Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,054, for Benjamin Reynolds, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER
R.L.
Reynolds, Benjamin
S. 30054
CONTENTS

Massachusetts. 30.69
Benjamin Reynolds of Suffolk Co. in the State of Massachusetts who was a Corp'l & Priv. in the Comp'y commanded by Captain Burrell of the Reg't commanded by Col. Bowen in the Mass'ts line for 9 M'ts Corporal 1. " Private.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 36 Dollars 33 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th day of June 1836. and forwarded to the Hon. Abbot Lawrence, Sec. of War.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 36. - 181.65 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Sept. - 18.16 7 199.81
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk. Book 82 Vol. — Page 73

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Suffolk
This seventeenth day of May A D 1836. Personally appeared in Open Court being the Municipal Court of the City of Boston the same being a Court of Record, now sitting, Benjamin Reynolds, of the City of Boston of said County, aged Twenty Nine years, who being first sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an Act of Congress passed June 4 1832
He entered the war army of the Revolution and served as herein stated.
First in answer to several interrogatives furnished by the war department,
he answers and says
 1 He was born in Bristol Rhode Island March 17. 1757.  2 his birth is recorded in a Family Bible.  3 he resided in Providence R Island when he was first called into service, and there continued to reside about fourteen years, he then removed to Norfolk Virginia and resided there five years, and then returned to Providence, in about six years he returned to Virginia and since that period has resided in Norfolk & Boston.  4 he was drafted;  5 he served under Generals, Spencer and Sullivan in Col Jabez Bowen's Regiment, Captains, James Burdell, Sprague, Snow, and others.  6 he never received any written discharge  7 Job Sanforth, Lemuel Field and Grindall Reynolds. 
And further he declares that in September in the year 1775 he was sent with a party of Armed Men to secure and drive off a quantity of Cattle that was collected at the South point Farm on Rhode Island, Supposed to be collected for the British Army in Boston we drove them up the Island and were detained in the service about a month

To guard them, untill relieved by enlisted Men.
In October 1776 he was enrolled in Cap m James Burrill's Company, Col d Brown's Regiment of Militia as first or Orderly Corporal, and was drafted for fifteen days, to go to Warwick, and he did go and served his time & was discharged, and between October & December the same year he was again drafted for fifteen days, to go to Patuxet and Warwick and did go & served his time out and was discharged and this deponent further declares that after the British took possession of Newport, which was in December 1776 the Militia of R Island was divided into three Classes, to serve one month at a time, and one class was on duty nearly all the time, at this distance of time he cannot recollect the particular times and places at which he served his monthly tours of duty, yet he fully believes he served as much as one third of the time, during the three years the British held possession of Newport, exclusive of the month served on R Island in the year 1778. The Enemy evacuated Rhode Island in the year 1779, the militia had not so much service to perform after that period, but was frequently called out on alarms for a few days at a time, As the time is long past he cannot recollect all the particulars, But he was not discharged from duty until the War was ended,
He has no documentary evidence besides what is hereto annexed, he produces the evidence of several witnesses who served with him, he assigns as a reason why this Application was not made at an earlier period, he was residing in Virginia at the time the Act of the 7 th June 1832 granting a pension to the Militia of R Island, who served in the Revolutionary War, and was not informed of it until very recently,
The reason that the evidence of J. D. Danforth & Samuel Field,

was antecedent to his declaration, he was in Virginia at that time, and it was taken at the request of his friends who knew that they served with him the most of the time.
Joe Dampier has since died. Samuel Field is still living
He relinquishes every 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.
Sworn to and subscribed Benj. Reynolds
in Open Court, the day
8 year aforesaid before me
Peter O. Tracher, Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston.
And the Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states
We Nathaniel L. Frothingham, a clergyman residing in the City of Boston, pastor of the First Church in the City of Boston & Joseph R. Newell of said Boston, Merchant, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Reynolds, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion.
N. L. Frothingham
Joseph R. Newell
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion

after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the Clerk further certifies, that it appears to them that Nathaniel L. Frothingham who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in said City of Boston and that Joseph R. Newell who has also signed the same, is a resident in the City of Boston and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Peter O. Thacher, Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk:
I, Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston, a Court of Record, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Reynolds for a pension, also that Peter O. Thacher Esquire, is sole Judge of said Court, and that the signatures on this application, purporting to be his, are genuine.
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court hereunto set this seventh day of May A.D. Eighteen hundred & thirty six
Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk.

