Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 12,046, for John Kniffin, New York

SERVICE
New York
Kniffin, John Rachel
NUMBER
W.12.046
D.L. Mt. 28,584-160-55
CONTENTS

N o 24. 399 New York
John Kniffin
of Ulster Co. in the State of New York who was a Private in the Co. H. commanded by Captain Smith of the Regt. commanded by Col. — " — in the New York line for 15 months and 29 days
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 53 Dollars 20 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of Dec r 1833 — and to A. D. Soper Milton —
Arrears to the 14th of Ap. '33 $133 Pension allowance ending 4 M. '34 2660 $159.60
Revolutionary Claim, Ex. Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Geo. C. Atty Clerk, Book E. Vol. 4. Page 64.
319
106 40 26.60 133 00

4.368
New York City
Rachel Kniffin widow of John Kniffin NY who served in the Revolution-
ary war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 53 Dollars 20 Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued 22 nd day of July 1854, and sent to
M rs Valentine Albany N. York
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 77 Vol. CC
(32)
Date of widow's death not on AB
Reg from 58-149553

Ci: J. Staples, Mehr 22/756
149553
del 3 rd week May 26/55
28584/56 Rachel Kniffin random John Kniffin Pirate Pensylvania - New York,
Revolutionary War
MS. A. 9. 2. 23 - 4068
AD: 1600000000 no. 24/52
BR/PA
Isaac Staples Marlborough Wester Co. N.Y.
Vol. K. 123. -

Claim for Bounty Land Under Act of March 3 rd 1855.
Rachel Kniffin widow of John Kniffin deceased.
149553

State of New York } ss. County of Ulster }
On this twenty first day of May, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the county and State aforesaid Rachel Kniffin aged about Eighty four years a resident of Newburgh in Orange County & State of New York aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of John Kniffin deceased, who was a Private in the Revolutionary War between the United States & Great Britain. She further states that she now receives a Pension under a certificate No. 4,368 bearing date the twenty second day of July 1854, and which said certificate is recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll of pensions under the act of Congress of February 3 d 1853 on page 77 Vol A. She also refers to her former declaration & testimony, for the proof of her said husbands service and her marriage &c. and she further states that she is now a widow at the date hereof she makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3 d 1855. She also states that she has never applied for Bounty Land, nor received any, under this or any other act of Congress, ~~~~~
Rachel her Kniffin mark
We James Staples and Charles B Clark residents of Newburgh in Orange County & State of New York upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was executed & acknowledged by Rachel Kniffin in our presence and that we know from our own personal knowledge that she is the identical person she represents herself to be and that she is now a widow, from the facts that we have for the last past twenty years & upwards

been personally acquainted with her & that she has always during that time resided in or near the vicinity of us, and we further state that we have no interest whatever in this claim. —————
Darius Staples
Chas. B. Clark
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day & year first above written and I certify that I am personally acquainted with the affiants & know them to be credible persons and also that I am personally acquainted with the applicant and know her to be the same person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in her claim. —
Darius Staples
Justice of the Peace

State of New-York.
Ulster County Clerk's Office, ss.
I Certify that at the date of the certificate of proof, or acknowledgment, to which this is subjoined, the said Isaac Staples Esq. was a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and duly authorized to take the same, and that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Justice, and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this 22 day of May A. D. 185 5
M. Sheldon Clerk of Ulster Co.

State of New York } ss County of Orange - }
On this 15 th day of June 1854, before me J. W. Brown One of the Justices of the  One of the Justices of the Supreme Court in and for the State of New York, personally appeared Rachel Kniffin of the Town of Newburgh aged Eighty Three Years, who from bodily infirmity and age is unable to appear in open Court, and who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed February 3, 1853. That she is the widow of John Kniffin deceased, late a pensioner of the United States on account of services as a private in the War of the Revolution. That her husband the said John Kniffin died in the County of Ulster and State aforesaid on the twenty third day of February in the Year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight. That she was married to said John Kniffin at Marlborough in the County of Ulster & State aforesaid by a Baptist minister by the name of Warner Weaver in the Year one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine. That she has no record of her marriage, nor births of children not having had any by said Kniffin, and she does not know or believe a record of her marriage is to be found, as the minister aforesaid has removed since some years to parts unknown to this declarant. She further declares that she has not married since the death of her husband aforesaid and that she is now a widow -
Subscribed & sworn to before } Rachel her Kniffin me this 15 th day June 1854 } mark
J. W. Brown Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York

