maryland Regiment, 
and as I stated in my letter of the 30th Ultimo that there are three persons of the name of John Taylor, that belonged to that Regiment, 
of which of the three then, am I  to certify as to the service. Presuming that I was not understood in my last letter, I have made a 
copy of the heading of the rolls &c, so as to show you in what manner they are returned, the names are all entered alphabetically, 
and Shows the rank, and Regiment that each Soldier served in, but not the company.
Very respectfully
Yr Obt Svt
G. G. Brewer, 

J. L. Edwards, Esqr.
Page 35

Musters of Maryland Troops.

[five columns headed:]
Names
Rank
Line of Service Enlisted
Discharged
Remarks

First Regiment
Taylor, John Srgt. 10 dec 1776, deserted in 1777.
Taylor John Privt. d June 80 - deserted.
Taylor John Pt. 9 Mr. 5th April 1779, discharged.
3 Years War.
Thompson Francis Pt. 10th Dec 76 27th Dec. 1779, discharged.
Thackeral Regin, Pt. 27th Apr 78 - 16th Aug 80 Killed.

I have copies only a few of the names under the head of the letter (T.) - merely to show the form in which they are entered upon the rolls &c. After the 1st Regiment, follows the 2nd 3rd &c, all alphabetically arranged.
Under the letter (W.) there is the same heading as above, and the first name is entered as follows;
Winder Levin, Capt. 10th Dec. 1776,
Major 17th Apr. 1777.

G.G. Brewer,
Reg. P. Off. U.S.M.
Page 36

House of Reps in Congress 
5th Jany 1827 
Dear Sir
As soon as I reached here, I 
inclosed your letter to Genl Saml 
Smith to him; and received from him 
the accompanying certificate which is 
signed by him in your behalf. I 
conversed with him afterward, and was 
pleased to find that he manifested great kindness of feeling towards you; and gave 
me assurances of his readiness & perfect disposition to aid me in any way in 
his power to get you back on the 
Pension List 
I lodged Gen Smiths certificate 
and the other papers in the 
Pension Office, but could not procure 
a decision thereon until now. You 
will see that the proper officer does not feel himself authorized by the law 
to restore you to the pension list, until 
you shall have complyed with the 
requisitions of the law as suggested in 
the accompanying printed form which
Page 37

which I now forward to you. It will be 
well for you to get Capt Barton or Col 
Brown or some one well acquainted with such matters to assist you in filling 
up the blanks & making out the 
Schedule of property &c. As soon as you 
can get the papers prepared for that purpo[se] return them to me; and if it be practicable I will have you restored to the List. I 
have already testified to the credibility of the neighbors who signed your papers, and 
I have some knowledge of the small value 
of your land; and having known you 
long as a worthy industrious citizen who 
has done his duty as such, as well as in 
the capacity of a soldier, you may rely with 
confidence on the exertions of an old neighbor 
who is conscious of the Justice of your 
cause, in your behalf. I have written 
In haste under the sound of debating 
voices 
With sincere respect & friendship
Your Obt Svt
Thos. Metcalf

