Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8,803, for Robert Knox, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
Nb.
Knox, Robert
S.8803
Remainder of card
CONTENTS
carded

4392 North Carolina
Robert Knox Private in the State of N.C. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Johnson of the N.C. commanded by Genl. Polk & Hays in the N. Carolina Militia for 17 months.
Inscribed on the Rolls of North Carolina at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of January, 1833 and sent to Mrs. H. W. Knox.
  Arrears to 14th of September 1832  80.00    Per annum allowance ending March 1833  20.00     100.00  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Henry H. Sypreston, Clerk, Book 4 Vol. 8 Page 34
Health and A. B.

State of North Carolina
Lincoln County On this 11 th day of October 1832 personally appeared
Robert Knapp, before me William Little, & John Turnbull two of the acting Justices of the peace in & for said County at the house of said Robert Knapp, he being unable to attend Court, a resident of Lincoln County in the State of North Carolina, aged ninety  eighty nine 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 th 1832. That he has entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated. That he was in the service under Captain James Johnson in the Regiment commanded by Col. William Graham, and was marched to Fort McFaddin in what was then called Tryon County, now Rutherford County in the State of North Carolina, and was stationed in that Fort to protect the frontier against the Indians; but from my old age & loss of memory am unable to say how long remained in service in that town, nor have I any recollection of the date or other circumstances which took place except one, when a party of us were driven from a field where we were reaping, by the firing of some guns, supposed to be by the Indians. I served another term in the Regiment commanded by Col. McLean, when James Johnson acted as Lieut. Colonel but cannot recollect the name of the Captain, but recollect we were marched across Broad River, in presence of Col. John Moore who commanded a party of Tories, I cannot remember the year, nor the term I was out. one circumstance I recollect, we marched to Moore's Station of Col. John Moore & then the soldiers destroyed his oats by throwing them over to the horses, which the officers prevented when they came up.

I was in the service in the army that marked against Graham & Fraser & the Tories, to Kings mountain, under Col. Johnson, the time I cannot recollect, but know I was not in the battle at Kings mountain, having been sent off by Col. Johnson upon some business. I recollect joining the army commanded by Genl. Green, near Camden, & being placed out on a cut at the first night. When I was in this town I was commanded by Genl. Thomas Polk. While on guard I recollect to have fired at a man in the night, who refused to answer if I intended to leave from the proclamation of Genl. Polk, that any who would serve a month then, it would exclude them from a three months term afterwards. I recollect being in Genl. Rutherford's army, at the time the battle was fought at Nansaw Mill, between between the wing of Tories, but the army did not regain the ground in time to engage & I was in the army when the British crossed the Catawba River at Reilly's Ford but how long I served in these towns I cannot recollect. These facts of circumstances I state to the best of my recollection, but cannot state which took place the historical manner in which they took place which was first or last.
The hereby witnesses my claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present & he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state.
Sworn to & subscribed to the day & year aforesaid
Robert Knox
Wm Little Jr
John Turbyfill Jr
We William Little & John Turbyfill Sisters as aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings had before us in the matter of the application of Robert Knox for a pension
Wm Little Jr
John Turbyfill Jr

When & in what year were you born?
I was born in the County of Farn in Ireland in the year 1742
Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
I have none except a memorandum I made.
Where were you living then? I lived in what was called Fryon County, now Lincoln
County, when I entered the service of Genl. Brims in said
County since the revolutionary war & have lived there.
How were you called into service; were you drafted
did you volunteer or were you a substitute?
When I went against the Indians I went as a volunteer
also when I was with Genl. Rutherford, & with Col. Hark-
at Beatty's Ford, the other times I cannot recollect
- I have stated all the officers I can recollect.
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service
& if so, by whom was it given & what has become of it?
I do not recollect to have received any discharge except
one from Genl. Polk, for my services in Genl. Brims
which I sold to Col. Brims.
State the names of persons to whom you are known
in your present neighborhood & who can testify as to
your character for veracity & their belief of your services
as a soldier of the revolution
The two Justices, who are now acting Robert H. Binkley of the Honble
Wm H Bonner member of Congress can state my
character
The Wm Little & John Tenby fill do certify that the
foregoing answer was taken before us & we certify
that the applicant is a man of good character for
veracity & we believe his statements of that said Brims is
unable to attend Court
October 11 1832
Wm Little J.P.
John Tenbyfill J.P.

Robert Knox North Carolina Nov 15, 1826
admtd - 12 mo in period
4. 5. 15
January 2, 1833
Hon: H. W. Connor 26 No. of R-
See letter book for this letter which states that papers in Rott Knox's case were sent to Hon. H. W. Connor.
Apparently testimony furnished by witness A. Forney (see book of facts), was never returned to this office by Hon. H. W. Connor.
MS. B. 1. 1 v. 2 p. 135

BRIEF in the case of Robert Knox  of Lincoln County  in the State of North Carolina  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Justices of the Peace  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? Yes  3. How old is he? 90 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.     Memor In 17 Nov As a Gen., Gen. H. Polk   Stated Private Col. Graham   one month service Capt. Johnson   service by witness Col. Johnson   Col. McLean  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Lincoln County - North Carolina  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? one living witness for one month & traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.

