Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16,039, for John Knight, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental
Mass.
N. 76.
Knight John Abigail
W. 16.039
CONTENTS

Portsmouth N. Hampshire 663 Higail Knight widow of John Knight decd.
who died on the 12 March 1827 of Rockingham in the State of N.H. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain [blank] of the Regt. commanded by Col Read in the N. Hampshire line for 6 years Pte of Inf & Cavalry N.H.
Inscribed on the Roll of Portsmouth at the rate of 90 Dollars — Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of March 1837 and Seat P. Chadwick Exeter N.H.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1837 $540.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1837 45.00 $585.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3. }
Recorded by H.H. Gaddison Clerk, P- Vol. Page 29

New-Hampsh. 17. 1790 R
John Knight, (invalid pens n $4. pmo.) of Rock Co. in the state of N. Hamp. who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Reed, of the N. Hampsh. line, for the term of Six Years .
Inscribed on the Roll of New-Hampsh at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 29. of April, 1818 .
Certificate of Pension issued the 18. of Sept. 1820 and sent to Peter Chadwick, ag Exeter, N. Hampshire
diff. of invalid & Rev d Rev d 4th of Sept. 1820. $: 112.80 Semi-ann. all ce ending 4. March 48. " 28 mo. \left. \begin{matrix} 67 \\ 30. \end{matrix} \right\} 1821. \} \$ 160.80
{ Revolutionary claim, { Act 18th March, 1818. } and 1 st May, } Rev d 225.60. 1820. } Inv d 112.80 112.80.

Abigail Knight widow of John 1776
Allow for Supt 12m 40 for Drap. 12 50 90 com D.
Evidence M c Intyre in Exeter Expenditure of Abigail Knight

I William Willey of Northwood. County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire of lawful age depose and say That I was in the army of the Revolution of the United States and Served during said War as will appear by my Declaration now in the War Department of the U.S. and was well acquainted with John Knight late of said Northwood deceased he was in the Army with me and served several years - and about one year or more before the War closed said John Knight came to Northwood and was married by Elder Edmund Pillsbury of Northwood (who was an ordained min- ister) to a niece of mine Abigail Willey and after remaining at Northwood with his wife a short time he returned back into the Army & there served as a private soldier until the war was fully ended & then return- ed home to Northwood in company with me I further depose and say that said Knights Widow has remained unmarried ever since the death of her said husband John Knight. Attest Edson Hill Richard Scott
Northwood December 9 th 1836 William his Willey Mark
Rockingham State of New Hampshire Dec 9. 1836 Subscribed & sworn to before me Edson Hill Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that the within named William Willy is a credible Witness
Dec 9. 1836
Edson Root Justice of the Peace

I, Enoch H. Pillsbury of Northwood in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire of lawful age depose and say. That I have in my custody and have had ever since the decease of my father James Pillsbury a Book of records of Marriages &c made by my Grand Father. Elder Edmund Pillsbury late of said Northwood deceased. who was an ordained minister in said Town. and on examining the records find recorded in the list of marriages solemnized by my Grand Father. May 15 th 1782. John Knight to Abigail Willy & I further depose and say that said Book of records has been kept in the House I now live in while my Grand Father was living - then after his decease by my Father then after the decease of my Father by me kept to the date of this affidavit. Said list of Marriages contain more than Two hundred. I further depose and say that Abigail Knight wife of said John Knight has remained a Widow of the said John Knight ever since his decease.
Northwood Dec 7-1836 E. H. Pillsbury
State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss 3 Dec 7-1836-
Sworn and subscribed to
Before me
Edson Hill Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that the within named Enoch H. Pillsbury is a credible Witness.
Dec 7. 1836
Edson Hall, John of the Peace

I Moses. Derritt of Northwood County of Rockingham & State of New Hampshire of law full age depose and say, That I was well acquainted with John Knight late of Northwood deceased, and knew of his being in the Revolutionary Army of the United States, previous to the year seventeen hundred and Eighty and after that time That after said John Knight had been in the army some time. he the said John Knight, came home to Northwood from the army, and married one Abigail Wil- ley. He remained at home a short time after he was married he then returned back to the army and I think continued untill the war was fully ended, after said Knight was married and before he returned into the Army he engaged my father er (who is now dead) to support his wife & Child that was born after he the said Knight, returned into the army, untill he the said Knight should return home, likewise my father did so maintain said Knight's wife & Child, and after Knight returned home, he paid my father for the support as aforesaid. Elder Edmund Pillsbury who was an ordained minister in said Northwood, married said John Kni- ght and Abigail Willey! I further depose and say that said Knight's wife has remained and is now a Widow of said John Knight

