Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5658, for Henry Knipe, Pennsylvania
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
Penn.
Knipe, Henry
NUMBER
S. 5658
carded.
CONTENTS
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Virginia 
12461 
Henry Knipe 
of Frederick in the State of Va who was a pri & Sergt  in the Va commanded by Captain of the Regt commanded by Col: Craig in the Penn line for 2 years 
Inscribed in the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 100 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 2d day of May ‘33 and sent to Hon Lewis Cass Secty War 
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833   200- 
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sept   50
$ 250 – 
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk 
Book E  Vol  6   Page 15
S. 5658
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Frederick County to wit 
On the 6th day of June 1831 personally appeared in open Court being a Court of record for the County of Frederick in the State of Virginia. Henry Knipe aged eighty years, a resident of Frederick County, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the Act of Congress of the 18th of March 1818 and 1st of May 1820 that he the said Henry Knipe enlisted for the term of one years time in the year 1775, the month he does not recollect in Philadelphia County in the State of Pennsylvania in the Company commanded by Capt Bomar in the Regiment commanded by Colo Allen (whose Christian name he does not recollect, in the line of the State of Pennsylvania on the Continental establishment that he marched from thence to Canada and joined the Regiment then under the command of Colo Craig, that he continued to serve in the said Regiment until sometime in the year 1776 (the month he does not remember) having served twelve months, when he was discharged from the service in Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania and that he served five tours in the militia of three months each; that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, except the present that his name is not on the Roll of any state except Pennsylvania that he made an application for a pension in the year 1822, which was not allowed him, that the reason that he has not again applied for a pension until now is that he was fearful of not succeeding, but the infirmities of age now pressing upon him induces him again apply.   
And in pursuance of the Act of the 1st of May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not since that time by gift sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property or any thereof with payment thereby so to diminish 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 18th day of March 1818; and 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
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in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed, viz: one Desk, a maul and wedges, two or three augers, one table, two pots, two dutch ovens, one skillet, one Griddle, some blowing tools, one old cider barrel, six windsor chairs, some knives & forks, a few plates, two old tubs and five or six flour barrels, two spinning wheels, one reel, one wheel barrow, a six plate stove, and a four old plow irons. There has been no change in my property since March 1818, excepting that my cow has been sold, and some of the other property worn out.  I am a shoemaker by trade, but am not able to follow it.  I rent about an acre of ground which I work a little. My wife is dead and the only family that I have is a daughter about fifty four or five years old.
Henry Knipe 
Sworn to and declared in open Court on the 4th day of June 1821.
T. A. Tidball 
I Thomas Allen Tidball Clerk of the Court of Frederick County do hereby certify, that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court, that the said Henry Knipe did serve in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, under one engagement, on the continental establishment. I also certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records of the 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 forty dollars. 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court on this 28 day of June 1821 
T. A. Tidball 
Virginia Frederick County to wit 
The declaration of Henry Knipe (in addition to the foregoing declaration) taken before John B. Tilden a justice of the peace for the said County of Frederick and State of Virginia. The said Henry Knipe being first duly sworn declares, that he this deponent served five tours in the Militia of Pennsylvania in the war of the revolution. To wit: The first under Capt Stephen Bloom
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to the best of deponents recollection, this was the letter part of the year 1776. Daniel Bloom brother to the cap was his Lieut., John Johnston ensign and this deponent Sargeant.  Colo. Hiester commanded the battalion or regiment. this deponent was detached for duty & served his own tour.  Marched from Philadelphia County to Brister in Bucks County on Delaware River, and served three months.
The second tour commenced about the fourth of July 1777 to best of deponent recollection.  This deponent well recollects, his time of service expired on the very day of the battle of German Town in which battle this deponant was engaged, he was a sargeant under the command of Capt. Stephen Bloom, Colo McQua commanded the battalion or regt.  This deponent was also at the battle of Brandywine and a few days previous to the battle of Germantown under the command of the said officers. General Potter was our commanding Genl. 
The third tour this deponent served he substituted himself for his brother John.  This was very shortly the after the battle of German Town - deponent does not recollect the precise time But served under Cap. Francis (does not recollect his Christian name) Col. Curry commanded the battalion or regiment. The army at that time was stationed at the Whitemarsh, at the fork of Skippack and North wales Roads.  A skirmish took place between the British and American armies, near the White Marsh between the W.M. & Sheets Paper Mill, in which Gen’l Potter & Gen’l Irwin commanded. Gen’l Irwin had his knee wounded & fell by which accident Irwin was taken prisoner. The fourth tour this deponent and was under Cap. Abraham Wentz, Col. Anders commanded the battalion or regt.  We lay about three miles above White Marsh, at the fork of N. Wales and Bethlehem roads, at the place commonly called the Spring House Tavern. The fifth tour was under Cap John Lowry and Lieutenant Davis - we lay at Newtown Bucks County for a part of the time, and was from thence removed to Trenton.  We were discharged before three months entirely expired.  This deponent further declares
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21,831
Henry Knipe
Declaration
that he was appointed "Wagon Master” in the year 1778 In proof of which he here with exhibits a letter from John Mitchell, a deputy Quarter Genl in the Pennsylvania line and this is the only written evidence the deponent is now able to produce in support of his services in the war of the revolution. His discharge for his services mentioned in his declaration made before the court of Frederick county, on the “4th of June 1831” has been mislaid or lost.
