Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21,537, for James Knox, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
R.I
Knox, James
Nancy
NUMBER
W.21537
CONTENTS
Page 2

53[illegible]
Nancy Knox
Widow of James Knox Conn
who served int eh Revolutionary war, as a private
[illegible] from 31:12

inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 50 Dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848 & endg 4 April 1849.

Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of May 1851 and sent to T. Lumpkin
Present

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act [illegible] 1848, Page 111 Vol. 4.

111
Page 3

there must be three sets of Vouchers in this case viz
1 under act 7 July 1838
1 under acts 1848 & [illegible]
& 1 under act 7 Feb '[illegible]
Page 4

State of New York
Cortland County ss
I D Hawks, Surrogate of said County do hereby Certify that at a surrogate Court held in and for said County Before me the said Surrogate at Cortland in said County on the 26th day of March AD 1850 it was Proved by the adduction of testimony satisfactory to the said Court that Nancy Knox late of the town of Cortlandville in said County died on the Fifth (f) day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty nine (1849) That at the time of her death she left the following named children her surviving viz Philip Knox of Cortlandville Cortland County N.Y Charles Knox of Cortlandville Cortland County N. Y. Betsey who is not Betsey Morse wife of Ebenezer Morse of Cortlandville Cortland County N.Y James Knox of Sheridan Chataugua Count N.. That they are her only children her surviving and each of them are over twenty one years of age

And I further certify that Philip Knox has been duly appointed administrator of the Estate of the said Nancy Knox deceased and is legally authorized and qualified to act as such

In testimony whereof I have subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court this 26 day of March 1850.
D. Hawks
Surrogate
Page 5

A.
No 13396
July 6/49
Nancy Knox
widow of James
Act July 7/38
Married 1785
h.d. 19 Oct 1822
admittd by Conn
[illegible] $31.12

on roll, enlisted 
7 June 1778 to serve
til 16 March 1779 on
Cap Philip Traffons
roll Col Topham regt
vol 1

Hon H.S. Conger
R.I.
Page 6

[illegible]
I John P Kasson Clerk of the Congregational Church first Society in Voluntown Windham County and State of Connecticut do hereby certify that I have the Custody of the Records of said Church and Society on which I find a Record of marriage Solemnized by the Reverend Micaiah Porter Pastor of the said Church and Society Commencing as follows
Joined in marriage by me Micaiah Porter Pastor of a Church of Christ in first society in Voluntown Dec 6th 1781 Benjamin Gallup of Plainfield with Martha Gallup of Voluntown, then follows a list of marriages Solemnized by the said Micaiah Porter in the above form till we find the following
January twentieth Seventeen hundred and eighty five James Knox with Nancy Norse both of Voluntown
I John P Kasson do hereby certify that the foregoing Statement is substantially true in all its facts & that in relation to the marriage of James Knox with Nancy Morse it is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date which is expressed on the Record in fair legible figures as follows:
Jany 20th 1785 James Knox with Nancy Morse both of Voluntown

State of Connecticut 
Windham County ss.
Sterling May 1st 1847
I John P. Kasson above named depose and say that I hold the office of Clerk of the Congregational Church first society in the County town and state aforesaid and that the foregoing Statement is true in all its facts & that in relation to the marriage of James Knox with Nancy Morse it is a true extract from the records of said Church with the exception above named as certified by me
John P. Kasson Clerk of the Congregational Church first Society Voluntown
Sworn before me May 1st 1847
Archibald Douglas Justice of the Peace
Page 7

I certify that the within named John P. Kasson is a respectable person
Archibald Douglas Justice of the Peace

A. 1

State of Connecticut
Windham County
Probate Office
District of Plainfield
This certifies that Archibald Douglas Esq is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Windham duly commissioned and qualified and that the within signature of this is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Plainfield this 1st day of May A.D. 1874
Attest
William Fenner Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of Plainfield
Page 8

Declaration 
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of July 7th 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and Pensions to certain widows
State of New York
County of Cortland ss.
On the 26th day of May 1847 personally appeared before the subscriber a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County (the same being a Court of Record) Nancy Knox of Cortlandville in the County and State aforesaid aged eighty five years in March last who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and Pensions to certain widows, that she is the widow of James Knox who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who resided at the time of his performing the service in Voluntown Windham County in the State of Connecticut and that he served in a Regiment Commanded by Colonel Topham of Rhode Island. She further declares that she was married to the said James Knox on the 20th day of January 1785 seventeen hundred and eighty five, that her husband the said James Knox served as a private and that he died on the nineteenth day of October 1822 eighteen hundred and twenty two that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the Service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz: at the time above stated
Nancy Knox
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me
Henry Stephen Judge of Cortland County Courts
Page 9