I certify that the reason of the said Rachel Whipple not writing her name is that she has been so long out of the habit of writing and that from age and infirmity I really believe her unable to appear in open court.
John W Brown Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York
State of New York,
County of Orange, p: I, Nathan Westcott, Clerk of said County, hereby certify that John
State of New York, Ora
W. Brown, the person only citing the foregoing affidavit and certificate and before whom the same was taken was on the 15th day of June, 1854, therein mentioned a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, being a court of record, that
I am well acquainted with the signature of said Judge, and believe the foregoing to be severally true and genuine.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County, this 15th June, 1854.
N. Westcott, Clerk By J. Geor H. Deputy Clerk.

State of New York } ss DeWitt W Kniffin and Mary Kniffin Ulster County } of Marlborough in Ulster County aforesaid aged respectively thirty five years & Sixty years, being first duly sworn according to law do depose & say That they are personally acquainted with Rachel Kniffin widow of John Kniffin deceased late a Pensioner of the United States, That they were present at the Marriage of the said Rachel and John and that they were married by a Baptist minister by the name of Drippin in the town of Marlborough aforesaid in or about the year one thousand eight hundred & twenty nine, and that she now resides in the town of Newburgh and still remains a widow Subscribed & sworn to before me } this 17 th day of June 1854 } DeWitt W Kniffin Mary Kniffin Isaac Staples Justice of the Peace in & for Ulster Co.
I certify that DeWitt W Kniffin & Mary Kniffin the persons above named are credible & competent witnesses & their state- ments are entitled to full faith & credit, and that I have no interest either directly or indirectly in the matter aforesaid Isaac Staples Justice of the Peace
I " " " " "

State of New York
Ulster County } ss
Chester Kniffin and Ellen M. Merritt of Marlborough in said County Aged respectively forty three years and thirty three years being first duly sworn - according to law, severally depose & say that they are personally acquainted with Rachel Kniffin widow of John Kniffin Decd late a pensioner of the United States That they were present at the Marriage of the said Rachel and John and that they were married by a Baptist Minister by the name of Dreyer, in the said Town of Marlborough in or about the year one thousand eight hundred & twenty nine, and that she now resides in the town of Newburgh and still remains a widow -
Chester Kniffin
Subscribed & sworn to before me This 17 th day of June 1854
Ellen M. Merritt
Isaac Staples Justice of the Peace in & for said County
I do hereby certify that Chester Kniffin & Ellen Merritt the persons above named are credible & competent witnesses and their statement is entitled to full faith, and that I have no interest either directly or indirectly in the matter aforesaid
Isaac Staples Justice of the Peace

State of New-York.
Ulster County Clerk's Office, ss.
I CERTIFY that at the date of the certificate of proof, or acknowledgment, &c to which this is subjoined, the said Isaac Staples Esq. was a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and duly authorized to take the same, and that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Justice, and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate are genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this 28 day of June A. D. 1854
M. Sheldon Clerk of Ulster Co.

State of New York } Orange County - }
Personally appeared before me Gilbert Ogden Fowler a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Orange aforesaid Thurston Wood Esquire aged seventy three  two years personally known by me to be a credible witness who having been duly sworn doth depose and say that he is personally acquainted with John Knappen and has been acquainted with him fifty years past that he knew him well in the time of the Revolutionary war - that in the month of June one thousand seven hundred and seventy six deponent belonged to the Company of Captain John Bicknell of the Regiment of Colonel James Clinton which Company was raised for and served one year - that during all that time the said John Knappen served in said Company as a private  a private sergeant according to the best of Deponent's recollection. He says and Deponent also saith that from a long and intimate acquaintance with the said John Deponent has every reason to think and does very much believe that he is a credible witness and that his testimony is entitled to full credit.
Sworn to and subscribed } This seventh day of - } September 1832 before me }
Thurston Wood
Gilbert Ogden Fowler One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Orange County.

