Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16910, for William Knapp, Connecticut
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Conn Knapp, William S.16910
Carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

Connecticut No 28,315
William Knapp
Stamford in the State of Connecticut
he was a private in the [illegible] commanded
by Captain Webb of the Regt  commanded 
by Col Mead in the Connecticut
for 17 months 5 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
the rate of 57 Dollars 21 Cents per annum,
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of May
1834 and
L. H. Minor, Stamford Ct
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1834. 171.63
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept " 28.60
$200.23
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk
Book E.2 Vol. Page 23
Page 3

State of Connecticut}
County of Fairfield} ss. Stanford Probate District
On this 21st day of December 1833 personally appeared in open Court
before the Court of Probate for said District,
now sitting
William Knapp a resident of Stamford
in the County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, aged seventy seven years
who being first 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: viz. In the summer of 1775 he was an apprentice
to Peter Knapp of said Stamford & his master was drafted to
go to New York as a Private in Capt. Nathl. Webbs Company
in Col John Meads Regt & the said Peter Knapp sent
This declarant as his substitute & he went to New York
and served as a private under the said Capt Webb from
harvest time which he believes was the 15th of July until
the month of March 1776 as he believes as late as this 20th
but of the day of the month he is not certain whilst in New York
he quartered in the Barracks. He was dismissed & returned
to Stamford & his master gave him his time. In the month of
April 1776 he was drafted to go to New York under Capt Thomas
Smith - Samuel Smith was his Lieut under this draft he
went to New York & served as a private for three months &
was dismissed a few days before the British took possession of
the City & returned to Stamford - In 1778 I was drafted & served
as private in Capt Charles Smiths company of [illegible] in
the village of Stamford for the term of four months viz, from
the 10th of May to the 10th of Sept the precise dates I am not
positive but believe the above to be correct, I know I served in this
Season as much as four months on the 6th of October 1780 I was drafter
to serve under Capy. Thos Smith, Samuel Smith was his lieut
under this draft I served as a private at the Saw Pitts & at Horseneck
the 1st of March 1781 Col. John Mead had the Command of
all the drafted men from this State at the time, as I understood it.
In the fall of the year 1781 I live the 15th of October 1781 I was
drafted to save for three months & served as a Private under
said draft at the [illegible],  the state of New York & at Horseneck
for the term of three months which expired as I believe on the
15th Jany 1782 I served under this last draft in Capt Thomas Smiths
Company & Saml Smith was his Lieut. The whole of the
services were continuous & performed in the field & I was engaged
in no other business for the time being than that of a Solder I never    
received a written discharge to my recollection. I was born in
Stamford on the 2nd day of Jany 1757 as my parents have told me
Page 4

Wm. Knapps [illegible]
30,850
Admit as a private
17 mo 5 days 57.21
Hon. S H Minor
Page 5

I have no record of my age I have allways resided in Stamford & lived
there when first called into service. I know of no person living who
served with in within of the drafts [illegible] states the name of all [illegible]
[illegible] can recollect no continental in
[illegible] in Regiments more than he has stated nor can he [illegible]
[illegible] particular circumstances of the service
therefor to Revd. Daniel Smith of Stanford & S H Minor of the same
place who will testify as to his character for veracity & as to their belief
of his service as a soldier in the army of the revolution
The said William Knapp 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,
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. William Kemp His X mark
John Hawley Judge
We, Daniel Smith a clergyman, residing in the town of Stamford
and S H Minor residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well
acquainted with William Knapp who has subscribed and sworn to the above
declaration; that we believe him to be seventy seven 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.
Daniel Smith
S H Minor
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Chs. Hawley Judge
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 the Revd Daniel Smith who has signed the
preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Stamford in Connecticut
and that Simon H Minor who also signed the same, is a resident in
the town of Stamford aforesaid and is a credible person, and that their statement
is entitled to credit.
Chs Hawley Judge
I, Clerk of the
do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the
matter of the application of for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of
Office, this day of 1832.
Page 6

I Samuel Lockwood Clerk of the Court of
Probate for Stamford District in Connecticut
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the
original proceedings of the said Court in the
matter of the applicant of William Knapp for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand & seal of office this 26th day of Apr
1834
Samuel Lockwood Clk
Wm Knapp
30.850
Admit as private
7 mo 5 days  57.21
Hon S H Minor
Page 7

