Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13668, for John Knowlton, New York
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New York
Knowlton, John
NUMBER
S. 13668
carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of [ilegible]1838 from 4 Sep 1837[?] to 10 Jany 1838. Agt [illegible] 1841
Page 3

14943
New York
===================
John Knowlton of Saratoga in the State of N. Yorkwho was a Ensign[?] in the  Comp commanded by Capt Wood of the Reg. commanded by Col. Huswink in the N. York line for 9 Mo
==================
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York the rate of 90 Dollars per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
======================
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of July 1833 and Sent to [illegible]  Ballston
=====================
Arrears to the 4th of Mar '33 $180
Semi-anl. allowance ending [illegible]
43
=====
$223
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by G. Stiles Clerk, 
Book E[?]Vol. 3.  Page 23
Page 4

12.967
John Knowlton
Saratoga Co N York
16
372
Admd
4 May 33
Aaron Nash
Ballston NY
Aaron Nash
Redford flat
John Knowlton 

.
Page 5

11th In 1775
BRIEF in the case of John Knowlton of Saratoga in the State of New York
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 85 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.|As a|Gen.| 
11th [illegible] In 1775|15 [days]| Ensign|Capt Wood Col Hasbrook
1776|8 [days]|[Ensign]| [Capt Wood Col Hasbrook]
1776|15 days|[Ensign]| [Capt Wood Col Hasbrook]
"soon after"| 21 [days]|[Ensign]| [Capt Wood Col Hasbrook]
1 June 1776|5 [months] 20 [days]|[Ensign]|Commanding a Guard
November 1777|15 [days]|[Ensign]|[Commanding a Guard]
Spring 1776|7 [days]|Private| Capt White
Fall 1776|20 [days]|Private|Capt White
5. In what battles was he engaged? None 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service: Ulster C N York
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By his commission & Traditionary evidence 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The Papers are not attachd. as required
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richard Cutts
Examining Clerk
Page 6


TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Second Comptroller's Office
February 1st, 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," the childn. of John Knowlton, decd a
Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany N.Y. Agency, at the rate of Ninety
Dollars per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1837  to the 19th  January 1838
Respectfully yours,
Albion K Parris
Comptroller 
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 7

12 967 
John Knowlton 

9 months 
Ensign
Page 8

Declaration, or for to obtain the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
STATE OF NEW YORK,
SARATOGA COUNTY,
SS.
On  this seventh day of September in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two --
personally appeared in open court, before the court of Common Pleas of the county of Saratoga and State of New-York, now sitting, John Knowlton
--resident of Clifton Park--in
the county of Saratoga, and State of
New-York, aged eighty five 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 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.  He was born  in Bedford New Purchase in the County of Westchester and State of New York A.D. 1747 is now Eighty five years of Age he has no record of his age except in his family Bible. He resided
when he entered the service in New Mulberry in the County of Ulster and State of New York Resided there till the year 1778 when he removed to the town of Ballston now Walter & resided there for five years except
the time in service of the United States of America, when he removed to the Town of Halfmoon in the County of Saratoga That he has continued to reside in that place then called Halfmoon now called Clifton Park ever since the year 1783. 
---
That he knew in the Army Col Hasbrook under whom he served.
Page 9

He is known to the Rev Matthias Swain of the Town of Matta in said County Clergyman and to William Shepherd Stephen A. Daggett Cornelius Hageman & Isaac E
Garnsey & to Nathan  Garnsey & Aaron Nash of Ballston who can 
certify as to their belief of his having been a Revolutionary soldier & of their opinion of his good character.
Page 10

That on the eleventh day of October
A.D. 1775 this deponent received a
commission as Ensign of the Militia Company of Foot in the North East Precinct of New Marlborough in Ulster County whereof Jacob Wood Esq, was Captain in the Regiment commanded by Col Hasbrook, which said Commission is hereto annexed.
1. That after receiving the said Com
mission in A.D. 1775. he was called out with the Company and went to Fort Montgomery and stayed there one half month and did duty in keeping guard. this was so on after he received his said commission and then returned home, 1/2 month  Jacob Wood was Captain & Julian Mackey was Ensign

2. That in the year 1776 he went with his Company in the Spring of the year to Fort Montgomery and continued there to do duty on Guard for Eight days & then returned home

3. That soon after he was again in 1776- called with his Company
to New Windsor in the said State of New York & continued there on Guard as an Ensign aforesaid for the space of one half month & then returned home  1/2 m

4. That soon after his return he was again called out with his Company and went to Calack make and continued there
Page 11

doing duty as Ensign as aforesaid and
for the Term of three weeks and then
returned.      3/4 months

5.  That or the first June in the year 1776 he was called to Guard the lines from Blue Point to New Windsor in the State of New York the Guard consisted of 16 men who were under the command of this deponent that he acted under his said Commission and Continued in the duty of guarding the lines as aforesaid with the aforesaid men for the Term of five months and 20 days. and returned home the 20th or 25th Decr 1776.