State of New York
Seneca County ss. I Asa D. Dunning clerk of the Seneca County, do certify that Gilbert Ogden Fowler before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Seneca County and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and truly believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit is  the  same his proper hand writing and signature
Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 17 th day of June 1833 Asa D. Dunning

State of New York Ulster County
§§: William Mitchell of Newburgh in the County of Orange being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is seventy three years old, and has known John Triffin of the Town of Marlborough in the County of Ulster aforesaid, ever since deponent was a boy. They have lived neighbours ever since the Revolutionary War. In the month of February 1776 the said John Triffin en- listed out of the militia Company to which deponent belonged into the year's service under Captain John Belknap and served during said term of one year therein as this deponent has always understood and believes. - In 1777 deponent was with the said John Triffin in Captain Arthur Smith's Com- pany of militia, for three weeks guarding the shores of the Hudson River, when the British went up the Hudson river and continued out until they returned. In the months of November and December, in the year last aforesaid deponent was with the said John Triffin in the two months service under Bowdoin Terryman, Captain, and Colonel Hardenburgh, at New- Old Point at New Windsor in the County of Orange aforesaid. - Deponent further says that when he was with the said John Triffin, in the above mentioned service he the said John Triffin acted as orderly sergeant. - That the said John Triffin is a man of good character and entitled to full credit as a witness. -
William Mitchell
Subscribed and sworn the 8 th day of September 1832 before me
A. D. Lopez First Judge of Ulster County -
I certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named William Mitchell, he is a man of veracity and entitled to full credit as a witness -
J. L. Schuyler First Judge Ulster County

State of New-York, ULSTER COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE:
{ ss.
I, Jacob Snyder, Clerk of the County of Ulster, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Ulster County, Do hereby Certify— That Abraham D. Soper Esquire, was on the day of the date of the Certificate to the annexed Affidavit, Dist. Judge of Ulster County & of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Ulster duly authorised to take affidavits, &c.; and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge and verify believe the signature "A. D. Soper" subscribed to the Certificate to the said annexed affidavit to be genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the said Court and County, this twenty sixth day of June — 1833
Jacob Snyder

Exposure, was on the day of the date of the Certificate to the annexed affidavit, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Ulster, duly authorized to take affidavits, &c. and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and verily believe the signature subscribed to the
Certificate of the said annexed Affidavit to be genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the Seal of the said Court and County, this _____ day of _____ 183

State of New York Ulster County ss:
Personally appeared before me Abraham D. Dyer First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Ulster aforesaid John Triffin a resident of the Town of Marlborough in said County, to me personally known, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth depose and say, that he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers and served as here in stated, on the second day of February 1776, at Newburgh in the County of Orange, he enlisted to serve for the term of one year, in the Continental service, under Captain John Belknap, in the Regiment com- manded by Colonel James Clinton, deponent continued to serve therein until the second day of March 1777, being one month over the said term of one year, during this time said Regiment was stationed at Fort Montgomery in the Highlands, in the said County of Orange, and most of the time engaged in building said Fort and the barracks belonging to the same the reason why deponent continued to serve one month over his time, was in consequence of the three years men not ar- riving at said Fort in time to relieve the Company to which deponent belonged, Zershanah Hasbrouck was first Lieutenant Henry Paulding second Lieutenant and David Hunter Ensign in said Company - General Washington, and General George Clinton were there a part of said time - a company of Artillery from the South and another from the east, were at said Fort during a part of said term of service - Thurston Wood whose affidavit is hereto annexed belonged to said Company with this deponent - Deponent returned home after the above ser- vice, and was enrolled in the Company of Militia out of which he had enlisted, commanded by Captain Arthur Smith which said Company was kept in constant readiness, for actual service on alarms, and also furnished its number men from the Claps, into which it was divided - In the summer of said year 1777, deponent with said Company was called out on an alarm, and went to Fort Montgomery, and was absent at this time from home eight or ten days - a short time after wards deponent served for his Clap one month, at Fort Mont- gomery under Captain Arthur Smith, and again in the fall of that year, at the time Fort Montgomery was taken by the British, deponent with said Company, was called out on the alarm, but did not arrive at the Fort before it was taken - but continued in service, while the British were going up the river, and until after they had burnt Kingston, and returned down the river, below the Highlands - said Company was engaged in guarding the shores of the river, and continu- ed out at this time for three weeks - immediately after- wards deponent served for his Clap, two months, at Nichols Point and Newburgh in the County of Orange, under Captain Benedict Serpentine, Colonel Hardenburgh commanded the Militia at these places - deponent acted as orderly ser- geant in Captain Smiths Company, and also under Captain Serpen- -ning - William Mitchell whose affidavit is hereto annex- -ed, was with this deponent in the two last mentioned terms of
1 year 1 mo.
8 days
3 weeks
2 months
2
13, 24