I Grindall Reynolds of the City of Boston in the State of Massachusetts being now in the eighty first year of my age In Oath do testify and say that during the Revolutionary War, I was a resident in Providence in the State of R Island
I was an Officer in Capt James Burrill's Company of Militia in Col. Jabez Bowen's Regiment, and as such did much Actual duty, for which I have received a Pension from Government, And I further testify that my Brother Benjamin Reynolds, was a resident in Providence State of Rhode Island, during the whole of the Revolutionary war.
That he was enrolled in Capt. James Burrill's Company, Col. Bowen's Regiment in the year 1776, that he was Appointed first, Or Orderly Corporal of the Company & served in that Capacity during the war, that he did equal duty with myself, was with me in every expedition, at the same times in the same Company & Regiment, was drilled on the same tours of duty and we served together to guard the Shores on any alarm, or on fatigue duty to build forts which was often done. The whole of the Militia of Rhode Island being Classed, (we in effect though not in exact form) stood as Minute Men Always under the Orders of the Commanding Generals of the Station,
And I firmly believe that the said Benjamin Reynolds during the years of 1776, 1777 and 1778 was in Actual duty as much as One Year and when not on duty was always ready to attend to any service when Called for = I being a Sargent

= The first part of the time, and afterward Ensign, & Lieutenant in the Company & Regiment had every Opportunity of knowing. Soon after the close of the war he removed to Norfolk in Virginia, in a few years he returned to Providence, he afterwards went back to Virginia, and has since resided in Norfolk and Boston, Massachusetts, which is now his present residence — Commonwealth of Massachusetts, ss. Grindall Reynolds
Suffolk ss; Municipal Court of the City of Boston May 7 1836
Then personally appeared Grindall Reynolds, above named & made solemn oaths that the facts stated in the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed in open Court are true.
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court hereto set, this seventh day of May A.D. Eighteen hundred & thirty six Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk of said Municipal Court.

Job Denford & Samuel Field, Affidavits in the case of Benjamin Reynolds are applicable for a Pension

I Job Davenport of the City of Providence in the State of Rhode Island being now in the 91 st year of age on oath do testify & say that during the Revolutionary war I was an Ensign in Captain James Barrick's Company of Artillery in the Regiment of Col: John Bowen & as such did much actual service for which I have received a pension from Government. And I further testify that while I was Ensign in 1776 & 1777 I well remember a man by the name of Benjamin Reynolds who was a private in said Company. I have a particular recollection of his serving some time as a corporal month each in said Company as a private in said Company at a place called Patuxet Patuxet I have a faint recollection of other services but cannot particularize them I remember the militia were divided into classes during that & the subsequent years & have not the least doubt he served, the militia of Rhode

Hand did much duty during the three years the enemy had possession of New- port - and I think he must have served as much as others - Job Danforth
Job Danforth
Providence
In Providence Oct 10 th 1835
Then personally came the above signed Job Danforth who is known to the subscriber as a respectable and credible citizen and made oath to the truth of the facts as set forth in the foregoing deposition.
Before me
Wm L. Wood
Civil Notary
I Samuel Field of the City of Providence & State of Rhode Island being now in the 85 th year of age on solemn oath testify & say that I well remember Benjamin Reynolds named in the foregoing deposition of Job Danforth - I remember of serving in General Spencer's expedition in the fall of 1777 under Captain James Snow's company and I remember of being there also as a private in the same company. The expedition lasted about a month. At the I have no particular

recollection of serving with him at this distant period of time, on other occasions yet I have not the least doubt he served, as all the Militia of Rhode Island were obliged to do duty & a great deal during the time the enemy had possession of Newport Lemuel Tilled
Providence R.I. In Providence Oct 10 1835
Then personally appeared the above named Lemuel Tilled who is known to me as a credible and respectable citizen and made oath to the truth of the facts set forth in the foregoing deposition Before me
William F. D. Wolf
Public Notary
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Providence ss. I William R. Watson Clerk of the County Com- mon Pleas in & for said County in said State do hereby certify that William F. D. Wolf Esquire is a Public Notary for said County appointed by the General Assembly of said State at their May Session 1835. - that he has been duly Commissioned to said office by the Governor of said State, his Commission bearing date the fourteen -th day of May 1835. upon which Commission he has been duly engaged & is now fully qualified & empowered to act in his said office & to administer oaths to witnesses
I further certify that the above signature purporting to be that of said William F. D. Wolf Esquire is in his proper hand writing
In Witness whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the Seal of said Court at the City of Providence on this Tenth day of October 1835.
W. R. Watson Clerk

