Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 44236, for Harmonus Knickerbocker, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Honickerbocker, Harmonus S. 44236 or Harmanus
CONTENTS

8160
New York
Harmonus Knier Rubockin
of Gorham in the state of New York who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Weston of the Massachusetts line, for the term of Four Years
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 20 of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 of March 1819 and sent to Stephen Phelps Esq. Canandaigua New York
Arrears to 4th of March 1819 $ 83.96
Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 Sept 1819 $ 48.
$ 131.96
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }

Harman Knickerbacker
to
State of Connecticut
Exemplified Copy of Mortgage

The People of the State of New York by the grace of God free and independent; to all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting,
Know ye that We having cause to be made in our office of our Clerk of our County of Ontario do there find a recording of a certain instrument in writing in the words and figures following, to wit,
This indenture or agreement made and concluded by and between Herman Knickerbacker of the town of Goshen County of Ontario and State of New York on the one part and Andrew Stoughton of Hartford in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut Treasurer of said State of Connecticut in and in behalf of said state and to the use and benefit of the School fund of said state by James Sullivan Commissioner of the School fund duly authorized and empowered on the other part, Witnesseth that the said party of the first part for and in consideration of one hundred and twenty five dollars hereby acknowledged to have been received of the said party of the second part and of the covenants herein after expressed to be performed by said party of the second part hath and by these presents doth bargain sell and convey unto said party of the second part and to his heirs or successors in said office and to his assigns forever a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being situated in the town of Goshen County of Ontario and State of New York being fifty acres part of lot number ten in township number six in the second range of townships in the County and State aforesaid not to be bounded or followed viz beginning at the north west corner of said lot thence running east on the north line to the land part of said lot and on the west by the west line of the lot and to extend south by a line parallel to the north line and a sufficient distance to include the said fifty acres inclusive of all highways if any there be

To have how occupy and improve the said described premises with the appurtenances to him the said party of the second part and his heirs or successors in Office and assigns forever to his and their use and benefit for the use and purposes aforesaid.
In Consideration whereof said party of the second part doth for himself and his heirs or successors in Office covenant & agree with said party of the first part his heirs executors ad- ministrators & assigns that whereas said party of the first part his heirs executors administrators or assigns shall well and truly pay and satisfy the principal and interest of a certain bond of even date herewith conditioned to pay to said party of the second part or his successors in Office to the use and benefit of the said school the sum of One hundred and twenty five Dollars in manner following viz twenty five Dollars in One year the same sum in two years the same sum in three years the same sum in four years and the same sum in five years from the date hereof together with the lawful interest of the state & of New York to be computed from the nineteenth day of June Eighteen hundred and fifteen said party of the first part shall have and hold said described premises free and clear of all demands or claims of title from said party of the second part or his heirs or successors in Office or said state of Connecticut and said party of the second part or his suc- cessors in Office shall thereupon make execute and deliver to said party of the first part his heirs or assigns a good deed of release conveying to said party of the first part all the right title in- terest or Estate which said party of the second part or his heirs or successors in Office or said state of Connecticut shall or may have in and to said described premises - which release or conveyance said party of the second part is fully authorized

and empowered to make -
In witness whereof the parties have hereunto set their hands and seals and to another instrument of the same tenor and date this nineteenth day of June 1815.
Sealed and delivered In presence of Friends State first - Edward Garrison witness to the signature of James Stillhouse - Daniel Seymour witness to the signature of F. Knickerbacker
James Stillhouse Comr of the School fund Herman Knickerbacker
Proved 19 th June 1815 before me William Master in Chancery A true copy of the original recorded 19. June 1815 and examined at 6 O'Clock P.M. Thos: M c Clain C.D.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this twelfth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty five -
Ralph Lister Deputy Clerk

Claims of Herman Knickbehr April 18 th 1815
Correct
The Honorable Secy of War
Gorham

State of New York Ontario County ss 5
On this 21 st day of April 1818 - before me the Subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County and State aforesaid personally appears Harmonus Knickerbocker aged Fifty Six years resident in the town of Gorham in the County and State aforesaid who being by me first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declarati- on in order to obtain the provision made by the late Act of Congress entitled An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War That he the said Harmonus Knickerbocker enlisted in September or October 1779 at Westpoint  West Point in the State of New York in the Company commanded by Lieut. Edwards Capt. Watson in the 9 th Massachusetts Regiment commanded by Col. Weston that he was afterwards transferred into the Second Massachusetts Regiment commanded by Col. Spence that he continued in the Service of the United States until June 1783 when he was honorably discharged from Service at a place called Snake Hill on the Hudson River in the State of New York that he was in the Battle at Fort Independence and that he was at the taking of Fort Craveallis. That he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his County for support and that having last his discharge he has no other means now now in his power of his said services
Given to and signed before me the day and year aforesaid Stephen Phelps
Harmonus Knickerbocker mark