I certify that the within named Nancy Knox is a respectable old lady and that in consequence of the infirmaties [sic] of old age she ought not ot be required to appear in open Court
Henry Stephen Judge of Cortland County Courts

State of New York
Cortland County
Clerks Office SS.
I Samuel Hotchkiss clerk of said County do hereby certify that Henry Stephens Esqr before whom the within affidavit of Nancy Knox was taken was on the day of the date thereof first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County dully commissioned and Sworn and duly authorized to take the same also that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Judge and verily believe that his signature to the jurat of the said affidavit and also the above certificate is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County of Cortlandville this 25th day of May AD 1847
Saml Hotchkiss Clerk
Page 10

widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau
W.21537
James Knox
Dates of Enlistment or appointment: June 7 1778
Length of Service: Mch 16 1779
Rank: Pri
Officers under whom service was rendered
Captain: -
Colonel: John Tophams
State: R I

Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Voluntown, Windham Co Conn
Date of application for pension, May 24, 1847; her claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Cortlandville, Cortland Co N.Y.
Age at date of application, born in March 1762 died Apr 5 1849
Remarks: He died Oct 19, 1822; He married Nancy Morse Jan 20 1785 at Voluntown, Conn. Children: Philip; Charles; Betsey, married Ebenezer Morse; James; soldiers brother Dorrance Knox certified in the claim
Page 11

Providence Jany 18 1850

SIr
I have been requested to forward to the Pension office with the other evidence I might obtain in this State, the enclosed affidavit in the case of Nancy Knox widow of James Knox whose claim for a pension was sent you form Cortland Co N.Y. by Wm Titus Esq. The reason why I have been requested to dot this was I suppose because claimants husband served in a Rhode Island Regiment. It appears from your letter to Mr Titus of July 21 1847 that several objections were made to the allowance of this claim, one objection was that the Regiment (Col Tophams) in which it is asserted Knox served was a "Rhode Island Regiment" & composed of Rhode Island citizens "alone" and therefore Knox being a citizen of Connecticut could not have served in it. Allow me to say that this is a mistaken supposition. This regiment was raised for the Common defence [sic] of this & other states & with the approbation of Congress and could have been marched out of the State at any time if it had been ordered. It was moreover paid, clothed & fed by the US nor was it the fact tat it was composed of citizens of Rhode Island alone. A great many came from Massachusetts & Connecticut & enlisted in this & the two other regiments (Crarys & Elliotts ) raised at the same time under the same act. To my own knowledge many persons
Page 12

have obtained pensions who served in those regiments who belonged to other States. The reason why soldiers enlisted in those regiments was that the bounties were larger & the enlistments much shorter than in other regiments. This if you will look at the Resolve of Congress of May 4th 1779 you will see that $150 was allowed for each noncommissioned office & private. This same Resolve also recognized the fact that these Troops were raised not for "Rhode Island alone" but for the Common defence [sic] of the colonies. William Main whose affidavit is enclosed gives the same reason why he & many others enlisted into Rhode Island Regiments.

As to the proof f identity by one who served with him in same regiment it is more impossible. There is not a man living in this State to my knowledge who served in the late Tophams Regiment. They are all dead. If such proof is required, the claim must be abandoned. But it does appear to me that the proof already procured is sufficient for this purpose. In the first place James Knoxs name is on the Roll of this regiment & the sum of [pounds]30 & [illegible], found due him. This shows that he must have served a year & upwards as a Sergeant. got on the Roll of those entitled to the allowance of depreciation his name appears as a private or at least there is nothing to designate him as having served in any other capacity
& These regiments had been twice enlisted before by same authority
Page 13

In the next place three substantial & credible witnesses, copies of whose affidavits have been sent to me, swear that the James Knox who married Nancy Morse was a soldier in that regiment. One of them Harah Crandall was intimately acquainted with him & saw him in Tophams regiment when the regiment was "stationed at Howlands Ferry" The incidental [illegible] of this circumstance gives additional weight to this testimony for it was a fact that Tophams Regiment was stationed at Howlands Ferry in the y ears 1778 & 1779 His wifes sister & his brother Dorance Knox both credible witness. Altho they did not see him in service yet they testify the knew of his enlisting & after his return he told them he had served in that regiment.

For the same reason that the witnesses are all dead it cannot now be proved to what company he belonged to. It is out of my power to obtain any evidence on this point. But that this same James Knox served at least a year in Col Tophams Regiment is a fact, I believe, that cannot be reasonably doubted upon the evidence. I hope therefore the claim may be allowed
I am Respectfully
your obt svt
Benja Cowell

J L Edwards Esq
Page 14

Nancy Knox
Pension Claim

A Pension of $31.12 per ann. was allowed in this case, for the services as a Private of James Knox dec'd her husband, in the Revolution, estimated to have been a about 9/s month. An increase is contended for.