13.29
Service, and belonged to Captain Smith's company. —
1 month
In the Spring of the year 1778 deponent again served for his clap one month, and lay at West Point, in the Highlands in said County of Orange, under Captain Smith at this time, a large number of Continental troops, mostly Dela- ley lay there, but under the command of whom, deponent has forgotten — In the same year deponent was out in service
1 month
for his clap one month, on the Indian Frontier at Mamanating in the County of Ulster at that time, but now Sullivan County, under Lieutenants Johnson, and Foster —
1 month
In the year 1779 or eighty, deponent was out again in service for his clap, for one month under Lieutenant Foster, on the Indian Frontier, at Mamanating aforesaid Colonel Paulding commanded on said Frontier, — deponent recollects James  James Chase at this time who was in the nine months service, whose affidavit deponent expects to pro-
13.29
15.09
duce — Deponent further says that he cannot at this late period of time, particularize any other times of actual service than as above set forth. That during the aforesaid years, he acted as orderly Sergeant in the Militia and was engaged at great many other times for short periods the Counties of Ulster and Orange, were threatened by the British on the South, and the Indians and Tories on the West, which with the disaffected persons among us, required the Militia to be prepared, at all times during the aforesaid years, to march at a moment's warning on alarms being given, which occasioned them to spend much more time, than, their actual term of service.
In answer to the interrogatories required to be put to Applicants for a pension. — Deponent says he was born in the Town of Newburgh, then in the said County of Ulster but now in the County of Orange, on the twenty fourth day of November 1758. — He has a record of his age in his Bible. — Deponent lived at Newburgh aforesaid at the several times he was called into the service above set forth and ever since the Revolutionary Wars he has lived at Newburgh aforesaid, and in the Town of Marlborough in said County of Ulster, where he now resides. — Deponent entered the aforesaid service at all times as a volunteer. — Deponent recollects at Fort Montgomery, of seeing Captain Mutchkin of the Artillery, in addition to the officers above named. — He saw many others but cannot now name them neither can he state every other general circumstances of his service than as above set forth. — Deponent never saw a written discharge, when the term of service were expired the men were verbally discharged. —

Deponent is well acquainted with the Reverend John H. Leggett of whose Church deponent is a member, and also with Allen Scott Esq. Andrew Ely Esq. Nathaniel Belly, and many others residing in his present neighborhood, who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
And this deponent further says that by reason of old age and bodily infirmity, even since April last when he had a paralytic stroke, he has been unable to attend the Court of Common Pleas held in and for the said County of Ulster, which is held at Kingston in said County about twenty eight miles from the residence of this deponent - neither does he expect or believe that he will be able to attend said Court at any time hereafter.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State. — John Frost
Subscribed and sworn the ninth day of September 1833. before me.
J. D. D. D. First Judge
We Andrew Ely and Nathaniel Belly — residing in the Town of Marlborough in the County of Ulster and State of New York, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Frost, who has subscribed or sworn to the above affidavit, that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age — that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. — And that he is a man of veracity and entitled to full credit as a witness. —
Subscribed & sworn June 24 th 1833 before me.
J. D. D. D. First Judge
Andrew Ely Nathaniel Belly
State of New York Ulster Co. ss.
I Abraham D. Dofie First Judge of Ulster County Courts. do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with John Frost, who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit that he resides in the Town of Marlborough in the said County of Ulster, and is a man of veracity and entitled to full credit as a witness, that for the reasons stated in his affidavit aforesaid he was not, and will not at any time hereafter be able to attend any Court of record held in said County — I have therefore investigated the matter of his applica-

