Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6011, for Joseph Knapp, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Knapp, Joseph for Joel
R. 6011
Margaret
CONTENTS

"Joel Knef en Margarita Dik'Kenson getrouwt Den. 9 Maay 1784 beide met geboden in Kinderhook."
The above is I suppose the record desired. I will be ready at any time to make the affidavit when the forms are prepared.
March 2 nd 1851
(Yours & C. Van Landt.)
The above is the signature of the Pastor of the Dutch Church in this village & the extract he has furnished is doubtless truly taken from its records Kinderhook March 2 nd 1851
W. O. van Buren

In Order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
State of Pennsylvania County of Luzerne Ss
On this fifth day of September One thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas Joseph Knapp a resident of Pittston Township in the County of Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania aged Seventy one years who first being 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 7 th One thousand Eight hundred and thirty two. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven with Captain Henry Woodin of Dederin and served in the _____ Regiment of the New York Line (the no of his Regiment he has forgotten) under the following named officers. He was attached to General Starks Brigade of Continental Troops. Colonel Dubois. Major Logan adjutant Melch. Captain Henry Woodin, of Dederin Lieutenant Alexander. H. Early. Serjeant George Garner and Alexander Herrington. (the the Shield and Company, as he has forgotten ) His term of enlistment was for three years only at which time he was a resident of Walkill Orange County State of New York. He enlisted at Walkill. was mustered at Newburgh. Orange County New York. in the month of April (day forgotten) in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven. From Newburgh we crossed the river to Fish Kill Dutchess County. New York from there we march d to P Westpoint on the West side of the North River. we lay there about one week and two companies of our Regiment went on board a Sloop to Albany from there we march d to Schenectady. was there one week from there we march d to Johnstown lay there about two months and while we lay there the remaining part of our Regiment came up the North River and joined the Main Northern Army. and as soon as we heard of Burgoyne's coming down the River started for the Main Army. but did not reach the Army in time for to assist in giving the victory. we then joined our Regiment commanded by Colonel Dubois He recollects of being in Company with Colonels Van Courtland. Van Schaiick. on the Continental Establishment we lay at Stillwater on the battle ground about one week when we took up an line of march down the North River to Albany we then came down

The North River as far as Peekskill when he was regularly discharged in the month of April (cannot specify the day) in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty. Under the same officers that he enlisted under. His discharge he has lost.
We hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares his name is not on the pension Roll for any Agency in any State
Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid
Joseph Knapp
H. Pettibone
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states
I Henry Pettibone Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Luzerne do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Knapp for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this fifth day of September An thousand Eight hundred and thirty two
Henry Pettibone
Pro.

Joseph Knapp 9145
State of Pennsylvania County of Luzerne
Personally appeared — Before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for the County of Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania Joshua Griffin who, being duly sworn according to law deposes and saith that he is and has long been acquainted with Joseph Knapp and that he is the identical person he represents himself to be. That he knew him in the Army of the revolution, and knows that he did perform services in the Army, and was attached to the same Regiment commanded by Col (Debris) of the Penna Line. deponent cannot swear that he did perform three years service, but said Knapp told him while laying at Fort Monmouth in the Highlands that he had enlisted for the term of three years and deponent believes that he did perform said term of service. he further states that he knew his captain his name was Godwin or Southwick, further he states that whenever he saw said Joseph Knapp in the service he was always equipped in continental dress and the militia was not, was known said Joseph Knapp for thirty six years since the Revolution and that he is a man of respectability and truth.
Sworn and Subscribed this Twenty fourth day of Nov One thousand Eight hundred and thirty two
Joshua Griffin
Joseph Griffin Jps

State of Pennsylvania County of Luzerne E p
In testimony that the within certificate subscribed by Joseph Griffin appears to me to be his hand. That he was a justice of the peace at the peace at the above date duly authorised to administer oaths. take acknowledgments &c at the above date I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of office at Wilkesbarre this 1 st day of December an thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Isaac Bournan  Ream
Joseph Griffin

Declaration of Margaret Knapp for Benefit of Law of 29 th July 1848.
Filed by W. G. Snethen Atty for Mrs Knapp

State of Pennsylvania. } County of Luzerne. } ss.
On this 29 th , day of January, Anno Domini One Thousand Eight hundred and Fifty-two, personally appeared before Sylvester Bristol, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Luzerne aforesaid, Margaret Knapp, a resident of Pottsville Township, in the County of Luzerne aforesaid, aged Eighty-six years upwards, who being duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed 29 th July 1848, entitled "an act for the relief of certain surviving widows of Officers and soldiers of the Revolutionary Army", that she is the widow of Joel Knapp alias Joseph Knapp, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution, and that he was at Minisink Orange County New York at the time it was burned, that at that time, she believes he was serving as a substitute, that afterward he was drafted and went to Fort Lee, remained there under General Campbell until it was captured by the British, November 1776, that he was in the battle at White Plains, after this he enlisted under George Gardner, who had a Commission to raise recruits, that he was then placed in a Company under the command of Captain Harnstraw, and was attached to the Northern Army under General Gates, was at the Battle of Saratoga, and that he remained in the Northern Army until the same was disbanded, and got his discharge at Newburgh, that at the time of his discharge he received a printed discharge, and that the same was burnt in the House of his Father in 1806.
She further declares that she was married to the said Joel Knapp, alias Joseph Knapp on the Ninth day of December, One Thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty four, that her husband, the aforesaid Joel Knapp alias Joseph Knapp

