Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8,800, for Benjamin Knox, North Carolina
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
N.C.

Knox, Benjamin

NUMBER
S.8.800

Born in N.C.

carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

[printed form, handwritten responses]
Agt ordered to pay 16 March 1836
[le]tter to 3d Auditor 18 June 1839.
Paid at the treasury under the
Act of the 6th April 1838 from
4 Sept 1835 to 4 Sept 1833. Agt
notified 1st July 1839

Paid as above from 4 Sep 1839
to 4 March 1840.  Agt notified
to March 1841

16025  1602[page damage]
North Carolina
Benjamin Knox
of Rowan in the State of North Ca.
who was a pri: in the company commanded
by Captain Sloan of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Hambright in the North Car[page damage]
line for 6 months

Inscribed on the Roll of North Car:
at the rate of 20 Dollars ["Cents" is crossed out] per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of June 33
and sent to S. Silliman
Salisbury, N.C.

Arrears to the 4th of March 33  --       40
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept "   10
[total]                                                  $50

{Revolutionary Claim, }
{Act June 7, 1832.       }
Recorded by Wm. Miller, Clerk,
Book E. Vol. C. Page 46
Page 3

State of North Carolina  )
Rowan County                )
On this 19th day of November 1832 personally appeared in open
Court before the Magistrates whose Judges of the Court of Pleas &
Quarter Sessions now setting for Rowan County the same being
a court of Record Benjamin Knox resident in said County
aged Seventy two 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 has no record of his age__ That he he was born & raised
in Rowan County.  That he entered the service of the United
States as a drafted soldier in the company of Capt. John Sloan
in the regiment of Col. Hamright & Lieut Col Litle went to Charleston
in South Carolina where he served three months.
That he afterwards ["a" is crossed out] volunteered in Capt. Joseph Grahams Company
in Col Dicksons Regiment marched towards Camden in S. Carolina
moved about to several places between Charlotte & Camden this
tour lasted three months.
That he was a minute man and was often out as a Soldier for a
few days at a time which being added together   would make about
four Months during which time of irregular service he was at the battle
of 
Ramsours Mill in Lincoln County at a skirmish at Colson
on rocky River and at Cowansford on the Catawba
He has no documentary evidence of his service
He hereby relinquishes all claim whatever to a pension or anuity
except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension
roll of the agency of any state to his knowledge
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court
Benjamin his x mark Knox
the day & year aforesaid
John
Giles
Page 4

In the absence of any regular Clergyman
I ["we" is crossed out] William Lucky ["and James Graham" is crossed out] residing in Rowan
County do hereby certify that I ["we are" is crossed out] am well acquainted with
Benjamin Knox who has signed and sworn to the foregoing
declaration; that I ["we" is crossed out]  believe him to be seventy two years of age
that ["we" is crossed out] I served in the army with him part of the time he mentions
and having full confidence in his integrity & veracity, believe
that he served as he states.
William Lukie
Sworn to & subscribed in open
Court the day & year aforesaid
John Giles
I Thomas L  Cowan residing in Rowan County do hereby certify that I
am well acquainted with Benjamin Knox who has signed and sworn to the
foregoing declaration that I believe him to be Seventy two years of age, that he is
reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier
of the revolution, and having confidence in his veracity, I concur in that opinion
Tho. L. Cowan
Sworn to and subscribed in open )
court November 20th 1832           )
Jno Giles Clk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigation of the
matter and after putting the interogatories [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 William
Luckie and Thomas L. Cowan who have signed the proceeding certificate are
credible persons residing in Rowan County & that their Statement is entitled
to full credit November 20th 1832.
J. W. Walton Chairman
Page 5

I John Giles Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Rowan
County, do hereby certify the foregoing to be the original proceedings of said
Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Knox for a pension; and that
Jesse W. Walton Esqr acted as chairman of said Court on the day the declaration
bears date.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and 
seal of office the 5th day of December AD 1832
Jno Giles clk

The foregoing declaration having been returned from the War Department
with objections.  The applicant appeared before Thomas McNeely an acting
Justice of the peace in and for Rowan County, North Carolina; and offered on Oath
the following amendment and explanation of his Declaration.
That his first tour of Military Service was as a private Solider in a Militia company
commanded by Captain John Sloan, that he was drafted in said county early in
the month of January 1780 and marched to Charleston in South Carolina and was
there in [illegible] and employed most of the time in working at the fortification that is in
diging [digging] a canal across Charleston Neck and placing [illegible] on the Bank, and
was discharged after having served three months.
That he was a volunteer for three months in Captain Joseph Grahams company of Militia
under Colonel Dickson in the summer of the year 1780.
That his service as a minute man under the Direction of General Griffith Rutherford
amounted to four months in all and was at various times during the fall of the
year 1780 and all the year 1781.  That he was mostly on horseback in this irregular
service.  That the whole time of his military service was ten months.
That the only regular clergyman acquainted with him died some time before
making this Declaration and he could not procure the certificate of any one
That he has no documentary evidence of his service having lost his discharges
Benjamin his x mark Knox