They were married 20th Jany 1785, and he died 19th Oct. 1822.

Evidence
1. Isaiah Crandall saw said Knox in service in 1778 and '79 under Col. Topham of R.I. (ck2exA.)
2. Benjamin Cavell has in his possession a roll of officers and soldiers of the Rhode Island Brigade of State troops during the Revolution, headed, "names of officers and privates in Regiments commanded by Col. John Topham, Archibald Crary and Robert Elliott in the R.I. State service with the balances of depreciation; so called, reported to be due by a Committee in October, 1785" and at the end of said Roll is the following certificate
Treasury Department
Registers Office Apl 5 180[illegible]
"This is to certify that the foregoing is a list of the names of the officers and privates belonging to Topham, Elliott and McCrary's Regiments of the State of R.I. &c with the sums due to each taken from the statement of said accounts.
James Daughty, Clk,"

On the roll of Col. John Topham's Regiment is borne the name of James Knox as private, and
Page 15

2

the sum of [pounds] 30.8.1 found due him for depreciation (Ex B.)
Page 16

p80
Washington July 1/50
Th Lumpkin
Enclosing letter form Comr Pensions rejecting the claim of Mr Nancy Knox to increase of Pension and asking an examination of the papers by the Honbl Secretary

Repld to Comr of Pension for a Report
Dep of Interior
July 2d 1850
Page 17

Washington
July 1st 1850

Sir,
I have the honor of enclosing herewith Col. J.L. Edwards letter, rejecting my application for an increase of Mrs Nancy Knox, of N.Y. widow of James Knox, pensioner.

The question to which I most respectfully ask your particular attention to, is this: there is filed among her papers a certificate from the Register of the state of R.I. showing a payment of [pound] 30.8.1 paid to the said James Knox, for military service. I desire to know if this certificate is not evidence to base or support her claim for additional pension, or whether such certificates have not heretofore been taken as proof by the Pension Department. The papers I desire you to review at your Department. I have the honor to be,
[illegible] mo. reply
your obt. sevt
Th. Lumpkin

Hon. Thomas Ewing
Secy of the Dept of the Interior
Page 18

June 4 1850
Th. Lumpkins

5388-48 NY

Appeals form the decision of the comr Pensions in the case of heirs of Nancy Knox de'd Widow of James Knox, Act 7th July 1838,

c

Ref'd to Cor of Pensions
Dep Interior
June 5th 1850
Page 19

Washington D.C.
June 4th 1850

Sir,
I am instructed by Chester Babcock, Esq., of New-York, who is the Attorney for the heirs of Mrs. Nancy Knox, dec'd widow of James Knox, Act 7th July, 1838, to appeal to you for what they deem an unjust decision made at the Pension Department, in awarding them recently an amount not consistent with the evidence filed of their Father's service, nor the practice of the Office heretofore. It is this Mrs. Knox in her life time filed her declaration, and claimed for a pension equivalent to [pound] 30.8.1 R.I. currency, the amount shews to have been paid to their Father. see certificate with the papers in this case. The office first rejected her application. Recently they have allowed a small amount, say for about nine months service $31.12 per ann. The heirs contend that the Register's certificate sharing a payment for [pound] 30.8.1 entitles them to a larger pension. The question to be decided is are they so entitled? I cannot see upon what grounds they are refused. The Pension Office says he is found as having served in a company (name not recollected) in Genl Thopham's Brigade for nine months. James Knox is represented in his evidentory [sic] declaration
Page 20

as having volunteered in Genl. Topham's Brigade, no officers names given of a subordinate character. He must have served in some other company as well as that of the one where his name is found, and to the full amount of this [pound]30.8.1 now claimed for, or that certificate would never have been so issued. I most respectfully submit this case to your consideration with the full assurance that you will deem it conclusive proof that he did serve to the full amount, and that you will order the same to be so considered at the Pension Office.
I have the honor to be,
Sir, very respectfully,
Your Obt Servt
Th. Lumpkin

Hon. Thomas Ewing
Secretary of the Department of the Interior
Page 21

Providence June 10 1850

Sir
On the 18 of January last past I sent to the Pension Office further evidence in the claim of Nancy Knox widow of James Knox. I was not the agent at the commencement of the prosecution of her claim, but was requested to attend to it in consequence of her husband having served in a Rhode Island Regiment during the war of the Revolution. I forwarded further evidence together with an answer to the objections made Hoping the evidence was received & the objections obviated & that the claim will be allowed
I am respectfully
your obt svt
Benja Cowell

J L Edwards Esq
Page 22

Payment to be made at Albany by T. W Olcott
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of New York.

