Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16439, for John Knox, Delaware
Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE | | NUMBER

Continental Del. | Knox, John | S. 16439

carded
-----
CONTENTS
Page 2

Pension increased 
to $100 per annum and 
new certificate issued 
3 March 1834.
[4 lines crossed-out illegible]
to Hon. R. J. [illegible] 2 Dec '37
See letter 9 Dec 1833 to
Per Apt
New certifi

[next column]
5447

Kentucky
-----
John Knox
of Shelby Co in the state of Kentucky
who was a private in the company commanded 
by Captain Rowan of the reg^t commanded
by Col, ---- in the Delaware mil.
[crossed-out line], for six months, from 1776
& Continental
-----
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky 
at the rate of 20 Dollars --- Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
-----
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 of February
1833 and sent to Hon. R.
Johnson N. R.
-----
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 32  | $30.--
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 March 33 | 10.00
| $40.--

{Revolutionary claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by W^m A. Allison Clerk,
Book [illegible] Vol. 9 page 46

[in pencil]
Continued
Page 3

Elijah Knox Esqr
January 18th 1834
enclosed a Pension certificate

[in pencil]
W. H. Todd Esq
Present
Page 4

[illegible]ford Jany 18th 1834

Dear Sir,

In compliance with your directions I forward the certificate of my father hoping you will do the best you can at this time. I which you to send me a letter to Georgetown as soon as you shall have completed the business so that I may know when to attend the case. I remain yours respectfully
E. Knox

AB I hope you will excuse the bad paper as I am from home and can get none better at this time.
E. K.
Page 5

[1 in a circle]
State of Kentucky Shelly County Sch.

On this   day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before the County Court of Shelly composed of the following Justices of the peace to wit, William Hanks James C Bernett and Mark Haden now sitting as a Court. John Knox a resident of the County of Shelly State of Kentucky aged Seventy three years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on this oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 or the benefit of the provisions of the act of Congress passed the 15th day of May 1828. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1776 under Captain Rowan and served in he thinks, the First Regiment of the Continental line under the following named officers. That he was drafted for the Term of six months in the State of Delaware, Sussex County. Some short time before the declaration of Independence. the precise time not recollected. That when he was thus drafted his Captains
Page 6

[2 in a circle]
name he does not recollect, because he was soon killed and his Sergeant Rowan was promoted to Captain in the place of the one who was killed that he was in no battle during this tour of six months. that this tour of duty expired at Brandywine where the battle was afterwards fought. That in the year 1776 at Brandywine he enlisted as a regular Soldier. for and during the war that at the time of his enlistment he was rising his Seventeenth year of his age. he does not recollect the precise month of that year. that when he enlisted it was under Captain Rowan. that on the day he enlisted his Captain Rowan was enlisted by a man the name of whom not recollected. [illegible] that Rowan was shortly thereafter promoted to Captain and was his Captain throughout his whole tour of duty during the war. That the first Regiment to which he belonged after he enlisted was that of Colo. William Washington. he thinks the first Regiment that he marched from Brandywine to Philadelphia after having wintered there. he marched to or took water to Charlestown together with Colo. Washingtons
Page 7

Regiment. that he landed at Charlestown and joining General Gates. about three miles from Town. That from this place they Marched Five miles. the other side of Camden, Camden being Five Miles from Charles Town. that they lay there some time in the mean time in Charlestown was taken by Cornwallis. that some time after the taking of Charles Town by Cornwallis
he Marched to meet General Gates. that they met and there entered into the engagement. that in this battle the amunition[sic] and all the Cannon luggage wagons were taken by Lord Cornwallis. that in this engaegment General Sumpter was a Commander. General Buford was also a Commander. that after this defeat the next day Genl. Sumpter was defeated by Colo. Wallace in  South Carolina. That from this place of defeat the remnant of the army Rendezvoused at Charlotte in North Carolina from there to Sallisburry[sic]. he recollects that his Capt Rowan & Colo. Washington was among those that remained unhurt and were at Charlotte. That they lay at this point until Genl. Greene arrived and took command of the remnants of Gate's army of Regulars. and 
[upside down 3 in a circle]
Page 8

[4 in a circle]
several Regiments of Virginia & North Carolina Militia That some time early in 1781 there was a Company of Tories of about three hundred under the Command of Colo Ridgely. at said Ridgeleys Mill in South Carolina. that Colo. Washington's Regiment attacked them and took them & about two hundred fifty waggons loaded with flour for Cornwallis' army. that he said Knox was one of army that took them and set fire to the mill. the provisions were sent away where he does not know. that on this occasion Colo. Washington when about to make the on the Tories. planted the trunk of a Pine Tree resembling a Cannon and then demanded a surrender of the fabrication which was done without loss of blood or the fire of a gun. That from this place they marched in the direction to Guildford Court house. that they there had an engagement with Lord Cornwallis for the space of three hours and upwards. that the american army retreated to Rudy Fork about three miles from
Page 9