State of Connecticut}
Lanfield County} ss Stamford April 5th 1834
Personally appeared before me the
Inscriber a Notary Public within & for said County
Col Samuel Dean of said Stamford who being first
duly sworn Testifies & says that he is well acquainted with
William Knapp of said Stamford who has signed & sworn to the
foregoing declaration & has been acquainted with him from
his childhood. He knows that said Knapp was in the service
in 1775 as Deponent believes, it was the time when Capt
Nathl Webb commanded a Company of Militia in the
9th Regt & he know that said Knapp was serving as a
private in said Webbs Company in New York how long
said Knapp served at this time deponent does not know
The Deponent further testifies that in the year 1778 there
was an [illegible] in a Company of State Troops called
[illegible] commanded by Capt Charles Smith Stated in said Stamford & he well remembers
that the said Knapp was an enlisted soldier & served in
the same company but for how long deponant does
not know as deponent by permission enlisted out of said
Smiths Company unto the standing army & he left said
Knapp doing duty in said Smiths Company
Samuel Dean
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year
above mentioned & I further certify
Samuel Dean the above deponent
is a Credible person in testimony of
all which I have hereunto subscribed
my name & affixed my official seal
SH Miner Notary Public
Page 8

State of Connecticut}
Fairfield County} ss Stamford April 25th 1834
Personally appeared before me the
Subscriber a Notary Public within & for said County
Sarah Smith wife of Joseph Smith of said Stamford
who being first duly sworn on her oath says that
she is well acquainted with William Knapp who has [illegible]
& sworn to the foregoing declaration & has been acquainted 
with him from her childhood. Her Father was a Capt of
Militia during the Revolutionary War. He frequently served
order from Col. Mead to call out his company or a portion of these for
one, two or three months at a time & she believes on some
[illegible] for a longer period-- The said Knapp made it his
home at her fathers when not on duty for the last three or
four years of the war & she knows that the said Knapp used to
go with her Father when he was drafted. he was a favorite with
her father as he had allways lived with him til he went to
learn his trade. she [illegible] been when
her fathers company
lay at Horseneck they fell short of provisions her Father sent  
the said Knapp home to her mother to get a supply she
cannot tell in what year this happened nor can she tell the particular
date of any of the services of the said Knapp  but well remembers
he was frequently out on a draft under her Father. She was fourteen
years old at the close of the War
Sarah Smith
Sworn & Subscribed the day
& year above mentioned I further
Certify the above Deponent Sarah
Smith is a credible person in
Testimony of all which I have subscribed
my name & affixed my
official Seal 
SH Minor Notary Public
Page 9

September 30, 1933
William Knapp -  S.18910
Honorable Fritz G. Lanham
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.
My dear Mr. Lanham:
The data furnished herein were obtained from
the papers on file in pension claim, S18910,
based
upon the Revolutionary War service of William Knapp.
He was born January 2, 1757 in Stamford, Fairfield 
County, Connecticut, the names of his parents
not stated.
While working as an apprentice to Peter Knapp
(no relationship shown) of Stamford, Connecticut,
William Knapp served as a substitute for said Peter
Knapp, from July 17, 1775 until in March, 1776 as
private in Captain Nathaniel Webb's company, Colonel
John Mead's Connecticut regiment. William Knape continued 
to serve as private in the Connecticut troops,
as follows- from April, 1776, three months in Captain
Amos Smith' company; from May, 1778, four months
in Captain Charles Smith's company; from October 1,
1780 until March, 1781 in Captain Smith's company; from
October 15, 1781, three months in Captain Smith's company. 
Much of his time was as a guard at Stamford.
The soldier, William Knapp, was allowed pension
on his application executed December 1, 1833, then a
resident of Stamford, Connecticut, where he had always
lived.
it is not stated that the soldier ever married.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of
Page 10

pension, the name and address to whom sent, and
possibly the date of death of the pensioner, William
Knapp, you should apply to the Comptroller General,
Central Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, 
D.C., citing all of the following data
William Knapp
Certificate No. 28315
Issued May 5, 1834
Rate 57.21 per annum
To commence March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Connecticut Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
Page 11

16910
INVALID.
16.910
File No. 16.910
William Knapp
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index:-Vol. 1, Page 311
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1933 Sept 30 Hist to Hon. Fritz
[illegible]
Page 12

Form 3229
15 - 465 
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
MEMORANDUM
From Director of Pensions Date September 25, 1933
To Mr. Black, Chief Clerk
Subject REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS,
Information in certain cases
as listed.
Mrs. Finch, Room 1851, Navy Bldg.
The attached communication from Hon. Fritz G. Lanham regarding
subject matter is referred for your consideration and reply. Mr.
Lanham's letter has been acknowledged.
E W Morgan
E. W. MORGAN
3 att.
Page 13

September 30, 1933
BA-J/AWF
Honorable Fritz G. Lanham
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.
My dear Mr Lanham:
Reference is made to your letter of September
22, with copy of letter from Mr. A. A. McSweeny, Stephenville, 
Texas, attached, in which he request the
records of sixteen Revolutionary War soldiers, with
surnames Knapp, Webb and Weed of Fairfield County,
Connecticut.
The demand for Revolutionary War data is great
and the clerical force available for furnishing
information in regard to soldiers of that war, is
limited, consequently, it has not been possible to
comply with each request, which requires so much
time and research.
A search of the Revolutionary War record has
been made and no claims for pension or bounty land
found based upon service of a Benjamin Webb of Fairfield 
County, Connecticut, or of Gilbert Webb, Timothy
Knapp, Joel Weed or Silas Weed. Such claims are
the source of Revolutionary War data furnished by
this office.
The record of one soldier with each surname is
furnished herewith, as found in the respective claims
for pension based upon service in the Revolutionary
War.
It will interest Mr. McSweeny to know that if
he should be in this city at some future time, he
may examine in collect data from Revolutionary War
Page 14

pension claims, in accordance with office regulations,
by calling at this office, or some one designated by
him may do this research for him.
Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
Page 15

SEVENTY-THIRD CONGRESS
FRITZ G. LANHAM, TEX., CHAIRMAN
EDWARD B. ALMON, ALA. J. WILL TAYLOR, TENN
JOHN H. KERR, N. C. GALE H. STALKER, N.Y.
EUGENE B. CROWE, IND. GARDNER R. WITHROW, WIS.
BEN CRAVENS, ARK. ALFRED M. WALDRON, PA.
OTHA D. WEARIN, IOWA WILLIAM I. TRAEGER, CALIF.
CLAUDE E. CADY, MICH.
WILBUR L. ADAMS, DEL.
KATHRYN O'LOUGHLIN MCCARTHY, KANS.
STEPHEN M. YOUNG, OHIO
ROBERT L. RAMSAY: W.
J. MARK WILCOX, FLA.
EDWARD R. BURKE, NEBR.
LEO KOCIALKOWSKI, ILL.
J. BUELL SNYDER, PA.
ALBERT W. WOODS, CLERK
Miss Lubsky
Congress of the United States
Committer on Public Buildings and Grounds
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
September 22, 1933.
Attention: Miss Staples.
Hon. E. W. Morgan,
Director, Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Morgan:
I am enclosing herewith a copy of a self-explanatory letter from Mr. A. A. McSweeny, John
Tarleton Agricultural College, Stephenville, Texas.
You will note he wishes to get the Pension Department
records of the gentlemen whose names he gives in the
letter. Please let me know if you can give him the
information he requests.
Very sincerely yours,
Fritz G. Lanham
Page 16

September 25, 1933
Hon. Fritz G. Lanham
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.
My dear Mr. Lanham:
Receipt is acknowledged of your letter of the 22nd instant,
with which you forwarded a letter from Mr. A. A. McSweeny, John
Tarleton Agricultural College, Stephenville, Texas.
As Mr. McSweeny's letter refers to Revolutionary War
veterans, your inquiry has been referred to the proper Service for
consideration and reply,
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN
Director of Pensions
Page 17

September 25, 1933
Director of Pensions
Mr. Black, Chief Clerk
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS. MB
Information in certain cases
as listed. Mrs. Finch, Room 1851, Navy Bldg.
The attached communication from Hon. Fritz G. Lanham regarding
subject matter is referred for your consideration and reply. Mr.
Lanham's letter has been acknowledged.
E. W. MORGAN
3 att.
Page 18

September 25, 1933
Director of Pensions
Mr. Black, Chief Clerk
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS MB
Information in certain cases
as listed. Mrs. Finch, Room 1851, Navy Bldg.
The attached communication from Hon. Fritz G. Lanham regarding
subject matter is referred for your consideration and reply. Mr.
Lanham's letter has been acknowledged.
E. W. MORGAN
3 att.
Page 19

COPY
Sept. 15th, 1933.
Hon. Fritz Lanham, M. C.
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Lanham:
I am anxious to get the War Department and the
Pension Department records of the following Revolutionary 
War veterans of Fairfield County, Connecticut:
Jabez Weed Benjamin Webb
Joel Weed Sent David Webb
Seth Weed, Lieut. Ebenezer Webb
Jared Weed Gilbert Webb
Silas Weed, Corp. Timothy Knapp
Charles Weed Sent William Knapp
James Weed Jacob Knapp
Sent Abishai Weed
Stephen Weed
I am unfamiliar with the departments and do not know who to approach for this information. If it
would not be presuming, too much, upon your time and
good nature will you request this information for me.
Thanking you in advance for your kindness, I am
Sincerely yours,
( S. ) A. A. McSweeny,
Head of Math. Dept.