Payable on the 4th September and 4th March

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A Vol. 2 Page 78

J P Chase Clerk.

8
Page 23

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
WIDOW'S PENSION

I certify that in conformity with the act of March 3, 1843, and 17 June 1844 Nancy Knox widow of James Knox who was a private in the Revolution and died on the 19th day of October 1822 is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of thirty one dollars and twelve cents per annum, commencing on the 4 March 1843, and terminating on the 4 March 1848, unless the Pensioner married or died before the last mentioned date; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage or death.
Given at the Department of the Interior, this 19th day of March one thousand eight hundred and fifty.
T Ewing
Secretary of the Interior

Examined and Countersigned,
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 24

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
WIDOW'S PENSION

I certify that in conformity with the act of March 3, 1843, and 17 June 1844 Nancy Knox widow of James Knox who was a private in the Revolution and died on the 19th day of October 1822 is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of thirty one dollars and twelve cents per annum, commencing on the 4 March 1843, and terminating on the 4 March 1848, unless the Pensioner married or died before the last mentioned date; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage or death.
Given at the Department of the Interior, this 19th day of March one thousand eight hundred and fifty.
T Ewing
Secretary of the Interior

Examined and Countersigned,
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 25

Payment to be made at Albany by T.W. Olcott Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of New York

Payable on the 4th September and 4th March

Recorded int he Pension Office, in Book D Vol. 1 Page 165
J P Chase Clerk,

9
Page 26

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
WIDOW'S PENSION

I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7th, 1838, Nancy Knox of New York widow of James Knox who was a private in the Revolution and died on the 19th day of October 1822 is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of thirty one dollars and twelve cents per annum, commencing on the 4th March 1836, and terminating on the 4th of March 1841, unless the Pensioner married or died before the last mentioned date; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage or death.
Given at the Department of the Interior, this 19th day of March one thousand eight hundred and fifty.
T Ewing
Secretary of the Interior

Examined and Countersigned,
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 27

Pension Office,
June 28th 1850.

Sir:
Agreeably to your request the claim for increase in the case of Nancy Knox, widow of James Knox, has been again very carefully examined and we are constrained to adhere to the decision reported to you on the 7th instant.

Upon the book you left here this morning, entitled "Spirit of 1776 in Rhode Island", under the head of 1776 at page 45, the name of James Knox is found with [pound]30-8-1 opposite thereto, purporting to be for his depreciation pay for service in Col. Topham's Regiment. The author admits that this amount is not taken from an original document, but from a copy made by some officers. We have a list in this office of all the officers and soldiers of Col. Tophams Regiment (which has heretofore been considered as correct) to whom balances of pay were due, and the name of James Knox, [illegible], is not found thereon. But we have also the original muster rolls of that Regiment, from which it appears, as I have before stated, that Knox enlisted on 7th June 1778, and served to 1 Mach 1779, and that his name does not appear upon any roll of that Regiment after that date.

We cannot receive as evidence of service an entry in a book published but a few days since, which the author admits has not been made up from original document, when it is discredited by the muster rolls of the Regiment in which it is alleged it was rendered. The amount already allowed is all that we are authorized to grant for the service rendered by James Knox

Very Respectfully,
Your bot svt
J L Edwards

Thomas Lumpkin Esq
Present
Page 28

Nancy Knox, de'd
Admt'd 15 mos pri $50 per ann. dedg former payts at $31.12 per annum
Acts
38
43 & 44
48 endg 5 Apl 1849
payable to 
Philip Knox, admt for the benefit of the sur'g children viz
Philip Knox,
Charles Knox,
James Knox, &
Betsey Morse

Albany

T. Lumpkin
Present
Page 29

B. 2

State of Rhode Island &c
County of Providence
I Benjamin Cowell of the City of Providence in said County & State do hereby certify that I have in my possession a Roll of officers & soldiers of the Rhode Island Brigade of State Troops during the war of the Revolution. The Roll is headed thus "Names of officers & privates, in regiments commanded by Col John Topham Archibald Crary & Robert Elliott in the Rhode Island State service with the balances of depreciation so called reported to be due by a committee in October 1785" and at the end of said Roll is the following certificate
"Treasury Department
Registers office April 5, 1808

This is to certify that the foregoing is a List of the names of the officers and Privates belonging to Topham Elliott & McCrarys regiments of the state of Rhode Island in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War together with the sums due to each taken from the statements of the said accounts
James Daughty Clerk"

And I further certify that on the Roll of Col John Tophams regiment is borne the name of "James Knox" as a private & the sum of [pound]30.8.1 found due him for depreciation
Providence June 4, 1847
Benja Cowell
Page 30

