Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5574, for Reuben Jenkins, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
2a.
Jenkins Reuben
Pl 5574
CONTENTS

Richard Darlings N. 30.175 Report to John I Allen Member of Congress —
Rev for J. Allen

State of Virginia Preston County } ss. On this 30 th day of November 1838 per- sonally appeared before me Hugh Evans a Justice of the peace in and for the said County of Preston in the state of Virginia Receiver Jenkins a resident of Preston County in Virginia aged seventy four years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the follow- ing named officers and served as herein stated - That in the year 1777 He was drafted in Westmoreland County Virginia to serve three months in the Virginia militia under Captain Sawford was marched from Westmoreland Courthouse in May 1777 down to Hollidayes (or some such name) Marsh there formed a regiment of Virginia militia commanded by Col. Parker all of Berkeley. The British were landing at Stratford's Land- -ing Col. Parker gave them battle. repulsed them with the loss of several lives took one of their boats and they returned to their Camps This was he thinks in May 1777. The Col (Parker) kept a look out till the three months for which he was engaged had expired. Col Parker requested the officers and soldiers to volunteer for another term of three months he told us we could not make a drop this year and it was a pity to call those who could off to return He did volunteer for another term of three months under his same officers This (he now thinks) was in August 1777 He was kept guarding the Potomac watching the enemy who were in the Potomac. He was marched to Stratford's Island where the enemy again attempted a landing Col. Parker again repulsed them. They then proceeded down to Hollidayes Marsh and there attempted to land but Col. Parker had anticipated them and by a forced march had got there ready to receive them they hauled off and not landed. He was continued along the Potomac till in Nov. The enemy fell down into the Chesapeake Bay & Col Parker was relieved and He was marched back to

Westmoreland County and discharged having served this summer of 1777 in two continuous or successive engage- ments six months as a private in the Virginia militia.
Then again in the Spring of 1778 He again volunteered to serve three months under the same captain Sam- ford. in a company of V a . Militia. He was marched in March 1778 to Stratford Island. Thence down the Potomac into Northumberland he thinks along the Bay. The British went up the Potomac several times towards or near Alexan- -dria again returned down well watched by regts of V a . Militia at different points. they soon landed in June 1778 his term of three months expired, and He again volun- -teered for another term of three months under the same officers He was kept in Capt Samford's company in Col. Parker's regiment watching the enemy along the Potomac and Bay till in October more than three months this last time when he was discharged by captain Samford having served six months in two terms continuously in the summer of 1778 as a private in the V a . M t . Again in the Spring of 1779 The British early in the Spring in April or May made a descent on Norfolk - Burned St. Paul's church and Norfolk He there in May 1779 about the first of this month volunteered his services for six months in a com- -pany of V a . M t . from Westmoreland County V a under captain Harper was marched down into Northumber- -land Thence down into Lancaster County to the mouth of the Rappahannock there formed a regt commanded by the same Col. Parker as continued at this point he thinks called Windmill point for six months watching the enemy in the Bay till in November 1779 when he was discharged having served full six months as a militia man or private in this year 1779. He went home. Again in the Spring of 1780 He volunteered for three months in a company of V a . M t . under captain Harper his former officer at Westmoreland County He joined a regt. under Col. Campbell was marched to Stratford Island again was kept along the Potomac and down along the Bay moving up & down watch-

-ing the British to prevent their landing. This kind of service was continued from March 1780 till June 1780. His term of three months expired and he engaged again as a volunteer in the 8 th under his same captain David Col. Campbell till he was continued along the same water in the same kind of service till the first of October 1780 having served more than three months this last time and in all in two engagements this year of 1780 more than six months he was discharged and returned home. Then in the spring of 1781. The British under Cornwallis were marching from the South it was said into Virginia. He then volunteered in a company of Virginia militia for six months under captain David Col. Campbell again. Joined a regiment commanded by the same Col. Campbell again. marched from Westmoreland Court-house - were marched up through King George and a part of Stafford counties to Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania where we were received by General Meade who came to join the Marquis La Fayette in Caroline county marching to the Bowling Green in the night then to Hollins Tavern not finding La Fayette we returned to Fredericksburg. There met Col. Campbell's regt. joined here we marched to Raccoon Ford on the Rappahannock river where we were reinforced by General Wayne with Pennsylvania Troops. we cut a new road across towards St. Barnard. headed Lord Cornwallis he retreated back we followed in pursuit our forces daily augmenting. we came up with his lordship on the Bricks a harmony river General Wayne gave him battle but without any decisive advantage being gained either way. The British passed on to Yorktown the Americans in pursuit. His term of three months expired. he again volunteered for a period of three months more under several officers was marched to Yorktown in October the British surrendered. He became a prisoner to the Winchester barracks continued there as a prisoner till his other term