She always has remained in town since the decease of her husband most
Northwood Decr 7th 1836
Attest Edson Hill Richard Hoitt
Moses Demeritt Mark
Rockingham } State of New Hampshire
Decr 7. 1836 } Subscribed and sworn
to. Before me
Edson Hill Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that the above named Moses Demeritt is a creditable Witness
Decr 7. 1836
Edson Hill Justice of the Peace

I Deliverance Willey of Northwood in the County of of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire of lawful age depose and say That sometime previous to the close of the Revolutionary War of the United States I knew John Knight late of said Northwood deceased. He was in the Army with my husband as I am certain I knew of said Knight coming home from the Army some time previous to the close of the war and married. Abigail Willey and remained at home a short time after his marriage and then went back into the Army and remained until the close of the War and returned home in Com- pany with my husband William Willey. I resided within a few miles of said John Knight's Wife after they were married until said John Knig- ht returned at the close of the war in seven- hundred eighty three. I further depose and say that said Knight's Widow never has been married since her said husband John Knight's decease Northwood Aug. 9. 1836 Deliverance Her Willey marks
Attest Eldson Hill Richard Hoitt

Rockingham ss 3 State of New Hampshire Decr 9. 1836) Subscribed and sworn to before me E. Wilson Hill Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that the within named Deliverance Willey is a credible Witness Decr 9. 1836 E. Wilson Hill Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss.
I John Kelly Register of Probate for the County of Rockingham do hereby certify that Edson Hill is a Justice of the Peace for said County and that his signature to the certificates on this paper and on the papers hereto con- nected are genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the Probate Court for said County this 12 th day of December A.D. 1836 John Kelly Register of Probate

Oct 12 1906 Oct 19

Knight, John
His name appears on a list of applicants for invalid pension returned by the District Court for the District of New Hampshire, submitted to the House of Representatives by the Secretary of War on December 31, 1794, and printed in the American State Papers, class 9, page 139
Rank. Private
Regt. Col. Peabody's
Disability: Has lost two fingers of his left hand, by his gun going off by accident while on guard.
When and where disabled: 1778, Boston Neck
Residence: Northwood
To what pension entitled: One half
Remarks: Militia

Declaration Abigail Knight 851. 3. Sec.

That the Honorable John Hawley is the Judge of Probate for said County and that his signatures to the above certificates are genuine and in his own hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the Court of Probate for said County this 12th day of December A.D. 1836
John Kelly Register of Probate
Probate

that she has remained a Widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed
Attest. Edwin Hill
Jeremiah Elkins
Abigail her Knight mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before
John Harvey Judge of Probate
I do declare my opinion that the said John Knight was a revolutionary soldier and served as above stated; that the said Abigail Knight was married to said John Knight as above stated; that he died as above stated; and that the said Abigail hath since his death remained and still is the widow of the said John Knight and I do certify that the said Abigail Knight the applicant from bodily infirmity cannot attend Court
John Harvey Judge of Probate
I John Kelly Register of Probate for said County of Rockingham do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Judge of Probate for said County in the matter of the application of Abigail Knight for a Pension and I do further certify

State of New Hampshire
Rockingham ss
On this tenth day of December in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty six personally appeared before the Judge of Probate in and for the said County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire - Abigail Knight a resident of the Town of Northwood in said County of Rockingham and said State of New Hampshire aged Seventy nine Years - who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 14 th 1836. That she is the Widow of John Knight late of said Northwood deceased who was a private soldier in the Revolutionary Army of the United States and served several years as will more fully appear by the declaration made by said John Knight now in the War Department of the United States. He served in the War until the close of it in seventeen hundred and eighty three; She further declares that she was married to the said John Knight on the fifteenth day of May in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and eighty two That her husband the aforesaid John Knight died on the twelfth day of March in the year eighteen hundred and twenty seven; and

John Kneeland (17/255) Rockingham Co: N.H. Original declaration, 29. April, 1818.
Invalid pensioner a $4 pmo.
Various services - Col: Van Cortlandt's N.Y. line, and Col: Reed's N. Hampshire line, 1777 - to close of the war.
Service in col: Van Cortlandt's regim: proved by two cre- dible witnesses.
Worth $12 \frac{79}{100}
Peter Chadwick, agt. Exeter, N. Hampshire. Rec'd 14. Aug. 1820.

State of New Hampshire
Rockingham ss
On this 18 th day of July 1820 person- ally appeared in open Court at Concord before John Hovey and Hall Bugg in Ensign Justices of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Rocking- ham being a Court of Record for the said County of Rockingham having the power of fine and im- -prisonment John Knight aged sixty resident in Northwood who being first duly sworn in said County according to Law cloth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the Acts of Congress passed on the 18 th day March 1818 and the first day of May 1820 viz that he the said John Knight enlisted at Andover in the State of Mass about the year 1775 for eight months At the expiration of said term he enlisted for one year in the Massachusetts line on the Continental establishment at the expiration of which term he again enlisted for three years into the Second as he thinks New Hampshire Regiment which enlistment he thinks was in the year 1777 and served the full term of his enlistment a part of the time, in Captain Samuel Cheneys Company in Colonel Phillips Van Courtlands Regiment of Light Infantry and that after the close of his term of service he again enlisted for during the war in the New Hampshire Line and served until the war was over when he was regularly discharged at Newburgh That from loss of memory he is una- -ble to state the Regiment or Company that he was in the Battle of Lexington (as a Volunteer) Bunker Hill Fort Washington The Battle of the 19 th of September and

7 th of October with the enemy under Burgoyne The Battle of Monmouth and The Storming of Stony Point That he has no other evidence at present in his power except the Depositions of Lieut Robert B Wilkins and Sargant James Harvey. That he lost his original discharges by accident. That his original Declaration in order to obtain a pension was made before the Hon ble John Harvey one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Rockingham is dated the 29 th day of April 1818. And in pursuance of the Act of Congress of the 1 st of May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818; and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner whatever 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 18 th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or 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. My occupation is that of a labourer but am not able to do more than half a mans work by reason of Age and Rheumatism I have in family residing with me my wife sixty six years of age quite infirm and is not able to support herself. Witness Richardworth John his  marks Spengler

Sworn to and declared at Concord in said County on the 18 th day of July AD 1820
Before us John Kenway & Justice of Peace (Burgess) said Court
Schedule
Containing the whole estate and income of John Knight (his necessary clothing and bedding excepted) by him subscribed and exhibited to the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Rockingham on the 18 th day of July 1820. And annexed to his oath. viz
A Log hut standing on the Towns land. — 5.00 one hog & one pig 4.00 1 Bx & hoc. 1.00 — 5.00 2 Broken Chain 25 cts. 1 Iron Kettle 50 cts — 75 1 Broken Kettle 25 cts 2 Cups & saucers & two plates 17 cts. 42 1 Broken Table 50 cts 3 Knives & forks 25 cts — 75 1 Linnen wheel (very old) 75 cts 2 Iron spoons 12 cts — 87 $12.79
Witness Richardworth
John his mark Knight
I Peter Blackwell Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Rocking- ham. do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the Record of the said Court; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property enumerated in the aforesaid schedule is twelve Dollars and seventy nine cents
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 25 th day of July Anno Domini 1820
P Blackwell Clerk

John Penright
Published in 1775
1st New Hamp. Reg t
Served to Close of War

State of New Hampshire Mackinham ss
On this twenty ninth day of April 1810 before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the County Court of Common Pleas for the County of Mackinham aforesaid personally appears John Knight aged fifty eight years resident in Northwood in the said State, who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions 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 John Knight enlisted in the spring of the year 1775 in the State of Massachusetts that he joined the army at Bunkerhill in the company commanded by Captain Henry Dearborn of the first New Hampshire Regiment; that he continued to serve in the said Corps and in the service of the United States until the close of the war in 1783 when he was discharged from service in the State of New York; That he was in the Battles of Bunkerhill, White Plains, taking of Burgoyne, & Newton and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other means now in his power of his said service —
sworn to and declared before me the day and year aforesaid
John Harvey

I John Harvey Judge of the Court of Common Pleas as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said John Haight did serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy, and that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support. and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the secretary for the department of war pursuant to the directions of the above mentioned act of Congress
May 24 th 1810
John Harvey
By order of the Judge.
B. Nuttall Clerk

Rev WIDOW, & C
File No. 16039
Abigail Knight Widow of John Knight Rev Rev War
Act July 1 st 1836
Index: Vol. 12 , Page 408
[Arrangement of 1870.]

