Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38899, for Benjamin Knight, Rhode Island
Page 1

Service
Navy (R.I.)

Knight, Benjamin

Number
S38899
Page 2

3505
Rhode Island, Roll
Benjamin Knight,
U. S Private
Ship Providence
Com. Whipple
In the army [R.I. handwritten superimposed over text] of the United States during the Revolutionary War

Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island
at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on
the 9^th of April 1818 - 

Certificate of Pension issued the 8^th of October 181[torn]
and Sent to Will^m Anthony [illegible] Judge
Newport

Appears to 4th of September 1818 [illegible] 4+ 26/30 - 38:93
Semi-anl, all'ce ending 4: March 1819 - 48: -
[Total] $86:93

Revolutionary Claim
Act 18th March 1818 
One Year

Tiverton [faint]

Pensioner resides at
Tiverton
Discontinue[d]

{Vertically on page to the right of above text]
[writing faint]
Providence R.I.
Att^y Genl's opinion sent to
Benj. Cowell, Providence
R. Island 15 July 1822
Died April 4 - 1834
(from A B)
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Schedule of Ba
Benjm Knight
Page 4

Know all men by these Presents, that I Benjamin Knight, and Easter [spelling vary] wife of the said Benjamin of the Town of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island labourer, in consideration of one hundred and twenty Dollars paid by Cornelius Seabury Trader of the Town County and State aforesaid, the receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, sell and convey unto the said Cornelius his heirs and assigns forever - A certain Piece or parcel of Land situate in said Tiverton with the buildings thereon standing it being my homestead place where I now live and is bounded as follows viz; North, and East on highways, South on lands of Edward Simmons, West on lands of Stephen King; contains three acres more or less - 
To Have and to Hold the afore granted premises to the said Cornelius Seabury his heirs and assigns to his and their use and [behoof?] forever - and We Benjamin Knight and Easther his wife for ourselves our heirs executors and administrators the covenant with the said Cornelius Seabury his heirs and assigns, that we are lawfully seized in fee of the afore granted premises, that they are free of all incumbrances, that we have good right to sell and convey the same to the said Cornelius in manner as aforesaid, and that we will warrant and defend the premises to the said Cornelius Seabury his heirs and assigns forever, against the lawful claims and demands of all persons - In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and Seals this ^twenty second day of October One thousand eight hundred and twenty one
Signed Sealed and delivered
Benjamin his X mark Knight [hand drawn seal with LS in center]
Esther her X mark Knight [hand drawn seal with L.S. in center]
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delivered in Presence of 
Nancy Seabury
Peleg Gray
Newport [Sc?] at Tiverton on the day of the above date personally appeared Benjamin Knight and Easther his wife and acknowledged the above to be their free [free: crossed out] voluntary act and and [repeated] free hand and seals
Before me Philip Gray Jus. Peace
filed & recorded 29^th October at 10 o'clock AD 1821.
I certify the above to be a true coppy from the records of ^a [illegible] in Tiverton duly [illegible] this 12^th day of May 1823
[Signe?] [Tho^s] Durfee Clerk
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Rhode Island District
County of Newport
District Court May Term 1823 - 
In this 13^th day of May 1823 personally appeared in open Court being a Court of record, Benjamin Knight aged 81 years this day, now residing in the town of Tiverton in said County who being duly sworn maketh the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions of the Act of Congress of 18^th of March 1818 May 1^st 1820, & March 1, 1823 viz, said Benjamin declares that he served as a mariner & [cooper?] on board the frigate Providence, a vessel of war in the service of the United States in the revolutionary war twelve months under the command of Abraham Whipple Esq that he also served on board the Alfred under the command of Commodore Hopkins, that he made a previous declaration under the Act of March 18^th 1818, and obtained certificate N^o 9505 but his name was stricken off under the Act of May 1^st 1820 - 
And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred & eighteen, and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of any property or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States, in the revolutionary war", passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred & eighteen that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me: nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and By me ascribed ---
Benja his X mark Knight
Witness E. K. Denton - 
Schedule of property and income, necessary clothing & bedding excepted of Benjamin Knight, viz, said Benjamin declares
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that he has no property of any description except a few articles of house hold furniture consisting of 3 old chairs, 1 pot, 1 spider [cooking pan], 1 tea kettle, some cups & saucers, knives & forks & spoons, 1 wash tub, the whole being of very trifling value - and the said Benjamin further declares that he is a cooper by trade but does not work at that trade being dim sighted, he is also very much afflicted with the rheumatism, which disqualifies him from doing any labour - And the said Benjamin further declares that the small house and lot which was mentioned in his first schedule made in pursuance of the act of May 1^st 1820 has since been sold to Cornelius Seabury for the payment of his just debts, a copy of conveyance is herewith annexed, that he is still involved in debt, & being broken down with infirmities he feels entitled to the provisions of the Act of Congress aforesaid - 
Benjamin his X mark Knight
Witness
E.K. Denton - 

District Court May Term 1823
Sworn to in open Court May 13^th 1823.
Witness B. Cowell Clk - [Clerk]
Clerk's Office District Court - 
Rhode Island District
I Benjamin Cowell Clerk of said Court do hereby certify, that it appears, to the satisfaction of the Court that the said Benjamin Knight did serve in the Revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declarations, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, under one engagement in the continental establishment. - I also certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records of the
[Faint stamped seal to the left of above text]
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said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is ten dollars - 10
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this twenty sixth day of May 1823 - 
Benjamin Cowell
Clk of said Court
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Benj Knight
4.90
1.  6
25
-----
29.96
3.505
Mar 19
31
20
1819
[illegible]
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[Form with handwritten entries in { }]

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
RHODE ISLAND DISTRICT
{County of Newport US Circuit} [District: crossed through] Court, {June} Term, A.D. 1820.
On this {15th} day of {June} 1820, personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of Record within and for {said District Benj^n Knight} aged {79} years, residing in the town of {Tiverton} in said {County} who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: {that he served on board of the ship Providence twelve months as cooper in the Rhode Island line} that he made a previous declaration on the {9th} day of {April} 181{8}, and that he has received a certificate for a pension, being No. {3505} And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the revolutionary war," passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen: that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
[signature] {Benjamin his X mark Knight}
A SCHEDULE of Property and Income (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) of {Benj Knight, three acres of land with an old house 1 cow 2 maple tables 8 old chairs shovel & tongs 1 iron pot 2 kettles 6 pewter plates 3 Pewter Basins 1 Pewter Platter 1/2 doz knives & forks 8 earthen plates 1/2 doz tea cups & saucers 1 small looking glass 1 axe 1 hoe 1 coffee pot 1 stand one candlestick 1 old case drawers 2 pine chests 6 iron spoons 2 pails 1 pig & that the said Benj has a *Wife & daughter to maintain that he works when able & that he owes at this time sixty seven dollars should his pension be taken away he must depend on charity for support}
[signature] {Benj Knight X his mark}
Sworn and declared {in open Court} on the {sixteenth} day of {June 1820} before {{Hon^e Joseph Story}
{Witness Benjamin Cowell Clk}
RHODE-ISLAND DISTRICT
Clerk's Office of the {US Circuit} Court, A. D. 1820
I {Benj Cowell} Clerk of {said Court} do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is {not exceeding two hundred} dollars and - cents. In testimony whereof I have set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this {twelfth} day of {July} 1820.
[signature] {Benjamin Cowell} Clerk of said Court.
{*Viz. his wife aged, 70 who is very weakly - he daughter 17 - has no other family
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I Cornelius Seabury of Tiverton in the State of Rhode Island certify and say that I am personally acquainted with Benjamin Knight of said Tiverton an applicant for a pension, - said Knight is much involved in debt, and it is my opinion that if all his property was sold it would not pay all his debts = Said Knight has also a daughter, who has been and is now very sick & helpless.= his wife also is a feeble woman.= Said Knight is a cooper by trade but in consequence of being partially blind he cannot work at that business - In Fact I have not the least doubt that if his pension is not continued, he will in a very short time become a pauper, & be town charge.
[signature] Cornelius Seabury

