Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16183, for Joel Knapp, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Knapp, Joel
S. 16183
bearded
CONTENTS

Vermont 17.471
Joel Knapp
of Rutland Co in the State of Vermont who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Barnall of the Regt, commanded by Col Ely on the upper mtn line for Lyman.
Entered on the Roll of Vermont. at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of Aug- 1833 and sent to R. Temple, Rutland
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $110.00 Semest. allowance ending Sept - 40.00 $200.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk Book C Vol. 3. Page 73

Isaac Knapp Rutland 6 o Verm t
proof of service
Notified
Explanatory Distinctive proof of service Isaac Knapp
I grant Jso -
Re Temple Rutland Vt

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 subjjoined 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 Joel Snappp
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1 May 1776 - 8 Private Capt Barmore Capt Lingley White Plains March Winjak 72 years Minauton Cont. Testimony   1 Dec 1777 - 6 Capt Moseley Capt Ely Shore Detached Connect   May 1778 - 8 Capt Collier Capt Wade Providence   Spring 1779 - 3 Capt Dunklee Capt Wells New London   07 Oct 81 re match each year - 2 Capt Robinson Fort Griswold  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Some proof of service should be produced in claims of this extent.

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 day 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 enquiry 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 and 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 affix 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 [j] 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.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration. 1

Joel Knapp 27 months
21599
Knapp AM

STATE OF VERMONT, RUTLAND COUNTY, ss.
On this 3 rd day of October A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Rutland now sitting, Joel Knapp a resident of the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 72 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.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. In 1776 he lived at Middletown, Conn. & about the 1. of May he enlisted for 8 months & served in Capt. Bennett's company, St. Hart , Col. Douglas , & marched to New York under Gen. Wadsworth , from whence he retreated in Sept. with the army to Harlem Heights & White Plains , & was discharged at North Castle about the 1. of Jan'y. 1777 after serving eight months. - he was in the battle of White Plains . In 1777, about the 1. of June, he enlisted for six months in Capt. Morley's company, St. Cleveland , Col. Ely ; Reg't & marched to Rhode Island & served under Gen. Spencer . Thence to Providence, Conn. where he was when his time expired & he was discharged about the 1. of Dec. In May he thinks 1778, he enlisted into Col. Wade's ; Reg't Capt. Cutler , St. Moore , for eight months, joined his company at Providence , & served there & at Old & New Town & Riverdale , & was discharged at East Greenwich in January 1779, having served 8 months. - he was in the battle of Rhode Island under Gen. Sullivan . In the spring of 1779 he volunteered & served 3 months in Capt. Dunbee's company St. Perkins , Col. Wells , at New London & along the coast as guard, & was discharged at Stratford at the end of 3 months. In 1780 & 1781 he served as volunteer one month each year at Fort Griswold in Capt. Robins's company, but don't remember his officers nor date of service, but thinks it was in the fall. Altho' from loss of memory he may have made some mistakes as to dates, yet he knows he served two years & 3 months in the whole. He does not remember having received any written discharge - & has no documentary evidence & knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services. He knew Gen. Washington , Putnam , Sullivan , Spencer , Lee , Lafayette , Col. Dugal , & many others whose names he has forgotten - but does not remember so as to distinguish Reg'ts except Col. Greene's ; which Reg't. at R. Island , though he thinks Col. Vose's ; Reg't of Mass. was there. He was born at Seybrook, Conn. Dec. 6. 1759, & believes his age is recorded there. Since the revolution he lived at

Middle town of the athenfield until about 15 years ago he moved to the athenfield, Vermont, & has since lived in Ludlow Cavendish & Mt. Holly where he now lives. There is no clergymen residing in his neighbourhood, but he is known to most of the people there.
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.
Sworn to and subscribed the } day and year aforesaid. }
Joel Knapp
We Levi Ray  Clergymen residing in Mt. Holly and Thomas Wells residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Joel Knapp who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 72 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the } day and year aforesaid. }
Levi Ray Thos. Wells
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 Levi Ray who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergymen  credible person , resident in Mt. Holly and that Thomas Wells who has also signed the same, is a resident in Mt. Holly and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
1 Rodney C. Royce Regt Clerk of the Court of Petitions do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joel Knapp for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 19 th day of Nov. A. D. 1832
N. Royce

Joel Knapp
Explanatory Declaration & testimony

State of Vermont Rutland Co - 3
On the 12 th day of June 1833 personally came before the undersigned Authority Isaac Brown of said County, aged 74 & a credible wit- ness, who being duly sworn doth depose & say, that in 1778, he was a soldier in Col. Tappan's Reg t of R. Island, when he became acquainted with Joel Knapp of St. Kelly, who was a soldier in Col. Wade's Reg t at Providence - the deponent saw said Knapp several times during that season serving as a spy at Providence & Olden- shern, and has no doubt he served eight months as stated by him. has Isaac Brown was known before me this day upon oath? R. Temple Jus. Peace
State of Vermont Rutland Co - 3
On the 15 th day of June 1833, personally came before the undersigned Authority, Simon Pratt of said County, aged almost 75, & a credible witness, who being duly sworn doth depose & say, that in 1778 he was a soldier in Col. Dey- -lopp's Reg t Capt Bunnell's company - and that the above named Joel Knapp now of St. Kelly was a soldier in the same company at the same time , & the deponent knows he served eight months, & was in the battles of White Plains, & was discharged at North Castle. In the year 1779, the deponent was a soldier in Col. Wells' Reg t Capt Dunham's company, at New Haven; & when he joined his company, he thinks in the summer, the said Joel Knapp was a soldier in said company,

and was soon after discharged, his time having expired, & he having served, as the Department understands, three months, but of the length of this last service the Department does not know.
Yours sincerely to know before the 15th day of June expires R. Brumple Gen. Reuer
And on the same 15 th day of June 1833 personally came the said Joel Brumple, who being duly sworn, doth on his oath depose that, in addition to the explanation of his declaration of 3 rd Oct. 1832 - that from old age & the consequent loss of memory, he cannot specify the precise length & periods of all his services - but from the best of his recollection he believes he served not less than two years & three months as a private - and for such service he claims a Pension. He further says that ever since he made his said declaration, & more particularly for the last month, he has made diligent search & inquiry for witnesses by whom he could prove his services, & has only been able to find the following -
know before the 15th day of June expires
R. Brumple Gen. Reuer

State of Vermont Rutland p - 3
I Robert Rippon, Clerk of Rutland County Court do certify, that Robert Temple, before whom the foregoing affidavits were taken, is a justice of Peace for said County, duly Com- =missioned - and that his name thereof is in his own hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have set my hand and affix the seal of said Court this 15. June 1833
R Rippon

16183 INVALID.
File No. 16183
Coel Knapp Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 th 39
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 241
[Arrangement of 1870.]