tion and after putting to him the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, declare my opinion to be that the said Applicant John Kniffin was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. — I further Certify that the Revd John H. Kessel, of whose Church He said John Kniffin was a member a short time after, the making of said affidavit, removed from the said town of Marlborough into the County of Orange and resides there about thirty miles distant, which is the reason his Certificate has not been procured — And I further Certify that Andrew Ely Esq r and Nathaniel Bolty who have subscribed and sworn to the above Certificate, are residents of the said Town of Marlborough, and men of veracity, and that their statement is entitled to full Credit. — Dated June 24 th 1833 —
A. G. H. Smith First Judge
State of New York
Ulster County Clerks Office: I. Jacob Snyder Clerk of the County of Ulster and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Ulster County Courts do hereby Certify that Abraham D. Soper Esquire was on the day of the date of the foregoing proceedings in the matter of the Application of John Kniffin for a pension First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Ulster County and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Judge and verily believe his signatures to said proceedings to be genuine — Witness my hand and seal of office this twenty sixth day of June 1833. —
Jacob Snyder

September 9, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. Charles J. Bodine, R. N., 378 Linden Boulevard Brooklyn, New York
JOHN KNIFFIN W. 12046 BA-J/MLB
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Jacob Bodine, of Ulster County, New York, who was born May 15, 1742, served from Ulster County and died November 24, 1824, in Montgomery County, New York, his wife being Elizabeth Newkirk; also, of John (Jonathan or Johannes) Kniffin or Snuffine who served from Ulster County, New York.
There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of a Jacob Bodine. The record has been found of a John Kniffin of Ulster County, New York, which follows as shown in pension claim, W. 12046, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
John Kniffin was born November 24, 1753, in Newburgh, in that part of Ulster County which later became Orange County, New York. The names of his parents are not given.
While residing in Newburgh, New York, and serving in a company of militia which was held in readiness to serve on alarms, John Kniffin volunteered February 2, 1776, and served as private in Captain John Belknap's company, Colonel James Clinton's New York regiment, stationed at Fort Montgomery which he assisted in building, and was discharged March 2, 1777, after which he returned to the company of militia out of which he had volunteered, commanded by Captain Arthur Smith. He then served on several alarms as orderly sergeant in Captain Arthur Smith's New York company, one tour of eight or ten days in the summer of 1777 at Fort Montgomery; shortly after, one month at the same place, and a third tour of three weeks in the fall of 1777 engaged in guarding the shores of the Hudson River. Immediately after, he volunteered and served two months as orderly sergeant in Captain Bardowine Terpenning's company, Colonel Hardenburgh's New York regiment. He volunteered in the spring of 1778 and served one month as orderly sergeant in Captain Arthur Smith's company. In the same year, he served one month under

Lieutenants Johnston and Foster on the Indian frontier in that part of Ulster County which was later Sullivan County, New York. He volunteered in 1779 or 1780 and served one month as orderly sergeant under Lieutenant Foster in Colonel Paulding's New York regiment, again stationed on the Indian frontier.
After the war the soldier resided for a time in Newburgh, then moved to Marlborough, Ulster County, New York, where he was allowed pension on his application executed September 9, 1833, and where he died February 23, 1838.
John Kniffin married in 1829 in Marlborough, Ulster County, New York, Rachel _____. The date and place of her birth, names of parents or her maiden name were not shown. They were married by a Baptist minister named Alanson Draper.
Soldier's widow, Rachel Kniffin, was allowed pension on her application executed June 15, 1854, at which time she was aged eighty-three years and a resident of Newburgh, Orange County, New York, where she was still living in 1856.
No names in the claim were designated as those of children of John Kniffin and his wife, Rachel.
The following persons stated in 1854, they were present at the marriage of John Kniffin and Rachel, but their relationship to the family or to each other was not shown: Dewitt W. Kniffin aged thirty-five years, Mary Kniffin aged sixty years and Chester Kniffin aged forty-three years, also, one Ellen M. Merritt, all of whom were residents of Marlborough, Ulster County, New York.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

John Kniffen
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

State of New York Orange County
Personally appeared before me Gilbert Oden Fowler one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Orange. I hereby certify that he is personally known to me to be a credible witness who having been by me duly sworn according to law doth on his oath say that he served in the year 1779 or eighty in the Company of Captain Puffey in the Regiment of Colonel Purdie on the Indian Frontier in the Counties of Ulster and Orange & State upon said. That he is intimately acquainted with John Kniffen whose affidavit is herewith annexed and was well acquainted with him ever since the year 1775 that he lived in the neighborhood of the said John at that time and until ten years after said war and has been well acquainted with him ever since. That during the time this deponent was in service as upon said on the frontier he often met with the said John in service as a soldier under the command of a Lieutenant Foster as deponent was informed and believes to be true and the said Foster was an officer in the service of the United States as this deponent was informed and believes but whether he was in the regular service or Militia deponent does not recollect
Sworn this tenth day of September 1832 before me Gilbert Oden Fowler one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Orange County.
his Champln X - Chase mark.