Providence ss. In Providence this 4th day of June 1849 Then personally appeared the within named Benjamin Cowell, and on oath testified to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed. And I further certify that the said Benjamin Cowell is a credible witness.
Franklin Greene
Jus. Peace

State of Rhode Island &c
Providence sc
I John W Smith clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Providence & state aforesaid, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that Franklin Greene Esquire, before whom the within affidavit was sworn is a Justice of the Peace for the City of Providence in said Count of Providence, duly commissioned & authorized to act in his said capacity & qualified & empowered to administer oaths & take depositions: and that his signature above written is genuine.
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the seal of our said Court at the City of Providence this fourth day of June AD 1847
John W. Smith Clerk
Page 31

Pension Office,
March 11th 1850

Sir:
Agreeably to the request contained in your communication of 4th instant, I have the honor to inform you that all the evidence filed in support of the claim of Nancy Knox, widow of James Knox, ave been again very carefully examined and we are constrained to adhere to the decision communicated to her through her agent Wm Titus, Esq of 21st July 1847, a copy of which is herewith enclosed.

We are not satisfied as to the identity of Mrs Knox husband with the Soldier of Col. Tophams Regiment of the Rhode Island Brigade, bearing his name.

I have the honor to be, 
Very Respectfully,
your obt svt
J L Edwards


Hon H.S. Conger,
House of Representatives
Page 32

(copy)

Pension Office,
July 21st 1847

Sir:

The application of Nancy Knox, widow of James Knox, claiming a pension under the Act of 7th July 1838, has been examined and her papers filed.

This claim is asserted for the service of James Knox, to whom a depreciation certificate was issued for service under Col. Topham of Rhode Island. It appears from applicants declaration that her husband was a citizen of Connecticut,. Col. Topham's Regiment was raised for the defence [sic] of Rhode Island alone and having rendered no service out of that state is supposed to have been composed of its own citizens. Unless therefore some direct proof of her husbands identity with that Soldier, or such a narrative of the periods at which he entered and left the service, and the names of his Company officers be given as will enable the Department to trace his name upon the rolls of Col. Topham's Regiment, her claim cannot be allowed.

The testimony of two or more respectable witnesses who were in service in the same Regiment with claimants husband, and whose names are found upon Topham's rolls will be required to identify him with the Soldier of that Regiment bearing his name. The date of the marriage is satisfactory.

Very Respectfully
your obt svt
(signed) J.L. Edwards

Wm Titus, Esq
Locke
N.Y.
Page 33

Washington March 4 1850

Sir
Mrs Nancy Knox. of New York widow of James Knox under act of 7th July 1838, made her declaration in 1847 for a pension. The fact of the service was admitted, as was he marriage. The identity of the soldier who performed the service is questioned, simply because she asserted in her declaration that the said James Knox resided at the time he entered the Brigade of Col Topham of R.I. state Troops in the State of Connecticut. Hence the claim has been disallowed. Admitting this to [illegible] [illegible] the fact I should not suffer, because a volunteer, who perhaps was offered better pay to enter into the defence [sic] of an adjoining state, than his own state offered, or because, perhaps, no call of volunteers was made on him by his own state, that such assertion should prove fatal to the application.

I must upon a [illegible] of this case you will see that the soldier had a right to volunteer [illegible] into any Regiment he please particularly on on the confines of his own state. He might have lived on the border of the state of Rhode Island.
I am your 
H.S. Conger

Col J L Edwards
Page 34

Washington Sept 12 1838

Sir
I send herewith evidence of the death of Nancy Knox widow of James Knox & also that Philip Knox has been duly appointed administrator of said Nancy.

I also enclose he certificates lately issued to Nancy Knox in order that they may be surrendered & new certificates issued to Philip Knox as administrator, or to the heirs & direction given to the Agent at Albany to pay the sum to the administrator or the proper voucher, as shall be proper

I am confident that a mistake was made in the amount of pension granted in this case The widow according to my understanding of case [illegible] have drawn about $80 per year There is a certificate on file with the papers showing that James Knox name is borne on Col. Topham's regiment as a Private the sum of [pound] 30.58.1 is found [illegible] for depreciation. This is given at the Registers office
Page 35

of R.I. The estimate is evidently made from service found on the Rolls which only relates to his being under a single Captain while I claim that he served in Topham's Regiment without record to any particular minor officer
I am yours Yc
H S Conger

