Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21856, for David Knight, Rhode Island
Page 1

SERVICE
R. I.

Knight, David

NUMBER
S. 21856

CONTENTS
[rest of page left blank]
Page 2

10-016.
Rhode Island

David Knight
of Washington in the State of RI
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain [blank] of the regt commanded
by Col Waterman in the RI
line for [1 year?]

Inscribed on the Roll of RI
at the rate of 40 Dollars -- Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of [June?]
1833 and [illegible]

Arrears to the 4th of [Mar?] 1833 $80-
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 [Sept? illegible] 20 -
$100- 


Revolutionary Calim
Act June 7, 1932

Recorded by J H McBlair Clerk
Book [?] Vol. 2 Page 118

Died July 23 - 1840 (from [illegible])
Page 3

Samuel Wight
Deposition
Page 4

State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations
Secretarys Office Octob. 19 AD 1832

I certify that at the date of the annexed
certificate signed by Stephen G Hopkins the
said Hopkins was a Justice of the Peace for
the Town of Warwich in the County of Kent
duly elected and commissioned;
I also certify that at the date of the annexed
certificate signed by William Hines, the said
Hines was a Justice of the Peace for the Town
of Scituate in the County of Providence duly
elected and commissioned: all which appears
of record in this office: and that the signature
"William Hines" is his own proper hand writing.
Witness Henry Bowen Secry.
Page 5

BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
Lemuel H. Arnold
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of
Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
Be it known that the name "HENRY BOWEN," to the aforewritten
attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry
Bowen, Esquire, who, at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary
of the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to
law:  Wherefore unto his said attestation full faith and credit
are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
caused the seal of said State to be affixed, at Providence,
this nineteenth
day of October in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two
and of Independence the fifty-seventh.
Lemuel H Arnold [signature]

BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
Henry Bowen Secry [signature]
Page 6

Kent [illegible]Warwick September 13th 1832
This may certify that David Knight of
South Kingstown in Washington County
was a soldier in the Rhode Island Militia
under the command of Capt Edward Knight
in the year 1778 and served for the term of
one month and then joined the Troops and
served as a minute man under Col Manton
for the term of Three Years
Par Jon Burlingame [signature]

Kent Sc Warwick Sept 13th 1832
personally appeared Parson Burlingame subscriber
to the above certificate and made oath to the truth
of the same before me 
Stephen G. Hopkins Just Peace [signature]
Page 7

Kent [?c]
The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerks office Court of Common Pleas
I certify that Stephen G. Hopkins is a Justice of the peace
for the Town of Warwick in our county of Kent, that the
within is his proper signature, in his own hand writing, that
full faith & credit is & ought to be given to all his
official acts.   In Witness whereof I have hereunto set
my name & seal of office at East
Greenwich this twenty seventh day of October
in the year 1832.
John Brown Clk
Page 8

Providence [?] Scituate September 19th AD 1832
This may certify that David Knight of South
Kingston Washington County was a soldier in
the militia in Rhode Island one month at Warwick
in the year 1777 or 78  He then enlisted under
Capt. Jones and was out a privateering about four
months.  He then enlisted into the Troops and served
[illegible] minute man for Three years under Col. Manton
Joseph Wight

his
William x Mathewson
mark


Providence [Sc?] September 19th A.D. 1832
Personally appeared William Matthewson subscriber
to the above certificate and made oath to the
truth of the same Before me
Williams Hines Justice Peace [signature]
Page 9

William Mathewson
Deposition
Page 10

Providence [?] Scituate September 19th 1832
This may certify that David Knight of South
Kingston Washington County was a soldier in
the Rhode Island Militia ^at Warwick  under Capt. Edward
Knight one month in the year 1777 - Then 
enlisted under Capt Jones and went a privateering
about four months - Then enlisted into the Troops
[illegible] served as a minute man for Three years, I have
frequently seen him on duty under Col Manton
on Newport - he was often called  ^out  and did duty at a number of other places
Joseph Wight

his 
Samuel X Wight
mark

Providence [?] Scituate September 19th 1832
Personally appeared Samuel Wight subscriber
to the above certificate and made oath to the
truth of the same Before me
William Hines Justice Peace
Page 11

State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations
Secretary office Octob. 19 AD 1832

I certify that at the date of the annexed
certificate signed by Stephen G Hopkins the
said Hopkins was a Justice of the Peace for
the Town of Warwick in the County of Kent
duly elected and commissioned.
I also certify that at the date of the annexed
certificate signed by Williams Hines, the said
Hines was a Justice of the Peace for the Town
of SCituate in the County of Providence duly
elected and commissioned: all which appears
of record in this office: and that the signature
"Williams Hines" is his own proper hand writing.
Witness Henry Bowen Secry.
Page 12

BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
Lemuel H. Arnold
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of
Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
Be it known that the name "HENRY BOWEN," to the aforewritten
attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry
Bowen, Esquire, who, at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary
of the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to
law: Wherefore unto his said attestation full faith and credit
are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
caused the seal of said State to be affixed, at Providence,
this nineteenth
day of October in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two
and of Independence the fifty-seventh.
Lemuel H Arnold [signature]

BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
Henry Bowen Secry [signature]
Page 13

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832
State of Rhodiland
Washington County}

On the eleventh day of October personally appeared in open court before
the Judges of the Supreme Judicial Court now sitting at South Kingston
within and for said county, David Knight of said town and county
who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make
declaration as follows to obtain the benefits of said act.
He is now seventy six years of age, was born in Scituate the
29th August 1756 but has no legal record of it, lived in Scituate
until long after the Revolution, then removed to Killingly (Conn) and
lived there eight or nine years, then removed and lived in Warwick
(R. I.) about three years, then lived about three years in Exeter, and
for the last thirty three or four years has resided in South Kingstown
with the exception of about one year that he lived in Richmond.
He was in a company which was called out by
[the?] States to march to Bunker Hill in Massachusetts after the
battle at that place but before arriving there received orders to
return. He was with said company all the time and to the best
of his recollection Edward Knight of Cranston was Captain and a
Mr Field Lieutenant.
It was customary in the Revolutionary war and
especially while the British were in possession of Rhodiland for the
different companies to take [turns/tours] of serving, remaining at
home and serving a month, alternately. He was a soldier in the
Rhodiland Militia at Warwick more than two months and nearly
three months as is testified in the accompanying depositions of
William Matthewson and Samuel Wight. The officers were
Edward Knight Captain and (to the best of his recollection) Mr
Field was Lieutenant. John Waterman of Warwick was Colonel.
Soon after leaving Warwick, the applicant enlisted in a private
vessel belonging to John Brown of Providence with twelve
twelve pounds, a number of swivels and a crew of about
one hundred men. Officers were, Captain Jones (he believes his
name was Isaac Jones) First Lieutenant Winston, Second Lieutenant
David Arnold. He was out four months on a privateering
expedition in said vessel and immediately after returning
he enlisted into the State troop at Johnston as a minute
man for three years to be called out whenever necessary and
Page 14

he equipped himself for the service. That he was called out
at two different times to East Greenwich and stationed there over
two months (taking both times together) under Col. [Colonel] Christopher
Greene. From East Greenwich he was called to Bristol where
he served one month and was then relieved. Soon after returning
from Bristol he was summoned to Warwick and served there one month
under Col Waterman and that the greater part of the time he was there
Edward Knight was Captain. Soon after leaving Warwick he was drafted
to Providence and served there about one month. That the time of
this tour was just before the capture of Prescott by Barton. That he
afterwards served in Newport one month in Sullivans expedition and
was relieved a short time before the engagement there. Colonel Manton 
was the commanding officer of his troop and his son Edward
Manton was an officer in the company. He also served another
tour of one month at Newport under the same officers as before.
He also served one month at Bristol under the same Colonel Manton
He also served one month at Warwick as a substitute for his father
and was under Capt Edward Knight. Besides these tours he has
mentioned, he was out in service at several other times and places
but from the variety of times and places he cannot recollect them
all nor the names of all the officers he served under. He is 
positive he was out on Boston Neck nearly one month but does not
recollect the particular time. He served in Warren twice and nearly
one month at both times and He is positive that taking together all
the different times he served, it was more than two years.
Within a few years several persons have died who could have
testified to his services, among them the aforementioned Edward
Manton of [struck through: Providence] Johnston, Joseph Sayles Esq of Cranston, Thomas
Field of Cranston and many others.
He never held any office in the companies nor even received any
written discharge. Very few, if any, of our militia men ever received any
written discharges. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to any
pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name
is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State. Sworn to and
subscribed the day month and year aforesaid.
Witness Matthew Wente Clk
David Knight [signature]
Page 15

In this case an explanatory affidavit
has been sent to the J. office as to the length
of time [previous three words underlined] (all other objections having been formerly
obviated). Will the Clerk allow us much time
as is sufficiently established either by
the declaration or the affidavit &
reserve the rest for future proof
Dieter J. Pearce
[illegible: Mr. Planer?]

