Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6030, for John Knight, North Carolina
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
N.C.		R. 6030
Knight, John
Sarah
CONTENTS
Page 2

Declaration		(No 1)

In order to obtain the benefit of the 3rd
Section of the Act of Congress of the 4th
July, 1836.
The Commonwealth of Kentucky}
Christain County} ss:
On this 9th day of September 1843
personally appeared before the undersigned
William A Sims a Justice of the [peace:crossed-out] County Court for
the County aforesaid, which is a Court of Record, Sarah Knight, of the
County of Christain, and Commonwealth,
Aforesaid, aged about Eighty nine years
who being first duly sworn according to Law
doth on her Oath make the following
declaration in Order to obtain the benefit
of the provision made by the Act of
Congress passed July 4th 1836. That she
is the widow of John Knight, who was a
Captain in the Militia Service during the
Revolutionary War. and that he continued
in the Service from the battle of Gilford [sic] untill
the close of the War. he was in that mem
-orable battle – Col. Washington being his com
-mander on that day. during the time of his ser
-vice he was engaged in Hundry[?] battle, with the
Tories, in the State of North Carolina more
particularly at a battle fought at a place 
called John Needhams, under the command
of Col.s Colyer & Belford, & Dugan being
Major + at another engagement at a place called
Mike Lawleys under the same officers-- and again
at Caraway River North Carolina where he received
a wound in the head through which a Silk
Hankerchief was drawn.
She further declares that she was married
to the said John Knight during the War.
Page 3

perhaps in the year 1775. that her Husband the
aforesaid John Knight, left the State of Kentucky
in the year 1825, for the purpose of visiting
his friends in the State of North & South Carolina
& Georgia, during which visit he departed this
life, and that she has remained a widow
ever since that period as will more fully ap
-pear by reference[sic] to the proof hereto annexed
Sworn to and Subscribed}
On the day and year above} Sarah Knight herXmark
Written before
William A. Sims J.P.
I do certify that I have been acquainted with
the above Sarah Knight for the span
of twenty years or more- that I have every
confidence in her as a woman of truth and
respectability, that she is now advanced in years
and unable to do manual labor for the purpose
of procuring her maintenance. She reside twenty
miles from the Seat of Justice, of this County
and could not, without great inconvenience
& bodily pain attend court. Given under my
Hand this 9th day of Sept.  
(No 5684)              William A. Sims J.P.

This day came F.P. Pennington aged 60 years.
who declares on Oath that he has been acquainted
with the above named Sarah Knight for forty
five years Last past. that he believes her to
be a woman of truth that She is the widow
of Captain John Knight of Revolutionary [illegible]
[word crossed out] that the said John Knight left this County
between fifteen & twenty years ago, to visit the Rates
of N. & S. Carolinas as I was informed, and never
returned & I believe him to be dead
Page 4

given under my hand this 9th day Sept 1842
				F.P. Pennington

Sworn to and subscribed}
to before me- 9th Sept 1842}  /s/ William A. Sims J.P.

Be it remembered that on this 9th day of Sept
1844 came Joseph Newton aged 82 years who
deposeth & saith that he was well acquainted
with Capt. John Knight, that he was in the
War of the Revolution, with the said Knight, that
he resided in the same neighborhood of the said
Knight in North Carolina, and was present
at the time of his intermarriage with Sarah
Wade[?] who is now the widow of the said Capt.
John Knight, & that they were married during the war.
Sworn to and subscribed}        /s/ Joseph Newton hisXmark
to before me this 9th Sept 1842}
/s/ William A. Sims, J.P.

Be it remembered that on this 9th day of Sept
1842 came William Crabtree aged about 85.
years who deposeth & saith that he was well
acquainted with Capt. John Knight in the State of
North Carolina, that they entered into the
Service of the United States during the Revolution
ary War. that this deponent was a Sargent in
said Knight Company, that while in the service
the said John Knight, intermarried with Sarah
Wade & this deponent, had to leave the Company
to wait upon the said John Knight at his wedding
that he saw the Marriage Ceremony performed
and that the said Sarah is now the Widow
of the sd[?] Capt. John Knight
Sworn to and subscribed} 
/s/ William Crabtree hisXmark
William A. Sims J.P.
Page 5

[illegible]
Commonwealth of Kentucky}
Christain County} ss:
The deposition of William Crabtice aged 85
Years taken for the purpose of procuring a
pension of Mrs Sarah Knight Widow and [illegible]
of Capt. John Knight Dec. this deponent being
first Sworn deposeth & saith, that he entered
the Service of the United States, during the Revo
-lutionary war. in the State of North Carolina
that he joined the company of Capt. Knight
as a Seargant[sic], that he was with the sd Knight
at the battle fought at John Needhams with
the Tories he was also with him at the battle
at Mike Lawleys- where he took three Tory pris
oners and again at a battle fought on the waters
of Caraway River where the Sd Capt. Knight was
dangerously wounded in the head, at which
engagement. I had a brother taken prisoner by
them who made his escape & in the escape was
wounded we were commanded by Col. Colyer
& Belford & Majr Dugan, that the sd Capt. Knight 
Was in the service, as this deponent well knows
of his own knowledge from the time of the
battle at Gilford[sic] Court House N. Carolina, to
the close of the war, they were in many small
engagements than those above stated, as the state
of N. Carolina was greatly harassed by the
Tories, which made the Service very severe [illegible]
all those who were engaged in that war
Sworn to & subscribed to}
before me this 9th Sep 1842}  /s/ William Crabtree hisXmark
Page 6

State of Kentucky}
County of Christian}

Personally appeared before the undersigned, an acting Magistrate
in and for said County Sarah Knight, a resident of said County, aged
84 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath,
depose and say: That she is the widow of the late John Knight
who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary war, from Randolph County
North Carolina. That when the war first begun in the South, (she is
informed in the year 1779) that said John Knight had some little
dispute and difficulty with his family relations and he run off
from home and entered said service at headquarters. she does not
know where headquarters were, being quite young and paying no
attention to such things, neither does he know the names of his
officers, and continued in said service untill the fall of the year
before the battle of Guilford, when he returned home.
And she further saith that said Knight often told her that
he was in the States of South Carolina and Georgia. that he
was sometimes at Charleston and sometimes at Savannah
that he was marched about nearly all over those States
and continued in that service untill his return home
as above mentioned. This affiant knows nothing about
this service except what her husband told her, except
also that she knows of his long absence from the neigh
-bourhood and that report said he was with the Army
in the South. She further saith that soon after his
return from the Army of the South that he was elected
or made Captain of a Militia Company in Randolph
County and that he commanded said company at the
battle of Guilford. that after said battle he continued
in command of said Company and was engaged in
operating against and keeping in check the Tories
in the Counties of Randolph, Guilford, Montgomery and
down about Fayetteville and among the Sand Hills
that he had three skirmishes with the Tories to wit at
Caraway River, where he was wounded in the head, at a
mans house named Kneedham and at a man's called
Solley’s, both of whom lived down towards the Sand Hills
she further saith that she recollects the names of
Captain Edward Williams, William Searcy, William
York and John Hill, who were also Militia officers
against the Tories from the same Section of country
Page 7