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
S. G. Co. 054
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Benjamin 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 this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Sept. 1775 1 mo. Pvt James Russell John Barron R.I.   1776 Served at Col James Russell John Barron   Vacated James Russell John Barron   one year James Russell John Barron   three years James Russell John Barron   End of war James Russell John Barron  
Battles engaged in, _____ Residence of soldier at enlistment, Providence R.I. Date of application for pension, July 7 1895 Residence at date of application, Boston Mass Age at date of application, born at Bristol R.I. Feb. 17 1757
Remarks: _____  Soon after the close of the war he moved to Norfolk Va. Tired there five years then moved back to Providence and then back again to Norfolk. There is no data as to his family other than a reference to his brother Crindall Reynolds who resided at Boston Mass in 1836.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

300574 Rev INVALID.
to L.M.D. clerk, Wash.
File No. 30,057 3/4
Benjamin Reynolds Boyle Rev. Wash.
Act: June 7 th 89"
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 387
[Arrangement of 1870.]
May 29'96 Recd pensd Wm J Rhea City
Oct. 10-1901 Walter B. Beals. see 1915 March 1 Hist. to gathering Nelson V.L.M.

Massachusetts
Benj. Reynolds
Inspunada
In Cote. Y. W. Philip May 18 1832

one 2 ct stamped envelope enclosed
Feb. 21, 1915
at the MURRAY HILL HOTEL PARK AVENUE 40th & 41st STS. NEW YORK
St. env. recd. To the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir: Will you kindly give me the record of Benjamin Reynolds, b. in Bristol, R.I. in 1757, died in Virginia, Dec. 5, 1842, served in Revo- lutionary War in the Rhode Island Service? I should like the date of his marriage if you have it, to Mary Walbron of Bristol. I am proving

my papers of admission to the Colonial Dames Society and will therefore appre- ciate an early reply.
Faithfully Yours
Esther Singleton

WALTER B. BEALS ATTORNEY AT LAW HALLER BUILDING SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
Glenn
Pension Office Washington D.C.
Dear Sir,
Will you please send me an abstract of the application of Benjamin Reynolds of Boston, Mass., for a pension for services rendered in the War of the Rebellion in James Burrell's company of Col. Jabez Bowen's R.D. Reg't.
I am anxious to find out the record of the company.
Also please tell me if Capt. James Burrell of R.D. ever applied for a pension, and if Joseph Highting also of R.D. ever applied for one.
Yours truly Walter B. Beals.
OCT 15 1901 RECEIVED

June 13
Mr. Webb-
Henry Reynolds Chap
Abbott Lawrence N. R.
Ann Calhoun
Edwards Esq. Pension Department Washington

Dear Sir,
House of Representatives, June 11 th 1836
I enclose a letter from a friend of mine in relation to a pension for Benjamin Reynolds — I have seen Mr. Loyal who states that Mr. Reynolds is so far as he is acquainted with a most respectable worthy man — May I ask the favor of you to examine the papers and give me your reply. —
I remain yours respectfully
Abott Lawrence
Samuel Edwards Esq., —

9178
original
11. May 1836.
Pension Office
Mass:
33728

Boston May 7 th 1836.
Hon Lewis Cass, Secretary of War,
Sir,
At the request of Mr Benjamin Reynolds, I forward the enclosed application for a pension, with the accompanying affidavits.
Aear d ly attention to the applica- tion as is practicable & an answer address- ed to me, at Boston, will oblige Mr Reynolds, an aged & very respectable citizen
Very respectfully Your obedient servant, Thomas A. Phillips.

Public Service.
Hon. Lewis Cass,
Secretary of War,
City of Washington.

Pension Department -
May 5. -
Benj. Reynolds
Hon Lewis Cas.
Secretary of War
City of Washington
D.C.
2933 222 2555

Boston Massachusetts
Sir, Mr Benjamin Reynolds herewith forwards additional evidence, as to his services as a Soldier of the revolution, which he trusts will prove satisfactory. If more evidence is required as to the credit to be placed on his statements, I think it can be furnished.
Very respectfully
Thomas W. Phillips, for
Benj Reynolds
June 6 th 1836

68 44 22 from Dec. 76. to fall of '79 service estimated at 9 mos Corp. & one mo. as pri previously
Adm'd
9 mos. Corp.
1. " private
Hon. Abbot Lawrence
As Rep

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Suffolk
On this sixth day of June A.D. 1836 Personally appeared in open court, bar, the Municipal Court of the City of Boston, Benjamin Reynolds of the City of Boston, in said County of Suffolk aged twenty nine years, who being first sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the fol- lowing supplementary declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
In October 1776, I was enrolled in Captain James Burrill's company, in Col. Faber Bowen's regiment of militia, in Rhode Island, as first orderly corporal & was drafted. March- ed to Warwick in Rhode Island, served there fifteen days & was discharged, the object of the service was to prevent the British from landing to commit depredations. Between October & December 1776, I was again drafted & served fifteen days. I went to Paluxet & Warwick, on this second service at Paluxet Col. Atwell had command of the regiment. En- d Captain Snow there. Col. Bowen, afterwards Lt. Governor Governor Bowen, was the chief Colonel in command there & Atwell was the second Colonel. I was discharged at the end of fifteen days, but received no written discharge.
After the British took possession of Newport in Rhode Island in December 1776 I was in the militia service under Col. Bowen & Captain James Burrill had command of the company in which I served as orderly corporal. I went to Newport & helped land the French troops.

from the French fleet. I was orderly corporal in the same regiment under the same Colonel Bowen in Capt James Burrill's company in October 1779, when we marched to Tiverton and had flat bottomed boats prepared to transport us to Newport, to drive the British off; - the number of men in this service I should think was one thousand. General Sullivan was the chief commander of the Continental service in this neighbourhood.
I was on service and did duty in the militia of Rhode Island at various times during three years, commencing in 1776 and ending in 1779; the officers under whom I served were Col Bowen, Col Atwell, Major Thompson Keen Captain James Burrill, Captain Snow, Captain Keen. I frequently served fifteen days, & frequently thirty days at a time. I did fatigue duty during part of the time, having been employed under direction of my superior officers in digging trenches & building forts around Providence.
I marched to Tiverton, Warwick & several other places near those in Rhode Island, I was kept from my home almost continually; the duty of our corps was, to guard the coast & keep the British from landing; nearly sixty years having passed since these times, & I being seventy nine years of age, cannot specify each of the terms of service; but I repeat my declaration that out of these three years I was in service at least one year; I speak within bounds, preferring to fall short of the actual time employed. My Brother, Gniddall Reynolds served with me as a Lieutenant during most of this time and has a pension for his services and will confirm my statement by his deposition. As to my character for truth & veracity I would respectfully refer the Secretary

of War to Hon. Mr. Loyal, member of Congress from Virginia. Having resi- ded much of my time during the last forty years at Norfolk in Virginia. During all the last-mentioned service I acted as first orderly corporal.
I would refer the Secre- tary to my original application & to the depo- sitions of those who served with me, attached to that application? B. Reynolds
Sworn to, and subscribed, in open Court, June 6 th 1836, being the day and year aforesaid. Before me the subscriber. And I do further certify, that it is my opinion after the investigation of the matter, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as the state. Said Benjamin Reynolds is greatly advanced in years, is of a highly respectable character, and connections, and I respectfully recommend his case to the favorable consideration of the War Department. I further certify, that Grindall Reynold, whose deposition is herewith annex- ed, is personally known to me, and is a credible person, and whose statement is entitled to credit. Said Grindall appears to possess an uncommon strength of mind & body, his memory and faculties being in perfect activity.
Peter O. Thacher
Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk ss. J. Thomas D. Phillips, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston

do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Supplementary application of Benjamin Reynolds for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at Boston this sixth day of June A.D. eighteen hundred thirty six.
Thomas D. Phillips, Clerk.

I, Grindall Reynolds, of the City of Boston, in the County of Suffolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged eighty years, depose & say that my brother Benjamin Reynolds who has applied to the Government for a pen- sion, was generally with me in all military service during the time the British posses- sed Newport, Rhode Island.
I have a distinct memory of his service and can with confidence state that he served as long a time as he has received, that is to say, one full year between 1776 & 1779; during his various terms of service, he was furloughed from all other business more time than he has re- ceived. He was with me on service at Warwick neck frequently at Pawtuxet, in General Spencer's meditated attack on Newport one month, also under General Sullivan for the same purposes. He was also with me on fatigue duty, building forts, which interfered with all his private concerns. The Colonel officers under whom we served were Major Bowen, Col. Atwell, Thompson captain Hambleton, Captain Burrill, Capt. Snow, Captain Hearn, Subalterns

Warner, Fuller, Danforth & several others from the country, not recollected. Held various offices in the militia during the revolutionary war, having been orderly sergeant, ensign and lieutenant and the Government has granted me a pension under the law passed June 7 th 1832, Grindall Reynolds
Boston, June 6 th 1836
Sworn to and subscribed to before me on the day & year aforesaid. Before me
Peter O. Thacher
Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston
Attest, Thomas D. Phillips, Clerk of said Muni- -cipal Court