Sworn to and subscribed before me   )
the 23rd day of May in the year 1833 )
Thomas McNeely JP (seal)

I John Giles Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Rowan County
North Carolina do hereby certify that Thomas McNeely Esqr before whom the
amendment to the Declaration of Benjamin Knox appears to have been signed and
sworn to is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for Rowan County, and that
the above signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and
affixed the seal of said Court at office the 25th day of May 1833
Jno. Giles 
clk
Page 6

19400

Beng: Knox

N C
claim for services as minute
man on horse back requested
/ 4 mo /. HH

Admit 6 mo at
privat--$20

4.5.11.14

st. let:
April 9th 1833
P. 327

Saml Silleman
Salisbury NC
Page 7

[printed form, handwritten responses]
BRIEF in the case of Benjamin Knox
County of Rowan in the state of North Carolina
(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? 72

4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[column headings:  Period.  Duration of Service.  Years, Months, Days.  Rank. As a.  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.]

drafted war In 17.  3 [months]. [As a] Private.  [Gen. blank] Capt Sloan Col. Hambright.

[Period blank].  3 [months].  [As a] Private.  [Gen. blank] Capt Graham, Col Dickson

out as a minute man a few days at a time which added together would make about 4.
4 [months].  [As a] minute man.  

5.  In what battles was he engaged?  Ramsour mill (skirmishes)

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Rowan Co N.C.

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  traditionary & living witness in part

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?  
no clergyman

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.

Chs W Forrest
Examining Clerk.
Page 8

aw

Rev. & 1812 Wars
Section.

April 13, 1926.

L. W. Redington, Major, Q. M. C.
Office of Quartermaster General, U.S.A.
Washington, D. C.

Sir: 
I have to advise you, that in the Revolutionary
War pension claim, S. 8800, it appears that Benjamin
Knox was born in Rowan Co. N. C. date not stated.
He served as a private in the N. C. Troops, from
Jan. 1780 for three months in Capt. John Sloan's Co.
Col. Hamright's Regiment. and from the summer of 1780
for three months in Capt. Joseph Graham's Co. Col.
Dixon's Regt.  Date of death not on record.  He was
allowed pension, in 1833, aged seventy-three years.

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.
Page 9

[printed form, handwritten responses]
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Beny Knox 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?  [blank]

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?  No

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 amout [amount] of pension
he is entitled?  No

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
Page 10

2

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 revolu-
tionary service?  No

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain-
ing it?  Yes

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?  Witnesses

XIV.  [one bar cross] 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?  No witness in Court the Court has certified
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?  No

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?  Yes

XVI. [double bar cross] 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? 6. 7.

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 recol-
lection 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.
Page 11

3

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 in-
definite 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 objection-
able.  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 no em-
ployed in any civil pursuit.
[single bar cross] 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 magis-
trate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[double bar cross] QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the paper is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the cer-
tificate 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.
[pointing hand symbol] 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.
Page 12

[printed form, handwritten comments]
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office
June 20th, 1839
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An
act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury
of the United States," Benjamin Knox,
a Pensioner on the Roll of the North Carolina Agency, at
the rate of Twenty Dollars ["and Cents" has been crossed out]
per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has
been paid at this Department from the 4th of Sept. 1835,
to the 4th Sept., 1838.
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 13

[printed form, handwritten comments]
8800
Rev War
INVALID.

File No. 8800
Benjamin Knox
Priv Rev War

Act:  June 7th 1832.
Index:--Vol. Ist, Page 210

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 14

Mch. 19-1902
L.R. Eastman
Nashville Tenn

June 2 1904 His to
Miss Hattie S Goodman
Statesville N.C.

1908 Apr 8 Hist to Mary
E Lazenby. V.L.M.
1926 Apr. 13.  Tombstone data
to [name crossed out] Q. M. Gere.
1926. June 17. Q. M. Gere.
wife no other aw.
Page 15

WAR DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL
WASHINGTON

IN REPLY REFER TO QM 293 A-C
Knox, Benjamin

June 9, 1926.

The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

In order that a headstone may be provided for the grave of the
decedent named below, The Quartermaster General requests that the correct
military service and the spelling of the name be supplied this office from
the records of the Pension Office:

Benjamin Knox,
Private
Died 1832
Buried in Third Creek Cemetery,
Cleveland, North Carolina.

Very truly yours,

[signature]
F. H. POPE
Colonel, Q.M.C.,
Assistant.

[round date stamp]
PENSION
C
JUNE
U. 10 S.
1926
OFFICE
Page 16

WAR DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL
WASHINGTON

IN REPLY REFER TO QM 293 A-C
Knox, Benjamin

April 8, 1925.