and who commanded separate[sic] companies and
Cooperated with Capt. John Knight in waging
war against the Tories under the command of
Fannin and Walker and Sanders all of the latter
of whom were Tory Captains. She further states
that said Knight was commanded by Major
Thomas Dugan and Col. Andrew Belfour and
James Collyer. She states further that said John
Knight was engaged as above stated in defending
the people from the Tories, from early in the year
prior to the battle of Guilford, untill the war ended
in the year 1782, and that she remembers distinctly
that he was out actively engaged in said service
for seven different and distinct tours of three
months each, making in the aggregate twenty
one months. She saith that her recollection
does not enable her to specify the exact and
precise date of any of said tours. She can only
say that he had command of a company some
time before the battle of Guilford and he contin-
-ued in said command for seven distinct periods
of three months each. She further saith that
she has frequently heard him say that while he
was with the Southern Army in South Carolina
and Georgia that he was promoted from a
private to a Sergant[sic] and then a Lieutenant.
She states that said John Knight and herself
were raised in the same neighbourhood and that
he was seven years older than herself-- that
she was married to the said John Knight in
the County of Randolph North Carolina in the
month of June subsequent to the battle of
Guilford, to wit, in June one thousand seven
hundred and eighty one. There was “cider”
made out of early June apples at the marriage
makes her think it was June. She was married
at the age of eighteen making her present age
84 years, by Capt. Edward Williams, who was a
Magistrate in said County, as well as Captain and
that she was married by the publication upon three
separate days of the “Banns” by a minister of the
Page 8

name of Richard Shackleford at a meeting
House within a mile and a half of her home
That John Knight was then commanding a company
and that he had a number of his men with him at
the wedding, among whom were William Crabtree
and Joseph Newton and that the house was well
guarded during the festival which continued
two days and then said Knight rejoined his main
company again. That said Knight, when his company
was near, would sometimes stealthily visit her
and when he did so, at the approach of night
he had to take a bed and lie in some concealed
place untill morning and thus it continued
untill the end of the war.
She further saith that some years after the war
they moved to the State of Tennessee on Red River
and whilst living there their house was burnt
down and all their paper destroyed - that his com
mission as Captain and the Bible record of the
marriage and his other Discharges were all
burnt with the house. She states that she has
seen his Commission as Captain and his other
Discharges frequently-- that previous to their
destruction her husband frequently exhibited
them to the people. She saith that said Knight
left this state some twenty four years ago
to go to North Carolina and Georgia in order
to hunt up evidence to establish his claim to
a pension and that he died while absent.
And further that she has been informed that there are
contradictions in the several declarations now on file
in the Pension office touching the date of her marri-
age and her age. She would respectfully state that
if there are such contradictions in her former Declara-
tions, that the fault is with the persons who wrote
them out- that she has made but one statement and
stated the same thing every time - that she has but
little knowledge of dates and now that she is
very old and infirm she can only remember
[word crossed out] when a thing happened by some
Page 9

remarkable event that transpired near the
same time. She makes the foregoing statement
as an amendment to her former Declarations for
a pension And further saith not
Sworn to & signed before}
me this 18th day of February 1847} /s/ Sarah Knight herXmark
/s/ W.B. Clark, J.P. 

I certify that I am well acquainted with the above
Affiant, old Mrs. Knight and I have the utmost confidence
in her truth. I do not be live that she would state what was
untrue for any consideration and that the above statement is
entitled to full faith and credit Given under my hand
this 18th February 1847.
/s/ W.B. Clark J.P.

Commonwealth of Kentucky}
County of Christian, to wit}
I Abraham Stiles
the Clerk of the County Court of Christian County
aforesaid which is a Court of record do certify
that William B. Clark Gentleman whose name
appears to the foregoing certificate was at the time
of making the same and is now an acting Justice
of the peace in and for the said County duly
commissioned and qualified, that full faith is
due to his official acts and that his signature
appears to be genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereto
set my hand and affixed my seal
of office the 19th day of February
in the year of our Lord 1847 and in
the 45th year of the Commonwealth
attest /s/ Abram Stiles
Page 10

[envelope or outer wrapping]
Dec 20 42
pension
paper
Sarah Knight
[addressed to]
Honorable John C. Spencer
Secretary of War
City of Washington
Page 11

State of Kentucky} SS
County of Christian}
On this day of December
Eighteen hundred & forty two, personally appeared
before the undersigned, a Judge of the County
Court for Christian County being a Court of
record, Sarah Knight a resident of Christian
County Kentucky aged- Seventy nine years who
being first duly sworn according to Law
doth on her Oath make the following amend
=ment to her Declaration in Order to obtain the
benefit of [multiple words crossed out] the provisions
of the 3rd Section of the Act of Congress passed
July 4th 1836.
She would further state that her late
husband Capt John Knight, did in addi-
=tion to the service set forth & proven
in her former Declaration, to which this
is an amendment, says[?}, as she verily believes
and in part, well knows a full tour of 
five years, in the regular Army prior
to his services as Capt as set forth and
proven as above stated in which service,
a part of the time he acted as Lieutenant
as she always understood from him, whether
he had a commission in the regular Army
she does not now recollect, but she well
recollects. that he had a discharge or dis
=charges, but as stated in her former
Declaration, were all consumed by fire
as well as his commissions. She would further
State she well recollects seeing what her late
Husband called his commissions & discharges
but not being a Scholar, or any part of
one she did not read them, though she
Page 12

distinctly recollects the papers, but from whom they
emanated [word crossed out] she cannot now say- that 
being very old & infirm her recollection is
very much impaired-
She further declares, that she was
married to the said John Knight on the
day of        Seventeen hundred & Eighty one
She is at a loss to know how it happened
to be stated in her former Declaration
that she was married in 1773.  but if so
set forth, that it was a mistake in drawing
the Declaration. She cannot recollect dates, so
as to state the precise day but well knows
& recollects that it was as stated in her
former Declaration, during his service and
a very short time after the battle at Guilford
& as she verily believes during that year.
She would again state that she is the
Widow of the Late Capt John Knight &
has remained a widow ever since his
decease, as will more fully appear by
reference to the proof annexed to her
former Declaration.
That by reason of old age & bodily infir
=mity she is unable without great incon
=venience to attend or appear in open
Court-
/s/ Sarah Knight herXmark

Sworn to and
Sarah Knight
Subscribed before
me this 8th December 1842
/s/ William A. Sims J.P.
Page 13

Commonwealth of Kentucky}
County of Christian, to wit}  This day personally
appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the
peace of said County Sarah Knight the above deponent
who was sworn to & in my presence sub-
scribed the foregoing deposition in the manner
required by law- Given under my hand
the 8th day of December 1842
/s/ William A Sims J.P.