died on the Tenth day of August A.D. One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Thirty Three; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the second of January, Eighteen hundred, viz at the time above stated. She further swears that she is now a widow, and that she has never before made any application for a Pension, sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me, } Margaret Knapp S Bristol Associate } mark Judge } J Knapp
I, Sylvester Bristol, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County. Before whom the foregoing affidavit was made. Do hereby certify that Margaret Knapp the above affiant, and applicant for pension, is unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity; that she is feeble and most of the time confined to her bed, and in consequence thereof I was obliged to call on her at her residence S Bristol } Associate } Judge }
State of Pennsylvania } Luzerne County ss. } I, Joseph W. Polles Recorder of Deeds &c, in & for said County do cer- tify that S. Bristol, before whom the above acknowledgment was taken was, at the time of taking of the same an acting associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, in & for said County, duly qualified and authorized to take the same, and that the above signature is in his own proper hand writing - Witness my hand & official Seal at Milnerbarre this 24. Apr 1852, J. W. Polles Recorder By E. M. Ferguson Deputy

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., _____, 190_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Joseph Knapp 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.
P. 6,011 " " Joel
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr., 1777 ✓ Priv. Henry Rodwin Dubois New York  
This claim was rejected on the ground of insufficient proof of 6 mos. service as required by Act June 7, 1832, under which he applied.
Battles engaged in, ✓
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Wallkill, Orange Co., N.Y.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 5, 1832.
Residence at date of application, Pitts Twp., Luzerne Co., Pa.
Age at date of application, 71 yrs.
Remarks: Soldier mar. May 9, 1777, while a resident of Kinderhook, N.Y., Margaret Dickerson of Kinderhook. He died Aug. 10, 1833. In 1852 reference is made to their eldest son Z. Knapp.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

✓ N o 1131 Margaret Knapp wid of Joseph or Joel Pa
W.G. Snethen July 30 1851 1852
6011
Act July 29/1848

June 17 '18 99 Mrs H J Cooper Saylor Pa
July 18-1901
Miss Ella M Drake Old Forge Pa
1912 Mar. 29 - Hist. W Miss Annette Knapp Kenwood
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
6011
P. O.
Margaret Knapp
Service: widow of Joel or Joseph Widow Joel alias Joseph Knapp
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contr:
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Skinners Eddy, Pa. March 23rd, 1912.
Mr. J. L. Davenport,
Commissioner of Pensions. Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Referring to yours March 12th, delay in replying to same has been caused by illness; We desire this information for proof of claims that have been made.
Zephaniah Knapp , born May 1736. in Massachusetts, was Private in Col. James McClatchy's Regiment, Ulster Co. N. Y., Capt. Watkins Co. years 1777.-1778. He died at Pittston, Pa. 1816. His wife (Millah Roe.) died in 1806.
Joseph Knapp , son of above, born at Kinderhook, N.Y. Nov'r 1762. He was a member of same Reg't as his Father, and I think same Co. He died Aug 1833. His wife (Margaret Dickson) died August 1862.
Zephaniah Knapp , son of Joseph Knapp, was born in Columbia Co. N. Y. in 1784. Served under Well's at Plattsburg, War 1812. and also at Bombardment of Philadelphia, Pa. He died at Pittston, Pa. 1808. His wife, (Elizabeth Johnson Stockbridge) died Sept. 1890.
I would like a copy of their Pension Certificates showing service of each one. If you can furnish them, I will be very much obliged,
I am,
Yours truly,
(Miss)
Annette Knapp Heward

Rejected Joseph Knapp
See letter to Hon. H. A. Muhlenberg
28. Jan. 1835
let 26 Feb 1839 to Knapp let 28 Feb 1839 J. Brees.
Let 7 June 1832