Providence sc. In Providence, Jan. 3, 1821.
Personally appeared Cornelius Seabury, the subscriber to the above certificate, and made solemn oath to the truth of the facts therein contained.
Before me,
B. A. Wheeler
Just. Peace
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Providence 4 Jany 1820
I hereby certify that the [here?]with named deponent Cornelius Seabury is personally known to me and that he is a man of respectability and standing and whose verity is entitled to the greatest confidence

Benjamin Cowell
Clk U.S. Cir Court
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Benjamin Knight
Int on rolls
Admited
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Newport ss.
On this Ninth Day of April 1818, Before me the Subscriber One of the Judges of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State Personally appears Benjamin Knight aged Seventy three years Resident in Tiverton in the said district who being by me first duly Sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the Pension made by the late act of Congress, [entitled: crossed through] An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval Service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war
That he the said Benjamin Knight entered on board the ship Alfred at Newport in the State of Rhode Island about the year 1776 Commanded by Esek Hopkins - Commodore of the fleet that took New Providence [in the Bahamas] and served about six months
after that he the said Benjamin Knight entered on board the ^Continental Frigate Providence at Providence in the State of Rhode Island - in the year 1776 or thereabouts - Commanded by Abraham Whipple, that he continued to serve on board said Frigate twelve months as cooper, when he was Discharged from Service at Providence in said State
That he was at the taking of New Providence and that he was in an engagement off Long Island with an English ship of War - 
And that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support and that he has no other evidence now in his  Power of his said Services - Sworn to and declared before me this day and year aforesaid
William Anthony Jus^t Sup^me Jud^l Court
I William Anthony Judge ^se as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Benjamin Knight did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declarations against the common enemy; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned Act of Congress
[signature] William Anthony Jus^t Sup^me Jud^l Court
April 24, 1818
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Newport ss - The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
I Gideon Palmer Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for the County of Newport in the State aforesaid Do certify that William Anthony Esq, whhose [whose] signature is affixed to the paper hereunto annexed is third Justice of said Supreme Judicial Court legally appointed and qualified and that the signature to the foregoing Papers are in the proper Hand Writing of the said William Anthony
In testimony whereof I have set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this 25 Day of April A.D. 1818
[signature] Gideon Palmer Clerk
[Seal affixed to the left of this text]
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I Stephen Earl of Providence [NW of Saratoga Springs] in the county of Saratoga State of New York yeoman - maketh oath and saith that in the [1776: crossed through] year 1776 in or about the Month of July I entered onboard the Frigate Providence of the United States commanded by Abram Whipple in capacity of [Serjeant?] of Marines, and continued on board between twenty and twenty two months, and that Benjamin Knight of Tiverton in the county of Newport entered on board said Ship on or about the same time as cooper of said Ship, and continued on board twelve months, the term of his enlistment and was then discharged - I served in said capacity of [Serjeant?] on board said Frigate, and was advanced to the [illegible] of [Lieutenant?] and continued in such capacity till I was discharged from said service
[signature] Stephen Earl

Newport ss At Tiverton said county this 21 day of September 1818 personally appeared Stephen Earl and made oath to the truth of the forgoing affadavit by him subscribed which was taken at the desire of Benjamin Knight to be used in the obtaining the provision made by the late act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war - 
Taken before me
T. Durfee [Presid.] S. Jus. of Court of Com. Pleas County of Newport
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Affidavit of
Stephen Earl for B Knight
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[Illegible] may Certify that Benj Knight of Tiverton Served onboard the Providence Frigate, Abraham Whipple Esq Com^d twelve months commencing at Providence in October 1776 as Cooper at that time I was Lieutenant onboard said Frigate the terms of time of [entree?] for the Crew was twelve months
[signature] Benj Page
Newport Sept 14^th 1818
Newport [illegible] = At Newport this 14 Day of Sept 1818 personally appeared the above named Benjamin Page residing in the Town of Portsmouth County of Newport aforesaid and made Solemn Oath to the Truth of the above written  certificate by him Subscribed
And I hereby certify that full faith and credit is due to his testimony
Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand the Day and year above written
[signature] Daniel [Denham?] Justice
of the Court of Common Pleas
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas & General Sessions of the Peace for the County of Newport:
I hereby certify that Thomas Durfee & Daniel Denham, whose Signatures are affixed to the annexed attestations are Justices of the Court aforesaid duly commissioned & engaged under the Seal of said State
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court, this twenty fourth Day of September in the year of Our [Lord] AD one thousand Eight hundred & Eighteen & forty third of American Independence.
[signature] Hy Cranston Clk
[Seal affixed to left of above text]
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March 21, 1940