Commonwealth of Kentucky}
County of Christian to wit} I Abraham Stites
the Clerk of the County Court of Christian County
aforesaid do certify that William A. Sims, Gentleman
whose name appears to the foregoing certificate was
at the time of making the same and is now an
acting Justice of the peace in and for the said
County duly commissioned & qualified, that full
faith is due to his official acts & that his signature
appears to be genuine- and I do further cer-
=tify that said William A. Sims is, ex officio, one
of the Justices of the said Court.
In testimony whereof I have here
set my hand & affixed the seal of
the seal of the said Court the 9th
day of December 1842 and in the
51st year of the Commonwealth
/s/ Abram Stiles
Page 14

Sarah Knight
Ky roll

V. Ellis atty
Page 15

Late Elizabeth Knight
Know all men by these Presents: That I, Jessie Fox (Elizabeth Fox his wife_
a party interested in the claim herein mentioned, do hereby constitute and appoint VESPASIAN ELLIS, of Washington
City, my true and lawful Agent and Attorney, to prosecute the claim of Sarah Knight
for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension,
that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Agent and Attorney to examine all the papers and documents in
relation to said claim, on file in the Departments at Washington City, or elsewhere; to file additional evidence or
arguments; and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said Claim, and to do all things that I might or
could do, were I personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall
lawfully do in the premises,
WITNESS my hand and Seal, this 14th of June A. D. 1852
Jesse Fox
{SEAL.]
his
Signed and sealed in presence of}
J B Greenfield
STATE of Kentucky}

COUNTY of Hopkins} SS.
On this14th day of June A. D., 1852, before me, the subscriber, personally
appeared Jessie Fox and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be
his act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned, and also made oath that he is a party
directly interested in the claim above mentioned, as a claimant.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand,}
the day and year aforesaid.}
J.M. OBryan J.P.
I Orlean Bishop Clerk of the County Court in the County and
State aforesaid, do hereby certify that J. M. Obryan before whom the foregoing
paper was executed, was, at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorised by
law to administer oaths; and that the name thereunto subscribed, is his signature.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed
my official seal, this 23 day of June A. D. 1852
Orlean Bishop Clerk.
Page 16

Evidence in
the case of
Sarah Knight
for pension-
move to withdraw
the Petition [illegible] refer
it to the Committee
on Revolutionary Pension
J L. Johnson
Page 17

State of Illinois} wit
Hamilton County}
Personally appeared before
the undersigned Justice of the peace in and for
said County and who is authorised by law
to to administer oaths James Knight an old
man about fifty three or fifty four years
of age who being by me first duly sworn according 
to law do on his oath depose and say that
he was well acquainted with John Knight
and Sarah Knight his wife in Christain
County State of Kentucky from the earliest
Of his recollection untill the decease of the said
John Knight which took place in the year
one thousand Eight Hundred and twenty
three on twenty four and is yet acquai
nted with Sarah Knight the widow of said
John Knight deceased and he still lives
in the County of Christain and state of
Kentucky and saw her a few days ago
in said County and affiant knows
and well recollects of the said John Knight
and Sarah his wife assigning these rights
to some negro + and other property as
the lawful heirs of the widow made
living in the state of North Carolina County
of Randolph to a man by the name of
John Polins about the year one thousand
Eight hundred and nine and some 
on six weeks before the Decease of the
said John Knight he made a will
and recognize the said Sarah Knight
Page 18

as his lawful wife in said will and
recollects of seeing records and papers
in possession of the said John Knight
showing that he was a captain in the
revolution war and has saw and heard
the said John Knight and other old
men talking over the services and
engagement they had in the revolutionary
war with the enemy and do verily
believe that the said Sarah Knight
was the lawful wife of the said
Capt John Knight Deceased and
believes she is fully entitled to
pension from the government of the
united states at this time for her said
husband’s service in said revolutionary
war
/s/ James Knight
Sworn to and} 
subscribed before+
me September the}
fifth A.D. 1849}
Knight
17th AD 1849
Alfred Moore JP
---
I certify that I am well acquainted 
With the above and James Knight and
and that he is a man of truth and respect.
=ability and the foregoing statements
is entitled to full faith and credit
Given under my hand and seal September
14th AD 1849.
Alfred Moore JP
Page 19

State of Illinois}
Hamilton County} ss

I Daniel Marshall
Clerk of the County Commissioners
Court in & for said County certify
that Alfred Moore is an acting Justice
of the peace in & for said County-
duly commissioned & qualified,
+ that his signature to the foregoing
affidavit & certificate is genuine
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand, and
affixed my official Seal
this 17th day of September 1849
Danl Marshall, Clk
Page 20

Petition of
Sarah Knight,
Christian County, Ky 1842
widow of John-
Lt + Capt
for Revolutionary Pension
Col Belfort NC
under Act of 4. July 1836.
Papers on file in Pension
Office, to be withdrawn.
January 12. 1848 Referred to the
Committee on Revolutionary Pensions
---
March 20, 1848. vs 1380
January 28, 1836. Referred to the
Committee on the Revolutionary
Pension.
March 6. 1850. Adverse print
(unfavorable report)
J. L. Johnson
Peyton [struck through]
Page 21

To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America, in Congress assembled.
The Petition of Sarah Knight, of Christian County
Kentucky, respectfully represents:
That your Petitioner is
the Widow of John Knight who was a Captain of Militia
in North Carolina during a considerable portion of the Revolu-
tionary War; that she was married to her said Husband
while he was in service; that her claim for a Pension under the
Act of 4th July 1836, has been before your Honorable Bodies
several years; that during the last Session she sent to her
Attorney in Washington additional evidence, but that her
said Attorney could not present said evidence in consequence
of the papers being mislaid in the Capitol; that an unfavorable
Report was made in her case in the absence of said evidence,
that her papers were then withdrawn by her Attorney and placed
in the Pension Office, where her statements were discredited
chiefly because she could not recollect the dates of her said
Husband's service, and because she mistook the year in which
the Battle of Guilford Court House was fought, she having
stated that she was married the "June before said Battle
“she believed in June 1781,” and that she believes upon a fair
impartial examination of all her proofs, it will be found that
she is entitled to the Pension she claims
Your Petitioner therefore humbly prays that
your Honorable Bodies will cause he said papers to
be withdrawn from the Pension Office and examined with
the additional evidence herewith sent, and that your
Honorable Bodies will grant her such relief of your
wisdom may devise. And your Petitioner, as in
duty bound, will ever pray.
Sarah Knight,
by Edw. F. Brown
her Attorney
Page 22

[form: mostly blank]

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873
REJECTED [stam[ed]
6030
P.O. Sarah Knight
Service: wid. of John
Enlisted:
Discharged:
Application Filed:
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized.   Contract.
Cert. of Dis.  Search for______, 18
Page 23

