William F. McReynolds

(William F. Centers)

Civil War Pension Papers

Contributed by Sharon Tabor
This is an interesting Pension because William F. McReynolds' name was actually William F. Centers.   He was apprenticed at the age of 5 to Anderson McReynolds of Allen Co KY. (Allen Co KY Court Records)  Without the information about his wife's maiden name and children's names, this would be an "unsolved family mystery".  The marriage record in Barren Co has his surname spelled SCENTER. Also notice his discharge papers where his middle name is given as C. not F, and the spelling of his last name.  It appears that William had a difficult time getting approved for the pension because of the difference in names on the military documents. 
  Army of the United States. CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY FOR DISCHARGE
Cover page: WILLIAM C. McREYNOLDS a Private Co M, Twelfth Reg't of Ky. Cavy. Adjutant General's Office Aug 18, 1863.
Page 2: WILLIAM McRUNNELS, pvt,  Company M. of the 12th Ky Regiments Vols. Cavly was enlisted by Captn WILSON at Owensboro Ky on the  28 day of October 1862 to serve 3 years; he was born in Allen Co in the State of Kentucky is 18 years of age, 5 feet, 10 inches high, Dark complexion, Hazel eyes, Dark hair and by occupation when enlisted a Farmer.
Station: Hob.???  Louisville, Ky
Date: 14, July 1863.
I certify that I have carefully examined the said WM. C. McREYNOLDS at Captain WILSON's Company and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier because of Phthisis Pulmonolis.
Discharged this 14 day of July 1863 at Louisville, KY.
The soldier desires to be addressed at town Scottsville, county Allen, State Kentucky.		  
     
  DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS June 22, 1892
Washington D.C. June 21, 1892
Respectfully returned to the Record and Pension Division of the War of Department for a further search of the records for the service of this soldier as he insists that he was a member of Company M. 12th KY Cav. See his letter attached.  Invalid. #973900 WM. F. McREYNOLDS, M. 12th Ky Cav.

Record and Pension Office, War Department
Washington, Jun 22, 1892
Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions.
The rolls show that WILLIAM McREYNOLDS, Co M. 12 Ky Cav, mentioned in the preceding endorsement was enrolled Oct. 28, 1861 and discharged July 14, 1863 on S.C.D. as a Private.
Not found as WILLIAM F. McREYNOLDS.
   
  DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR OF PENSIONS Certificate #801447
Washington D.C. January 15,1898
First: Are you married? If so, please state you wife's full name and her maiden name
  Answer: Yes. MARY  E. Maiden Name, HOGUE
Second: When, Where and by whom were you married?
  Answer: Dec. 12, 1875, In Barren Co., KY, By Rev. R.M. Spillman
Third What record of marriage exists?
  Answer: County record at Glasgow, Ky
Fourth Were you previously married? If so, please sate their names and the dates of this birth.
  Answer:  No.
Fifth Have you any children living? If so, please state their names and the dates of their birth.
  Answer: WILLIAM C. born Nov. 21, 1877; OZIAS B. born Mch.28, 1880, JOHN Y. born Sept. 3, 1882; JAMES O. born April 29, 1886, ELLIS A. born Feb. 21, 1888
  Signed: WILLIAM F. McREYNOLDS.
Date: May 4. 1898.
   
  DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR  Washington D.C. January 2, 1915
WILLIAM. F. McREYNOLDS, Scottsville Ky, RD4  #801447
No 1. Date and place of birth?
  Answer: Oct.1, 1846 Allen Co Ky Scottsville Post Office
The name of the organization in which you served:
Answer: 12th Ky Vol Infantry.
No 2. What was your post office at enlistment:
  Answer: Scottsville Allen Co KY
No 3. State your wife's full name and her maiden name.
  Answer: MARY ELLEN HOGUE
No.4 When, where and by whom were you married?
  Answer: December the 12th 1875 Barren Co Ky Revernt Bob Spillman
No.5. Is there any official or church record of your marriage?
  Answer: Glasco Barren Co Clerk's Offis State of Key
No. 6 Were you previously married?
  Answer: Was only maired one time
No. 7 If your present wife was married before her marriage to you, state the name of her former husband, the date of such marriage, and the date and place of his death or divorce, and state whether he ever rendered any military or naval service, and, if so, give name of the organization. If she was married more than once before her marriage to you, let your answer include all former husband.
  Answer:  She Was never marred but the one time and that to Mee
No.8 Are you not living with your wife, or has there been a separation?
  Answer: My Wife is ded has ben ded 14 years.
No. 9 State the names and dates of birth of all your children, living or dead.
  Answer: I have five Boyes the youngest one is now 23 years old So you See that thay air all past the age that the pension business would do them eney good thay all live in Allen Co Ky Scottsville po of.
yours truly, WILLIAM F. McREYNOLDS.
given under My hand this the 3 day March 1915
   
  DECLARATION FOR PENSIONS #801447 WILLIAMS F. McREYNOLDS.  Service: Co. M. 15th KY Cav.
No.1 Are you a married man? If so, state your wife's full name and her maiden name.  
  Answer: My wife died Oct. 1, 1901
No.4 Were you previously married?
. Answer: No   If so, state the name of your former wife or wives, the date of your marriage to each, and the date and place of death or divorce of each former wife.
Answer: My wife died Oct 1, 1901 in Allen Co KY.
  Signed: WILLIAM F. McREYNOLDS
State of Kentucky, County of Allen
On this 25 day of September A.D. 1921, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the county and State aforesaid.  WILLIAM F. McREYNOLDS		  
   
  DROP REPORT - Pensioner.
William F. McReynolds
Scottsville, KY
#801447   RR4   Act May

Finance Division  Feb. 10. 1925
The name fo the above-described pensioner who was last paid at the rate of $72 per month to Jan. 4, 1925, has this day been dropped from the roll because of death.  Jan 13, 1925.