BA-J/ADY
Benjamin Knight
S.38899

Mr. H. A. Abell
267 State Street
Rochester, New York

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter relative to Benjamin
Knight, who served in the Revolutionary War.
The data contained herein were obtained from the
papers on file in the Revolutionary War pension claim,
S. 38899, based upon the service in that war of Benjamin
Knight.

The date and place of birth and the names of the
parents of Benjamin Knight are not shown.
In 1776, in Newport, Rhode Island, Benjamin Knight
entered on board the Continental Ship "Alfred" commanded
by Commodore Esek Hopkins and was at the taking of the
Island of New Providence, and served six months. He then
entered on board the Continental frigate "Providence"
commanded by Abraham Whipple, at Providence, Rhode Island,
as cooper and mariner, was in an engagement with an
English Sloop of War off Long Island, and served twelve
months.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 9, 1818, at which time he was a resident of Tiverton, Newport County, Rhode Island. He then stated he was aged seventy-three years.
In 1820, he stated that he was aged seventy-nine
years, and then referred to his wife, aged seventy years,
and daughter, aged seventeen years. His wife's name was
Easter, Easther, or Esther, the name of the daughter was
not given. There are no further family data.
Benjamin Knight died April 24, 1834, place not given.
Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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Rev.&1812 Wars Section
[hand written] MM+F

October 5, 1925

Mrs Burton A. Crane
517 West Tenth St.,
Erie, Penna.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim S. 38899 it appears
that Benjamin Knight entered the service in 1776 at
Newport, Rhode Island, served six months on the Continental
ship "Alfred" commanded by Commodore Esck Hopkins and was at the taking of the Island of New Providence
.
After this, he again entered the service at Providence
, Rhode Island, on the Continental frigate "Prov
idence" commanded by Abraham Whipple, served twelve
months as cooper and mariner and was in an engagement
with an English sloop of war of Long Island.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
April 9, 1818 while a resident of Tiverton, Newport Coun-
Rhode Island. On this date he stated that he was aged seventy three years.
In 1820 he stated that he was aged seventy-nine
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years and referred to his wife aged seventy years
and daughter aged seventeen years. His wife's name
is given as Easter for Easther, or Esther), daughters name not given. He died April 24, 1834.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 23

Providence May 26 1823
Sir
I herewith enclose the schedules of William Read & Benja Knight applicants for pensions under the late Act of Congress
I am sir respectfully your obt sevt [obedient servant]
Benja [Benjamin] Cowell

I. L. Edwards Esq
Page 24

Providence 8 July 1822
Sir
I am requested to forward to you, the enclosed documents with a request that the case of Benjamin Knight, whose pension has been discontinued under the act of May 1, 1820, may be reconsidered - With regard to the particular circumstances of this applicant I know nothing of my own knowledge, but I have the greatest confidence in the deposition of Mr Seabury & have not the least doubt it is Just & true - Several cases have been reconsidered and one (an officer, whose amount of property was equal, if not exceeding that, of this applicant [)] - 
There is however on [smudged out] circumstance, I wish may be taken in consideration in behalf of this applicant - The Court which valued his property valued it "not exceeding two hundred dollars" as will appear by a reference to his schedule a copy of which was certified by me
Page 25

July 12^th and transmitted by me to the pension office - There is reason to believe that if the Court had had the deposition of Mr Seabury before them, the valuation would have been precise, & not so great, [illegible], by one half - with these remarks I submit his case to your consideration & have the honor to remain
your most obd sev^t [obedient servant]
Benja [Benjamin] Cowell
Page 26