Commonwealth of Kentucky}
County of Christian, to wit}
At a County Court continued and held for Chris
=tian County at the Court house on Wednesday
the 5th day of October 1842
Present-
D. S. Hays}
H. Underwood}
W. S. Talbott}
W.A. Sims}
Justices
In the case of Sarah Knight widow of John
Knight deceased for a pension, It appearing
satisfactorily to the Court from the information
of William A Sims one of the Justices present
that the said Sarah Knight is unable to attend
Court by reason of bodily infirmity, her declaration
for a pension was thereupon produced with
the depositions of Francis P. Pennington, Joseph Newton
William Crabtree, William Crabtree[duplicate], James Harkins
Jacob Oglesby, Lew Dobyns, James Harkins[duplicate], Jacob
Oglesby[duplicate], Jesse Fox, and also an amendment to
said declaration with the further deposition of
Francis P. Pennington accompanying said declara
=tion & amendment, and said declaration, amend-
=ment & depositions being read & examined were
ordered to be certified & delivered to the applicant, and
within it is ordered to be certified that the said dec-
=claration, amendment & depositions are entitled
to credit.
Commonwealth of Kentucky}
County of Christian to wit}  I Abraham Stiles
the Clerk of the County Court of Christian County afore
=said, which is a Court of record, do certify that the
foregoing entry & order of said Court relating to the de-
=claration & of Sarah Knight, widow, for a pension
is truly copied from the records in my office, & I do
further certify that the papers & documents therein
named & referred to are hereto annexed & marked
No 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.15.12. 13 & 14 - and I do
further certify that William A. Sims Gentleman
whose name appears to be subscribed to all of
said papers & document, excepting (N 6) was at
the time of making his certificate and is now
Page 24

an acting Justice of said Court and also an
acting Justice of the peace in and for said
County duly commissioned & qualified, that
full faith is due to his official act & that his
signature appears to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my name & affixed
the seal of said Court the 6th day
of October 1842 and in the 51st
year of the Commonwealth
Attest /s/ Abram Stiles   [seal with ribbon]

Commonwealth of Kentucky}
County of Christian, to wit } I William Henry
the senior & presiding Justice of the County Court
of Christian County aforesaid do certify that the attes-
+tation of Abram Stiles above made as Clerk of
said Court is in due form of law- Given
under my hand the 6th day of October 1842
/s/ Wm. Henry J.P.
Page 25

Commonwealth of Kentucky}
Christian County}
The deposition of Jesse Fox being of
Lawfull age, and being first duly sworn
deposeth & saith, that he is well acquainted 
with Sarah Knight consort & relict of
Capt John Knight, & has been for the last
fifteen years & upwards, that he knows
her of his own knowledge to be the
Widow of John Knight of Revolutionary
memory, and that she has not married
since he departed this life also that
she is now far advanced in years and
almost helpless -&c-
/s/ Jesse Fox
Sworn to & subscribed
before me this 5th Oct 1842
William A. Sims J.P.
Page 26

Commonwealth of Kentucky}
Christian County}
The deposition of Lew Dobyns of
Lawfull age, being first duly sworn
Deposeth & saith that he is well acquainted
with Sarah Knight & has been for thirty six
years past, and that he knows her to
be the widow of Capt John Knight of
Revolutionary renown, who left this
State for the South about Seventeen
year since & from his own knowledge he
has not been heard from for the 
Last Seven year & upwards, and that
from his own knowledge of the [said]
Sarah Knight he believes her to be
a woman of truth & respectability & in
every way entitled to credit upon oath
or otherwise & that she has not
married since the death of her
husband, Capt John Knight. also that
she is far advanced in years- and
in a great measure helpless-
Sworn to & Subscribed
before me this 4 Oct 1842  /s/ Lew Dobyns

/s/ William A Sims JP
Page 27

Sarah Knight makes the following amend
-ment to her original Declaration, for a pension
She States, that between forty five & fifty years
ago in the State of Tennessee, then perhaps
Territory- her husbands house with all
his effects was burned up at which time
his discharges were consumed, together
with the family records

Sworn to & Subscribed to}
before me this 9 Sep 1842]
Sarah Knight herXmark

William A. Sims J.P.

The deposition of Frances P. Pennington aged
60 Years, taken in the above case, who being
first Sworn deposeth & saith, that between
forty five & fifty years this deponent’s Father
resided in the same Section of County
stated above by Mrs. S. Knight, he was a
boy at the time going to School at his Grand-
=father Princes who resided on Red on River
12 or 14 miles from Clarksville, and that while
that while the Indians invaded the neighbour-
=hood which caused the people to collect in
the fort of his sd [said] Grandfather among them
was Capt John Knight & his family, at which
time this deponent was informed that a
few weeks previous then to Capt Knight.
House with all its content was consumed
by fire. this deponent has been well acquainted 
with the above named Sarah Knight Widow
of Capt John Right ever since that period
Sworn to & Subscribed to}
before me this 9th Sept 1842}
/s/ F.P. Pennington
/s/ William A. Sims J.P.
Page 28

Commonwealth of Kentucky}
Christian County}
The deposition of James Haskins
of full age being duly sworn deposeth
& Saith that he is well acquainted with
William Crabtree, for the space of
fifty years or upwards & that he be-
=lieves the sd William Crabtree to be
of honesty probity & good demeanor
and that he has allways believed him
to be a man of truth-
Sworn to & Subscribed]
before me this]
9th Sept 1842
/s/ James Harkins
/s/ William A. Sims J.P. 

Commonwealth of Kentucky}
Christain County}
The deposition of Jacob Oglesby of
Lawfull age- being first sworn deposeth
and saith, that he is well acquainted[sic]
with William Crabtree and has been
or the space of forty years past
and that he believes the sd William
Crabtree to be of honesty probity and
good demeanor & that he always
believed him to be a man of truth
Swon to & Subscribed}
To before me this}
9th Sep 1842}
/s/ Jacob Oglesby
/s/ William A. Sims J.P.
Page 29

Commonwealth of Kentucky}
Christian County}
The deposition of Jacob Oglesby of full age
being duly sworn deposeth & saith that he
is well acquainted[sic] with Joseph Newton
for the space of thirty years or upwards
& that he believes the said Joseph Newton
to be of honesty probity & good demeanor
and that he has always believed him to be
a man of truth- Sworn to & Subscribed
to before me}
this 9 Sep 1842}
/s/ Jacob Oglesby
William A. Sims J.P.
Page 30

Commonwealth of Kentucky}
Christian County}

The deposition of James Harkins
of Lawfull age being first duly sworn
deposeth & saith that he is well aquainted[sic]
with Joseph of Newton and has been for the
space of thirty years past and that he believes
the sd. Joseph Newton to be of honesty probity
and good demeanor & that he has always
believed him to be a man of truth Sworn to
and subscribed}
to Before me this 9}		
Sept 1842
/s/ James Harkins
/s/ William A. Sims J.P.
Page 31

State of Illinois}
Hamilton County}
Personally appeared
before the undersigned Justice of the
in and for said County and who is authorized by law
to administer oaths Lewis D. Scarlet an old
man who being first duly sworn according to
law on his oath deposeth and says that
he was well acquainted with John Knight in
Randolph County North Carolina both before
and during and after the Revolutionary war
that he lived in a short distance of old
Mrs Wade the mother of Mrs. Sarah Knight and he
known of the marriage of said John Knight and his
said wife Sarah Wade in Randolf County North 
Carolina in the year one thousand seven hundred
and Eighty one two on three and they were
married according to the laws of that state at
that time by a person who was and authorized
Minister to celebrate wedlock He further states
he was well acquainted with said John Knight
as a soldier in said Revolutionary war and
that he entered said service as a private when
the war first commenced in the south and
continued in said service as a private Lieut-
enant and Captain untill the war was ended
and that said John Knight got to be a Captain
of Militia some time before the battle of
Guilford and was in that engagement commanding
as a Captain and was a Captain at the time of his marriage
aforesaid and that he was acquainted with said John
Knight untill his deceased and is also acquainted with
the present widow of Captain John 
Knight now of Christain County Kentucky}
sworn to and subscribed before me}
August the 4th 1849. 
/s/ Lewis Scarlet
/s/ Alfred Moore J.P.
Page 32

I certify that I am acquainted within
named affiant Lewis D. Scarlet and he
is and all man of truth and respectability
and that the within statements is
entitled to full faith and credit
given under my hand and
seal August the 4th 1849.
Alfred Moore J.P.