[5 in a circle]
Guildford Courthouse from this place to Speedwell Iron Works ten miles distant from said Court house where they remained all night. the next day a party went back to bury the dead. that he was here wounded by a sword striking him over the head and cutting to the scull bone over the left eye, which occasioned a running sore just over the left eye for upwards of Twenty Years last past. that he was also wounded in the left eye, a Buck Shot which is in his thigh at this moment that his horse was killed from under him on this occasion. that from the time of his enlistment as aforesaid until this time and during all the time he was a mounted horseman of Captain Rowan's Company. That from Guildford Court house he marched in pursuit of Lord Cornwallis who was retreating towards Virginia as far as Ramsey's Mills on deep River. When General Greene determined to return the South. That he was in several little engagements the places not now recollected. that he was still in
Page 10

[6 in a circle]
[first line some of the words are cut off) and in Colo. Washington's Regiment that he was at the Siege of York in 1781, where he saw General Lafayette for the first time. General Morgan was at the Siege. he saw Gel. Cornwallis surrender his sword to Genl Lafayette. after having offered it to Washington. that from this place he was in a short time after the engagement discharged from the service by Captain Rowan. the Commandant of a Company of horse by and under the order of Genl Green. and Col. William Washington both of whom were on the ground at the time of said discharge. and Captain Rowan's name was signed to said discharge. That he said John Knox two years before the battle of York Town was appointed Orderly or First Sergeant and so acted in Captain Rowan's Company until his discharge in 1781. that the aforesaid discharge recited and [illegible] that he was Orderly or first Sergeant of said Company. that he had said discharge in South Carolina where he afterwards lived in the burning of his house it was among his other papers. Things burnt. That he faithfully served during the whole war
Page 11

[7 in a circle]
of the Revolution from and before the declaration of Independence until 1781. that he never saw home until 1781. from the time he was drafted for six months tour as aforesaid. that he never received one cent of pay but one twenty five cent piece. That he has no documentary or evidence by which he can prove he aforesaid Services. That he does not know any witness living by which he can prove the services aforesaid. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and declares his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in the United States

Sworn to & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid

John Knox

and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he stated.

I James L. Whitaker Clerk of the Court for the County of Shelly aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Knox for a
Page 12

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this Eighteenth day of September, in the Year of Our Lord. Eighteen hundred and thirty two.

Att Ja L Whitaker


I State that the whole of the preceding declaration except blanks is in the hand writing of John C. Herndon, and as it now Stands, in word and figure the said deponent signed it in presence in the County Court of Shelly and Swore to it likewise.
Page 13

June 26, 1933

XXXXXXXXXX

[handwritten word, illegible]

BA-J/MCS
John Knox, S 16439

Mrs. A. H. House
2606 K Street
Lincoln
Nebraska

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of John Knox.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim S. 16439, based upon the military service of John Knox.

He enlisted in Sussex Country, Delaware, in 1776 and served six months as a private in Captain Rowan's Delaware Company. He enlisted in 1776 and served as private and orderly sergeant in Captain Rowan's Company in Colonel William Washington's Continental Dragoons, was in the battles of Buford's Defeat and Rugley's Mills, received a sword wound on the head and a buck shot wound in the left eye, and had his horse killed under him at the battle of Guilford Court House, was at the siege of Yorktown and was discharged in 1781.

After his service he lived in South Carolina.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 18, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Shelby County, Kentucky aged seventy-three years.

His son, Elijah, was living in 1834. There are no further data relative to the soldier's family.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 14

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Wars Section
MGS/HMM

January 8, 1930.

Miss Esther Beatly
2615 Broadway
Indianapolis
Indiana.

Dear Madam:

From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 16439, it appears that John Knox enlisted in Sussex County, Delaware in 1776 and served six months as a private in Captain Rowan's Delaware Company.

He enlisted in 1776 and served as private and orderly or 1st sergeant in Captain Rowan's Company in Colonel William Washington's Continental Dragoons, was in the battles of Buford's Defeat and Rugley's Mills, received a sword wound on the head and a buck shot wound in left eye, and had his horse killed under him at the battle of Guilford Court House. He was also at the Siege of Yorktown and was discharged in 1781.

After his service he lived in South Carolina.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 18, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Shelby County, Kentucky, aged seventy-three years.

His son Elijah was living in 1834. There are no further data relative to his family.

Very truly yours,

EARL D. CHURCH
Commissioner.
Page 15

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., , 19

------
In reply to your request of    ,  received     for a statement of the military history of John Knox a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

-----
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT | LENGTH OF SERVICE | RANK | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED | | | STATE
| | | CAPTAIN. | COLONEL.