PS Return Genl Smiths certificate to me with the other papers [?]
Page 38

I Benjamin J Daley of Harrison County and State of Kentucky
now about sixty years of age, being called on by Mrs Ruth 
Taylor, widow of John Taylor a (revolutionary soldier) to state all 
I know relating to herself and John Taylor, being man and wife 
and how long. I have been acquainted with them under 
the character of man and wife. on examining 
my fathers papers, do declare that my father 
Brian Daley, came to reside with his family at Montgomery 
Court house now Rockville Maryland in the year 
seventeen hundred and eighty nine at which time John 
Taylor and wife, resided near Rockville. Mrs Tayler 
was then, the mother of several children, and her 
oldest child is about two years younger than 
myself. Taylor was a house carpenter and for 
several years at various times employed to do work 
for my father in which time, Taylor and wife 
became very intimate with our family while 
Taylor resided near Rockvill, he was very much 
respected, and the manner in which Taylor and wife 
was received by our neighbours leave no doubt but 
they were married according to the usage of the day 
(I will hear give Taylors own account, how he 
first became acquainted with his wife) towards 
the latter part of the revolutionary war, Taylor 
was detailed on the recruiting service and 
stationed, at Montgomery Courthouse as recruiting 
Sergeant while there, he became acquainted 
with Ruth Baily and did marry her while in 
the service. this account of Taylors marriage 
I have often times heard Taylor speak of it. in the year (1796) my father and family removed to the 
State of Kentucky and finally settled in Nicholas 
now a part of Harrison County - Tayler and family 
shortly afterwards came to Kentucky, and settled 
on a piece of land adjoining my fathers farm 
when said Taylor and wife, did reside untill 
Taylors death and the present Ruth Tayler
Page 39

now  living is the same lady, that I knew in 
seventeen Hundred and eighty nine, as the acknowledged, 
wife of John Taylor (decd) The affidavit 
of John Taylor taken before William Asbury 
a Justice of the peace of Harrison County Ky on the 12th
February 1827 was handed to me a few days since 
and I find the said Taylor, declares he entered the 
army in (1776) this declaration of Taylor, I believe 
to the fullest extent, he was a man of honest 
integrity. I have, also other reasons, and strong impressions 
made in my mind that Taylor must have entered 
the army at a very early period of the war. My 
father, Brian Daley was amongst the first
twelve months men raised in Maryland and 
belonged to what was then called the Maryland 
line. I have often times heard my father 
and John Taylor, converse together respecting the Maryland line and of each of their sufferings 
while in the service and have frequently heard
Taylor mention the different officers, he served 
under, while a soldier, and I very well 
remember of his naming Capt Samuel 
Smith (now Genl Smith of Baltimore) as commander 
of Mudd Fort, that he Taylor was with 
Capt Smith at the time the British attacked 
the Fort. being well acquainted with Taylor 
and family for many years, I am free to 
declare that at no time, after Taylor beca[me]
a resident of Kentucky that he possessed 
property, that would have command five 
hundred Dollars in Cash.
7th December 1838  (Signed ) Benjm J Daley
Witness
Richard M Overby
A M Cameron
Page 40

State of Kentucky 
Harrison County  } Sct 
On this 12th day of June 1840 
personally appeared before the undersigned an acting Justice of 
the peace, and one of the Justices of the Harrison County Court in the 
state aforesaid Benjamin I Daley aged about sixty two years 
who, being first sworn according to law, doth on his oath make 
following declaration. that in reference to his fathers 
Books, he finds that he became acquainted with John Taylor 
and family in the early part of the year 1789, at which time, Taylor 
was married and his wife was the mother of several children 
Taylors occupation was a House Joiner and Carpenter, and did 
much work for my father, (while he resided at Rockvill Md). Tayler 
and wife was much respected while they resided in Montgomery 
County, Maryland, and the manner, in which Taylor and wife was 
received, by our neighbours and the respect paid them, was such as 
clearly showed them as legally man and wife. I have known 
John Taylor, his wife and family nearly fifty years, and for the 
last Thirty seven years, the family has resided, Joining my 
fathers farm, and the present, Ruth Taylor now living and 
the widow of John Taylor. is the same person, whom I knew in 
the year 1789 as the acknowledged wife of John Taylor and that 
she hath not married since the death of her said Husband. whatever 
Mrs Ruth Taylor, would, declare on oath, I would believe 
she is truly a pious religious woman. and one that is highly 
respected by all her neighbours. The affidavit of Mazza 
Baily made in behalf of Mrs Ruth Taylor I do believe she
has declared the truth. I also believe, that Mrs Baily is the 
only person now living who knows anything relating to John 
Taylor and Ruth Bailys marriage, I knew Basil Baily the 
Husband of Mazza Baily while they resided in Montgomery County 
Maryland, and believe they removed to Kentucky, about the 
same time, that John Taylor and family came to this State 
that Basil Baily and family has resided many years in this 
County and immediately in the neighbourhood of Taylors family 
Benj I Daley
Page 41