State of Illinois}
Hamilton County}

I D. Marshall Clerk
of the Commissioners Court of the aforesaid County
and State do hereby certify that Alfred Moore whose
name appears above to the foregoing is now and was at
the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the
Peace in and for said County Duly Commissioned and
qualified and all his official acts are entitled to full
faith and credit as such and the above
Signature is genuine
In witness whereof I have hereunto
Set my hand and affixed the Seal
of said Court at office in McLeansboro
this the 20th Day of August AD 1849
/s/ Danl. Marshall Clerk
Page 33

Pension Office
April 22d 1845.

Madam,
In reply to yours of the 11th inst
I would inform you that the service for
which you assert a claim has not as yet been
setforth in the details which are indespensally [indispensably]
necessary to enable me to adjudicate it, under-
-standingly. The records of N.C. Service in this
office both of the regulars and militia are very
full, but the name of your husband is not
borne upon them as an officer or private,
Claiming for the service of your husband as
Lieutenant and Captain in the N.C. Line &
Militia it is impracticable to get your claim
unless the grade is shown by some record, and
the length of the service ascertained satisfactorily.

Mrs Sarah Knight
Hopkinsville
Kentucky.
Page 34

5686
Sarah Knight
Ken
Act 4 July ‘36
Sarah Knight
Ken ‘36 [illegible]
E.F. Brown
Prest[?]
Page 35

Sarah Knight
Widow of John
Act 1836-
Let fr. Pen Off. to her
3 March 1843
Hopkinsville Ky.
I have some proof of service
& wish to obtain marriage bond-
Please inform me what
County she claims to have been
married in
Edm. F. Brown
[illegible]
Oct. 2, 1846
Page 36

Petition of Sarah Knight
for a pension as the
widow of a Captain
John Knight
The revolution-
February 19. 1846 Referred to
the Committee on Revoluti-
onary Pensions
Jany. 9. 1847 Rep to her 1845

refer to committee
in revolutionary pension
M Henry
These papers are
[illegible] by an order
the house & I
again refer them to
the comm of pensions
with additional evidence
to the [illegible] E.F.[?]
[illegible] H.A. Henry

27 Feb 47
Page 37

M. Edwards
Com. Of
Pensions
Page 38

[illegible] March 3 1836{?}
The case of Mrs Sarah Knight on [illegible] for
a pension has been referred to me and M. 
McHenry[?] the representative who presented it
[illegible] me to [illegible] office the [illegible]
and evidence[?] on her application
to you for a pension- Be so good as
to send me the original papers if
no pension has been granted.
[illegible]
A Atkinson
Page 39

Greenboro, NC  10
Nov 1
Edmund F. Brown Esq
Washington City
DC

Clerk of Guilford Co. N.C.
31. Oct. 1846.
Recd. 3. Nov. 1846.
Cannot find Marriage Bond
for John & Sarah Knight
sent him $1. - while
I was at Raleigh, on
20. Oct 1846.
Edw. F. Brown
3. Nov. 46
Page 40

Trunsboro NC Oct 31st 1846

Mr. Brown 
Sir. I have made search in my office for the
Marriage Licence Bond of John Knight to Sarah his Wife but
cannot find any such Bond, in my Office
Yours [illegible]
John M. Logan Clk
By R. McCulloch [illegible]
Page 41

EDMUND F. BROWN,
Attorney, and Agent for Claimants,
Notary Public, Commissioner of Deeds &c., for Illinois, Missouri, and Alabama.
Prosecutes claims of every description upon the several Departments of the General Government, and especially for
Bounty Lands, Pre-emptions, Pensions, Lost Horses, Contracts, &c. Office on Seventh
Street, two doors north of the city Post Office.
Letters (postage paid) may be addressed, E. F. Brown, Box 190, Washington City, D. C.
U. S. Agency, Notarial, and Commissioner's Office,
Washington City, 5th January, 1848.} Established in 1843.
Hon. Saml O. Peyton
House of Rep.-
Sirs
Herewith I hand you copies of
my letter to the Pension Office enclosing the claim of Sarah
Knight of Kentucky, and the answer of the Pension Office
to said letter; which copies I will thank you to hand to
the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions with the additional
evidence which has been sent to you.-
To enable the Committee fully to understand the
case, I beg leave to state that the papers were mislaid
in the Capitol, and I could not find them until I saw
by the proceedings that an unfavorable report had been
made, and consequently said Report was made without
the additional papers which I had in my possession &
afterwards sent to the Pension Office.-
If the Committee will examine the papers, they
will see the error into which the Pension Office have
fallen.- In her last Declaration she says she was
married in June before the Battle of Guilford C. H.
she believes in June 1781 - she knows it was June
because they had new cider, and she knows it was
Page 42

Before the Battle aforesaid, by which it is evident she
has mistaken the year, and should have said 1780,
and on that error they found their objections on
that score[?]; and they seem to forget that then, as
now, County Ministers sometimes supplied several
stations, and it is reasonable to suppose that the
minister who published the bans afterwards went
on his way and might have been in another County
by the time the wedding day arrived. It is not
by any means “an extraordinary combination of
“circumstances.”-

Their supposition that he could
not have performed the amount of service
which she alleges, is based upon the same
error of dates, and as to date, locality, and
identity, which they mention, it is not difficult
to perceive that they require impossibilities. They
are not willing to make any allowance for the
failure of claimant's memory as to dates which
she could have had no stimulus to remember
until recently, when it is well known that
it is quite common for persons much younger to
forget the dates of important transactions of the
War of 1812. Indeed I have known men
and women less than 50 years of age who could
not tell the year they were married.
The papers show clear presumptive proof
Page 43

that claimants husband performed services for which
he received $430, which according to Pension Laws,
should be divided equally, and give her a
Pension of at least $215 per year from 4th
March 1831, to the end of her life.
If you are acquainted with the character
and standing of the claimant or any of her
witnesses, I will thank you to place with the
papers your certificate to that effect.
I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully,
Your ob. Sevt.
Edw. P. Brown
Atty for Mrs. Knight
Page 44

EDMUND F. BROWN, Attorney and Agent for Claimants, Notary Public and Commissioner for
Virginia, Illinois, and Alabama, &c., continues to attend to the settlement of business before Congress and the
several Departments of the General Government, and particularly claims for pensions, Patents, Lands,
Contracts, &c.
Office on Seventh street, two doors above the City Post Office.
Letters postage paid) may be addressed, E. F. Brown, Box 196, P. O. Washington City.
U. S. Agency, Notarial, and Commissioner's Office}
Washington City, 27th February 1847.} Established in 1843.
(Copy.)
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commr of Pensions.
Sir:
In reply to your letter of 23d
Ult. returning papers which I sent you on 12th ult. I have to state
that I have not until to day been able to withdraw the papers
of Mrs. Sarah Knight of Ky. from the files of the House
of Representatives.
Herewith I enclose all the papers
from the Capitol, tied with red tape- also the proof
of grade and service of Capt. John Knight, which
I obtained from Raleigh, and the letter from the Clerk
of Guilford Co. N.C.
The excellent character which the
claimant and witnesses are proven to possess, the
evidence of service, grade, and marriage, which the
papers contain, together with the certificate of the
Member of Congress in that District, will, I
trust, induce you to make allowance for the erroneous Manner
Page 45

manner in which her first Declaration was
made, and grant her a pension for the
length of service to which the payments
amount.
Very Respectfully,
Your Obt. Servt.
(Signed) Edm. J. Brown
Note --the payments mentioned in the
Certificate of the Comptroller above
referred to, amounted to
To John Knight - $69.14.7
" J. Knight – 102.7.6
$172.2.1
Equal to about $430.-
E.F.B.
Page 46

(Copy)   Pension Office,
April 6, 1847.
Sir.
The papers of Sarah Knight (withdrawn from
the files of the House of Representatives with an endorsement
of the Committee's concurrence in the decision of this Office)
together with her supplemental statement, and the Comptroller
Certificates have been examined and filed. The present
statement and Comptroller's Certificate involve her case in further
difficulties. She now says she was married in Guilford County
in June 1781 and that her husband was in service at the
time. There were no militia in service in that County
until the enemy marched South after dispersing them in
the month of March. She says she was married
by a Magistrate after the publication of bans by
a neighboring Minister.
It must have been an extraordinary combination
of circumstances which could have brought about a
publication of bans for her marriage with a Militia
officer in actual service in a District then in possession
of the enemy, which was consummated by a Magistrate
and not the Minister who published them, but if
this insuperable difficulty as to the date of the Marriage
were overcome, her statement that he rendered seven
tours of Service of three months each after her marriage
in June 1781 before the "close of the war in 1782” is
chronologically impossible.
The record evidence of the rank does not
Page 47

disclose the date and locality so as to connect
that John Knight with her husband, and
no one payment to that name corresponds
with any service set forth in her Declaration.
I am, &c
(Signed) J.L. Edwards

E. F. Brown Esq.}
Present.}
Page 48

District of Columbia}
County of Washington} ss:
I, Edmund F. Brown
Notary Public in and for the County aforesaid,
by lawful authority duly commissioned and
sworn, do hereby certify that the letters which
are hereunto attached, dated 27th February 1847,
and April 6, 1847, are true copies from the
originals.
In Testimony whereof, I
hereunto subscribe my name and affix
my Notarial Seal this fifth day of January
A.D. 1848.-
Edw F. Brown
Notary Public
[with notary stamp/seal and ribbon]
Page 49

State of North Carolina
I, B.F. Hover,
Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter sessions
in and for the County of Randolph and
State aforesaid, do hereby certify that I have
made diligent search in the said County Court
Clerks office for a bond for marriage license
in the name of John Knight and that no
such bond is to be found in said Office.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal
of our said Court, at office in the
Town of Asheboro this the 22nd day
of March A D 1847.
/s/ B. F. Hoover, Clerk.
Page 50

Washington 1st March 1847
J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Commn. of Pensions.
Sir:
On Saturday night the
27th ult. I prepared the accompanying package in the
case of Mrs. Sarah Knight of Kentucky, and before
it was sent, I received by yesterday's Western mail
a new Declaration of the claimant, explanatory of the
omissions and errors in those formerly made, and which
appears to tell so straight and honest a story that
you will, doubtless, admit her claim. As she is
certain she was married before the Battle of Guilford,
it must have been in June 1780 instead of 1781.-
Such a mistake you will not consider important, as
she gives her reasons, and as one year does not
affect this case, in that particular, especially as she
says he served a tours of 3 months each, after their
Marriage.- As she was married by "Publishment
it is not probable any County Records contain it.
Very Respectfully, Yr. Obt. St.
Edm. F. Brown
I enclose herewith, her new Declaration - also the affidavits
Jacob Oglesby, Elizabeth Fox and John [Joseph crossed-out] Knight.
E.W.B.
Page 51

(Copy.)
Pension Office,
April 22, 1845
Madam.
In reply to yours of the 11th inst. I
would inform you that the service for which you
assert a claim has not as yet been set forth in
the details which are indispensably necessary to
enable me to adjudicate it understandingly.
The records of North Carolina service in this
office, both of the regular and militia, are very
full, but the name of your husband is not borne
upon them as an officer or private. Claiming
for the service of your husband as Lt. and Capt.
in the N.C. Line and militia, it is impracticable
to adjust your claim unless the grade is shown
by some record, and the length of the services
ascertained satisfactorily.
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt.
(signed) J.L. Edwards

Mrs. Sarah Knight,
Hopkinsville, Ky
Page 52

Hopkinsville 11 April 1845
J. L. Edwards Esq.-
Dear Sirs
I write to you
for information as to what I may depend
upon in regard to my getting a Pension for
my [illegible] Husbands services in his
country’s defense. I feel in hopes that there
is too much Justice in my Country to let
me suffer for the common [illegible] of
life to day, nothing of those [illegible that
my advanced age & consequent infirmities
would deem to regain[?] to refuse me
my dues dearly earned for want of
some little nonessential form in my
Declaration & proof annexed, for if I under-
-stand you aright you required positive
proof as to each term or tour of service, this I
did not know at the time was [illegible], +
when you required it. I could not for
my aged friends, were dispersed & since
dead. You have not positively refused my
claim, & therefore I have been kept in almost
insupportable [illegible] Please let me know
my doom[?] at once that I may die in peace
Page 53

Will You be kind enough to examine
Rool[Roll] of the Regular army from
the same
State, as my Husband was a full tour
five years in that service before he
entered the army as a Militia Captain[Captain]
that was before our marriage, therefore
I do not recollect which offices he was
with[?]. though I do recollect he told me that 
he was a Lieutenant in the regular service.
I do not thus [illegible] my situation with any
intention of arousing your simpathies[sympathies]. but
merely intend giving you a true [illegible]
statement of my situation, which I hope
You will do so the honor to believe my
Conscience [conscience] should [illegible] acquit me were
I to make an untrue statement Knowingly,
I hope for the sake of humanity you
Will [illegible] my matter and til we
hear from you [illegible] &c
Sir I subscribe myself Yours
Obediently &c
/s/ Sarah Knight
Send to Hopkinsville 
Christian Co Ky
Page 54