November 8, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS Robert Knox, S.8803
Prof. Chalmers G. Davidson Davidson College Davidson, North Carolina
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to Robert Knox, a Revolutionary War soldier who was pensioned from Lincoln County, North Carolina.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S.8803, based on the military service of Robert Knox.
Robert Knox was born in 1742 in the County of Down, Ireland. The names of his parents are not shown.
While living in Tryon County (in that part which later became Lincoln County) North Carolina, Robert Knox enlisted in the Revolutionary War, date not given, and served at various times until after the battle of King's Mountain, with the North Carolina troops under Captain James Johnson and Colonels William Graham, McLean and Lock; he was not in the battle of King's Mountain as he was sent on some business for Captain Johnson. He was pensioned for twelve months service during the Revolution.
Robert Knox was allowed pension on his application executed October 11, 1832, at which time he was living in Lincoln County, North Carolina.
The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the family of Robert Knox.
No charge is made for furnishing this information.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Soldier said Col. Johnson but Heilman never gives him rank higher than Capt.

R Snook.
12 mo. proc. by ed Forney. 11.
11 m

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Robert Knott 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? No 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 by witness  No 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 ? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ? no
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 ? one living witness
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, deposeh 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.

Rehman
8803
INVALID.
1910 Mch. 29. History to Hon Edwin G. Webb &
1938 Nov. 8. Let. to Prof. Chalmers G. Davidson NCS
File No. 8803
Robert Francis
Pr. Nov 1917
Act: June 15 1922
Index:—Vol. 14 , Page 210
[Arrangement of 1870.]

March 29, 1910.
Hon. Edwin Y. Webb,
House of Representatives.
My dear Mr. Webb:
In reply to your letter dated the 25" and received the 26" instant, I have the honor to advise you that Robert Knox was allowed pension, Ser. File No. 8,202, on his application executed October 11, 1832, while a resident of Lincoln County, North Carolina. He stated that he was born in 1742, in the County of Down, Ireland, and resided in Tryon County, North Carolina, when he volunteered under Captain James Johnson in Colonel William Graham's regiment and was stationed at Fort M'Faddin on the Indian Frontier; served another tour in Colonel McLean's regiment in pursuit of Colonel John Moore who commanded a body of Tories; was in General Rutherford's army at the time of the action at Ramsour's Mill, but did not arrive at that place in time to engage in the battle; marched under Colonels Johnson and Graham against Ferguson, but was not in the battle at King's Mountain, having been sent off by Colonel Johnson upon some business; and that he was in the service under Colonel Locke when the British crossed the Catawba river at Beatie's Ford, but could not recollect the date of his enlistments or length of his service.
There is no data relative to family, on file.
You are further advised that the Revolutionary War pension records fail to afford any information in regard to Thomas Bell of Lincoln County, North Carolina.
Very respectfully.

DAVIDSON, N.C.
Sept. 26, 1938
Chief Clerk's Office Veteran's Administration Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,
Will you kindly send me a copy of the Pension Papers (typed) of Robert Knox of Lincoln County, N.C. who drew a pension for Revolutionary Services in the 1830's. Please bill me for the cost of this typing. If it is more than a couple of pages will you please advise me of the cost before having the work done?
Sincerely yours,
A handwritten signature in cursive, reading "Chalmers G. Davidson".
Prof. Chalmers G. Davidson
Davidson College
Davidson, N.C.

1087
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by Geo M Moore
Claim No. Mar 26, 1910
Certificate No. of Lincoln Co., N.C. Claimant
Soldier Robert Knox
Service N.C. Res
Additional Service
No claim, State records, 190
No claim, combination records, 190
REMARKS:
No W.I. Work as above except I F 8803 Lincoln Co., N.C. Try W.F. 26/90 Reg Min. 25480 " R.F. 6043 issued from Pitt Co., N.C. " R.F. 6044 no papers

RICHARD WAYNE PARKER, N. J., CHAIRMAN. CHARLES Q. TIRRELL, MASS. FRANK M. NYE, MINN. JOHN A. STERLING, ILL. WILLIAM P. SHEFFIELD, R. I. REUBEN O. MOON, PA. HENRY D. CLAYTON, ALA. GERRIT J. DIEKEMA, MICH. ROBERT L. HENRY, TEX. GEORGE R. MALBY, N. Y. WILLIAM G. BRANTLEY, GA. EDWIN W. HIGGINS, CONN. CHARLES C. REID, ARK. HERMAN P. GOEBEL, OHIO. EDWIN Y. WEBB, N. C. EDWIN DENBY, MICH. CHARLES C. CARLIN, VA. PAUL HOWLAND, OHIO. JOHN W. BOSTWICK, JR., CLERK.
Committee on the Judiciary,
House of Representatives U. S.,
Washington, D. C.,
March 25th, 1910.
Hon. J. L. Davenport, Commissioner of Pensions, City.
My Dear Sir:
I am advised by the War Department that perhaps you can give me some information as to Thomas Bell and Robert Knox, soldiers in the Revolutionary War, who are said to have enlisted from Lincoln County, North Carolina and to have fought at Kings Mountain and perhaps other places. If you can ascertain the records of these men, or either of them, I shall be pleased if you will furnish me with them.
Thanking you, I remain
Yours very truly,
H
MAR 26 1910