Ontario County ss
I Stephen Phelps a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Ontario, do hereby certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Hermann Knickerbocker did serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in the preceding application against the Common Pleas and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the provisions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
Canandaigua April 20th 1818
Stephen Phelps
Ontario County ss
I Stephen Phelps a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify from satisfactory proof exhibited before me that Hermann Knickerbocker the aforementioned Applicant is in reduced circumstances and in need of assistance from his Country for support Canandaigua July 8th 1818
Stephen Phelps

The Honorable The Secretary of the War department if my claims are allowed will please to forward a certificate of the same to Stephen Phelps Esq. of Concordia who is my agent - - April 26 th 181818-
His Naimonus + Penikobah mch

State of New York Ontario County } ss. Clerk's Office
In Testimony that Stephen Phelps whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate was on the day of the date of the same one of the Judges of the court of common pleas in and for the County of Ontario and that the same is his signature I herewith subscribe my name and affix the county seal at Canan- daigua this 24 th day of April A D 1818
H. M c Naughton

In the matter of Harmanus Knickerbocker
Application for a Pension

Ontario County ss
On this sixth day of May 1824 personally appeared before me Moses Stwater a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Ontario being a Court of Record for the said County Harmanus Knickerbacker a resident in said County in the State of New York aged sixty two years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of the 18th of March 1818 the 1st. of May 1820 and the 1st of March 1823 that he the said Harmanus Knickerbacker for the term of the war (according to the best of his recollection) in the month of September A.D. 1779 at Westpoint in the State of New York in the Company Commanded by Lieutenant Watson in Col. Messons Regiment in the Massachusetts State line on the Continental establishment, that he was afterwards transferred to the second Regiment Commanded by Col. Sprout in which regiment he served until the close of the war he was discharged at Snake hill near New Windsor State of New York in June 1783 all which will more fully and from the debility and infirmities of this deponent, probably more correctly appear by reference to his former affidavit now on file in the proper office at Washington. And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th of March 1818 and I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for

me any property of securities Contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed That by profession or occupation I have been a farmer but on account of bodily infirmity occasioned by a rheumatism or palsy I have been helpless for the last eight years and have been and now am totally unable to transact any business by which I may acquire a livelihood that in consequence of my infirmities and diseases one man is required to attend me nearly all the time to do those things which are abso- lutely necessary to render me comfortable I have seven children to wit: Eli who now resides in the State of Ohio who sometimes has fits, he does nothing towards the support of this declarant. Sally who is married to David Bristol they are poor have five children and are scarce able to support themselves - Larry with whom I reside has no real estate except a reversionary interest in the fifty acres of land above mentioned, has a wife and three children to support - he has been put to great expense already in my support and is really unable to assist me me further. John & William are married and reside in the State of Ohio they do nothing and probably are unable to do anything towards my subsistence - Hannah and Harman are single they reside at Hopewell are destitute of property and are not able to render me any assistance of a pecuniary nature And I this de- clarant further say that I am unable to attend in person in Court, by reason of disease or bodily infirmity and that I have once been placed on the pension roll N o 8160
Witnesses present Elisha Higby }
Harmanus his mark Knickerbacker

Sworn to and declared on the sixth day of May 1824 before me a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in the county of Ontario Moses Atwater.
I Moses Atwater a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the county of Ontario where the declarant resides do hereby certify that the above named Harmonus Knicker- backer is from disease supposed to be rheumatic or palsy with which I am credibly informed and believe he has been afflicted for the space of eight years past unable to attend the Court of which I am a Judge, and I do not think from present foreseen appearances he will be able to attend the Court above named at its next session I have therefore in pursuance of the act of Congress of March 1823 attended at his place of abode and adminis- tered the foregoing oath Moses Atwater Judge
Schedule of property belonging to me Harmonus Knickerbacker the above declarant. To wit a life estate in fifty acres of land in Hopewell Ontario Co. Subject to a mortgage to the State of Connecticut for $125 Dollars exclusive of interest $11.00 One Bill $1.50 One trunk $2.25 3.75 Four volumes of books $1.25 1.25 $16.00 N. B. the two lines above the two last lines were interlined before signing
Witness present Elisha Higby
Harmonus his Knickerbacker mark
Sworn and subscribed this the sixth day of May in the year 1824 before me a Judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas in the county of Ontario Moses Atwater