Col J L Edwards
Comr Pensions
Page 36

State of New York
Cayuga County ss
William Main of said county aged Ninety one years whom I certify is a respectable person being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that during the war of the Revolution he resided in the town of Stonnington [sic] New London County in the State of Connecticut that in the month of March 1778 he enlisted into the Rhode Island service that he knew a number of others who resided in the State of Connecticut that enlisted in to the Rhode Island service for the reason that the State of Rhode Island paid larger bounties than the State of C.T. did at that time that he served in Captain Joshua Babcocks Co in Colonel John Tophams Regiment and was stationed at Howlands Ferry
William Main
Subscribed and sworn to this 6th day of Dec 1849 before me
Harvey Heath Justice Peace

State of New York
Cayuga County Clerk's Office ss
I hereby certify that Harvey Heath Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and duly authorized to take the same and that the above is his genuine signature.
In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix my Official seal this Eleventh day of December one thousand Eight hundred and forty nine
E B Cobb Clerk Cayuga County
Page 37

Pension Office,
June 7th 1850

Sir:
In reply to your letter of the 4th inst to th Secretary of the Interior, in the case of Nancy Knox, widow of James Knox, on roll act 7th July 1838, referred to this office, I have to state that the records in this office show her husbands enlistment in Colonel Topham's Regiment from 7th June 1778 to 16 March 1779, for which a pension has been allowed.

The rolls upon which his name is found are for the enlistments from March 1778 to March 1779. The rolls of the same Regiment are in this office form March 1779 to 1780, and do not bear the name of James Knox.

We have in this office a list of those who belonged to Col. Topham's Regiment, purporting to show balances paid them, and the name of James Knox is not borne thereon.

An increase of pension cannot be allowed upon the evidence on file with the papers.

Very Respectfully
Your obt svt
J L Edwards

Thomas Lumpkin, Esq
Present
Page 38

State of New York
County of Cayuga ss.
Isaiah Crandall of the County of Allegany and Stage aforesaid aged eighty eight years being duly sworn according to law deposes and says that he was during the war of the Revolution a resident of Stonnington Windham County & State of Connecticut a town adjoining Voluntown in said County & State that he was personally acquainted with James Knox who resided at that time in the said town of Voluntown & whose widow is no making application for a pension from the county of Cortland N.Y. that this deponent was himself a soldier in the war of the Revolution and that he well recollects of seeing the James Knox in the service in the war of the Revolution that he saw him in the ears of 1778 & 1779 in the service at Howlands Ferry in Rhode Island and that the said James Knox served in a Regiment Commanded by Col. Topham of R.I. this deponent being then personally acq2uainted with him, intimately acquainted with him being playmates together in the Army of the Revolution
Isaiah Crandall
Subscribed and sworn to June 18th 1847 before me
Harvey Heath Justice Peace

I certify that the above named Isaiah Crandall is a respectable person of apparent sound mine and good memory
Harvey Heath Justice Peace

Stat4e of New York
Cayuga County Clerk's office ss.
I Ebenezer B Cobb Clerk of said County and the court of said County do hereby certify that Harvey Heath whose name is subscribed to the above proof of the affidavit if Isaiah Crandall was at the time the same purports to have
Page 39

been taken a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly elected and qualified and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and verily believe the signature to the foregoing to be genuine
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix my official seal this 23d day of June 1847
Edwin B Marvin
Dep. Clerk of said Co.
Page 40

State of New York
Cortland County ss
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Judge of Cortland County Courts Nancy Richardson of the said County aged eighty nine years after being first duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that she was personally acquainted with James Knox and his wife Nancy in Windham County in the State of Connecticut before they were married and that she has been acquainted with the said Nancy Know the widow of the said James Knox in the said County of Cortland and State of New York where she now resides and that the said James Knox had the reputation of having been a soldier in the war of the Revolution.
Nancy Richardson

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23 day of February 1847
Walton Swetland Judge of Cortland Count Courts

I certify that the above named Nancy Richardson is a respectable person
Walton Swetland Judge of Cortland County Courts

N.B. the work "county" in the third line from top and the words "she was" in the sixth line from top interlined before execution
Walton Swetland Judge of Cortland County Courts
Page 41

State of New York
Cortland County
Clerks Office ss
I Saml Hotchkiss Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Walton Swetland Esqr before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn, was on the day of the date thereof a Judge of the County Courts in and for the said County duly commissioned and sworn. And also that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that his signature subscribed to the jurat of the said affidavit is genuine
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the seal of said County of Cortlandville the 3d day of April AD 1847
Saml Hotchkiss Clerk
Page 42