State of New York
Seneca County ss
I Asa Dunning Clerk of the Seneca County Do certify that Gilbert Ogden Fowler before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Seneca County and that I am acquainted with his handwriting and truly believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper handwriting and signature —
Witness my hand and seal of office this 17 th day of June 1833 Asa Dunning

John Kniffin
Engl. Index p-87.
Admitted
Private 15 mo & 29 days
A. D. John Egan
Milton
Ulster Co
New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
28 Oct 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: § ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Liffman
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.      
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

28,584
S New Orleans

4/11/11: 2. rep. Co; 23.7 2 16: 38.
" OPH "

Rachel Griffin
N.Y. 14955-33
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.
✓ REF

PAID
to Commissioner of Pensions City of Washington D.C.
14/5/53

Rachel Griffin No Feb 3. 1853

Letter

Albany N.Y. July 5 th 1850
Sir
Enclosed are the papers in the case of Rachel within of John Knapp & under the Act of February 3, 1853.
I am Yours my respectfully.
W. Valentine
L. J. Waldo Esq. Cory P. Ransom Weathersfield

State of New York County of Ulster
John W. Wyzant and Henry Plumsted residents of Marlborough in said County being each duly sworn according to law Depose that John Kniffin a pensioner of the United States died in said County of Ulster on the twenty third day of February in the Year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight And at the time of his death left a widow Mrs Rachel Kniffin who is now a widow and resides in the Town of Newburgh, County of Orange and State of New York
John W. Wyzant Henry Plumsted
Subscribed & sworn to this 14 th day of July 1854
Isaac Staples Master of the Peace
I certify that John W. Wyzant and Henry Plumsted whose names are subscribed are competent witnesses & their statements is entitled to full faith & credit. I further certify that the facts above stated being known to me are true & correct. And that I have no interest whatever in the matter referred to in said depositions.
Isaac Staples Master of the Peace

State of New-York.
Ulster County Clerk's Office, ss.
I CERTIFY that at the date of the certificate of proof, or acknowledgment, to which this is subjoined, the said Isaac Staples Esq. was a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and duly authorized to take the same, and that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Justice, and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this 15 day of July A. D. 185 4
M Sheldon
Clerk of Ulster Co.

State of New York } County of Ulster }
Joseph Lockwood and Miles J Fletcher residents of Marlborough in said County being each duly sworn according to law Depo- seth that they were personally acquainted with John Kniffin Deceased a pensioner of the United States and who died in said Town & County on or about the Year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight. That they are personally acquainted with his widow Rachel Kniffin now a resident of the Town of New Pough in the County of Orange. That on or about the Year one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine the said John and Rachel were married in the Town of Marlborough in said Ulster Co. Their parents were not present at the marriage but from general report & belief in the neighborhood at that time & ever since it was and is known & understood that they were lawfully married and have no doubts nor have they ever been any expressed by others than that said John & Rachel were lawfully married as aforesaid. And that the said Rachel now resides in the Town of New Pough Orange Co N.Y. and is now a widow Subscribed & sworn to before me Joseph Lockwood on this 10 th day July - 1854 } Miles J. Fletcher Isaac Hayses Justice of the Peace in & for Ulster Co
I certify that Joseph Lockwood and Miles J Fletcher are credible & competent witnesses & I firmly believe their statements as above set forth is entitled to full faith & credit and that the substance of their statements is to me known to be correct, and that I have no interest whatever in the matter aforesaid — Isaac Hayses Justice of the Peace

The Religious of the County Clerk having been filed prior to the date of the within I mean of a later date it is dis- approved as to the official capacity of the Clerk of the County -

Letter
As Feb 3 1853
Marshall Knapp

Albany N.Y. July 17 th 1856
Sir
In compliance with Your letter of the 7 th inst in the case of Rachel Winifred I herewith enclose additional evidence in her case under the Act of July 3 rd 1853
I am Yours very respectfully W. P. Waldo Dir
L. P. Waldo Esq Clerk of Sessions Washington

Dear Mr. Officer:
July 28 th / 57.
Sir: Please certify the time to which the within named pension was paid. on the date of his death.
Very Respectfully,
Leonardo
Brannan
Rep. H. C.
Francis Burt Esq. The Auditor, Lehigh.