Harrison County
State of Kentucky } SS
This day Benj I Dayley  personally 
Before the undersigned a Justice of 
the peace in and for the county aforesaid 
and made oath that the within 
Statement as respect with Taylor & family 
is just and true. Given under my 
hand this the 12 day of June 1840
A M Cameron JPHC

4177
Page 42

Kentucky State 
Harrison County } SS
This Day Benjamin I Daley Personally 
appeared before me a Justice of the peace 
for the County aforesaid and made oath
that the within statement is just and 
true Given under my hand this 7th Day of December 1838 
A M Cameron J.P. H.C. 

State of Kentucky Harrison County 
I Haman Million Presiding Justice of the County 
Court aforesaid do hereby certify Tho. B. Woodyard 
whose signature appears to the foregoing 
certificate is Clerk of of the Harrison County 
Court and full faith and cred ought and should 
be given to all his official acts as such both 
in and out of this State given under 
my hand and seal this 11th day of December 1838 
Haman Million P.J.H.C.
Page 43

Harrison County 
State of Kentucky 
I Haman Million Presiding Justice 
of the County Court aforesaid do hereby certify 
that Thos B Woodyard whose signature appears 
to the within certificate is Clerk of our said 
Court and that his certificate is in due form of 
Law and that full faith and credit ought and 
should be given to all his official acts as such 
both in and out of this State given under my 
hand this 11th day of December 1838. 
Haman Million P.J.H.C.
Page 44

4177
[illegible] at Jan 7.
Act 136.
Mrs. Taylor

Col. J. [cut off]
Page 45

Please examine the within & inform me of what is wanting & send me the forms & return the letter of Mr Daley [illegible]
R M Johnson
Page 46

Congress Hall
June 25th 1840
Sir
I enclose you the amended 
Declaration & of Mrs Ruth Taylor
Respectfully 
[?] Butler

J L Edwards Esq
Page 47

J. L. Edwards Letter 
To 
Metcalf for Taylor
Page 48

War Department 
Pension Office 
January 4th 1827. 
Sir,
In answer to your letter respecting the 
case of John Taylor, I have to inform you that the papers which you sent to this office are insufficient 
to authorise the restoration of his 
name to the Pension Roll, and are therefore 
herewith returned. The enclosed printed sheet 
will point out particularly all that is necessary 
to be done in order to establish his claim 
I have the honor to be 
Very respectfully 
Your Obt. Servt 
J. L. Edwards

Hon. Thomas Metcalfe 
House of Representatives.
Page 49

Auditor's Office, Annapolis, May 7th - 1819

I hereby certify, that it appears from the pay-rolls remaining in the Auditor's office, that John Taylor Pt. received from John Hamilton, agent of the Maryland line, the sum of $80.00 for arrears of pay from the 1st August 1780 to the 1st Jany 1782 - Also, the sum of $80.00 for pay and also the sum of $43.30 from the 1st Jany 1783 to the 15th Novr. 1783 when his time expired.
Tho. Harney Audr
State Md
Page 50

4177 
Ruth Taylor 
of John 
Kentucky 
Admitted 
Pr. 2 yrs $80. 
Cap Winder 
Gl Smallwood Md

Died 12 May 1827 
Act 4 July 1836 
No[?] W.O. Butler 
N. R
Page 51

Ruth Taylor
of Johns
Kentucky
Suspended
let 8 Jan. 39 Hon. R.M. Johnson
let 10 Apl '40 Hon W. O. Butler
let 27 June 1840 Hon W.O. Butler & G.G. Brewer
let 13 July 1834 to G.G. Brewer

Act 4 July 1836
Page 52

1908.July 28. Hist. to Mrs O.L. 
Crum, A.E.P. 
1932 - Feb 9 Hist to Mrs. Katharine
J. Brown [?]