The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

In order that a headstone may be provided for the grave of the dece-
dent named below, The Quartermaster General requests that the correct military
service and the spelling of the be supplied this office from the records of
the Pension Bureau:

Private Benjamin Knox,
Enl. Jan. 1780, for three
months, Capt. John Slran, Col.
Hamright, State of N.C. and
also served with Capt. Joseph
Graham, Col Dixon, State of N.C.
Ref:  Bureau of Pensions J. R. W.
8800 Inv. Rev. War.
Date of application of pension
November 19, 1832.

Very truly yours,

[signature]
L W. REDINGTON,
Major, Q.M.C.
Assistant.

[round date stamp]
PENSION
APR
U. 9 S.
1920
OFFICE
Page 17

Rev
J. 8800
J 8800

1606 K St. N.W. Washington, D C.
March 30, 1908.

Sir:
A letter was written by
the Commissioner of Pensions
(Mr. Ware), I think in 1904
or 1905 to Miss Hattie
Goodman, of North Caro-
lina, giving the services
Page 18

of Benjamin Knox in the
Revolution.  A copy of this
letter is now required ["to" is crossed out] by
the Registrar--General of the
D. A. R. to accompany an ap-
plication for membership
into the society, as I am a 
descendent of the above
soldier.  If you will kindly

[partial damp state]
OFFICE
Page 19

furnish this copy I shall be very
appreciative
I believe there are two soldiers of
this name, and that you have written
a letter for each to Miss Goodman,
but the Benjamin Knox I refer to served at
one time in Capt. Joseph Graham's 
company.
Yours truly,
(Miss) Mary E. Lazenby

[round date stamp]
PENSION
A
MAR
U. 31 S.
1908
OFFICE.
Page 20

[printed form, handwritten responses]
The papers in this case were
inspected by
(Mrs] E C Jones
of Washington DC
April 1st 1928
______________________
of ___________________
_________________19__
______________________
of ___________________
_________________19__
______________________
of____________________
__________________19__
_______ No ___________
Name _______________
Page 21

J. B. KILLEBREW, PRESIDENT
A. S. COLYAR, FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
A. S. REAVES, SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
L. R. EASTMAN, SEC'Y AND TREAS.
W. SHERIDAN KANE, ASS'T SECRETARY
GOODLOE LINDSLEY, REGISTRAR.
JOHN H. DEWITT, HISTORIAN
REV. D. C. KELLEY, D. D., CHAPLAIN

[partial date stamp]
JAN 28 1902

TENNESSEE SOCIETY
[crest]
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

BOARD OF MANAGERS

JNO. P. WILLIAMS.
C. H. EASTMAN,
J. A. CARTWRIGHT,
DR. PAUL W. KIRKPATRICK,
CHAS. S. MARTIN.

NASHVILLE, January 24 1902

[date stamp]
To [illegible] own Div.
Action______________
JAN 27 1902
COMMISSIONER

Hon. H. Clay Evans
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Sir:--

I will thank you for such information as you may be able 
to give regarding the military history in the war of the Revolution
of Benjamin Knox/  I find in an appendix to the sixth census, giv-
ing the names of Revolutionary pensioners, that Bejamin was a
pensioner and was then living in Rowan County North Carolina.
This information is desired to prove the eligibility of
an applicant for membership in the Society of the Sons of the Amer-
ican Revolution.

Very truly yours,

L. R. Eastman
State Secretary.
Page 22

[page damage]
[illegible] on file in this Bureau. Benjamin Knox [illegible] 8800

[column headings: Dates of Enlistment or Appointment.  Length of Service.  Rank.  Officers Under Whom Service Was Rendered.  Captain.  Colonel.  State.]

Jany 1780.  3 mos.  Pvt.  [Captain] John Sloan [Colonel] Hamright.  N.C.

Summer 1780.  3 mos.  Pvt.  [Captain] Joseph Graham. [Colonel] ['Dickson" crossed out] Dixson

1780 & 1781.  4 mos.  Minute Man.  At various times.

[illegible]

Battles engaged in, [illegible] River Ramsour Mill Cowans Ford
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Drafted in Rowan Co N. C.
Date of application for pension, Nov 19 1832 [illegible]
Residence at date of application, Rowan Co. N. C.
Age at date of application, 72 Born in Rowan Co., N. C.
Page 23

aw
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
our

June 17, 1926.

F. H. Pope, Colonel Q. M. C.
Office of Quartermaster General,
Washington, D. C.

Sir:

I have to advise you, that your office was furnished
on April 13, 1926, with the record of the only Benjamin
Knox, S. 8800, found on the Revolutionary War records of
this Bureau.
He was alive in 1840,

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.
Page 24

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office
January 20th, 1841.

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An
act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury
of the United States," Benjamin Knox,
a Pensioner on the Roll of the N. Carolina Agency, at
the rate of Twenty Dollars ["and Cents" is crossed out]
per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has
been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1839.
to the 4th March 1840.
Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 25

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

Name Knox, David
Grade Private
Line Massachusetts

WARRANT NUMBER 4533 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Apr. 1, 1790
to--not shown--

*The information concerning the issuance of warrant carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subse-
quent dates.  Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.