Personally appeared before me Eli Benham and Elisha Higby and made oath that the total value of the property contained is worth fortyfour dollars and - cents and I being satisfied with that apprisement do allow the above declaration to be recorded May 6. 1824 before me a judge of the Courts of Common Pleas in the County of Ontario
Moses Stewart
Ontario County ss. At a Court of Common Pleas being a court of Record held at Canandaigua on the third Tuesday of May 1824 in and for the said County present The Hon. Aaron Younglove Moses Stewart and Micah Brooks Judges
The foregoing declaration of Harmanus Knick- erbacker and the certificate thereto annexed having been produced in Court and the Court being satis- fied that the value of all the estate inventoried therein is $44 do order their Clerk to record and certify the same accordingly.
State of New York Ontario County
ss. Ralph Sester Deputy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do certify that the foregoing is a true copy from the records of said Court
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court this 22d. day of May 1824
Ralph Sester Dep. Clerk

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Hermannus Knickerbocker or Hermanus 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.
S. 44,236
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Sept. 1779 June 1783 Private Watson Mason 9. Mass.   discharged Sprout 2. "   at Snake Hill, N.Y.        
Battles engaged in, Fort Independence & taking of Fort Cornwallis Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enl. at West Point, N.Y. Date of application for pension, Apr. 20, 1818. His claim was allowed. Residence at date of application, Gorham, Ontario Co., N.Y. Age at date of application, fifty-six yrs.
Remarks: No reference to his wife. In 1824 he referred to his seven children, viz. Eli residing in Ohio; Sally wife of David T. Bristol & five children, names not stated; Harry, married, & three children, no names stated; John & William both married residing in Ohio; Hannah & Herman both single residing at Hopemill, Ontario Co., N.Y.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

1818 56 1762

Ex parte
Harmanus Knickerbocker
Affidavit

Ontario County ss. Hermannus Kinschbacher being duly sworn before me say that on the eighteenth day of March 1818 this deponent was and was in possession of the following property that is to say, one hundred and twenty acres of land lying in the town of Haverhill in the county of Ontario and also to the best of his recollection one pair of horses one two horse wagon two cows two or three pigs some household furniture and possibly some articles of inferior value, which this de- ponent does not inform as he is cannot possibly recollect.
And this deponent further says that the whole amount of debts due from this deponent at that time according to the best of his recollection was one thousand four hundred and eighty six dollars and thirty three cents including the mortgage to the State of Connecticut.
And this deponent further says that at the time of the discontinuance of his pension under the act of 18 th March 1818 he this deponent was extremely well convinced that this deponent did not expect long to sur- vive to enjoy his pension should he be restored to the list on which he cannot be but not make his application before this time.
And this deponent further says that in consequence of his infirmi- ties he was not only unable to procure any thing by his own labor but from the 18 th March 1818 until this time he has been a source of constant and increasing expense and trouble to his friends; that by

reason of his own utter inability to provide any means other than those of his land and the small amount of personal property therein above enumerated, and also to prevent a sacrifice of the whole by a forced sale by their creditors who were pressing him to pay the said deficienc- sometime in the year eighteen hundred and nineteen sold six acres of his said farm to Walter Wells at twelve dollars per acre the price of which was made the satisfaction of the said deficienc's debts without overcoming into the said deficienc's hands. That sometime in the year eighteen hundred and twenty the said deficienc proposed to his sons William and Larry (in order to relieve himself as well as to save his creditors from loss) to assume the payment of all the said deficienc's debts amounting at that time to fifteen hundred dollars or more in consideration of which he the said deficienc agreed to convey the residue of his said farm viz one hundred and forteen acres to his said sons. That the above conveyance was made in consequence of which he the said deficienc said sons assumed upon their own responsibility all the debts due or expected from the said deficienc, some of which they have paid and the others they have given their own personal security for the payment of, and this deficienc further says that he accordingly conveyed the farm aforesaid to his said sons, and further that the sum of money thus assumed and paid by his said sons were in the aggregate quite as much if not more than the land was

