Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 42,797, for William Knight, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Knight William
S 42,797
CONTENTS

William Knight of Kings Co. N.Y. 1820
16,970 R  New York
William Knight of Kings Co. in the state of N. York who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Van Cortlandt of the N. York line, for the term of the war -
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 6 of May 1810
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 of May 1820 and sent to R. Riker, Esq. N. York -
  Arrears to 4th of March 1820 -  175.74    Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 Sept. 1820.  48.00    21 m th  20 / 31  $223.74  
{ Revolutionary claim, { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued Kings Co.

William Knight
ex?
16970
600
Sep 1820
Asst to Benjamin City of N.Y.
Nov. 9 th 1820

NEW-YORK MAYOR'S COURT.
IN the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the City of New-York, held at the City-Hall, in and for the said City, before the Judges of the same Court, of June term, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty.
At, Paterson . PRESENT the Honorable Peter A. Jay Recorder of the
City of New-York, ss. Be it Remembered , That on the first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty personally appeared in the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the city of New-York, in open court, the said court being a court of record for the city and county of New-York, according to the charter of the said city and the laws of the state of New-York, William Knight , aged about sixty one years, resident in the County of Kings who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the revolutionary war as follows:
That in the winter of 1775 & 1776 he enlisted in the service under Capt. Abraham Riker, Col. Philip Van Courtlandt's Regiment in the New York line; That he continued under the command of Capt. Riker for somewhere about three years until the death of Capt. Riker at Valley Forge near Philadelphia; That he afterwards served under Capt. Wright who took command of the Company then lately commanded by Capt. Riker, & continued under Capt. Wright until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged - That he was in the Battles of White Plains, and the Captures of Burgoyne and Cornwallis - & was in the revolutionary service under the Continental establishment during the greater part of the war -
and that his original declaration is dated the Sixth day of May one thousand eight hundred and eighteen and that his pension certificate is No. 16.970

AND I do solemnly Swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818, and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, 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 18th day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen: 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, to wit:
• To real property whatever,
• To personal estate, except two indifferent suits of cloth , wearing apparel, which he has procured through the Charity of his friends -
This affiant, further states, that he is a single man, but infirm and unable to procure a livelihood, but is supported by the bounty of Mr. John & Sam Dwyne with whom he lives. His
William Knight mark
Sworn this first day of July 1820 in open Court J. Wm. Ferris Clerk

I, Benjamin Ferris Clerk of the city and county of New-York, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the city of New-York, Do hereby certify, That the foregoing deposition and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records 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 exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is worth ten Dollars
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, this fifth day of July 1820
Benj. Ferris GB

State of New-York, } ss. I, BENJAMIN FERRIS, Clerk of City and County of New-York, } the City and County of New-York, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the said City and County, Do hereby Certify, That PETER AUGUSTUS JAY , Esquire, before whom the annexed affidavit was made, and who hath subscribed his name to the Certificate also hereto annexed, was on the day when the said Affidavit was made, and the said Certificate signed, Recorder of the City of New-York, and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the City of New-York, and duly commissioned and sworn. And further, that the said Court is a Court of Record; that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Peter Augustus Jay, and verily believe that the signature of P. A. Jay subscribed to the said Certificate, is the proper hand writing of the said Peter Augustus Jay.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, this fifth day of December 1819
Benj. Ferris BCK

W m Knight
Soldier New York line 2 Reg t Col Van Cortlandt Year 1776 - war
6 May 1810
Admiralty
Kings Col.

City of New York ss. John Morrell being duly sworn saith that he was a soldier in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary war. That he was acquainted with the Applicant William Knight & knew him to be a soldier in the second New York Regiment commanded by Colonel Van Cortlandt in the Year 1779 & from thence to the end of the War this deponent being during that time a Soldier part of in the same Regiment: And during the residue of the said time a Sergeant in the said Regiment and this deponent further saith that he hath received a pension under the act of Congress of March 1818 -
Sworn the 30 Nov 1819 Before me -
E. J. Ledyard
John Morrell
City of New York ss. Isaac Morrell being duly sworn saith that he was a drummer in the second New York Regiment on the Continental establishment commanded by Col. Van Cortlandt during the Revolutionary War & during part of the time drum major of the said Regiment. That he well knew William Knight above named & knew that he was a soldier in the said Regiment in the Year 1777 & continued therein till the end of the war, this deponent having known him

He served with him during all that time and this Deponent recollects that the said William Knight wore badges of merit. And this Deponent further saith that he himself has received a Pension under the act of Congress of March 1818
Sworn the 30 Nov 1819
Isaac Moore
Before me
J. S. Day

City and State of New York
William Knight the within named applicant being duly sworn says, that he has always been poor and is still in very reduced circumstances in life so that he is under the necessity of working at daily labor to obtain a livelihood, and in consequence of his advanced age and infirmity, even that would not be sufficient be sufficient for his maintenance, were it not for the kindness and liberality of Mr. Van Duyne who consents to support him for what little labor he may do - and in consequence thereof, this deponent states that he is in need of assistance from his country for support. Sworn this 7 th day of June } 1819 Before me } William his X Knight P. A. Jay mark
John E Van Duyne, Jeremiah Brewer and Garret Van Duyne of Kings County being respectively duly sworn say, that they are well acquainted with William Knight the above mentioned applicant, and they know him to be very poor and in very reduced circumstances, and unable to support himself, even by daily labor - and they further say that they believe the statement by him above made to be in all respects true. Sworn this 7 th day of June } 1819 Before me } John E Van Duyne P. A. Jay Jeremiah Brewer Garret Van Duyne