[next section written on the right in a different orientation]
Pension Declaration of
David Knight of
South Kingstown, Washington Co. R. I.
When this declaration or the
certificate is returned, please
direct to
Elisha R. Potter [?]
Kingston

10.397
Page 16

We Elisha R Potter and Thomas L Taylor residing in
said South Kingstown hereby certify that we are well acquainted
with David Knight who has signed and sworn to the aforesaid that we
believe him to be seventy six years of age, that he is reputed and
believed in the neighborhood where he belongs to have served as a
soldier in the Revolutionary War and that we concur in that
opinion. Sworn to and subscribed in open court the day aforesaid.
Witness Matthew Waite Clk
Elisha R Potter [signature]
Thos. L Taylor [signature]

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after investigating the
matter and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department,
that the aforesaid applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and
served as he states.  And the Court further certify that it appears
to them that Elisha R Potter and Thomas L Taylor who
have signed the above certificate are residents in the town
of South Kingstown, are persons of good character for truth
and veracity and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I Matthew Waite Clerk of the Supreme Judicial court do
hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings
of said court concerning the application of David Knight for a
pension  In Witness whereof I have hereto set my
hand ^& affixed the seal of [????] court
Witness Matthew Waite Clk
Page 17

The within named deponents
to wit [struck through: Samuel] William Mathewson,
Samuel Wight, and P[????] B[???]
[???ams] are to me all well known
and I certify that their characters
for truth and veracity are good
[Northampton?] Jany 25th, 1832
Dieter J. Pearce
Page 18

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. 21856 it appears
that David Knight was born August 29, 1756 in Scituate,
Rhode Island.
While a resident of his native town he enlisted
in 1775 and served at various times in short alternating
tours of one month each, about two years in all
during the Revolution, under Captain Edward Knight and
Colonels John Waterman, Christopher Greene and Manton
in the Rhode Island Militia and was in General Sullivan's
Rhode Island Expedition.
He also served four months on a Privateer under Captain
Isaac Jones, dates not stated.
After the Revolution he lived in said Scituate, in
Killingly, Connecticut, in Warwick, Exeter and Richmond,
Rhode Island and was allowed pension on his application
executed October 11, 1832 while a resident of South
Page 19

Kingston, Washington County, Rhode Island. He died
Juny 23, 1840.
It is not stated whether he was ever married.
Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 20

Supplemental Affidavit
of
David Knight for
a pension
date of certificate 16th
Mar. 1833 Certified No. 10 016
R. I
Page 21


Washington Co. The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations


On this fourth day of February AD 1833 personally appeared
before me Wilkins Updike Esquire one of the Justices of the Peace
within & for the County of Washington & State of Rhode Island and
after being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old
age and consequent of memory he cannot swear positively
as to the length of his service but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than two years as a private solider over and
above & in addition to the four months in which I was engaged
in privateering as stated in my application and for this service
I claim a pension
David Knight [signature]

State of Rhode Island
Washington Co-}
South Kingston February 4th 1833

Personally appeared the aforesaid David Knight
and before deposing as aforesaid was by me carefully cautioned examined and
sworn to [tell only?] the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth and then
gave the foregoing supplemental affidavit which was [illegible] to writing
by me in his presence & he signed the same in my presence  And I
further certify that said Knight is well known to me, that he
[illegible] a fair character for truth and that his affidavit is entitled
to full & implicit credit.
Wilkins Updike Just. Peace
Page 22

The state of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Washington [?]
I Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas within and for the County of Washington and state foresaid
do hereby certify that Wilkins Updike Esquire before whom
the preceding affidavit was taken & sworn to, is a 
Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Washington in
said state and that his signature thereto is his own proper
hand writing

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of
said Court this fourth day of February
in the year One thousand Eight Hundred
and thirty three

Sam. Helme Clk

[round seal covered with paper slip]
Page 23

Free

Edwards Esquire
Pension Office
Washington City

[illegible] RI
Jly 4.
Additional Document

David Knight
RI
Page 24

Dr [Dear] Sir
Inclosed I send the supplemental
affidavit of Mr. David Knight and any
further objection please [illegible: write this?] again
[illegible] will try to rectify it although difficult
as the applicants are genarally [generally] old men
Yours W Updike
Page 25

16. 997
David Knight

Private 1 year

$40-

[Illegible: found?] in an affidavit
upstairs

Hon. D. J. [?] Pearce
Newport R I
Page 26

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
David Knight 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? [Illegible - "No"?]
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension
he is entitled?
No
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
No
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 27

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary
service? [struck through: No]
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining
it?
[struck through: 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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who
administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? No
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under
his seal of office?
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?
Yes
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."
Page 28

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.
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 authenticated 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 end 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.
Page 29

Revolution
21 856
INVALID

File No. 21,856
David Knight

Am Rev War


Act June 1732"

Index:-Vol. 2, Page 225

[Arrangement of 1870]

1925 - Oct 10 - [?] to Mrs. Burton
A Crane Her letter [illegible]
238899 of Benj Knight [illegible]
Page 30

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

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME Knight, Elijah GRADE Private LINE Connecticut

WARRANT NUMBER 6047  
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED Sept. 4 1780 
to Ezekiel Case -



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.