State of Connecticut
Windham County ss
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County Sarah Hill of said County aged eighty seven years after being duly sworn according to law deposes and says that during the war of the Revolution she resided in Voluntown in said County a town adjoining the State of Rhode Island that she was well acquainted with James Knox then belonging to said town, that the said James Knox married a sister of this deponent Nancy Morse that this deponent was present at this marriage, that they were married in January 1785 by the Revd Micaiah Porter that she distinctly recollects that during the war of the Revolution the said James Knox enlisted into the Rhode Island service in Col Tophams Regiment that is said James told her after his return home that he had served in that Regiment that she frequently heard him say after his return that that was the name of his Colonel but the names of his Captain or Lieutenant she does not now recollect the said James served about two years in that Regiment & that after the war her sister the widow of the said James Knox moved up into the state of New York where she now resides
Sarah Hill
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 4th day of May 1847
Ephraim Medbery Justice
Page 43

State of Connecticut
Windham County 
Probate District of Plainfield
This certifies that Ephraim Medbery Esq is a Justice of the Peace within and for the Count of Windham duly commissioned and qualified and that the signature of his to the foregoing certificate is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Plainfield this 4th day of May AD 1847

attest William Fenner Clerk of the Court of Probate of the District of Plainfield
Page 44

I certify that the within named Sarah Hill is a respectable person
Ephraim Medbery Justice of the Peace
Page 45

State of Connecticut
Windham County ss.
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County Dorrance Knox of said County after being duly sworn according to law deposes and says that he was born int he town of Voluntown in said County and State a town adjoining Rhode Island in June seventeen hundred and seventy and that he resided in said town during the Revolutionary war and his brother James Knox also resided in said town during the Revolutionary war and that as near as this deponent can recollect the said James Knox enlisted into the Rhode Island Service int eh year 1778 and that the said James Knox served in a Regiment commanded by Col Topham of Rhode Island and was stationed at Howlands Ferry that after the said James left the said service he was married to Nancy Morse who also resided in the said town of Voluntown, by the Rev'd Micaiah Porter and that the said Nancy Knox is now making application for the Pension due to her as the widow of the said James Knox and that she now resides in the County of Cortland and State of New York
Dorrance Knox
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 4th day of May 1847
Ephraim Medbery
Justice Peace
Page 46

D 4

I certify that the within named Dorrance Knox is a respectable person
Ephraim Medbery Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut
Windham County
Probate District of Plainfield
This certifies that Ephraim Medbery Esq is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Windham duly commissioned and qualified and that the above signature of his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Plainfield this 4th day of May A.D. 1847
Attest William Fenner Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Plainfield
Page 47

A.
10872
New York
Nancy Knox Widow of James Knox who was a pensioner under the Act of [blank] and who died on the 19 Oct 1822 of [blank] in the State of New York who was a priv in the Company commanded by Captain Traffarn of the Regt commanded by Col Topham in the [blank] line for [blank]

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rage of 31 Dollars 12 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of Mar 1850 and sent to Hon H S Conger H.R.

Total amount $ [blank]
(Act July 7, 1838.)

Recorded by J P Chase Clerk
Book D Vol. 1 Page 165
Page 48

8791
New York Albany
Nancy Knox decd widow of James who was a private int eh Revolution 
Incd form $31.12

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 50 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of May 1851 and sent to T Lumpkin Esqr
Present

(Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844.)

Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 Pae 78

78
Page 49

A.
5388
New York
Nancy Knox wid of James Knox who served in the Revolutionary war as a Private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 31 Dollars 12 Cents per annum, to commence on the [illegible] day of March, 1848. (send April 1849 when she died)

Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of Mar. 1850 and sent to Hon. H.S. Conger House of Reps

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 111 Vol. 4

the back of this file
22
Page 50

Reported
New Certificate issued (ending 5th April 1849, when she died,) under acts 7 July 1838, 3rd March 1843 & 17 June 1844 and 2 February 1848. Payable to Philip Knox admr for sole use of surviving children of Nancy Knox dec'd
viz. Philip Knox
Charles Knox
Betsy Morse
&
James Knox

Agent notified
April 16 1850
Let Thomas Lumpkin 7th June 1850
to same 28 June 1850
Page 51

No 13396
Nancy Knox
NY
Let to Wm Titus July 21 '47
Let Hon H. S. Conger 11 Mar 1850

Admtd
JLE
13
Act 7 July 1838
Page 52

T
A
8791
New York
Nancy Knox widow of James Knox who was a Private in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 31 Dollars 12 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Mar. '50 and sent to Hon H.S. Conger House of Reps

(Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844.)

Recorded in Book A 
Vol. 2 Page 78
Page 53

10872
New York Albany
Nancy Knox decd widow of James Knox who died on the 19 Oct 1822 of [blank] in the State of New York who was a private in the Compy commanded by Captain Traffarn of the Regt commanded by Col Topham in the Revolution line for 

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 50 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of May 1851 and sent to T Lumpkin Present

Arrears to the 4th of [blank]
Semi-annual allowance ending [blank]

Inc form $31.12
Revolutionary Claim, Act July 7, 1838

Recorded by H R Weightman Clerk,
Book D Vol. 1 Page 165

165
Page 54

Rev WIDOW, &c.