I cornelius Seabury of Tiverton in the County of Newport in the State of Rhode Island on oath certify and say that I am personally acquainted with Benjamin Knight of said Tiverton, formerly a revolutionary soldier - I have also been acquainted with his circumstances for a number of years [illegible] ,= said Benjamin is at present in a destitute situation. The little property which was inventoried, in my opinion, was not worth more than one hundred dollars - The house is situated in Hellborn head (is called) in said Tiverton in very obscene & lowly situation - The house [smudged: & land?] now, however, does not belong to him he having been obliged to sell it for his maintenance said Benjamin is now very old & feeble & inca^pa ble of doing any labour, at his trade (a cooper) on account of his eye sight - he being now about blind = he is now supported by charity he has also a wife & daughter who are also in a dire situation =
[signature] Cornelius Seab[ripped]

Sworn to before me the 13^th of May 1822
Thomas Rivers
Jus Peace

Rhode Island District
In Providence July 8 1822 - 
I certify that Cornelius Seabury whose signature is affixed to above deposition is personally known to me, [smudged] to be a [illegible] in society - and a credible witness - 
Benjamin Cowell
Clk U.S. Court
RI
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Benjm. Knights
Affidavit
Page 28

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Court of Common Pleas for the County of Newport
November Term A D 1821:
I hereby certify that on the Second Day of the present term, personally appeared in open Court Benjamin Knight and made solemn oath to the truth of the annexed Affidavit by him subscribed (by his mark). I further certify that it is the opinion of said Court that full faith and credit ought to be given to the truth of the facts set forth by the aforesaid affidavit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of our said Court this Sixth Day of November in the year of our LORD Eighteen hundred
[line obscured by fold in paper]
Independence
By order of Court
D. Y Cranston Clk

[Seal affixed to left of above text]
Page 29

Benjamin Knight of Tiverton County of Newport and State of Rhode Island, formerly a Pensioner of the United States, under the Law of March the 8^th 1818, in Open Court deposeth and Saith, that he has of late been obliged to sell his house and lott to pay his debts, and that he has a cow some articles of household furniture of the most ordinary kind, Schedule of which has been exibited and Sworn to before the Sircuit Court of the United States and transmitted to the Office of the Secretary of War, and that he now has no other property and is unable to support himself without further assistance from his Country -
[signature] Benjamin his X mark Knight
Sworn to in open Court & Day Nov 8 1821
D. Y. Cranston Clk
Page 30

Rec’d June 10 1823 and sent to Benj’n Caswell Providence, R.I.  4 March 1819

Rhode Island 
Benjamin Knight, private, served 12 months in 1776.  1st schedule dated 16 June 1820 — 3 acres of land with an old house not valued separately.  Household and kitchen furniture which with the land is valued to $200.00.  Schedule under act of March 1823, dated 13 May 1823 — a few inconsiderable articles of household furniture — $10.00

Accounts for decrease of property by the sale of his real estate viz. 3 acres of land and the old house to Cornelius Lenry (?) for the payment of his just debts — states that he is still involved in debt.  A certified copy of the deed of sale of the land (?) and house, dated 22 of October (?) 1821, is exhibited.
Page 31

1925 Oct 5 Hist. to Mrs. Burton Crane
MM+J
1940 Mar 21. Hist. to HA Abell ADY
.
Invalid
[illegible]
File No. 38899
Benjamin Knight
Private
Ship Providence
Revolutionary
---
Act March 1818
Index: Vol.------Page.........
[Arrangement of 1870.
Page 32

Service Number
Navy (R.I.) Knight, Benjamin S. 38899
Page 33

MRS. BURTON ASHLEY CRANE
517 WEST TENTH STREET
ERIE. PENNSYLVANIA
August 12th 1985
Pension Bureau
Dept of the Interior,
Washington, D.C.

Commissioner of Pensions;-
May I have a copy of the pension papers in connection with the Benjamin Knight who is listed on the R.I. pension list of 1818, 1823, and 1835, as of Newport County, service of Continental Navy ?
Also of the David Knight, of Washington County, R.I. Militia, listed as 80 yrs of age March 6. 1833.
Thanking you, I am very truly,
Mary Knight Crane