Washington 30. April 52
She has submitted herewith sundry papers in support of the application of Margaret Knapp, widow of the late Joel Allen Joseph Knapp, claiming a Pension under the Act of 29. July 1842, by virtue of her late husband's military services in the war of the Revolution.
The papers enclosed are,
 1. Mrs. Knapp's Declaration in due form.  2. Evidence of the time of her marriage.  3. Certificate of the late Mr. Knapp's death.  4. Letter of the late Commr. Edwards to Mrs. Knapp, respecting the application of her late husband for a Pension. 
She also refers you to the declaration of her late husband, and the other papers on file with in your office, for further proof of his service.
It will be seen, that her application was rejected, because no such name as Joseph Knapp could be found on the Rolls, but as he bore two names Joel and Joseph, it is probable, that his name is on the rolls as Joel Knapp, in which case, it is submitted, that the widow under the proofs, will

enrolled to the benefit of the law of July 29 th 1845. If any further evidence be wanting, it will be furnished on your apprising me what will be wanted.
The certificate of the late President Van Buren, with no doubt, will be supposed to establish the admissibility of the proof of the marriage, which is in law rebuttable, and requires positive proof. I have produced "Last Knapp to Margaret Dickinson, married March 9 th 1844, to the President in kindred book." It will be perceived that the same good evidence is to be had, to the fact Knapp should be (March 6 th 1851) and (July 6 th 1851) the Post Master in London. The composition of the Clerical Society as well as the date of the certificate.
I appear in this case, as the Attorney in fact and in law of Mrs. Knapp, the names having been placed in my hands, by Mrs. Knapp her eldest son, in presence of Mrs. Knapp. Power of Attorney will be forthcoming and shall be duly filed. I will be obliged to you, therefore, to communicate with me, as her Attorney, in all business, fully and in detail, as a confidential, since then. I am, Sir, your obedient servant and also an Attorney of the Plaintiff. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, all truth.

Feb 22
James
Joseph Parkhurst
Pendleton
James L. Edwards Esq. C.P.
Washington
City
D.C.

W. W. Wood February 15 th 1839 Mr James L. Edwards C.M. Esq.
Sir
I wish to have your endorsement on some information that I hope to obtain from your office - Joseph Knapp a revolution Soldier made his claim for a Pension in the year 1831 on return that and thirty five and placed the claim in the hands of a Mr Dunning and they are not to be found Mr Dunning said they were deposited in the office and thinks they were burnt with other in the office I wish to obtain those papers for the benefit of his aged widow - if they are in the office please to give me the information if there is any papers of deposited in your office for Joseph Knapp
Most Respectfully yours Yours J. Knapp

Joseph Knapp 9165
Pa
Reports
on list in Mr. Luce's room of Series for 1780. Jul 22. 1839
Hon. A. Beaman Hon. H. A. Muhlenberg Senators

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Joseph Knapp proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? 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? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

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?
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? eto!
/ Must prove his service /
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?
And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
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?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
 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.

Terminator
Life Insurance
Receipts

War Department, Pension Office
February 26 1839.
Sir,
In reply to your letter in the case of the widow of Joseph Knapp, dec d . I have to inform you that his papers cannot be sent out of this Office consistently with the present regulations. His claim was rejected because the rolls of service here, which are complete for the period of his alleged service, do not contain his name. It is possible however that he may have performed some service.
Enclosed are copies of the acts of July 4 1836 & July 7 1838 and regulations. From these will be seen under which act she should make her claim.
I am, respectfully, Your obt servt. J. L. Edwards
J. Knapp Esq r Wilkesbarre, P. O. Pennsylvania

Abington Jan'y 13 th / 82 -
This certifies that I was personally acquainted with Joseph French formerly of Pittston for many years before his decease I always esteemed him a very peaceable and industrious man whose general reputation for truth and veracity was good, in every sense of the word unimpeachable
John Miller Pastor of the Baptist Church in this place for many years

Dear Sir
Lindenwald
Feb. 6 th 1857
I am not aware that any affidavit or particular form of certificate is required in such cases, & am not in the least doubt that the enclosed will answer your purpose.
Very respectfully
Yours
J. B. Dean Bureau
No. 3 Knapp

P. Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Have you on Revolutionary record for pension Joseph Knapp who served in the Rev. War from Eastern New York State after war settled and died in Luzerne Co., Penn.
By replying you will greatly favor Yours Truly-
(Mrs.) H. J. Cooper, Taylor, Lacka Co., Penn.

Taylor, Lack. Co., Pa. March 20, 1899.
Mr. Evans,
Dear Sir:- In your reply to my letter of Jan. '99, you made a mistake in name and sent information of a John Knapp instead of Joseph Knapp.
I am sorry to trouble you with the matter again but greatly desire to learn if Joseph Knapp applied for pension. He enlisted in the Revolutionary War in New York State - after war settled in Penn.
Yours sincerely,
(Mrs.) H. J. Cooper. Taylor, Penn.

Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Sir:- Will you kindly give me a statement of the military history of Joseph Knapp of Littleton Township, Luzerne Co. Pa. who applied for pension for service in Rev. War Feb. 1832.
If his wife Margaret made application later for pension could I have statement of it?
By an early reply you will favor-
Yours Truly (Miss) Ella M. Drake
Old Forge, February fourth, Lacka Co. Penn'a.