Revy WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 8789
Ruth Taylor 
Wid of John Taylor 
Prv Md. line
Act: July 4/36 Sec 3rd
Index:-- Vol. M. Page 263 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 53

Orangeburg, S.C. 

Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington, D.C. 
Gentlemen:
I am in search of some 
record of a John Taylor 
who ran away from 
his home in Maryland 
when a mere lad 
and joined the 
Revolutionary Army. 
he fought through 
the whole war, and 
was honorably discharged 
in Orangeburg 
County - Santie Section 
I think, he was
Page 54

-2-
wounded three (3) times.
Please inform me at 
your earliest convenience 
if there is any record 
available of This John 
Taylors enlistment and 
discharge and pensions. 
If there is any fee for the
above information 
please advise me of 
same.
Very Respectfully, 
Mrs. Orrin L. Crum 
73 E. Amelia St 
Orangeburg SC
Page 55

[two printed stamps:]
PENSION OFFICE. U.S.A
JUL 22 1908

RECORD DIVISION
JUL 23 1908
Page 56

3-871.
RECORD DIVISON.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by L.D.L.
Claim No.
Certificate No.
Claimant at enlist. a mere lad.
Soldier John Taylor
Service Md.
Additional Service Rev. War
No. claim, State records [blank], 190_
No claim, combination records [blank], 190_

REMARKS:
No claim except
Servd #37483 at enl. 30 years of age
Wid. #8780 at enl. 22 yrs.
" #9564 at el. about age 10.

0-3
Chief Division
Page 57

a statement of the military history of _______
soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (and his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
W.F. 8780. John Taylor

[six columns headed:
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT
LENGTH OF SERVICE
RANK
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED - CAPTAIN
COLONEL
STATE

lived in Balti Md
Apr 1776  1 year Pri. Samuel Smith William Smallwood Md
1777 3 yrs. Sgt Md Levin Winder Stone
March 1778 1782 Ord Sgt John Jordan
Nov 15 -83 disc at Annapolis

Battles engaged in
Long Island, White Plains, Renton, Brandywine, Siege Mud Island, Monmouth and [illegible] in which he was wounded
Residence of soldier at enlistment, at Balt.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 15, 1818. This claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Harrison Co., Ky. discharged at Annapolis, Md.
Age at date of appliccation, 64 years He died may 12, 1827 in Nicholas Co.
Remarks: Sol. Mar. in Montgomery Co., Md. Mar 16, 1870 Ruth Baily. He was allowed pension on an application executed June 6, 1840 wile a resident of Harrison Co., Ky., aged 83 years. Children, (1) Elizabeth b. Jan 1, 1781, (2)  Mary b. Sept. 27, 1783, deceased in 1840, (3) Jemima b. Nov. 5, 1784 deceased in 1840, (4) John b. Feb. 8, 1787, (5) Lesson b. May 4, 1791, (6) Hillery b. Sept. 22, 1793, (7) Mahala b. Nov. 16, 1785, (8) Washington b. Jan. 24, 1798, (9) Walter b. Aug. 22, 1800. Grandson Levi Sherly aged 6 yrs. in 1827.
Very respectfully,
Page 58

Paris, Kentucky 
Jan. 17, 1932 
Veterans Administration 
Bureau of Pensions 
Washington, D.C. 
Gentlemen 
Will you please send me 
at your earliest convenience, 
the Revolutionary service 
of John Taylor who born in 
1759, died May 12, 1827. I would 
like know to whom the last pension 
was made to.
Thanking you in advance 
for this information, I remain 
Yours truly 
(Mrs) Katherine Taylor Brown 
902 Walker Ave 
Paris, Ky

[stamp] RECEIVED 
JAN 20 1932
RECEIPT SECTION 
PENSION FILES SUB-DIVISION