months expired when in Dec r (about the last of it) 1781 He was dis- charged having served in two continuous engagements this year of 1781 full nine months this was his last service He served not less in all than two years and nine months from 1779 till 1781 both years included. as a private in the Virginia militia. He has no no documentary evidence He knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services as a soldier of the revolu- tion although he supposes many of his fellow soldiers yet survive. They are all dispersed out of his reach He barely distinguishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state  Subscribed and sworn to this day and year aforesaid.
Reuben his Jenkins mark
The Justice informed to declarant the seven interrogato- ries prescribed by the war department to which he an- swered as follows viz.
 1 st That he was born in Westmoreland County in Virginia in the year 1759 as he has always understood.  2 d That he has no record of his age  3 d That he was living in Westmoreland County in Va a removed to Frederick County from thence to Penna a left thence to Preston County Va a where he now lives 18 miles from Preston Courthouse.  4 th That he was first drafted in the Virginia M t for three months and volunteered afterwards each time He served two years and nine months at least during the war.  5 th That he saw Generals Washington, Wayne, La Fayette, Freedom Lincoln, Knox, Muhlenberg and others. He saw at Yorktown Va a Pa a & French troops. regular and militia State and Continental troops. He does not remember the names 

5 th or 6 th of regiments. The general circumstances of his service were as above stated as well as he can now recollect them.
6 th That he rec d discharges signed by each of his captains and counter signed by his cols. He has not preserved them they are lost long since. He regarded them of little value to him his services were freely rendered till Cornwallis was captured this was regarded by many as an end of the war.
7 th He is known to many persons in his neighborhood among them he will name Thomas Webb and Moses Beavers old men who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolu- tion. There are no clay of men residing near him Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.
his Rubin Jenkins mark
We Thomas Webb and Moses Beavers residing in Preston county in the state of Virginia hereby testify that we are well acquainted with Rubin Jenkins who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy four years of age that he is reputed and believed in his neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid
Thomas his Webb mark
Moses Beavers
And I the said Hugh Evans a justice of the peace in and for Preston county in the state of Virginia aforesaid do hereby declare my

opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant (Reuben Jenkins) was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And I the the said Justice of the peace do hereby further certify that it appears to me that Thomas Webb and Rhodes Beavers who have signed before me and sworn to the foregoing certificate are resident citizens of Preston county in the said state of Virginia that they are credible men and their statement is entitled to credit. I the said Justice do further certify that the applicant resides at least 18 miles distant from Preston county court house that he is too frail to travel there without great inconvenience and risk. and that there is no clergyman residing near him.
Given under my hand at the county of Preston in the state of Virginia this 30 th day of November A. D. 1833.
Hugh Owens J. P.
State of Virginia Preston County to wit, I Charles Byrne Clerk of the County of Preston in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that Hugh Owens Esq. is a Justice of the peace in and for the said county of Preston duly commissioned and qualified as such and that the above is his genuine signature, -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court this 17 th day of December in the year 1833 and 58 th year of the
Commonwealth
Charles Byrne

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
5-5-74 P. O. Ruben Jenkins Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____ _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.

Weston 8 th March 1834
Sir
Some indisposition has for some time prevented me from corresponding with the war department. Now enabled by returning health to do so I resume it. First I have to say that I learn through Col. Baccup of this place (who has recently returned from Bathurst via Washington), that some communications (deemed official), have been rec d . at the department containing information of frauds on the Government in Lewis Col. Baccup does not know whether the informant gives particulars, or generalities. The infor- -mation however has caused me to enquire whether in any case I have been so far as a ruling instrumental in placing doubtful claims before the department. The result of such enquiry is that I learn from an old man a faithful chronicle