worth; and this informant further says that the fifty acres of land mentioned in his first affidavit are that part of his farm which was deeded to Larry Knickerbacker
And this informant further says that all the personal property above enumerated was expended in his support; but from the lapse of time as well as the frailty of this informant's memory he cannot particularize the persons to whom nor the amount for which the said articles were
Hermannus his X Knickerbacker mark
Subd. Witnesses present
Ch. Benham
Moses Atwater
Ontario County ss. On the tenth day of February in the year Eighteen hundred and twenty five before me Moses Atwater a Judge of the Court of common pleas in said County came Hermannus Knickerbacker whom I know to be the person described in the foregoing instrument and made oath to the truth of the facts therein contained and at which time I hereby certify that he was unable to come into Court
Moses Atwater
State of New York Ontario County ss
I certify that Moses Atwater whose signature appears to the above certificate was on the day of the date thereof a Judge of the Court of common pleas in and for said County duly Commissioned and sworn In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this 28 th day of February 1825
Nathaniel L. Cutter Dep. Clerk

Hon. Dudley Mann M.C.
Washington
District of Columbia
Harmann Knickerbocker
Mr. Knickerbocker

Hon. Dudley Marvin.
Canandaigua Feb 22. 1824 —
Dear Sir
I enclose="1"> I enclose you the papers in the case of Hermann Knickerbacker a revolutionary prisoner. Some delay has been occasioned by the negligence of his friends in not procuring a judge to go to his bedside and swear him to the truth of the facts. The affidavit is now transmitted to you agreeably to my instructions. Mr. Edwards in his letter to Mr. Taylor on this subject seems to impute badness to Mr. Knickerbacker in not going into open court and there making his oath to the truth of his narration. I will thank you to say to Mr. Edwards that if he will look at the papers he will see that the situation of the applicant was such as to render his attendance in court impossible and thereby bring his case within the provisions of the statute on this subject. This inability still continues and accordingly Judge Atwater was employed to go down and administer the oath to him as appears from his certificate. Mr. Knickerbacker is the father of Sally Knickerbacker and his friends presuming that you are acquainted with his circumstances hope that you will be so kind as to exert your influence in his favor with the Pension Office. While on this subject I will trouble

you to enquire about an affair of my own. Mrs. John Hinckley of Nafplion sometimes since employed to procure her restoration to the pension roll. The office of the Pension office refused to claim on the ground that certain proper- ty, which she set forth had not been satisfactorily account- ed for. At our November term. Then, I made out a very full explanatory affidavit setting forth a misapprehen- sion on my part of Mr. Hinckley's case and setting forth again in as intelligible a form as I could the very facts in the case. This affidavit was sworn in open court and filed with Mr. Lester and an exemplified copy transmitted with all possible expedition. From this last document I have some- times read a word, and when you transact the other business I will desire you to enquire the probability of Mr. Hinckley's claim being finally allowed. Nothing very special has transpired since you left us. S. T. Kelble Esq d died on the morning of the 21 st ult after having maintained the struggle with his disease until he became the merest skeleton I ever saw. Jas. A. Stearns has been severely sick but decided now on the recovery. Your family are in usual health. With sentiments of esteem Yours respectfully Thomas H. Johnson

P.S. I enclose an exemplified copy of the act of commencement in Knickerbocker's case

Schule
Dannanus Knickenbocker
Recd. June 1824.
Sept 10/24
Honorable John C. Calhoun Secretary of War Washington - City
Mr. Calhoun

Concordia May 26 th 1824
Dear Sir
Will you have the goodness to inform me, as soon as convenient, whether Knekerbacher is restored to the pension roll - directed to
Henry W Taylor Counsellor at Law.
Hon. J. C. Calhoun Secy of War.

Rev. War Section.
December 1, 1914.
Mr. W. B. Knickerbocker, Jackson, Michigan.
Sir:
In response to your letter dated the 23 rd ultimo, relative to Harmonus Knickerbocker, Sur. File No. 44,236, Rev. War, you are advised that in order to ascertain the date of last payment of his pension, and to whom paid, you should apply to the Auditor for the Interior Department, U. S. Treasury Department. giving him all of the following data:
"Harmonus Knickerbocker, Certificate No. 8160, issued March 24, 1819, for $8. per month from April 20, 1818, under the Act of March 18, 1818, at the New York Agency."
Very respectfully,
G. M. Saltzgaber. Commissioner.