John Kniffin, act 1832. $53.20 for ann. died 23 Feb. 1838. paid
Thos. S. Pines, Acting Bro. Auditor

July 6 1852.
Rachel Kniffin
Wm. 7
Craup Co.
NY.
Act 53.
$53 \frac{20}{100} per An.
Wm. Feb. 37853.
Rev
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Pension Office, Official Business
Wm Valentine
Comptroller

No: 4837
Rachel Kniffin Wid: of John.
Set: to Wm Valentine July 7/52
Act/53.

Isaac Staple Marlborough
N.Y.
W  No
Rachel Kniffin 149,553
7
Add Evidence
28.584-160
May 29/16
Willie July 22/16

State of New York } County of Ulster } ss
On this twenty sixth day of May, A.D. one thousand eight hundred & fifty six personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace within & for the County & State aforesaid Rachel Kniffin (widow of John Kniffin deceased) of the Town of Newburgh in Orange County & State aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law declares that she has not received a warrant for bounty land under any act of Congress & that she has not made any other application therefor except her application No. in the Pension Office 146,553. She also further states that she has no knowledge of her said husband's ever applying for, or receiving a warrant for bounty land under any act of Congress.
Subscribed & sworn to before me this 26 th day of May, 1856
Rachel Kniffin mark
Isaac Staples
Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Ulster
State of New York } Ulster County ss } We Daniel S. Birdsall and Mary Haggart of the Town of Marlborough in said County being duly sworn according to law do depose & say that we are personally acquainted with the above named Rachel Kniffin (widow of John Kniffin dec'd) formerly of said Town of Marlborough, now a resident of Newburgh in Orange Co. N.Y. and that we know she is a widow at the date hereof & has been ever since the death of her said husband John Kniffin, from the fact that she

has resided in our immediate vicinity even since the death of her said husband John - Kniffin and we further state that we have no interest whatever in her Claim - Subscribed & sworn to { Daniel H. Birdsall before me this 27 th day } Mary Waggant of May 1856. —
Isaac Staples, Justice of the Peace in & for } Ulster County. —
I certify that I am personally acquainted with the above affiants & also with the applicant and they are all persons of good moral character & are entitled to credit & from my own knowledge I know the above statements to be true
Isaac Staples

State of New York,
ULSTER COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, SS.
I CERTIFY that at the date of the certificate of proof, or acknowledgment, to which this is subjoined, the said Isaac Staples Esq., was a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and duly authorized to take the same, and that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Justice, and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate is genuine. And I further certify that the annexed instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the laws of the state of New York.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County, this
Twenty eighth day of May
A. D. 1856
J. M. Schoonmaker Clerk of Ulster County.

149.553

State of New York Ulster County,
Marlborough May 24 th 1855.
Enclosed please find an application for Bounty Land under Act of Feb 3 rd 1855: for a widow of a Revolutionary soldier who now receives a pension under the Act of Congress 1855. She now refers to the application & evidence she made to obtain said pension for the proof of her husband's service & as to his & marriage death &c which I think will be sufficient. It appears to me to be the principal thing, to establish the fact that she is the Identical widow of J. Knapp who draws the pension which I think is done satisfactory, in her present application. It will be impossible to obtain the same proof she had with her former application as to her Marriage with the said John & as to his death on the account of the death of some of the witnesses. If the application is not satisfactory to you & if it is possible for me to make it so, I will obtain what is necessary if possible. You will please direct to me as above.
Respectfully Yours Commissioner of Pensions, Isaac Staples at Washington City D. C.