To the Senate and House of Represent
tatives of the United States of America
in General Congress assembled-
The undersigned Petitioner
would respectfully State, that she is
the widow and relict of John
Knight deceased, She states that her
Late Husband, the said John Knight
entered the Army of the United States
during the Revolutionary War in or
about the year 1778 or 1779 - as a Captain
of Militia of the State of North Carolina
and served therein as such untill the
end of the war all of which is fully
set out in her Declaration now on
file in the Pention [Pension] Office in the City of
Washington and which is referred 
to as a part of this her Petition, She
also refers to the Depositions on file in
Same Office proving as far as She
Could. As to tale[?] a period the services
of her said Husband. She further States
that she cannot at this day make
further proof of the services rendered, as
the persons by whom the proof required
by existing laws could have been made
are long since dead. She states that
some 18 or 20 years ago her Husband
started to Carolina to procure proof
& of his services in the war of the
Revolution, but died while absent on
that business without accomplishing his
object. She further states that she is old
and in indigent circumstances, depen
-dant upon the cold charity of this world
Page 55

to some extent, for even the common
necessaries of life &
In consideration of the premises
she prays that Your Honorable body will
take her Petition into consideration, and
if You believe her claims worthy that you
will grant her what you may in Your
wisdom think her justly entitled to receive
for the Services rendered the Government by
her said Husband, which will be some
remuneration, to her for the deprivations
endured by her at the time, and render
her situation more comfortable in her
declining years which at most must be
but few &c-
/s/ Sarah Knight herXmark

We whose names are below written
do certify that we are well acquainted with
the above petitioner, Sarah Knight
and know her as the wife of Captain
John Knight & since his death as his
widow and have known her intimately
for many years during more of which
time she has been an exemplary member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church of which
she is still a member and have no hesitan-
-ce in stating that we believe her declarations
are entitled to full faith and credit as
we have allways looked upon her as a woman
of probity & truth. Given under our hands this
25th day of December 1845 
/s/ Jacob Oglesby Sign
/s/ William Oglesby 
/s/ Robert Lewis
/s/ [illegible name]
/s/ James Haskins Sen
Page 56

I, Jonathan Clark a pensioner from the
General Government do certify that I first
formed an acquaintance with Capt. John
Knight the Husband of the within petitioner
Mrs. Sarah Knight in the year 1804 or 5 at
which time he was an acting Justice of
the peace for this County was intimately
acquainted with him up to the time
that he left this neighbourhood, on his
tour to Georgia & Carolina to procure
testimony to enable him to secure to him-
-self a pension for his services in the
Army of the United States of America
and from the many & frequent conversations
I had with him during our acquaintance
which lasted for more than 20 years-
I have no hesitancy in stating my-
full belief in his having been in the
Service of the United States during most
of the Revolutionary War- as we very
frequently [illegible] & always or nearly so would
converse freely about our trials, & deprivations
while engaged in the struggle for
independence, and I further State, that
I have also had an acquaintance with
his widow the within Petitioner from about 
the same period. I am fully of the
belief that she is a woman of truth
& probity & her statements are entitled.
to full credit. given under my hand
as Witness, 22nd January 1846
/s/ Jonathan Clark
Witness
/s/ J.W.W. Grisomm[?]
Page 57

I am acquainted with the gentlemen who have
signed this petition and they are men of good
standing. I am also acquainted with many
of the neighbours of Mrs. Knight & Mr. Clark
and they are both of good standing. well thee
come do me the favor to call on the comn.
of pensions for the papers attended[?] to by her 
/s/ John H.A.Henry
Page 58

Sec let 26th Oct.
’42 to claimant
See let to Claimant
March 3rd 1843.
let to H.H. Sylvester 3rd Aug 1843
Lett to Mrs. Sarah Knight Apl 22. 45
“ “ to Wm. A. Atkinson Mar 6. 
1846, do to same Apl 2d 1846
E. F. Brown Oct 3d 46 + Jan 23. 47
Hon B.E. Grey Feby 23 1854
Act 4 July 1836
Page 59

Evansville Indiana
November 30th 1847
Hon Samuel O. Peyton
Washington City
Dr Sir
Enclosed you have the Declaration of
Jeremiah Wyatt also his affidavit proving that there was a Captain
John Knight from Randolph County North Carolina, also the letter
of the Comptroller General of North Carolina stating that the
name of Jeremiah Wyatt is found on his records. I send the
Declaration affidavit and the letter all along for the purpose
of Corroborating his evidence in behalf of Mrs. Sarah
Knight of Christian County you will please show them
to Mr. E.F. Brown of Washington in accordance with
my letter of 22d inst. and have them all filed with her
other papers by the proper Committee in Congress
I also forward you the letter of Administration
granted to John Knight by the Christian County Court
refer the Estate of Henry F. Knight - the son of John & Sarah
Knight and not the oldest either by some two or three
I also send you the certificate of Alpha Kingsley touching
the enlistment, age and death of Henry F. Knight which
shows that said Henry was twenty one years of age on the 12th
July 1814 Subtract 21 from 1814 - and 1793 remain.
Now you are aware that the law of pensions embraces widows
of Revolutionary Soldiers married prior to 1794 so that you
see this certificate given in 1814 and not got up for the purpose
proves that John Knight & Sarah were married prior to 1793
I want all these papers filed before the Committee as early
as possible. urge its action. Please let me hear from you soon
Respectfully
Yr. Obt. Svt.
M. D. Hendrick.
Page 60


Raleigh NC
Benefit office
I William F Collins Comptroller of Public Accounts
in and for the State of North Caroline do
hereby certify that the name of John Knight
appears of Record in this office as having had
the following [illegible] certificates issued in his
name for Military service by one for
Twenty Pounds five Shillings (#20.5) see Book
A, No 16 page 82 also another for Eight Pounds
(#) see Book C No 13 page 102 also another for
Three pounds Six and Eight pence #3.6.8) see Book
No 14 Page 112 also another in same book page 123
for One Pound Thirteen shillings and four pence
Also another one pound Eighteen shillings (#1.18)
See Book L No 3 page 5 also another for Fifteen
Shillings four pence See Book C No 17
page 11 also another for Thirty Three Pounds
Sixteen Shillings and three pence see Book
No 3 page 25 (#33.16.3) It also appears that the
following [illegible] certificates were issued
in favor of J. Knight by one for Fifty one
pounds three shillings and Nine pence
(#51.3.9) see Book No 24 page 100. Also another
Page 61

or Fifty one Pounds three shillings and nine
pence (#51.3.9) see same Book and page
I further certify that the name John
Knight appears as Captain in a Book
of officers on file in my office
[illegible] under my hand and seal
This 22nd Sept 1846
/s/ Wm. F. Collins Compt
Page 62

H. Rep.
26 March 1886
Sir.
The application of Sarah Knight
(John) Kentucky, for a pension is
before me. I can find no letter or
reasons in the papers why the appli
-cation was refused and as [illegible]
not take cognizance of a case with
-out some reasons for disallowing it
I respectfully ask you to furnish me
with them- [illegible]
Arch. Atkinson

