Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8,787, for Jonathan Knight, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass.
Knight, Jonathan
NUMBER
S. 8787
carded.
CONTENTS

8186 Jonathan Knight
Plate 14 Mos
of 14 ch Acc 29, 32
41.66
P 189
Wm. J. M. Harper Wm. J. M. Harper Samuel Jones Jr Bradford N H

BRIEF in the case of  Jonathan Knight  of  Bradford  in the State of  New Hampshire  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 78 Years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years. Months. Days.     Feb In 17 96 " 3 " Private Capt. Elnathan Dyer   Aug  98 " 8 " " Capt. Putnam (Col. Moul.)   Fall  80 " 3 " " Capt. Peabody (Col. Moul.)  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Middleton Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses & traditional evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Witnesses not stated as credible 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
N. H. Adams Examining Clerk.

Jonathan Knight
8186.
Wm. J. M. Harper
HR

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of New-Hampshire, } ss. County of Belknap }
On this twenty eighth day of August . 183 2 , personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the District Court of the U.S. for N. H. District , now sitting, Jonathan Knight a resident of Bradford in the County of Merrimack and State of N. H. aged 78 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 Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Charles W. Gatten
We, _____ residing in _____ and residing in _____ 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 sol- dier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the
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 certifies, that it appears to them that Jonathan Dyer who has signed the affidavit certificate, is a Winsted resident in the neighborhood and that Stephen Ward , who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town of Bradford and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Charles Whittier Clerk of the District Court of D.C. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Johnathan Knight for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 28 th day of August  AD 1832
Charles Witter Clark

10.700
New Hampshire
Jonathan Knight
Bradford in the State of N.H. who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by Col. Dole in the [blank] time for 14 days
Mass. Line. Act.
Records corrected.
Inscribed on the Roll of [blank] at the rate of 46 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of April 1833 and that David Jones Bradford N.H.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $93.32 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept " 23.33
$116.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by [blank] Clerk, Book [blank] Vol. 1. Page 98,

for a statement of the military history of Jonathan Knight a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S F 8787
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Feb. 1776 3 mos. Priv. Ebenezer Dyer - Mass.   Aug. 1778 to Oct. 1779 " " General Putnam Nathaniel Wade "   Fall, 1780 2 mos. " Benjamin Peabody Nathaniel Wade "  
Battles engaged in, In General Sullivan's expedition to R. I. Residence of soldier at enlistment, Middleton, Mass. Date of application for pension, Aug. 28 1832. His al was al Residence at date of application, Bradford, Maine Co. N.H. Age at date of application, 78 yrs.
Remarks: There is no data as to family.
Very respectfully,
Isaac D. Knight

8186 Jonathan Knight
Hon J. M. Harper House Rep's

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jonathan Knight which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. * Has he mentioned 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? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. †If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? no — Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? Yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. 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 the 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.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
† QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.

I Absalom Smith of Bradford in the County of Merrimack and State of New Hampshire testify and say that I am well acquainted with Mr. Jonathan Knight of Bradford in the County and State aforesaid, and that I served with said Knight three Months in Captain Epps or Epps Company of Danvers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at a place called Prospect Hill or Winter Hill in said State, in the year 1776, I think in the Months of February, March, and April, said Knight was of residence at that time in the Town of Middleton in said Massachusetts, said Knight served as a soldier.
Absalom Smith
State of New Hampshire
Merrimack ss Bradford August 13 th 1832 Personally appearing Absalom Smith and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him signed is true. Before me.
Samuel Jones Justice of the Peace & of the Quorum
State of New Hampshire
Merrimack ss
Personally appeared Charles Cutter Clerk of the District Court of the U.S. for N.H. District being a Court of Record in said County hereby certify that Samuel Jones is a Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum in and for said County and I believe his signature above is genuine. Witness my hand and the seal of said Court at Concord this 28 th day of August, 1832.
Charles Cutter Clerk

I certify that the within named Absalom Smith is a credible person whose testimony is good in any Court of Law, and that he is in no way interested.
August 13 th 1832. Samuel Jones Jus. Peace

