Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32368, for Thomas Knighten, South Carolina
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE  S. C.  Va
Knighton Thomas
NUMBER S 32368

CONTENTS
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Illinois 13402

Thomas Knighten of St Clair Co. in the State of Illinois who was a Private and Capt. of the Co. commanded by Captain Moore of the Regt commanded by Col Kingston in the South Carolina 
line & Va. line for 8 mos
5. mo private 16.67
3  " Sergeant 15.--
__
8   31.67

Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois at the rate of 31 Dollars 67 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of July 1833 and sent to A. W. Edwards Bellevile St. C. Co. Illinois

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833.  63.34
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep 33 15.83
$79.17

Revolutionary Claim,
June 7, 1832.

Recorded by  Wm R. Palmer
Book E Vol. 8 page 58

[sideways]
Sept 3 1833. Certif altered from Knight to Knighten and returned as directed on the other side and the Agent informed of it
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8.231.
Thomas Knighton
Illinois 13403

Adm 8 months
3 months thereof as Sergeant

A W Edwards
Agent
Belleville St. Clair Co
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BRIEF in the case of Thomas Knighton
County of St Clair in the State of Illinois
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 79
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
In 1780 drafted 
1st July 1781 drafted discharged last of October

Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days.
length of service not specified
about 3 months

Rank.
As a private and first Sergeant,

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen.
Cap Moore Col Knighton Maj Bloomquist
Capt Green Col Alcock

5. In what battles was he engaged? at the siege of Charleston
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Craven Co South Carolina
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? the papers are defective as to periods and length of service

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
George Taylor
Examining Clerk.
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State of Illinois and St Clair County
On this the thirteenth day of September and in the year 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Court Commissioners Court of St Clair County and State of Illinois now sitting. Thomas Knighten a resident of St Clair Co and State aforesaid, aged 79 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 named officers, and served as herein stated Moore Captain, Lieut. Brownfield, Major William Rice and Col. Singleton and under Gen Lincoln That he was born on the 22d March, 1753 in Caroline County and State of Virginia, that he entered into service in the month of February and in the year 1782. That he was sent [?] Craven County (now called Trumple district South Carolina, that he continued in service until may four months from the time he entered; that
he went as a drafted man; that he was at the siege of Charleston when Gen Lundy [?] surrendered to the British; that he rendezoused at the place called the Gual Savannah, thence he marched to [illegible], thence to Orangeburgh, thence to the Two Sisters in Savannah [illegible] and whilst stationed at the other place was appointed Sergeant, thence to Bacon bridges, thence to Charleston that he was discharged at Charleston and that in consequence of the surrender of all the troops Gen Lincoln's received received any discharge; that he was acquainted with Col. Sumpter afterwards Gen. That he afterwards entered into into service the second time about the 1st of July 1781, and was at the living in Culpeper County, Virginia , That he was drafted and served under Capt William Gunn [?]
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Major Williams, Col Alcock, and under Wayne
that he marched from Culpeper to Spartanburg and County, thence to New Kent County, since Henrico, thence to York that he was at the siege of York which took me about the 19th of October 1781 that before he reached York he was ordered in the Commissary's guard, Gen Washington was Commander in Chief that when Lord Cornwallis surrendered that he remembers of seeing Genl. Lafayette.
after that he was discharged sometime [?] of October,
and received his discharge [illegible] to pay for his time in Army [illegible] that he moved afterwards to S Carolina and thence to North  Carolina
and thence Illinois where he now resides. further states that has a copy record of his age from his Father prayer book he is known in the neighborhood  [illegible]
by Reverend Rev Thomas Pulliman and others who 
believe that he has been a revolutionary soldier he has
no documentary evidence
and that he knows of
no person, whose testimony
he can procure to
who can testify to his service.
He hereby [illegible]
 every claim whatever to a pension or annuity
except the [illegible] and declares that his name is not
on the pension role of the agency any state.
Thomas Knighten  Mark
Sworn to
and subscribed the day & year afore
John Hayler
We Thomas
We Thomas Pulliam clergyman residing in the County of St Clair & State of Illinois
the same hereby certify that
we are well acquainted with Thomas Knighten, who
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has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy nine 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.
Thomas Pulliam
John Rea [signatures]

Sworn and subscribed the day year aforesaid
John Hayle

And the said Court has hereby reached a conclusion 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 Thomas Pulliam who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in St. Clair County Illinois, and that John Rea who has also signed the same is a resident 
in the same, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I John Hay Clerk of the County Commissioners Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Knighten for a pension

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my office this thirteenth day of September in the year of our Lord  Eighteen hundred and thirty two
John Hay CCC ?

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for the County of St Clair and State of Illinois Thomas Knighton who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear position
rely 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
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grades; the first time I entered the service to wit in the month of February 1780 for one month I service as a private and three months I served as a first Sergeant, making altogether four months - I afterwards entered into service about the first of July 1781 and at this time for four months I served as a private and including both tours mentioned in my declaration above, for three months I served as a first sergeant and for five months served as a private and for such services I claim a pension.
Thomas X Knighten his mark [signature]

at St. Clair County and State of Illinois May the 2nd 1833-

Sworn to & subscribed before me this 2 May 1838
John Ward Justice of the Peace

[upside down]
pension petition of Thomas Knighten

[right side up]
State of Illinois
St Clair County S.S.
I John Hay Clerk of the County Commissioners Court of the said County of Clair (and Ex officio Recorder of civil commission) do hereby certify that John Ward Esquire the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate was at the time of executing the same an acting Justice of the Peace of said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and to all such his official acts, full faith and credit are and ought to be given
-
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court at Belleville this Eighth day of May in the year four Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the fifty Seventh
John Hay CCCCS??
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1, 37368.
L. W. B.

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.

Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.

O W. & N. DIV. REVOLUTIONARY.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
July 20th, 1901,

Hon. George L. Shoup, 
United States Senate.

Sir,
In compliance with your request of this date I have the honor to inform you that Thomas Knighton, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, made an application for pension on September 13th, 1832, at which time he was 79 years of age and residing in St. Clair County, Ills., Pension
was allowed him for eight months' service as a private and sergeant in said war.

His application shows that he was born March 22nd, 1833, in Caroline County, Virginia; that he first entered the service February 1780, at which time he was residing in Craven County (now called Sumter County) South Carolina, and served in Capt. Moore's Company, Col. Knighton's Regiment, until May following; that during this term of service he participated in the siege of Charleston. That he again entered the service in July 1781, at which time he was living in Culpepper County, Virginia, and served under Capt. Greene and Col. Alcock, and served until sometime in October following: that during this term he participated in the siege of Yorktown.

The papers on file in this Bureau do not show place and date of death

Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
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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 Thomas Knighten which require further proof or explanation.

1. 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 amout of pension he is entitled? No. first period of service
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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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? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining 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? yes
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?
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 _____ 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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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 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
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.
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32368
Revy INVALID
File No. S. 32,368
Thomas Knighten
Segt Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index:  Vol. D, Page 226
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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July 20 1901
Hist to Hon G. L. Shoup uss
1913 June 9 Tombstone data to one date
Mrs. E. Gillham J.L.M.
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Commissioner of Pensions
Dept. of Interior
Dear Sir
Can you please give me the Military history of these two men who drew pensions
while living in St Clair Co Illinois? (Rev. Soldiers)
Hosea Riggs
Thomas Knighten

I want them in behalf of the D. A. R. of Illinois, as we are locating & marking all graves of Rev. Soldiers buried in our state-

Respectfully
Mrs. E.L. Gilliam
R. R 6
Edwardsville, Ill
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Rev. War Section.
June 9, 1913.

Mrs. E. L. Gillham,
R. R. & 6.
Edwardsville, Ills.

Madam:
In reply to your undated letter received the 31"" ultimo, you are furnished the following data in regard to Revolution War pensioners requested.

Hosea Rigg, S. File No. 32, 483, Pennsylvania troops, born April 4, 1759, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, date of death not filed. He was a resident of St. Clair County, Illinois. in 1832. 

Thomas Knighton, Sur. File No. 32,368, South Carolina and Virginia troops, born March 22, 1753, in Carolina County, Virginia , died September 3, 1825. He was a resident of St. Clair
County, Illinois, in 1832.

Very respectfully.
G.M. Saltzgaber
Commissioner.
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Belleville St. Clair Co Ill
18 August 1833

Dear Sir

I had the honour sometime since to forward to your department Thomas Knighten's application
for a pension, which was returned with some brief objections to his obtaining a pension - The declaration was amended according to the enclosed instructions from your department. A few days since I received the enclosed directed to myself, but perceive a mistake in the same instead of being Thomas Knighten It is written Thomas Knight-- as I have made no such application, I presume there must have been a mistake which I trust you will have corrected as soon as possible-

Very Respectfully
Yours [illegible]
Simon W. Edwards

J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
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[envelope]
Belleville Ill
15 May   Free

James L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

[sideways]
May 27
Illinois
Act
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Belleville 11th May 1836

Dear Sir
I have the honor to enclose Thomas Knighten Declaration upon an application for a pension which has been amended according to the within instructions from your Department - the only objection Marked in red ink, as you will perceive from The Returned instructions, has been satisfactorily answered.

Very Respectfully
Your obt st
Simon T Edwards

J. L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions