FROM REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSION RECORDS AT NATIONAL ARCHIVES:
John Knowlton, Ensign, born Bedford, New Purchase, Westchester Co. NY, 1747. Resided in New Mulberry, Ulster County until 1779. Removed to Ballston (now Malta) for five years; then removed to Halfmoon (Saratoga Co.)-now called Clifton Park, since 1783. Enlisted at New Mulberry NY.
11 Oct 1775, commissioned Ensign, Militia Company of Foot, New England Precinct of New MarIborough, Ulster Co. under Capt. Jacob Wood, Esq. and Col. Hasbrook.
Kept guard for 112 month in the Spring of 1776 at Fort Montgomery. Guard duty again for 8 days in 1776. Called to New Windsor NY for guard duty for 1/2 month. Spent 3 weeks again at Cakaak.
Guarded the lines from Blue Point to New Windsor NY starting 1 Jun 1776 to 25 Dec 1776, for a period of 5 months, 20 days.
In Nov 1777 after Burgoyne was taken, guarded the shores from Newburgh to Blue Point for 1/2 month. In the Spring of 1778 removed to Stillwater, Albany Co. (now Saratoga). Sent to Lake Desolation to scout the country for Indians and Tories who took two sons from Arie Banta of Clifton Park. Service one week.
In the fall of 1778, was Pvt. in Capt. White's Co. scouting at Fort Edward. 20 days' service.
Always called to guard the shores of the Hudson along which the British frequently came with ships. Sometimes firing took place between the enemy and the American soldiers.
Signed: John Knowlton
7 Sep 1832
He died 19 Jan 1838 at a place not stated. No names of children or wife given. Pension awarded: $90/yr.
John KnowIton's application for pension dated 7 Sep 1832. States his residence is Clifton Park NY, and his age as 85. He enlisted at New Mulberry NY and served 9 months as Ensign of NY Troops under Capt. Jacob Woodland and Col. Hasbrook. Pension Application No. 13668.
140Misc. Notes
Misc. Notes
“I do have some new information for you from a man who is
publishing the records of the Beekman Patent, which was
in Dutchess Co. This information comes from Edward
Livingston Papers [in Princeton Univ Library, but now
published].
"John Knowlton was in lot 2 ca 1750 next to William Lamphier.
See lot 2 file [Settlers of the Beekman Patent, vol 1, p 392].
Joseph Evans settled on a farm of 90 acres in lot 2 in
1737. He was to begin paying rents of 9 bushels in 6 years but
the rent ledger notes '1743, Now John Knowlton.' In 1748 the
ledger shows that Knowlton was in arrears 4 yrs and owed
36 bushels, 8 fowls, and 4 days riding. He had probably
skipped by the summer of 1745.
Capt. Noleton [sic] was taxed in Beekman from Feb 1743/44
through Feb 1744/45."
My thought is that this is a son of Ephraim [simpler idea
than that another Knowlton came into the area from MA].
If he was older, say in his 40s, he went there with a family
to have land for himself, but it did not work out and he
returned to the Bedford. But he could have been younger
and had no family.
Thos Sr had a son named John b 1747 in New Purchase,
Westchester co, NY, part of Bedford. The above John
is either Thos Sr's brother or father is my thought.”
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