We Jonathan Rowe Minister of the Gospel Church residing in the town of Bradford and Stephen Ward residing in the same Bradford, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Knight of Bradford in the County of Merrimack and State of New- Hampshire that we believe him to be Seventy Eight years of Age, that he is respected, and beloved in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that Opinion - Jonathan Rowe Stephen Ward
State of New Hampshire
Merrimack ss August 24, 1832
Personally appeared Jonathan Rowe & Stephen Ward and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by them subscribed is true, before me, Samuel Jones Justice of the Peace & of the Quorum

State of New Hampshire Merrimack ss.
I
Clerk of the
being a Court of Record in said County do hereby certify that Samuel Jones is a Justice of the Peace & of the Quorum in said County and that I believe his signature within is genuine
Witness my hand and seal of said Court at Concord This 28 th day of August 1832
Clerk
I certify that Jonathan Row and Stephen Nava who signed the within Certificate are credible persons and in no way interested upon testimony is good in any court of law.
Samuel Jones Jus. Peace

I Henry Perley of Buxford county of Essex and commonwealth of Massachusetts depose and say that I was with Jonathan Knight of Bradford State of New Hampshire as a Soldier at Rhode Island in Col. Wade's Regiment formerly Putnam's company for the term of six months in the year 1778 and I now see the said Knight and recognize him to be the same Jonathan Knight — Henry Perley
Massachusetts
Essex ss. August 16 th 1832 Personally appeared the above named Henry Perley and made oath that the above statement by him subscribed is true — before me — Charles Peabody Jus Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Essex ss. I John Prince jr. Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas being a Court of Record in said County do hereby certify that Charles Peabody is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County & that I believe his signature above is genuine.
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court at Salem August 18. 1832.
John Prince Jr.

I hereby certify that the within named Harvey Poley who signed the within deposition is a disinterested and credible witness
Charles Peabody Jus. of Peace

I Timothy Putnam of Danvers in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts yeoman. Depose and say that I was a soldier in the Militia of the Massachusetts State Troops in the revolutionary war under the command of Capt Benjamin Peabody of Middleton in Col. Nathaniel Dole's Regiment. Lt Col Enoch Putnam at West Point in the State of New York in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty. for the term of three months. and that Jonathan Knights of Bradford in the State of New Hampshire was a fellow soldier with me during that time. and I further say that I now see the said Jonathan Knights and recognize him to be the same person. that served with me at the above named time and place.
Timothy Putnam
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex Danvers - August 15th 1832. Then Timothy Putnam above-named after having subscribed his name and  his  been subscribed his name and been sworn, acknowledged the above by him. Deposed to be the truth. - Before me George Osgood Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex Danvers February 7th 1833. I certify that the above named Timothy Putnam who signed the above deposition is a disinterested and credible witness. George Osgood Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Essex ss.
I John Prince jr. Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas being a Court of Record in said County do hereby certify that George Osgood is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County & that I believe his signature within is genuine. Witness my hand & the seal of said Court at Salem this 17th day of August 1832.
John Prince, Clerk

Aug. 27, 1908. Hist. to Mrs. E. Wheeler, San Fran. Cal. F.W.
Rehran
8484 INVALID.
File No. 8787
Jonathan Knight Miss Paco. Mar.
Act: June 1 th 1892
Index:—Vol. 102 , Page 210
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1908 Aug 10. Elizabeth Wheeler 342 Castro St. S.F. 871.
RECORD DIVISION. San Francisco data to identify  Cal Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by L. D. L.
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Jonathan Knight
Service N. H.
Additional Service Rev. War
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 190_____
No claim, combination records _____, 190_____
REMARKS:
Cannot identify Try Swt. # 8787, only one of N. H.

Aug 17/08.
Bureau of Pensions.
Sir I asked you for information in regard to the following Officers that served in the revolution. and you cant give any data about them which seems queer as they were officers and as I got quite a record from the Archives of Boston. and you cant give me any at Washington. I want to know where they died and their widows if they had any. and Jonathan Knight was from New Hampshire. of course if I knew all about them people I should not write to the department as I was told to do. other people get information I cant see why I cant.
Sincerely Mrs E Wheeler 342 Castro St. San Francisco Calif.