6. That on the first of November 1777. soon after Burgoine was taken he was called out with his company by order of Col. Hasbrook to go to guard the
shores from New Burgh to Blue Point
and continued there guarding the
shores as Ensign of the said Company
for one half month and then returned
home.  1/2 month

That in the Spring of 1778 he remove to Stillwater in the then County of Albany now called Saratoga.  he was called to Lake desolation by order from Captain Stephen White of the Militia of the State of New York this deponent was then a private
Page 12

having resigned his said Commission by removing from New Mulberry the Scout or company that went to Lake
desolation consisted of about 20 men commanded by Captain White for the purpose of scouring the County of Indians and Tories who had the day before taken away two sons lads of Arie Banta of Clifton Park [illegible] White of Ballson.  the Scout lasted about one week when this deponent returned Home. this was some time in the fall of 1778. as he believes,-
That in the Fall of 1778 he went as a
private in Captain Whites Company
on an alarm the Scout or alarm
consisted of about 40 men and went
to Fort Edward this scout were composed of men from various Companies they went to Fort Edward aforesaid keeping guard and was out about twenty days
That all the services of this applicant were Military duties that he was always called out by order of his Col Hasbrook  (while he resided in New Mulberry aforesaid in the Regiment of the said Col Hasbrook that after receiving his said commission to guard the shores of the Hudson along which the British  frequently come with ships, and sometimes a firing took place between the Enemy
Page 13

and the American soldiers that from the time of receiving his commission as Ensign he always held himself in perfect willingness to go to defend his County from the Invasion of her Foe and that he always went when called upon during his continuance as Ensign as aforesaid frequently leaving his farm and the domestic affairs of this deponent to be unattend and untilled that some short services rendered his country as a soldier are not set forth in the declaration of this deponent

He 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, 
John Knowlton
Sworn to, and subscribed, in Open Court this 7th day of September 1832
Thomas Palmer Clerk
Page 14

We, Matthias Swain, a clergyman residing in the town of Malta in the county of Saratoga, State of New York, and Aaron Nash residing in Ballalon hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Knowlton who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty five years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion. 
Sworn and subscribed in open court this 7th day of September 1832.
Matthias Swain 
Aaron Nash
Thomas Palmer

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 Matthias Swain who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Malta in the county of Saratoga, State of New York and that Aaron Nash who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Balleton in said county is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I Thomas Palmer clerk of the court of Common Pleas in for the county do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Knowlton for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of - office this 7th day of September 1832.
Thomas Palmer Clerk
Page 15

November 24, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/EEL
John Knowlton-S. 13668

Miss Charlotte M. Bohlig
208 Walnut Street
Peekskill, New York
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Robert, John, Thomas and Daniel Knowlton, all of whom served in the New York troops, War of the Revolution.
There are no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon the military service in the Revolutionary War of a Robert, Thomas or Daniel Knowlton, who served in the New York troops. Such claims are the source of the data furnished by this office. The record of John Knowlton has been found and is furnished herein.
John Knowlton
S. 13668
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 13668, based upon the military service in that war of John Knowlton.
John Knowlton was born in 1747, in Bedford New Purchase, Westchester County, New York. The names of his parents are not shown.
While residing in New Mulberry, Ulster County, New York John Knowlton was commissioned, October 11, 1775, ensign of a Company of foot of Ulster County, under Captain Jacob Wood and  Colonel Jonathan Hasbrook and served as such officer in said Company on tours until in November, 1777, amounting to nine months and
twenty-eight days in all; the service was rendered at Fort Montgomery  and along the Hudson River guarding the shores and the lines, this officer often in command of the guards in 1778, John Knowlton resigned his commission as ensign and moved to

[written by hand in right margin:] Found this officer in this serv. in NY. Areliners page 301
Page 16

Ballston, Albany (later Malta, Saratoga) County, New York, and in June, 1778, enlisted as a private in Captain Stephen White's New York Company and served one week as a scout: in the fall of 1778, he served again as a private and scout in said Captain White's Company, went to Fort Edward and served about twenty
days.