State of New-York.
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK, ss.
I, BENJAMIN FERRIS, Clerk of the City and County of New-York and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the said City and County,
Do hereby certify, That Richard Riker, Esq. before whom the annexed affidavits were made, and who hath subscribed his name to the Certificate also hereto annexed, was on the day when the said Affidavits were made, and the said Certificate signed, Recorder of the City of New-York, and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the City of New-York, and duly commissioned and sworn. And further that the said Court is a Court of Record of the State of New- York, and that the signature of R. RIKER subscribed to the said Certificate is

State of New-York, ss.
Printed by E. CANNAN, Frankfort-street.
To the Hon.
Richard Riker
Recorder of the City of New-York, and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the City of New-York, which is a Court of Record of the State of New-York.
The Declaration under Oath of William Knight formerly a Soldier — engaged in the Service of the United States during the Revolutionary War, now a Citizen of the United States and resident of the City and County of New-York, respectfully sheweth.
THAT the said William Knight sometime in the year 1776 enlisted in the Company Commanded by Capt. Abraham Piker in the Second New-York Regiment under the command of Col. Philip Van Cortlandt & served in the Army of the United States against the former enemies in the revolutionary war on the continental establishment & was honorably discharged at the close of the war 1783 near New Windsor in the State of New York — his discharge is lost — The applicant was at the Capture of Burgoyne at Saratoga & Cornwallis at Yorktown. He was a Major in the First & Second New York regiments.
And the declaration further sheweth, that the said William Knight is now a citizen of the United States, resides in the City of New York  Village of Long Island , and is, by reason of his reduced circumstances in life, in need of assistance from his country for support
The applicant is upwards of sixty three years of age
William Knight
Therefore the said William Knight conceives himself entitled to the benefit of the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," approved 18th March, 1818, and requests your Honor will examine into the truth of the matter aforesaid, certify and transmit

the testimony in the case, and the proceedings had thereon, to the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War, to the end that such relief may be had in the premises, as is by law in such case made and provided. And in support of the facts above set forth, the said William Knight refers to
Certificate of Genl F.W. Brewto annexed the affidavit of Jeremiah Brown
William Knight
City and County of New-York, ss.
of the City and  Kings County of New-York , being duly sworn, saith, that the matters by him set forth in the foregoing Declaration, are in all respects just and true.
Sworn before me this 6 day of May 1818, }
PPK
his W. Knight mark
Recorded the City of New York
City and County of New-York, ss.
Jeremiah Brown of the City of New York being sworn, saith, that he is well acquainted with William Knight above named & knows that he served in the war of the revolution as stated by him & he had two badges of merit or honor - 6th
Sworn before me this 6th day of May 1818 }
PPK
Jeremiah Brown

Then Pension William Knight has applied to me for a Certificate of his having served as a Soldier in the 2 nd New York Regiment in the Army of the United States during the revolutionary war of which Regiment I was Major - The lapse of thirty five years and the consequent change of appearance, have in some measure weakened my recollection of his person - but his correct answers to many questions, as to the Names of the Officers of the Regiment also as to many circumstances & events which could not have been known, I think, unless he had been a party in them, induce me to believe with some degree of certainty that he is the person he represents himself to be. and I do therefore certify that I consider him entitled to the pension of a Revolutionary Soldier - Given under my hand the 6 th day of May 1919
Virgil D. Diod

City and State of New-York, ss.
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on this Sixth day of May - in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen before me Richard Rike Recorder of the City of New-York, and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the City of New-York, which is a Court of Record, personally appeared the aforesaid
William Knight
who being by me duly sworn to - the truth of the facts stated in the foregoing Declaration and
Brown
to the oath of Jeremiah
William Knight
WHEREUPON I being satisfied that the said William Knight did serve in the army of the United States on the continental establishment in the Revolutionary War, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months and longer, to wit: for the term and the manner stated in the Declaration of the said applicant; and that the said applicant is fairly and justly entitled to the benefit of the Act aforesaid. THEREFORE I DO HEREBY CERTIFY and transmit the testimony in the case, and the proceedings had thereon, as before set forth, to the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War.
GIVEN under my Hand and Seal of the said Court, in the City of NEW-YORK, this five day of May - in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
P. A. Gay
I Peter Augustus Gay Recorder of the City of New York do certify that it satisfactorily appears to me that William Knight above named is in reduced circumstances in life & needs the assistance of his country for support and I further certify that I am well acquainted with the witnesses who have testified to his service in the army but that I am satisfied from the testimony of other witnesses whom I have examined under oath that they are men of fair character & that their depositions ought to be believed -
Dated 30 Nov 1819
P. A. Gay