4733 North Artesian Ave.
Chicago,
11/9/14.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
It has been suggested by the Adjutant General of the War Department that you may be able to give me further information concerning the two parties mentioned herewith:-
Harmans Knickerbacker of the Militia (Land Bounty fight) Duchess Co. N.Y., 6 th Regiment.
Herman Knickabaker of the Line - 2 nd Regiment under Colonel Philip Van Cortland, New York State.
Am anxious to secure all the information possible concerning these two parties - including their military record, town and County in N.Y. State from which they enlisted - and their age at time of enlistment.
According to family records my great-grandfather Harmon Knickerbocker who was born in 1761, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War but under whose command he served or in what capacity we do not know. Although there is a slight difference in the spelling of the names am quite certain, one of the two parties mentioned above must be my great-grandfather.
To enable me to join at some future time the Sons of the American Revolution and to secure additional information as to my ancestry is my object in seeking the information asked for. Thanking you in advance for whatever information you may be able to send me & remain, Very truly yours, B. D. Knickerbocker.

HENRY LEFEBURE, PRES.
HENRY W. SHANK, VICE-PRES.
G. W. STORY, CASHIER
C. J. KNICKERBOCKER, ASS'T CASHIER
YOUR BUSINESS SOLICITED
Fairfax Savings Bank
Interest Paid on Time Deposits
JAS. M. ROGERS D. J. CAHILL J. F. DVORAK, M. D. JOS. VOREL L. F. LEFEBURE
Fairfax, Iowa, Nov. 28-1914
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:- I contemplate joining the Sons of the American Revolution and am seeking all possible information as to my ancestors, and wish to have your aid by giving me all the information you possibly can on my great-great-grandfather, Harmonus Knickerbocker who enlisted in the Revolutionary War at West Point, N.Y. in Sept. 1779 and who applied for a pension in 1818. Please give me all the infor-

✓ ESTABLISHED 1883
N21
THE KNICKERBOCKER COMPANY MANUFACTURERS OF DUST COLLECTORS AND CONCRETE MIXERS JACKSON, MICHIGAN
TRADE MARK CYCLONE REGISTERED
W. B. KNICKERBOCKER, PRES.-GEN'L MGR. WEDWORTH W. CLARKE, VICE PRESIDENT W. B. KNICKERBOCKER, JR., SEC'Y-TREAS.
Nov. 23, 1914
Bureau of Pensions, Department of Interior Washington, D.C.
Re: Sur. File 44236 Revolutionary War.
Gentlemen:-- Attention Commissioner of Pensions Referring to report on pension paid to Harmonus or Harmanous Knickerbocker for service in the Revolutionary War, will you kindly advise whether or not this pension was discontinued at his death, and if not, to whom paid?
Yours very truly,
W. A. Knickerbocker
WBK.VLF

Rudolph

ESTABLISHED 1883
THE KNICKERBOCKER COMPANY
MANUFACTURERS OF
DUST COLLECTORS AND CONCRETE MIXERS
JACKSON, MICHIGAN
TRADE MARK
CYCLONE
REGISTERED
W. B. KNICKERBOCKER, PRES.-GEN'L MGR. WEDWORTH W. CLARKE, VICE PRESIDENT W. B. KNICKERBOCKER, JR., SECY-TREAS.
Oct. 30, 1914
Pension Department,
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:--
In tracing back my ancestry, we have a record showing that my great grandfather, Harmon Knickerbocker, who was born in 1761 and died in 1825, was a soldier in the revolution. It is quite certain he enlisted from Duchess Co., New York, but we do not know in what company or regiment and whether in the militia or the line. Can you advise me where I would be apt to find any records or information bearing on this matter? Any suggestions that you may offer for securing the information desired, will be appreciated,
Yours very truly,
W B Knickerbocker
WBK.VLF

HENRY LEFEBURE, PRES.
HENRY W. SHANK, VICE-PRES.
G. W. STORY, CASHIER
C. J. KNICKERBOCKER, ASST CASHIER
YOUR BUSINESS SOLICITED
Fairfax Savings Bank Interest Paid on Time Deposits
JAS. M. ROGERS D. J. CAHILL J. F. DVORAK, M.D. JOS. VOREL L. F. LEFEBURE
Fairfax, Iowa,
mation concerning him or any thing you may find concerning the family history.
Thanking you in advance I remain,
Yours truly,
C. J. Knickerbocker

Mr. Warner H 224 // Winston Ct.
Pension Office
Watertown U.P.
Sec. Military Statistics
Dear Sir - Is there any record of Richard Covel from Cape Cod, Mass. receiving a pension or for giving one of that name, or receiving a pension or being in the War of Revolution - Also what records can you send me of Col. Knickerboker - Where son was he & what his first name, from Schaghticoke - Mrs. Doham told me you looked up such matters and what will the charges be -
Respectfully yours.
Mrs. Mary Knickerboker Carpenter.
6020 Hannah Phillips