• Joseph Knapp, U.E. Loyalist, born October 14, 1745, was the great-great-great-grandson of William Knapp, born in England about 1578 who came to America in 1630 and was one of the first settlers of Watertown, Massachusetts. Joseph first lived at Ballstown, NY in 1775. He was confined to Gaol in Albany on suspicion of being active in raising men for the British army in 1777. Even though the rebels burnt his house and everything in it he did not come to Canada until 1782. He served in Major Jessup’s Corps as a sergeant. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel Nettleton, also a U. E. Loyalist. He came to Augusta by 1786 with his family. They had a family of fifteen children, most of which received a land grant of two hundred acres as a son or daughter of a U. E. Loyalist.1803, p 115

• Evidence on the Claim of Joseph Knapp, late of Half Moon, District, Albany County, N. York.
Claimt sworn:
Says he was in Jessup’s Corps at Riviere du Chine in 1783.
He is a native of America. In 1775 he lived at Ballstown. He did not come to Canada until 1782. Before that time he had been emploied by Capt. Wattemeer in raising men for a Commission. In 1777 he was confined to Gaol on suspicion of being active in raising men. He never bore arms but once as a Militia man to Fort Edward.
Produces discharge from Major Jessup.
Now resides in Oswaigatchi.
Produces Certificate from several Inhabitants of the New Settlements that Claimt has suffered much on acct of the assistance which he had given to Loyalists. That he had been confined & drove from his Property on that account.
Wits Danl. Nettleton sworn:
Knew Claimt in the Colonies. He was always loyal. He gave great assistance to British Scouts & expresses.
He settled on his Lands the 1st of the War. He made improvements during the War. The rebels took his sheep & Cattle when he was carried to Albany Gaol.1905, pp 468-9

• Joseph was a Loyalist. He had 15 children. He endured hardship leaving Albany NY, was robbed of cattle and much other property, and had very little to start anew in Canada.
Source: Helen Marryat, “Keene’s Pioneer Doctor Travelled on Horseback” Peterborough Examiner, Peterborough ON, unknown date, pp. 5 and 11.1880, p 1

• Joseph Knapp was a United Empire Loyalist during the Revolution. He emigrated from England to Albany Co., NY and removed to Canada at the close of the revolution. He was a Sergeant in the U. E. Loyal Rangers. He acquired a patent of land grant by the Crown in the Township of Augusta, Lot 5, W Side, 109 acres, & Lot 7, E 1-2, Ing. 7 in 6, & pt 5 in 1,409 acres, on July 15th, 1797. He was later referred to as Joseph of Montague. He died at age 93 and had 15 children.
Source: Email, Pat Knapp, 1998.1880, p 1

• William Scott experienced many trials and privations in getting to Canada. The party, consisting of himself, two brothers, and Joseph Knapp, were lost in the woods, and running out of provisions, they were compelled to kill their dogs, which were eaten. Becoming so weak that they were unable to walk, they crawled for three days on their hands and knees. Knapp being completely exhausted, laid down to die, but his companions kept on, and finally reached the settlement of Augusta. Men went to the rescue of Knapp, and they were compelled to tie a blanket on two poles, and carry him to the nearest house.
Source: History of Leeds and Grenville.1880, p 2

• On Town Plot Register, New Oswegatchie, 1786.1803, p 11

• Death Notices of Ontario, Correspondent & Advocate, Toronto, 1834-1837
13 July 1836 -- At his residence in Montague, on Friday, May 27th, at the age of 93 years, Joseph Knapp. The deceased was one of those brave U. E. Loyalists who sacrificed his property and risked his life, by taking up arms in defence of this King and country in the American Revolution. He was one of the earliest settlers in this province; did his duty as an officer in the late American War, raised 15 children, all living; had 67 grandchildren, 63 great-grandchildren, great-grandchildren’s 2, all living. He was a member of the Methodist Church for nearly 50 years.1880, p 2

• That Amos Knapp, son of Timothy Knapp, Jr. and with a known son, Joseph, born 1743 is the correct ancestry for JOSEPH KNAPP - UEL, remains to be proven, though all conjectured information to the point leads toward a ‘high probability’ that the assignment is correctly stated. As such, the TEMPORARY information reflected in this report is entered bearing all aforementioned comments in mind, and that the ancestry is that of conjecture only and has not been proven.1880, p 3

• 1823 Census: Augusta, Grenville, Ontario, Canada. Probable. 1121.1719, p 5

• Much of the information contained within this writing is that of possibilities, and conjecture. As no in-depth research has been done in Westchester Co., NY, as applies to this family, one can only rely on information that has been shared with others researching the same family line.
That Amos Knapp, son of Timothy Knapp, Jr. and with a known son, Joseph, born 1743, is the correct ancestry for JOSEPH KNAPP - UEL, remains to be proven, though all conjectured information to point leads toward a ‘high probability’ that the assignment is correctly stated. As such, the TEMPORARY information reflected in this report is entered bearing all aforementioned comments in mind, AND THAT THE ANCESTRY IS THAT OF CONJECTURE ONLY AND HAS NOT BEEN PROVEN.1880, pp. 2-3

• His marriage to Elizabeth is confirmed with no date of place given.1880, p 3

• 15 children.1715, p 6,1840, p 172,1880, p 1