1776 | 6 mos. | Pvt | Rowan | | Del

1776 |1781 | Pvt [illegible] 1st Sgt | Rowan | William Washington | Continental [illegible]
-----

Battles engaged in, Buford's Defeat, Rugley's Mill, Guilford G H. were wounded in. 

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enlisted in Sussex Co. Del.

Date of application for pension, Sept. 18, 1839. His claim was allowed.

Residence at date of application, Shelby Co., Ky.

Age at date of application, 73 years

Remarks: Son Elijah Knox was alive in 1834; There is no further family data on file.


Respectfully,

Commissioner.

6-2856
[in pencil]
[entile line illegible]
[entire line illegible]
Page 16

The affidavit of Bernard Clements taken on the 1st day of October 1833

Deponent living now in the 75th year of his age deposeth & saith that he was a revolutionary soldier that he entered the Service in 1776 as such, in Capt [illegible] Reids Company, and belonged to Col Wm Washingtons Rigment[sic] that while in the service aforesaid, he was acquainted with John Knox who was a private in Col Washington's Regiment, and in Capts Rowan's Company. that Rowan did not command said company long. Some others came to the Command, but who he can not recalled, but he is certain that said Knox was in the Regiment of Col Washington, that he [illegible] belong to the same company to which this affidavit belonged but this affiant states that he saw him in the Service, in the year 1776, frequently he saw him at Hillsborough, he saw him at Ridgeleys Mills when the Mills was taken by putting the trunk of a pine on a stump & blacking the same to resemble a cannon, he saw him in the battle of Guilford Court house, and saw him on [illegible] as other [illegible] last the time having been so long he can not at this distant day recollect distinctly the times & places. affiant states that the battle of Guilford was on March 1781, to the best of his recollection, he states that he has but a faint recollection and is of opinion that said Knox was wounded and taken off the field as such at Guilford, he states that said Knox was in the Service, from some time on the fall of 1776, up to the battle of Guilford, but affiant can not recollect him after that time of the Service, he states he has seen him last [illegible] since, that he now or sometimes [illegible] lived in Shelby County [illegible] further saith not.

Bernard [his mark X] Clements
Page 17

{State of Kentucky
Franklin County} ss.

I Francis Graham a Justice of the peace in & for Franklin County hereby certify that Barnard Clements came before me and made oath in due form of law, to the foregoing affidavit, and subscribed the same said Clements has long been known to me and is a man who seems to be to be upwards of 74 years old, and is credible witness, and has been many years a pensioner.

Given under my hand this 1 Oct 1833

Francis Graham J. P. F. Co

{State of Kentucky
Franklin County} ss.

I A. H. Rennick Clerk of the Court in & for said County do hereby certify that Francis Graham whose name is signed to the preceding Certificate, was at the time doing the same and acting Justice of the peace in & for Said County duly Commissioned & qualified as said.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and office my seal of office this 1st day October in the year of Christ 1833

A. H. Rennick, Clerk

[Seal]

I Certify that the names heretofore wrote with & opened is now wrote with ink

Francis Graham J. P. F. C
Page 18

War Department
Pension Office
December 2, 1833

Sir
The claim of John Knox for increase
of Pension under the act of June 7. 1832, has
been allowed, but before a new certificate
can be issued he should return the original 
to this office.

I have the honor to be
very respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
J. L. Edwards


[faint]
Shelly C. Todd


Hon: R. M. Johnson
House of Representatives
Page 19

Frankfort Oct. 1st 1833

Dear Sir,

If you made an agreement with Mr. Allison of the Pension office cash [illegible] files with the papers, that if In John Knox's case for a pension, I would forward one affidavit he would allow him a full Pension, instead of 20$, for reasons then operating on his mind, I herewith enclose you the certificate of Mr. Bernard Clements of this county, proving the foregoing facts, please forward the same and [illegible] the effect of agreement, made with you [illegible] about one of the worthiest men for whom I have some [illegible], his tale as read is a small history, yet he was not found on the rolls, say anything for him that is good and it will be all right.

Your [illegible]
W^m H. Todd
Page 20

Payments to be
at Lexington
by the [illegible] U. S. Brands,
Bank
Agent for paying Pensions
in the Agency of Kentucky

Recorded by W^m L Allison
Clerk, in Book A, Vol. 9
page 46.
Page 21

[ document with fill ins]

WAR DEPARTMENT
Revolutionary Claim 

 I  certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the  [illegible]th June, 1832,  { John Knox of the state of  Kentucky}
who was a {Private in the Army of the Revolution}
is entitled to receive {Twenty} dollars and {_____} cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing the 4th of March, 1834, and payable semi annually, on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this  [eleventh } day of {February}
one thousand eight hundred and thirty {three}.