File No. 21537
Nancy Knox
Widow of 
James Knox
Pri Rev War
Act Feb 2d 48
Index: Vol. A Page 418
(Arrangement of 1870.)
Page 55

1908 Dec 2 History to Mr A.A. Sprague
MBK

1906 March 13 History to Mrs Bessie Butler
MBH
Page 56

W.G Phelps, Vice Pres't
G.W. Dunn, 2nd Vice Pres't
F W Jenkins, 3rd Vice Pres't
J W Manier, Treasurere
Z.B. Phelps Comptroller
D.S. Dickenson, Actuary
Charles M. Turner, President
A. B. Howe, Asst Genl Mgr
R. L. Lounsberry, Med Director
Chas A. La Due, Registrar
J. B. Abbott, Cashier
C.H. Jackson, Agency Secretary
A. A. Sprague, Manager
Security Mutual Life Insurance Company
Binghamton, N.Y.
144 Port Watson Street,
Cortland, N.Y.,
Nov. 15th 1908
NOV 08 1905

E.S. Ware, Com of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir: James Knox was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. His widow, Nancy [illegible] drew a pension after his death which occurred in 1822. 

Kindly give me the officisa information which will permit me to be a D.A.R. and greatly oblige.

Yours very truly,
Mrs. A. A. Sprague
Page 57

[stamped]
[illegible]
28 1906
FILES

Sheridan, N.Y.
Feb 26th 1906

Pension Office
Can you send me the record of the services of James Knox of Windom, Conn. in the Revolutionary War? His widow Nancy Morse Knox of Cortland, N.Y. was granted a pension sometime in the forties.
Please address,
Bessie Butler
Sheridan,
N.U.
Page 58

p.83
J.L. Edwards,
Comr of Pensions
Washington DC.
July 5 1850
relative to the case of Nancy Knox, dec'd Papers 22 in number enclosed

Allow
15 Months
Page 59

Pension Office
July 5 1850

Sir,
I have the honor herewith to transmit the papers numbered from 1 to 11 inclusive, relating to the case of Nancy Knox, dec'd on which Mr. T. Lumpkin appeals, and a brief of the evidence relating to the point in dispute.

There is in this office a list of the officers and soldiers of Col. Thopham's Regiment on which the name of James Knox is not found. But from the original muster roll of that regiment, also in our possession, it appears that James Knox enlisted 7th June 1778, and was discharged 16th March 1779. and his name is not found on any roll of that Regiment after the latter date. For this length of service an allowance has already been made.

But is is sought to controvert the truth of the record by an affidavit of Benjamin Cowell, the agent in this case, who states that he has a muster roll in his possession indicating a greater service on the part of James Knox. He also appeals to a publication, of which he is himself the author, called the "Spirit of 1776" on
Page 60

this point. Whether his book was made up from his roll, or his roll from his book, does not appear, but in neither case does he condescend to point out the sources of his information, or afford others the means of testing its accuracy. I have therefore, had no hesitation in preferring to rely on the original record rather than upon evidence appearing in such a questionable shape.

I have the honor to be,
very respectfully
Your obt. Servt.
J L Edwards

Hon. Thomas Ewing
Secretary of The Interior
Page 61

13396
July 6/47
Nancy Knox,
Act July 7/38

Locke NY
June 29
Hon J L Edwards
COm of Pensions
Washington D.C.
16
Page 62

Locke June 29th /67

Hon J L Edwards
Com of Pensions
Sir
The enclosed Pension Papers are from the worthy applicant who claims your attention at your earliest moment
Respectfully
yours
William Titus
Page 63

Nancy Knox, de'd
widow of James
New York
Cortland Co
issue new certificates payable to Philip Knox, admin for sole use of children Philip Knox, Charles Knox, Betsy Morse & James Knox
widow died 5th April 1849

Act 7 July 1838 & subsequent acts

18

Hon H. S. Conger
N Y
Page 64

Payment to be made at Albany by T W Olcott 
Agent for paying Pensioners in the Agency of New York
Payable on the 4th September and 4th March
Recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll of Pensioners under act February 2d, 1848, Page 111 Vol. 4
J P Chase Clerk
Page 65

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
WIDOW'S PENSION.

I certify that in conformity with the act of February 2d 1848, Nancy Knox of New York widow of James Knox who was a private in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Thirty one dollars and twelve cents per annum, commencing on the 4th of March 1848, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.

Given at the Department of the Interior this 19 day of March one thousand eight hundred and fifty

T Ewing
Secretary of the Interior

Examined and Countersigned
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions