Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30713, for Knight Sprague, Massachusetts
Page 1

Service 
Mass.
Sprague, Knight
Number S. 30713
Page 2

10.2.18
Massachusetts
Knight Sprague
of Worcester in the State of Mass
who was a Ens [Ensign] & Lt in the company commanded by Captain Lincoln of the Regt commanded
by Col Lincoln in the Mass
uni for 9 months Ensign
3 mo Lieutenant 
certificate issued in lieu
of the date June 27. 1833 (Cancelled)
Inscribed on the roll of Massachusetts 
at the rate of 130 dollars 00 cents per annum.
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of pension issued the 15th day of October (?) 1833 and sent Hon.
J. Davis Worcester Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $260.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th Sept " 65.00
$325.00
(Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832)
Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk,
Book E Vol. 2.00 Page 76
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21810
Knight Sprague
Mass
[words crossed out]
3 Do [months] Lieut.
9 " Ensign
Hon: J. Davis
Worcester
Mass
Page 4

Brief in the case of Knight Sprague
Co of Worcester in the State of Mass
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or Judge? open court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 92
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. Aug [symbol] In 1774
Duration of service. Years, Months, Days.
Length service not stated
Rank. As a ---
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen. Cap Lincoln

Period. April ...1775 
Duration of service.  9 Months
Rank. As a Ensign
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Col Lincoln

Period. 
1779
Duration of service. 3 Months 2 days
Rank. As a Lieutenant 
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Cap Wilson Col Denny
5. In what battles was he engaged? none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? (blank)
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditionary. documentary and two living witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
Length of service as a Minute Man not stated
[symbol] Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence 
in the case above mentioned.
  George Taylor
Examining Clerk. 
[symbol] Minute Man
Page 5

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Worcester, ss, 
 ON this fourteenth day of August in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty two -- personally appeared in open Court, before Hon Nathl Paine Judge Judge of the
Court of Probate, now sitting, Knight Sprague, a resident of Leicester in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged 92 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 7th 1832. 
THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That he, the said Sprague, was born March twenty fifth AD. 1740, at Hingham, County of Plymouth Massachusetts Commonwealth aforesaid, as it appears by the records of that town, where he resided until he was forty years of age, when  he removed to Spencer, County of Worcester, thence, after one year's residence, to Leicester aforesaid, where he has continued to reside until the present time. That he served as a minute man in the company of Capt. James Lincoln, of Hingham, from August A.D.  1774 to the next Spring and during that time was engaged in watching the motions of a British armed vessel. That towards the last of April A.D. 1775, he was elected ensign of the same company, in which he was regularly enlisted; that he served nine months at that time, where he was stationed near Hingham, Roxbury & Dorchester; that during this term he was appointed Lieutenant  of the same Company, in the Regiment of Col Benjamin Lincoln, under General Thomas. That he received no commission at that time. That in the month of October A.D. 1779, he received the commission of Second Lieutenant in the Company of Capt. Fra. Wilson, Regiment of Col Samuel Denny, and served three months at Albany. This commission he now forwards as evidence of his service. That Nathan Crage, of Spencer, was well acquainted with his having served during the first term, and that Abijah Crage, of Ward, acted as his waiter at Albany, both of whom are prepared to depose to the truth of the above declaration. That Hon. Nathl. P. Denny, of Leicester, son of Col Samuel Denny, is also traditionally acquainted with the facts of his services as stated above. 
He 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. 
  Knight Sprague
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
Nathl Paine, Judge of Probate for the county of Worcester
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We John Nelson a Clergyman residing in the town of Leicester, and Nathl P. Denny residing in the same town, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Lieut Knight Sprague, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be ninety two years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.

John Nelson
Nath'l Denny

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before Nathl Paine, Probate Judge, County of Worcester

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 mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that John Nelson, who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Leicester, and that Nath'l P Denny, who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

Nathl Paine, Probate Judge, County of Worcester

I Theophilus Wheeler Register, of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Knight Sprage for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 14th day of August in the year of our Lord 1832.

Theophilus Wheeler Register of Probate for the County of Worccester in Massachu

And I the said Register, of the said Court of Probate do further certify that Nath'l P Dennby before whom the annexed affidavits were made, was at the date then and now is a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Worcester and that the signature purporting to be the signature of his name is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Probate for the County aforesaid in Massachusetts and as an addition to my own certificate dates August 14, 1832, this eighth day of January in the year of our Lord 1833.

Theophs Wheeler Register of said County
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information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau 

Knight Sprague  S.30713

DATES  | LENGTH  |  RANK  |  OFFICERS  |  STATE

Aug. 1774  | Spring 1775  | Sgt & Ensign  | Capt James Lincoln, co of minute men  | Mass
Apr. 1775  | 9 mo's  | Ensign & Lieut  |  Capt James Lincoln | Col Benjamin Lincoln
Oct 21, 1779  | 3 mo's  | 2nd Lieut  | Capt Francis Wilson  | Col Samuel Denny

Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Hingham, Mass.
Date of application for pension, Aug 14, 1832; His cl was al (claim was allowed)
Residence at date of application, Leicster - Worcester Co -  Mass.
Age at date of application:  B Mch 23 1740 at Hingham, Plymouth Co Mass; d Jany 20 1836

Very respectfully,
Page 8

30713
Revy
INVALID
File No 30,713
Knight Sprague
Lieut Rev War
Act: June 7ty 32"
Index: vol 2, Page 395

 Arrangement of 1870

1912 May 11 Hist. to Elizabeth Sprague  V.L.M.
1921 Apr 11 Hist to Elbert Smith
Page 9

W

10313
Wilbur Avenue
May 5, 1912

To Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D.C.
 My dear Sir"
 Will you kindly send to me the Revolutionary War record of Knight Sprague Sr.  ? S 30713 & Anthony Sprague of Spencer, Mass.?
Also the record of John, & Peter R 8868
Roberts of Vt.? Peter was a lieutenant, & his father John a private. Also
Page 10

[handwritten] the record of Samuel Norcross
of Weston Mass. ?
Very sincerely,
Elizabeth Sprague,
10313 Wilbur Avenue,
Cleveland, Ohio.

D. A. R.
Western Reserve Chapter.
Page 11

[round stamp]
U.S. PENSION OFFICE MAY 7 1912
Page 12

Berton E. Nile
  President
Elbert Smith
  Vice-Pres't
Mortimer H. Alling
  Treasurer
J. Wistar Evans
  Secretary

Kessawayne Lumber Co.
Manufacturers of
Band Sawed Lumber
Waynesville, N.C.

 Waynesville, N.C. March 3, 1921.

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
  Could you kindly furnish me with the military record of Lieut Knight Sprague, from Hingham Massachusetts, soldier in the Revolutionary War, as set forth in his application for his pension?
  Also the military record of Ichabod Franklin, Revolutionary Soldier who enlisted at Winchester, N.H.?  These men were kinsman of mine and I would much appreciate your courteous reply.
Yours Truly,
Elbert Smith,
Waynesville, N.C.
Page 13

10.2.68
Massachusetts
Knight Sprague
of Worcester in the state of Mass
who was a  Prt Liet in the Company commanded
by Captain Lincoln in the Regt. commanded
by Cpt. Lincoln in the Mas
line for 9 months Private
3 months Lieutenant
inscribed in the roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of $70 dollars ____cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March,1831.

Certificate of Pension found the 27 day of March, 1833 and sent (?) John
Haris (?) 

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833  $140.00
Semi-anl. ending 4 Sept 1833            35.00
                                                               ------
                                                             $175.00
(Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7,1832)
Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk,
Book E  Vol 2  Page 7
Page 14

Geo Folsom
 Atty
Page 15

I, Knight Sprague of Leicester, in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, testify and say, in addition to my declaration, made to the War Department of the U.S for the purpose of obtaining a pension That in my first term of service mentioned in said declaration I served seven months as Sargent, and one month as Ensign, and in my second term mentioned in said declaration, I served eight months as Lieut. according to my best recollection.
I received no commission either as Ensign or as Lieut. as the authorities of the State dare not give any and no officers dare not issue any at this time.
                                 Knight Sprague
Worcester fr Jany 9th 1833.  Then the above names Knight Sprague made oath to the truth of the above  affidavit by him subscribed  before me
                                   North P. Denny Jus.Paiss.
I certify, that in my opinion, the above named Knight Sprague is a person, in whose veracity, confidence may be placed, and that he always has sustained, and has now sustain the character of a man of truth.
                                    North P. Denny,Jus.Paiss
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The Major Part of the COUNCIL of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England,
To Knight Sprague Gent. Greeting.
You being appointed Second Lieutenant of a company commanded by Francis Wilson in the Regiment of Militia where of Denny Esq. is Colonel; detached from the Brigade in the Counties of Middlesex & Worcester, agreeable to a Resolve of the General Court of the Ninth in {?} as a Reinforcement of the Continental Army in the Brigade where John Tellon, Esquire,
is Brigadier
By Virtue of the Power gifted in us, WE do by these Presents, (reposing Special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage, and good Conduct,) Commission you as accordingly--You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a 2n. Lieut. in leading, ordering and exercising said Company in Arms, both Inferior Officers and Soldiers; and to keep them in good Order and Discipline:  And they are hereby commanded to obey you as their Second Lieut. and you are yourself, to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall from Time to Time receive from the Major Part of the Council or your Superior Officers.
Given under our Hands, and the Seal of the said State, at Boston
the Twenty fifth Day of October in the Year of our Lord, 1779
by the Command of the
Major Part of the Council
John Tiany DLaeg (?)

Jers Powell
W T...
Artemas Ward
Walter Spooner
Moses Gillis
Jabez Fisher
B White
F Ma Dmille {?}
N Cushing
Oliver Prescott 
A J. Fuller
F Danielson
A giles
Geog Petty
Page 17

Payments to be made at Boston Mass
by the [Presof?] J B Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners in the Agency of Mass

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E? Vol. 2 Page 78 by D D Addison
Page 18

War Department
Revolutionary Claim
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United State of the 7th June, 1832, Knight Sprague of the State of Massachusetts who was a  Private and Lieutenant  in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Seventy dollars and cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1834, and payable semiannually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this Twenty Seventh day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty Three.
Lew Cap
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned}
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 19

Nathan Cragis and 
Alijah Cragis
Deposition
Page 20

Lieut. Knight Sprague
 Knight Sprague
 21810
Page 21

I Nathan Crage of Spencer, in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts testify and say, I was at Dorchester near Boston in September A.D. 1775, and there was Knight Sprague; he was there as a Lieut. in the eight months service.  I knew him as such by the eppaulett on his shoulder and by the declaration of many people to that effect.  I also know of his being in the service at Albany.
Nathan Crage
Worcester. August 14 1832  Then the above named Nathan Crage personally appeared and made oath.  The above deposition by him subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth.  Before me, Nathe P. Denny, Jus Pairs
I, Abijah Crage of Ward in the County of  Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, testify and say that I was in three months service at Albany in the year 1779 and served as waiter to Lieut. Knight Sprague during that term.
Abijah Craig
Worcester {?} August 1832.  Then the above named Abijah Craig personally appeared and made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth.  
Before me, Nathe P. Denny, Jus Pairs
I hereby certify that the aforesaid Dependents are in my opinion, men of truth and are so  considered by their neighbours, & by all who are acquainted with them.
Nath. P
Page 22

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
12-9-41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Name  Sprague,Lazarus
Grade ? (Booktorn)
Line  New York  
WARRANT NUMBER  7742
ACREAGE  100
ISSUED  September 27, 1790 to Jacob ? Booktorn
*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, 1800.  Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.