Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4060, for William Reneson, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn
Poerenson, William
S. 4060
Carded.
CONTENTS

Letter 21. April 1887. Pen agent Sept: 13. 1841 - See let. to A. Woods, Pen: Sgt. - Order to pay. 20 th Sep 1841.
7873. Ohio. Pittsburgh.
William Benson, of Belmont Co. in the State of Ohio. who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Hamilton of the Reg t commanded by Col. McAllister in the Penna line for six & 1/2 months, $21. 66 / 100
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio Pittsburgh. at the rate of 21. Dollars 66. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13. day of April, 1833 and sent to Wm. Kennon, Jr. St. Clairville, Ohio.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. - 43.32 Semi-ant. allowances ending 4 Sep r 33, 10.83
$54.15
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. R. Palmer Clerk, Book 8 Vol. 8, Page 125.

The declaration of William Reneson in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 4 th 1832
State of Ohio Belmont County ss
On this 19 th day of Nov. personally appeared in open court, before the Justices of the Supreme Court Justices Geo. Sharp, James Alexander & John Davenport associates, the court of common pleas now sitting, William Reneson, a resident of Richland Township in the county of Belmont and State of Ohio , aged about 75 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, passed June 4 th 1832 — The applicant, William Reneson declares and sets forth, that he entered the service of the United States , under the following named officers and served as hereinafter stated — officers names of the first town , Gen. Lacy, Colonel McColister. Major David Luff. Captain Hamilton. Entered the service in the winter of 1777 about the last of Nov. or 1 st of Dec. and left the last of March or 1 st of April can recollect distinctly that he served 4 months — The applicant was in no engagement during these 4 mos — Lived in Tuscarora valley pa where he entered the service the 1 st time — was drafted into the militia — Marched from Tuscarora valley to Lancaster from thence to Valley Forge and from thence to the Brooked Billet something about 19 1/2 miles from Philadelphia — There was one regiment stationed there and remained there all winter — the object was to prevent those favourable to the enemy from taking their provisions in Philadelphia and to keep all market wagons from going to the city — we destroyed much grain to prevent its going to the enemy by the order of Gen Lacy — The applicant received no written discharge nor has he any documents nor does he know of any

whose testimony he could procure to testify to his services. The applicant further states that he was drafted a second time went out on the 1 st of May 1848 and remained in the service until the 15 th of July same year - The officers names of the second tour - Gen. Green, Major Beall, Capt. Hoxal, Lieut. McElroy - He left when he entered the service in Suscarora valley , was in no engagements marched from Suscarora valley to Northumberland from thence to Buffalo valley and remained during the 2 months and 15 days - the object was to prevent the depredations of the Indians and was engaged during the time in scouting after the Indians, received no written discharge has no document nor does he know of any person who can testify to his services - The applicant hereby 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 the day and year aforesaid in open court
Peter Tallman C/K
William his Reneson mark
We Samuel Connell & William R Boggs residing residing in the county of Belmont do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Reneson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be about 75 years of age, that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid Peter Tallman C/K
William R Boggs Samuel Connell
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that

The above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Samuel Connell & William R Boggs who has signed the same are both residents in the county of Belmont & State of Ohio and are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit.
George Sharp Andrew Alexander
John Davenport
I Peter Tallman clerk of the court of common pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of William Reneson for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this day of Nov 1832.
Witness my hand
? Where and in what year were you born? I was born in York county Pennsylvania, don't know my age exactly, but my mother told me when starting to the army that I was turned into my twentieth year.
? Have you any record of your age, if so when is it?
I have no record of my age, it was in my father's bible.
? Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live? I lived in Luzarona valley Pa when called into service. I have lived since the revolutionary war in Washington county Pa. I think 8 or 9 years moved from there to Crooks creek Pa and lived there one year from thence to Ohio.

county where I lived 5 years from thence into this county where I have lived over 30 years I don't recollect when I left Luscara valley — ! How were you called into service were you drafted did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? I was drafted both times —
? State the names of some of the regual officers who were with the troops when you served such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect and the gen- eral circumstances of your service? Gen Leary, Col McCollister, Major Luff, Captain Hammett were my officers the first time of service. The second time Gen Green, Major Beall Capt. Hossall, Serjt McElroy, — don't recollect any continental or militia regiments other than my own. Don't recollect of present any circumstances but what is stated in my declaration
? Did you ever receive a discharge from the service? I never received a discharge —
? State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution
James Caldwell, Abraham Dash, Ross, Boggs
I P. Fallman Clerk of said Court of Common pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Penison to obtain a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of Office at McMainsville this 19 th day of November 1832.
Peter Fallman Ck
Wm Penison 18043

No 186113
William Henson
Ohio 7873
Admitted For 6 Months & 15 days from 1777-
William Henson Junr St. Clairsville Belmont County Ohio

BRIEF in the case of  William Reneson  County of Belmont  in the State of  Ohio  (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? 75 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Drafted discharged { In 1777 " 4 — As a Gen. Lacey   — " 1778 — 2. 15 — Capt Hamilton Col. McColloch   Capt Horral Maj Beall  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? State of Pennsylvania  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. M. Layton Examining Clerk.

Rev War
4060
INVALID.
File No. 4060
William Reneson
Pr. Pa. Line
Act: June 7, 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 311
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No. 26.
O.
18043
✓
St. Louis
M rs . Lewis Gay Secretary of War
Washington City D.C.

St. Lawrence Nov. 20 th / 1832
If there is any informality about the inclosed application of William Reneson for a pension it can be rectified at next term of the court, the persons named will give any satisfaction as to the standing of the applicant. The applicant lives in the vicinity of this town and is personally acquainted with Kennon of the House & Ruggles of the Senate who will also be of service in any doubt remain — Any communication or remittance with or to the applicant from the Department will have to be made through me his atty.
William Fenner Junior

Pension Agency NORTH WESTERN BANK OF VIRGINIA,
Wheeling, Sept 6 1841
Dear Sir:
I enclose for examination Voucher of Mr. Rawson, pensioner as of June 1832, Respectfully Archd Woods Agent P. J. Steubrown ac
J. S. Edwards Esq Com t of Pensions Washington D.C.

North Western Bank of Virginia
March 31 st 1837
J. S. Edwards Esq. Com r of Pensions Dr Sir
I transmit herewith for your inspection, Pension Vouchers of William Purness of Belmont Co. Ohio, a pensioner under Act of 7 th June 1832, at $21 66 per annum. claiming his pension for one year up to 4 th March 1837.
I am Yours very Respectfully
Arch d Hood Pension agt To John S. Purness

Pension Agency M. M. Vanhof Virginia Wheeling Sept 16 "1841
Sir
The vouchers of Wm Renson, pensioner Actg June 18 th 1842, claiming 12 mo s pay, returned to this agency in your letter of the 13 th instant were forwarded to your office in obedience to instructions received from yourself in your letter dated "March 22 nd 1837", of which the following is an extract,
"You will pay the pensioner as heretofore directed , where six months pay is demanded  claimed , but where more than six months pay is demanded, you will be pleased to submit the vouchers to this office for an order to make the payment"
I again submit the vouchers of Renson for the required order to make the payment
Respectfully Arch d Good Agent P. J. O'Leary
J. S. Edwards Esq Com te of Pensions Washington D.C.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Renson which require further proof or 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? Yes
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when 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? Yes
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? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? 2 Citizens
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Yes
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? ←
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? ←
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? ←
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? No statement
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Answered
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

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 shewn 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 a 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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of 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 officer, under his 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.