May 29 th 1856
Marlborough Ulster County New York
Sir
I have not been able to procure the record evidence of service in the case of Rachel Knipfer, as required by the 3 d Sec d of the act passed March 3 d 1855 granting bounty land to certain officers & soldiers &c. But I suppose that difficulty is now removed by the late amended act of Congress. I also herewith send her declaration that she nor her husband ever applied for nor rec d bounty land under any act of Congress - except her application No 149,553 Also proof of her personal widowhood. You will discover that the applicant lives in Newburgh & the witnesses in Marlborough The town joining & both parties live near the line -
Yours &c
Isaac Staples
J Minot Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C.

Brooklyn, N.Y. Aug. 24, 1937.
Veterans Administration Pension Bureau. Washington, D.C.
Am writing to find out what I can about one Jacob Bodine , born May 15, 1742, and died Nov. 24, 1824. He was a resident of Ulster County, N.Y. and died in the Town of Montgomery, N.Y. Montgomery was in Ulster County, N.Y. during the War of the Revolution but the county line was changed in 1798 throwing Montgomery into Orange County. Many times these veterans were listed in both Orange and Ulster Counties, N.Y.
Said Jacob Bodine served or was enrolled in the 4th Regt. Ulster County Militia, War of the Revolution.
Have you and records of this man's service or did he ever have a pension granted and if so please send the date of such. Also any other information concerning him such as date of his enlistment or enrollment, length of service, battles, if any that he was engaged in, the number of times he was called into service, his regiment, colonel, captains, name of his wife (We think it was Elizabrh Newkirk)
All information relative to this man we will appreciate.
Also furnish me with the same information of one John Kniffin who was said to have enlisted in the American Army, War of the Revolution at Kingston, Ulster County, N.Y. We do not know what organization he may have served in and would also like to know his regiment, colonel etc, and length of service. He may have been recorded as John, Jonathan or Johannes Kniffin. Sometimes this surname was spelled Snuffine in olden times and several other ways. Did this man ever have a pension granted to him and if so how much and at what date. Also the name of his wife, children, if any are mentioned and place where he lived at the time pension was granted.
Any information relative to this man will be greatly appreciated.
Thanking you in advance for this service, I remain.
Kniffin may have served in a N.Y. Line Regiment or he may have been enrolled in the militia.
Very truely yours.
Charles J. Bodine, R.N. 375 Linden B'lv'd.
Charles J. Bodine, R.N.
Read back of here

Request of Morris P. Lewis, Atty at Law
35 Nassau St., N.Y.
For Col. Kingfisher.
May 20, '08.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Kniffin a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his and (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.     Feb. 2. 1776 to Mar. 2. 1777 1 yr. Pvt. John Bicknell James Clinton N.Y.   Summer 1777 8 or 10 days Ord. Sgt. Arthur Smith   Shortly after 1 mo. " " "   Fall 1777 3 weeks " " "   immediately after 2 mo. " Benjamin Tappan Hardenburgh   Spng 1778 1 " " Arthur Smith   1778 1 " " Levi Johnson & Foster   1779 or 1780 1 " " Levi Foster Paulding  
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Newburgh N.Y.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 9. 1833  rel. ad.
Residence at date of application, Marlborough Ulster Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application born in Newburgh (then in Ulster Co. of New York) N.Y. Nov. 4. 1753  died Feb 23 1834 in Ulster Co. N.Y. March 1834
Remarks: Sol. married at Marlborough N.Y. in 1829. Rachel — There were present at the wedding. DeWitt H. Kniffin, Mary Kniffin and Chester Kniffin, relationship not stated. The widow was allowed pension on an ap. ev. June 15. 1834. at 83. res. Newburgh N.Y.
Very respectfully,

Breif in the case of Rachel Kniffin, widow of John. Orange County and State of New York act 3 rd Feby: 1853.
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under the act of 7 th June, 1832. Four persons testified their belief present at the marriage.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Wm Valentine Esq. Name and residence of Agent Albany, N.Y.
[Signature] Examining Clerk.

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 12046
Rachel Kniffin Widow of John Kniffin Post Geo War
Act: Act 38. 53
Index:—Vol. a , Page 417
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1908 Feb. 28. Hist. to Col. G. L. Kniffin B. of Penns. W
1908 May 20. Hist. to Morris P. Lewis, Atty at Law B. 4.
1937 Sept. 9 Hist. to Charles Balige P. 16