Histories

Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements Pension Application of Jesse Runnals (Reynolds) W4580 Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris State of Virginia, Pittsylvania County (to wit) On this 26 day of January 1833 Personally appeared before Dan Verser one of the justices of the peace for the County of Pittsylvania in the State aforesaid Jesse Runnals a resident of said County aged seventy eight 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 the 7th June 1832 That he entered the Service of the United States being Drafted and Served under the following named Officers, Colo. James Slaughter, Major Henry Hill, Captain Robert Pollard, and Lieut. James Gaines. He marched from the County of Culpepper [sic: Culpeper] in the State of Virginia where I then resided in the month of March, Easter [15 Apr], in the year 1781 we went through the Counties of Caroline, Hanover, the Town of New Castle, Fredericksburg, Virginia, Chickahominy Swamps, at which place I was taken sick, and carried to the House of one Mr. West, where I was with other sick soldiers waited on by a Mr. Burke, after the Army left Chickahominy, we were Visited by Colo. Slaughter who left provisions &c. for us. I was confined at this House about three weeks, and continued too weak and feeble to perform military service untill after our term of service being for three months, had expired, he was removed on his way home by a Mr. Ashby, then assisted by his uncle Richard Cole, and finally reach home by the assistance of Robert Brown. as the Army to which I was attached had left me sick, and my Officers not being with me, I did not receive a written discharge, but saw Colo. Slaughter after we were at home, who then said a discharge was not necessary. I obtained from my Captain, Robert Pollard, a Certificate for three months pay (not having received any pay while in service) which I sold to [blank] for 1½ Barrels of Corn. I do not know a man living that was in that service with me. I again entered the service of the United States being drafted on the last of July 1781 and marched from the said County of Culppepper, under Captain Edmond Covington, Colo. James Pendleton, and Col. Ambrose Barbour with about five Hundred men through Frederksburg to Williamsburg and from thence to Little York. So soon as the troops arrived they were set to preparing for the enemy, scouting parties constantly firing on each other. the first night after our arrival Cannonading and Bombshelling commenced [28 Sep] and continued as well as I now recollect 15 or 20 days – which terminated in the surrender of Lord Cornwallis and his Army. I was in the Breastwork and saw the British flag, frequently pass to Gen’l. Washingtons Marque, and finally saw the British stack their Arms and Drums on the 19th of October 1781. I was ordered as one of the Guard to go with the prisoners to Winchester, and marched with them as far as Falmoth [sic: Falmouth] where he was discharged by Major Nathaniel Welch in consequence of his inability to march, having a swelled knee occasioned by a fall on the stone bridge at Fredercksburg. The time of service rendered on this tour was at least three months. The identical discharge given to me by Major Welch on the 30th day of October 1781 is now in my posession and herewith presented. I was Born in the County of Culpepper in the State of Virginia on the 16th day of February 1754. My age is recorded in a Bible that formerly belonged to my God Father, and is now in my posession I lived in the County of Culpepper when I entered the service of the United States, both times. I live in the said County three years after the war ended then moved to the County of Pittsylvania in the State aforesaid and have lived in this County ever since. I was Drafted both times in the Militia Service In adition to the Officers already named in my Declaration I was with Gen’ls. Washington, [Anthony] Wayne, [Robert] Lawson, Stephens [sic: Edward Stevens], Lafayette, Muhlenburg [sic: Peter Muhlenberg], and [Thomas] Nelson, Colo. Edmonds and Dark Majors Gillison, Hardiman and Murphey. I do not recollect the number of any Continental or Militia Regiment that I was with The Rev’d. William Blair, the Rev’d. Moses Barker, Colo. Leonard Claiborne, Colo. John Williams Maj John Benatt, Captain William Stamps, Doct. Joseph Flippin and many others can testify as to my Character for Veracity and their belief of my service as a soldier of the Revolution I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension Roll of the Agency of any state Jesse hisXmark Runnals Mr. Jesse Runnals a Soldier in Colo. Edmonds Regt. being indisposed is therefore discharged Givin under my hand this 30th October 1781 Nath. Welch Major I DO hereby certify, that Jesse Reynolds hath taken and subscribed the oath or affirmation of allegiance and fidelity, as directed by an act of General Assembly intituled An act to oblige the free male inhabitants of this state above a certain age to give assurance of allegiance to the same, and for other purposes. Witness my hand and seal, this Fourth day of July 1778 Robt Green {Seal} NOTE: On 2 Oct 1838 Sarah Runnals, 78, applied for a pension stating that she married Jesse Runnals on 23 June 1777, and he died 26 May 1834. Sarah Runnals died on 15 July 1840 while still an applicant, and her surviving children applied for the pension as heirs. A document certified in the November 1840 Court of Pittsylvania County lists the children as follows: Martha Barker, widow; Milly Brown, wife of Winston Brown; Sarah Evans, wife of David Evans; Daniel Reynolds of North Carolina; Elizabeth Evans, wife of Champness Evans; and Joseph Reynolds. In the file are original family registers with the following entries: [On the page of a book belonging to the above Joseph Reynolds:] Jesse Rennolds and Sarah Brown was married by Parson Jones on the 23rd day of June 1777 [On a sheet inserted into the book:] William Reynolds was Born the 15th day of December in the year of 1722 and Martha his Wife was Born March the 3rd day in the year of 1729 [On the other side of the preceding sheet:] Jesse Rennuls was Born in the year of 1754 February the 17th day and Sarah his Wife was Born in the year of 1762 October the 15th day and There children Nancy was Born the 9th day of Aprial 1779 Patsey was Born March the 18th day 1781 Melle was Born the 11th day of November in the year of 1782 Judah was Born September the 25th day in the year of 1784 Mary was Born January 21st[?] day in the year of 1786 Lucey Reynolds was Born May the 1 1788 Salley Reynolds was Born September the 1 1791 William Reynolds was Born December the 21 1793