[illegible]
Secretary of War.

Examined and 
Countersigned.
J L Edwards [signature]


[written diagonally across main body of document]
Ca
Page 22

1324

from 1776 private 6 months 
$20.

Hon. R. N. Johnson

[text rotated 90 degrees]
Pensioners Claim
Page 23

The Secretary will please write to me as to this case at Frankfort Ky
Mr. H. Todd
Page 24

I know J. C. Herndon of Frankfort to be a man of Reputation. 

Wm H. Todd

I am personally acquainted with Wm. H. Todd. he is a man of credibility & the highest confidence may be placed in his statement

Rh [illegible] Johnson
4 Feb 1833

I will accept 6 months for the present this name not being on the roll if however I can get documentary evidence of in [illegible] or one witness [fold of paper obliterates the line] according to Knox: Feb 8th 1833
Wm H. Todd
Page 25

5447
Kentucky
-----
John Knox
of Shelby Co in the state of Kentucky
who was a private in the company commanded 
by Captain Rowan of the reg^t commanded
by Col, ---- in the Delaware mila
line, for 6 months, from 1776 & Continental
-----
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky 
at the rate of 20 Dollars --- Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
-----
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of Feb.
1833 and sent to Hon. R. N. 
Johnson N. R.
-----
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 32  | $30.--
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 March 33 | 10.00
| $40.--

{Revolutionary claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by W^m A. Allison Clerk,
Book [illegible] Vol. 9 page 46

[next column]
Pension is areared to $100 per annum and new certificate issued 3 Mar 1834. See letter to Hon. R. V. Johnson & Pension agt. 2 Dec. 33.
certificate delivered to W. N. Todd, [illegible]
Page 26

Rich^d M Johnson
Washington City
D. C.

[Stamp]
FRANKFORT
NOV
15
KY

[stamp rotated -45 degrees]
FREE

[text rotated 90 degrees]
John Knox
[illegible]

Issue a new certificate
allowing for two years
free pay [illegible] of [illegible]
$100. 

[next three lines illegible]
Page 27

Frankfort Nov. 13th 1833

Dr Sir

The enclosed case was returned for objections within which has been amended up to the regulations all of which as returned, you I Suppose will get the certificate if so forward the same to John C. Herndon of this place.

W. H. Todd
Page 28

16.439
INVALID.
-----
File No. 16.439
John Knox
Pri Rev War
-----
Act: June 7" 32
Index: -Vol. A, Pag 211

[Arrangement of 1870.]

[next column]
1916 Feb. 12 history to Mr. F. M. Ballard. M.13.H.

1930 Jan. 8 hist. to Miss Esther Beatly. See letter in case of Joseph Selmon S.38361. M. C. S.
-----
1933 June 26. hist. to Mrs. A. N. House M. C. S.
Page 29

[typed document]

[handwritten top right corner]
Rev Sec  
H


Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:-
I will thank you for a Military Statement
of John Knox, a Private in the Delaware Militia, who was
pensioned in 1832- from Shelby county, Ky-

Also of-
Joseph Hall, a Private in the Virginia Militia,
who was pensioned in 1833, from Lincoln county, Ky-

Respectfully,
 F. M. Ballard [signature]
#526 Montgomery Street,
Covington,
Kentucky. [underlined]

February 7th, 19
Page 30

[letterhead with other text printed and picture of a factory]
THE PROCESS CORPORATION 
DESIGNERS AND MANUFACTURERS
GREETING CARDS
CHICAGO

MRS. A. N. HOUSE
DISTRICT MANAGER
443 NATL BANK OF COMMERCE [illegible]
LINCOLN, NEBR.
OFFICE PHONE 8-2978
RES. PHONE 8-1756
RES. ADDRESS 2606 K STREET

[Stamp]
June 16 1933
MAIL SUB-DIV.
[illegible]
[illegible] 64
[the time is not indicated on the stamp]

2606 K St.
Lincoln Nebr.
June 13. 1933

The U. S. Pension Bureau
Washington D. C.

Dir Sirs: I am writing you in regard to the pension papers of Private John Knox [handwritten checkmark by the name], Delaware Militia which were granted in Shelby Co. Ky. Feb 11. 1832. He was 75 yrs of age, & allowed $100.00 Will you please either send a copy of these pension papers, or tell me the family data contained in there.

Yours Resp.,

Mrs. A. N. House
2606 K St.
Lincoln, Nebr.

[in pencil]
1 stamped self-addressed envelope attached.
[illegible initials]
returned
Page 31

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

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME Knox, John GRADE Private LINE Maryland

WARRANT NUMBER 11424 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED April 6, 1797 to James DeBaufre, assignee

-----
* The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1899" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.