of the occurrences of that age. That the applica- -tions of David Carpenter of Haverwood is unreasonable as to the period of his services that they were performed after 1783. This old man's tenacious memory leaves me no doubt on this subject. 'Tis true to Carpenter and others to say that from what hear of the planning of Carpenter that he is only mista- -ken. He is a pale and weak man I learned and such is his appearance I have seen him but have no acquaintance with him. The same I think is case with Abiah Askeraft. The information about him is not so accurate but enough so to make me request the apart. not to act in his case unless some further infor- -mation shall clear the case of much doubt I should much regret being accessory to any iniquity on the apart. If I had not paramount obligations to aid the apart. The prompt and courteous manner in

in which the pecuniaries of the several Bereavements under its different organizations have always conducted a correspondence with me from the year 1815 till now would impose such obligations on me and the files of the department for the above period will show that I have not solicited doubtful claims
Without knowing who the informant is, I cannot forbear to say that it seems to me most probable that his or their information will be found to have been dictated more from envy or malignity than patriotism I have waste declarations from memoranda furnished me for several men whom I have never seen some of those may have been ex- cluded from service or partly the merited pe- riod of their service. If there is any assigna- tion made of any of my cases either of those who have been allowed or are now pending I will be at pains to investigate by all the means in my power the grounds of the charge and report the evidence

Among the cases of applications now before the dept. under my control I am personally acquainted with the following of whose claims I can have no doubt Mr. Cookman. David Wolf. . . . Reynolds and C. Knight. I have no doubt of Good- win, of Conway I know nothing nor hear any thing pro or con. the same I say of Hyatt Lazear.
I respectfully ask a reply from the dept. to this communication with such informa- tions as it is pleased to impart. I also ask that the cases of Cookman. Wolf. Knight. Rey- nolds & Goodwin be acted on and reported and know no reason why the cases of Conway, & Lazear should not.
Respectfully,
Your obed. Servt.
J. Wamsley

Wahia Jenkins - App. Preston obj.
Not Entitled
Rejected

Kingwood 31 st of June 1834
Dear Sir
I returned on yesterday from my trip to see Reuben Jenkins and I had to travel over a very rough country. and the following statement I obtained from him as follows viz that in March before Cornwallis was taken at he was placed on the muster roll in Westmorland County under Capt Sandford and that he was frequently called out during that spring and summer by his Capt for the purpose of guarding the Potomac river at the different fording places to prevent the enemy from crossing the river at and it was generally in the night and he says he was in that kind of service three months. and in August before the Cornwallis was captured he was drafted for three months and that he served under Col. Campbell & Capt. Harper and that he was at the taking of Cornwallis at York Town. which was all the service that he says he was in - I told him that I had come to see for the purpose of getting him a pension. and he said that he had employed two men from Lewis County to get it for him, but he said the people told him that they would cheat him out of it. and that he had never heard from them. and he then said he would get me to attend to it for him. and I then told him he must tell me truth about his service. and he made the above statement. and I inquired of them who wrote his first declaration and he said Waldo &

32 James Robison who was to have all of his first draw for their trouble in getting his pension and that they would insure him a pension - and I enquired of him how long he told them he served and he said that he told them the same he had now told me. and he said Waldo read his declaration to him but he did not mention the time length of time that he had served and when he went before the magistrate to be qualified to his declaration the Magistrate enquired of him if he had heard it read and Waldo & himself replied that he had and he was qualified to it. and he says he told him he was only out as before stated - and his wife says the same - If you should go to see old Mr. Lipscomb who has applied for a pension he lives in the edge of Randolph. some of the Western speculators wrote his declaration. you will be within three or four miles of from Reubin Jenkins and if you should have time I should also like for you to call and see him -
Mr. Wilson our member in Congress from this district had written to this place that all the pensions of this county & Lewis Co have been stopped until they can be investigated. and that there would be no new applications acted on. which was in consequence of some declarations having been sent to him from this county. I should like for you to write to me at what time you will be in this county for the purpose I told you when you was here.
In haste yours &c.
J. W. Singleton Esq.
John P. Byrns
please to hand this letter to Mr. Singleton

Neutral drift ice, appearance. June 24. 09 m.
I mentioned Mr. Byng to Mr. Edwards this morn- ing, report is here to announce — in addition to what I am informed by Mr. Byng, that when I was originally applied to him — (See his letter to Mr. Edwards) & wrote a decla- ration, he said nothing about his former in regard to the Potomac River — Mr. Byng stated he was not entitled to inform him — Mr. G. Brown also examined him, found that he was not entitled to inform him.
W. G. Beuglet
Nov. 25. 1832.

Reuben Jenkins Virginia
Rejected At 26 m a 35 in Byrne
5574