   Original Modified Guardner     1/2 1/2 1/2   1/4 1/4 1/4   1/8 1/8 1/8   1/16 1/16 1/16   1/32 1/32 1/32   1/64 1/64 1/64   1/128 1/128 1/128   1/256 1/256 1/256  

This may certify that the bearer is the same John Knight who on the 26 th of December, 1793. was examined as a military Invalid by the commissioners appointed for that purpose and recommended for a pension from the United States.
Sam. Tenney, one of said Commissioners. Dated 27. July, 1796. Whom it may Concern —

To what time was John Knight of N.H. act 1818 last paid W.H. Addison
To the 4 March 1827
W.H.
H

I Robert B Wilkins of Concord in the county of of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire on oath declare that I was a Lieut in the New Hamp- shire line in the continental revolutionary army but was formally an Ensign in the 3 d New Hampshire Regt commanded by Col Alexander Cummell and was per- sonally acquainted with John Knight who was a soldier in the 2 d New Hampshire Regt commanded by Col George Nield that he served as a soldier aforesaid in said Regt the whole of the year of 1779 and that in the year 1780 he was detached into a Company of light Infantry commanded by Capt Samuel Cherry who was detached from said 2 d Regt into Col Philip Van Cortlandt Regt of light Infantry and that he the said Knight served faithfully eighteen months in the New Hampshire line aforesaid in the years 1779 and 1780 That in the year 1782 the said Knight I think served in Capt Isaac Gregg Company in said line and continued to serve to the my certain knowledge to July 1783 but I am positive he served in said lines at least three years Robert B. Wilkins
Rockingham ss At the Court of Common Pleas held at Concord within and for said County of Rockingham on the eighteenth day of July Anno Domini 1820 Present
The Hon ble John Harvey & Justices of said Court The Hon ble Keale Burleigh
Personally appeared Robert B Wilkins who is considered by the said Court as entitled to full credit and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is just and true.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court this 18 th day of July Anno Domini 1820
L. Woodworth

James Harvey of Lee in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire aged fifty nine years. Testify depose and declare that I was a Sergeant in the army of the revolution under the Continental establishment from the latter part of April or the first of May 1780 to the close of the war. That I well knew John Knight now of Northwood in the State of New Hampshire now an applicant for a pension under the several acts of Congress in favor of the surviving Officers & Soldiers who served in the Army & Navy of the United States in the war of the revolution That I well knew John Knight aforesaid as a soldier in said service, and that he was transferred from the Infantry to the Light Infantry on the 14 th day of January 1781. into the company commanded by Capt. Samuel Cherry in Col. Philip Van Cortlandt's Regiment, wherein he continued to do duty for more than one year to my certain knowledge I think for a considerably longer period, and I also know that said Knight actually continued in service to the close of the war - James Harvey

State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss. July 22, 1820. Then James Harvey who subscribed the within declara- tion made solemn Oath the same was just and true.
before me John Harvey Justice Peace
I hereby certify that the foregoing deposition is intitled to full credit for truth & veracity. John Harvey Justice Peace
I Peter Chadwick Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Rockingham do hereby certify that John Harvey is a Justice of Peace within the said County and that his signatures to the above certificate & oath are in his own hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this seventh day of August A.D. 1820
P. Chadwick

Joseph York of Northwood in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire aged sixty two years. Testify depose and declare that I was a soldier in the war of the Revolution from the year 1777 to the close of the war. That I enlisted during the war and served in Col o Joseph Cilley's Regiment in the New Hampshire line of Continental troops. That I well new John Knight of Northwood who is now an applicant for a pension under the several acts of Congress in favour of certain persons who served in the army and navy in the war of the Revolution. That said Knight did serve as a soldier in said service from the year 1777 to the close of the war, that he was transferred I think in the year 1781. from the Infantry to the light Infantry in Capt. Samuel Cherry's Company in Col d Northland's Regiment, in which Regiment he continued to do duty for more than one year. And I actually know that said Knight did serve in the army as a soldier to the close of the war, he being discharged at the same time and place in the State of New York and did return home to New Hampshire in company with me. Joseph York
State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss. - August 31. 1820. Then the Joseph York who subscribed the above deposition made solemn Oath the same was just & true.
before me Israel Bartlett Jus: peace
Thereby certify that the above deponent is a credible person. Israel Bartlett Jus: peace

I Peter Chadwick Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Nottingham in the State of New Hampshire do hereby certify that Israel Bartlett is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County and that his signature to the within oath and certificate appears to be in his own hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this seventh day of August 1820 Anno Domini 1820
P. Chadwick

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Knight, John GRADE Private LINE Massachusetts
WARRANT NUMBER 4507 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Feb. 22, 1792 to John Peck
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.