[illegible] Edwards
Page 63

27 Feb. 1847
Page 64

EDMUND F. BROWN, Attorney and Agent for Claimant, Notary Public and Commissioner for
Virginia, Illinois, and Alabama, &c. continues to attend to the settlement of business before Congress and the
several Departments of the General Government, and particularly claims for Pensions, Patents, Lands,
Contracts, &c.
Office on Seventh street, two doors above the City Post Office.
Letters (postage paid) may be addressed, E. F. Brown, Box 103, P. O. Washington City.
U. S. Agency, Notarial, and Commissioner's Office,}
Washington City, 27 Feby, 1847.} Established in 1843.
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commr of Pensions
Sir:
In reply to your
letter of 23d ult., returning papers which I sent you on 12th
ult. I have to state that I have not until to day been
able to withdraw the papers of Mrs. Sarah Knight, of Kentucky
from the files of the House of Representatives.
Herewith I enclose all the papers from the Capitol,
tied with red tape-- also the proof of grade & service
of Capt. John Knight, which I obtained from Raleigh, and
the letter from the Clerk of Guilford Co. N.C.
The excellent character which the claimant and
witnesses are proven to possess, the evidence of service, grade
and marriage, which the papers contain, together with
the Certificate of the Member of Congress from that District,
will, I trust, induce you to make allowance for
the erroneous manner in which her first Declaration was
made, and grant her a pension for the length of service
to which the payments amount.
I am Sir,
Very Respectfully,
Your Obt. Servt.
Edm. F. Brown
Atty. for Sarah Knight
Page 65

EDMUND F. BROWN, Attorney and Agent for Claimants, Notary Public and Commissioner for
Virginia, Illinois, and Alabama, &c., continues to attend to the settlement of business before Congress and the
several Departments of the General Government, and particularly claims for pensions, Patents, Lands,
Contracts, &c.
Office on Seventh street, two doors above the City Post Office.
Letters postage paid) may be addressed, E. F. Brown, Box 196, P. O. Washington City.
U. S. Agency, Notarial, and Commissioner's Office}
Washington City, 12th February 1847.} Established in 1843.

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commr of Pensions.
Sir:
In the case of Mrs. Sarah Knight
of Kentucky, under the Act of July 4, 1836, you informed me by letter
of 3d Octr last, that the papers had been sent to Hon. A. Atkinson
of the Revy Pension Committee, House of Reps, and as they could
not be found on the files of the House, I informed you verbally
early last month, that Mr. Atkinson declared he never had them.
It now appears that they were in possession of Hon Wm. Seamans
as he made an adverse Report on them on the 9th inst.
To day I examined the papers at the Capitol, and have
to request that you will have them returned to your office,
including her petition and the evidence on that sheet; and
doubt not, that on examining them, with the proof of grade
and service which I herewith enclose, you will conclude
that it is an honest claim, and that there are no more
discrepancies than might be expected from a lady 79 years
old, who had a bungling hand to draw her papers.-
The Comptroller's Certificate (herewith enclosed) shows
7 payment to John Knight, amounting to-- $69.14.7
2 do “ J. Knight – “ - 102.7.6
Total L. 172. 1. 13
Equal to about $430. which I presume will entitle her to
a Pension of about $25 per year, as Captain.
The same certificate also states that the name of
John Knight appears as Captains on a Book of Officers on
file in his office.-
As your letter to Mrs. Knight of April 22. 1845,
States that her husband's name is not on your records
Page 66

It is fair to presume he was the only J. Knight in service in
that State.
The Agent from whom I received the claim, desired
to have the records searched at Raleigh, and the Clerks
office of Guilford, for Marriage bond, as he understood she
was married in that part of Guilford which is now Randolph
County.
I herewith enclose a letter I have received
to the Clerk of Guilford, saying there is no Bond on file
and as there is among the papers the affidavits of Joseph
Newton and William Crabtree, both of whom saw her
Married ---that point will be admitted.
It is also shown that her house was burned
many years ago, in which she says that her husband's
Commissions, discharges, family Record &c were destroyed.
Her character as a good religious woman,
and of course an honest one, is established by the
certificate of five citizens besides a Pensioner, whose
characters are all known and certified by Hon. J.H.
McHenry, on the back of her Petition.

Altho the particular dates of the service
cannot be set forth in consequence of the claimant’s
old age, and the absence of the Militia Rolls, yet
as it is now clearly shown to be an honest claim
and the length of service can be calculated from the
amounts paid, I trust you will allow the claim, and
forward me the certificate as early as practicable
Very Respectfully
Yr. Obt. Svt.
Edm. F. Brown
Page 67

Sarah Knight
Widow of John
Act 1836
E. F. Brown
Agent
1 March 47
Page 68

State of Kentucky} Set
County of Christian}
Personally appeared before the undersigned, an acting
Magistrate in and for said County Jacob Oglesby
John Knight [Joseph W. Fox: crossed-out] and Elizabeth Fox, who being first
duly sworn according to law, do on their oaths depose
and say: That they have been well acquainted with
old man John Knight and his present widow Sarah
Knight for many years. That they have the fullest
and most implicit faith and confidence in the
Strict truth of old Mrs Sarah Knight that she would
not vary from the truth for any consideration that they
have heard her statement of the present date for a
pension read and they believe[sic] her statement is true
and entitled to full faith and credit. They further
say they believe that old man John Knight was a
soldier and a Captain in the war of the Revolution.
in North Carolina-- they have heard said John Knight
tell about his service in that war and they have
seen the wound upon his head which he stated he
received at the battle of Caraway River. They further
say that old man knight lived in this neighbour-
hood for many years previous to his death and that
he was the first magistrate that ever was in this
neighbourhood and was always looked upon by
his acquaintances as a soldier and an officer
in the service of the Revolution. And further say not
Sworn to & signed before me}
this Febry 18th 1847}
/s/ Jacob Oglesby
/s/ Elizabeth Fox
/s/ John Knight
/s/ WB Clark J.P.
I certify that the above Affiants are persons of respectabi-
lity and truth and the above statement is entitled to full
faith and credit. Given under my hand this 18th Febr-
uary 1847 
WB Clark J.P.
Page 69

Commonwealth of Kentucky}
County of Christian, to wit}  
I Abraham Stiles
the Clerk of the County Court of Christian County
aforesaid which is a Court of record do certify that
William B Clark, Gentleman, whose name appears
to the foregoing certificate was at the time of
making the same and is now an acting Justice
of the peace of said County duly commissioned &
qualified, that full faith is due to his official acts
and that his signature appears to be genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereto
set my hand and affixed my seal
of office the 19th day of February
in the year of our Lord 1847 and
in the 45th year of the Commonwealth
Attest Abram. Stiles
Page 70

Additional evidence
for claim of
Sarah Knight
widow of John
for Revy Pension
Act of 1836,
Page 71

State of Indiana}
County of Vanderburg}
Personally appeared before the undersign
ned an acting Justice of the Peace in and
for said County Jeremiah Wyatt a resident
of said County aged 86 years who being first duly
Sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, depose
and say that he was a soldier in the war of the
Revolution in the State of North Carolina from
Mecklinburg County and that in the years
one thousand seven hundred and eighty and
eighty one he performed seven months and
14 day of Service and that while in said service
he frequently saw a man of the name of John
Knight who commanded a company from
Randolph County North Carolina. He states
that said Capt John Knight was at the Battle of
Guilford and was also at Hillsboro. He
States that he often saw him while on Haw
River. And further saith not.
/s/ Jeremiah Wyatt hisXmark
Sworn to & signed by}
making his mark}
before me this August
17th 1847
Leroy Calvert JP
I certify that I am well acquainted with
the above Affiant and that he is an old
man of truth and respectability and
the above statement is entitled to full
faith and credit. Given under
my hand this August 17, 1847
Leroy Calvert JP