Person:Joseph Knapp (8)

Moved to Pittston PA in 1793 or 98

Will made in Pittson, 5 Sept 1831. Probated 12 Aug 1833 Named wife Margaret and son James Executors. Walter, James & Lyman sons- equal shares of real estate. Zephaniah, William & John sons- 50 acres each and $50. Milla, Elizabeth, and Nancy dau- all goods and chattels. Wife Margaret, 1/3 of the estate.

John Scott, father of the great hunter Elias, lived upon the farm lying farthest down in the township of Providence. His nearest neighbor was Joseph Knapp, a brave old revolutionary soldier, spurning alike title or pretension. At the surrender of Burgoyne he received a wound long incapacitating him from active service. After the declaration of peace he resumed farming in Columbia County, New York, until 1790, when he emigrated to the valley and settled in the "gore". (now lackawanna township) His son Zephaniah, attaining eighty years, yet lives among us. Much of his early life was spent in hunting and trapping various animals inhabiting the valley over half a century ago. Sometimes during the autumn months he was out alone for weeks, engaged in hunting, subsisting on the trophies of his gun, and finding on friendly leaves and boughs his only bivouac. He has kept a curious record of the number of bears and other wild animals he killed upon the Lackawanna; of the time and manner of their capture, with their respective weight, in a work of over one hundred folio pages; a work probably unmatched in novelty and interest by any manuscript of the kind found in the country. He has given it the inimitable title of "The Leather Shirt".

Check Luzerne County 1800 Census #364

1. ↑ Source (45).
2. ↑ Source (45).
3.   HISTORY OF THE LACKAWANNA VALLEY.
4. ↑ Lived in Walkill, Orange County NY at time of enlistment
   served in Capt Samuel Watkin's Company with his father
   Fought in the storming of Stony Point, midnight 16 July 1779. Americans were led by General Anthony Wayne; successfully captured British held fort; 15 Americans dead, 83 wounded.
   Joesph's musket, etc were still preserved by the family in 1940s
   
   Applied 5 Sept 1832, Luzerne Co PA for war pension