After residing at Ballston, New York, for about five years, John Knowlton moved to Half Moon (later Clifton Park) Saratoga County, New York, where he was living when he was allowed pension on his application executed September 7, 1832.
He died January 19, 1838, place not stated.
He was survived by children, their names and the name of his wife are not shown.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension and the name and address of person paid in the case of the Revolutionary  War pensioner, John Knowlton (S. 13668), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city and cite the following data:
John Knowlton
Certificate No. 14943
Issued July 26, 1833
Rate $90. 00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
New York Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 17

In PROVINCIAL CONGRESS for the Colony of New York, the Eleventh Day of October 1775. To John Knowlton of New Marlborough precinct in Ulster County Gent Greeting:
BY Virtue of the Authority reposed in us --We do hereby nominate, authorize, constitute and appoint you the said John Knowlton to be Ensign
of the Militia Company of Foot in the
North East District of the precinct of New Marlborough in Ulster County (whereof Jacob Wood Esquire is Captain in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Jonathan Hasbrouck hereby requiring you, before you
enter into the Exercise of your said Office, to make in writing, and subscribe in Presence of the Chairman of the Committee of the City, Town, District, or precinct wherein you reside, the Declaration appointed and directed by the Eleventh section of the Seventh
Resolve contained in the Rules and Orders for regulating the Militia of the Colony of New-York, recommended by this Congress on the 22d day of August 1775. and authorizing you fully to execute all the Powers belonging to your said Office, by Virtue of the said Rules and Orders, and the said Declaration: And we do hereby require all persons under your Command, to pay due Obedience to you, according to the said Rules and Orders, and such further Rules and Orders as shall be made and recommended for the Militia of this Colony, by the present, or any future Continental Congress
or Provincial Congress of this Colony.
Attest,
John McKesson Secry
By Order, Nathl Woodhull Presidt

S. File 13,668.
Page 18

.
[illegible] LMB
--------------
1918, Sept. 5. History to
Daisy W. Hemming
-----------------------
1937- Nov 24 - Hist to Miss
Charlotte M Boblig EL

13668
INVALID.
Rev. War
File No. [illegible]
John Knowlton
Ensign Rev. War
---
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:-- Vol. 1, Page 215
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 19

Miss Charlotte M Bohlig
206 Walnut Street
Peekskill, New York 
November 12, 1937

Veterans Administration 
Washington D.C. 
Rev. War 1812
Wars Section 

Dear Sir:
I am seeking information of the following men in regards to war service and lineage if you  have any data I will greatly appreciate any attention you may give this request. 
Robert Knowlton - 4th Regiment Albany Co (illegible)
John Knowlton - 13 Regiment Albany Co (illegible)
Thomas Knowlton - 4 Regiment Laud County Albany Co.
Daniel Knowlton - Lester Co Militia Laud County 4th Regiment 

Very Truly Yours,
Charlotte M Bohlig
Page 20

South Hadley, Massachusetts 
August 25, 1918

Pension Bureau Washington D.C. 
Please send me a statement of pension record of John Knowlton Ensign of American Revolution referred to in Knowlton Genealogy Pages 32, 582 also Page 589 Inv 13668. 
On Page 589 in supplement and index I find said John Knowlton made an application for pension September 7, 1832 and his pension was allowed for nine months actual service as an Ensign in the New York Troops in Revolutionary War a part of time serving under Captain Jacob Wood and Colonel Hasbrook. Also in Errata and Adderta to Rev. Dr. O. H. W. Stocking’s history and genealogy of Knowlton’s of England and America
Page 21

Said John 457 Page 98 enlisted at New Marlborough, N.Y. not New Mulberry, N.Y. Corrected 

I am a descendant of said John Knowlton and made application for membership in June in Dolly Woodbridge Chapter of American Revolution at South Hadley, Massachusetts. 

Hoping I may have a favorable reply. I am very truly yours. 
Daisy Wilds Hemmings 
South Hadley
Massachusetts
Page 22

[printed form]

In reply to your request of [blank], 
received [blank] for 
a statement of the military history of a
soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
Oct. 11, 1775
1778
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
served at [illegible] nov. 1777
[illegible] 9 mos 28 days 
RANK.
Ensign
Priv
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Jacob Wood
Stephen White
COLONEL.
Hasbrook
STATE.
NY
Battles engaged in, [blank]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, New Marlborough, Ulster Co, NY
Date of application for pension. Sept 7, 183 [illegible]
Residence at date of application, Clifton Park, Saratoga Co., NY
Age at date of application, Born 1747 in Bedford New Purchase
Remarks: Westchester Co, NY
Children [illegible] no names stated
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 23

[printed form]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Ensign John Knowlton 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?
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 amout [sic] 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
Page 24

[printed form]

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? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain
ing it?
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?
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? yes
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?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
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; Foryear
months, and --- days, I served as a-
For months
and days, I served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 25

[printed form]

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 innectionable
. Some persons who apply for pensions
definite, and all such quainying expressions at
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 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 thief 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.