The said Henry Knipe 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.
Fedrick Ss – 
Henry Knipe being infirm & poor is by his declaration as well as appearance not able to attend the Court of his County, the following inquiries were made by me a Justice of the Peace for said county  
Viz Where & in what year were you born? he believes in 1751, the record of his age is in the Lutheran Church in Germantown
Where were you living when called into service?  Ansr. At Skippack Worcester township then Phila County, now Montgomery, 
Where have you lived since the Revolution - principally in Penna untill about the last forty four years he has heard in Frederick County Virg’a  where he now lives 
How were you called into service?  Agreeably to the above Narrative.
The names of the officers he remembers are mentioned in the Narrative –
Did you ever discharge at any period?  Answ’r I rec’d a discharge from Capt Bomer, but lost it many years since – 
State the names of any persons you know in the neighborhood who can testify as to your veracity & their belief of your having served in the revolution -  this applicant referred to George Lumley who being sworn before me states that he believes the said Knipe to be a man of truth and that being from Penn’a and meeting with said applicant with above, he has been acquainted in Penn’a forty two years in this county, and although he had no personal knowledge of his actual service he has
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from frequent conversation with said Knipe about their old acquaintances and former times particularly about the War of the Revolution he has mentioned being engaged in same, he could not have been familiar with unless engaged in them which have always impressed this deponent that said Knipe was in actual service during the revolution. 
Georg Lumely 
Sworn to & subscribed this 21st Sept 1832 before me a Justice of the Peace for said County (and I have for many years known Mr. G. Lumley& always [unreadable] him a man of truth. 
Test J. B. Tilden
the applicant signature -- Henry Knipe 
Fred’k Ss 
Henry Knipe the above Applicant made Oath before me a Justice of the Peace in the said County that the narrative contained in this document of one sheet and half of paper, with the [unreadable] answers to the questions propounded are true and which he has subscribed to this 21st Sept 1832 
Sworn at Joh Longs tavern Stephensburg the above date as Witness my hand J. B. Tilden
Fred’k Ss George Snyder came before me a Justice of the Peace and being sworn on the holy Evangelist saith that he is fifty eight years of age that he has been in Virginia thirty or more years; he had some slight knowledge of Henry Knipe, that he well remembers Knipe's wife, and has frequently heard his Father say that he said Knipe lived on his land in Pennsylvania, and that the said Knipe was in the revolutionary war, this sentiment he often heard his father express, that after the family moved to Virg’a the affiant being known to his father's family, he has often [unreadable] with said Knipe thirty years or more ago about his services in the War of the Revolution. George Snyder
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Henry Knipe
14229
The aforesaid George Snyder swore to & subscribed his name before me the 26th Sept 1832, the deponent is respectable  J. B. Tilden 
Virginia I Thomas Allen Tidball, Clerk of the County Court of Frederick, in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that John B. Tilden Esq. who has signed the foregoing certificate, was at the time of so doing, and remains, a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn: and that I believe the signature to be genuine. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the County aforesaid the 10th day of October in the year of our Lord 1832 and the 57th year of the Commonwealth.
T. A. Tidball
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Philad’a 21 Aug’t 1778
Mr. Henry Knipe [unreadable]
Thomas Crawford Philad. 21 Augt 1778 You are to Proceed Immediately by Corriells [Coryell's] Ferry [unreadable] Morris J. Kings Ferry on North River where you will [unreadable] to proceed is Necessary to a convenient place to discharge the provisions which are to be sent to the French fleet. You must be careful to make no delay & to attend to your Brigades & see that the Waggoners do their duty - you have cash of you rec'd Eighty Dollars which you are to keep an exact acct of in the necessary your men may want – to draw forage & Provisions at the different Ports you pass through - and are to return with your Brigades of wagons to this City as soon as you have performed the present Duty – 
Jno Mitchell
D. Q. M. G.  [Deputy Quarter Master]
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Rev War
5658
INVALID.
File No. 5658
Henry Knipe
Sergt Rev War
-
---
Act: June 7, 1832
Index:-- Vol. M, Page 210
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Henry Knipe
Admt’d as priv 12 mo  40
Admt’d as Serg’t 12 mo 60
100
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Henry Knipe 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? no
V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension
he is entitled? no
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal? yes
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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?  No clergyman
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining 
it?  No
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? No
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?
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? yes
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; For __ 
year __ months, and __ days, I served as a ___. For __ months
and __ days, I served as a ___; and for such service I claim a pension.
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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 indefinite,
and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. 
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 XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate 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.
[Icon of pointing finger] 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.
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Letter dated Philadelphia, Aug. 21, 1778
from Jno. Mitchell, D. Q. M. Gen. [Deputy Quarter Master General]
regarding provisions for the French Fleet

Henry Knipe,
Penn. S.5658
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
NAME Knipping Frederick
GRADE Private
LINE Pennsylvania
WARRANT
NUMBER 9745
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED May 26, 1794
to Michael Stever, assignee
The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800"" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.