John Knight (abt. 1780 - 1844)

Husband of Elizabeth Cook — married 15 Oct 1805 in Westoning, Bedfordshire

Descendants

Died 11 Oct 1844 at about age 64 in Westoning, Bedfordshire

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Andrew Lancaster [send private message]

Biography

Betsy Cook married John Knight, a ploughman, on 15 October, 1805 at Westoning, Befordshire. It seems neither could read or write. The witnesses were William Baker and Joseph Chew, the latter apparently the parish clerk. The Anglican baptised children appearing in the registers are the first 3, and the later ones were in the Westoning Baptist Church...

• 1. Jemima Knight. Born 12 June 1805, and baptised 27 July 1805. d/o John and Elizabeth Knight. Probably married William Isaacs of Streatly, 26 March 1826 in Westoning
• 2. William Knight. Baptised 30 April 1809. s/o John and Elizabeth Knight. Married Elizabeth and had children, at least Emma, John and Joseph
• 3. Rebecca Knight. Baptised 19 January 1812. d/o John and Elizabeth Knight. Married Ruben Cox 13 July 1838, in Westoning
• 4. Mary Knight. Baptzied 22 July 1814. d/o John and Elizabeth Knight (daughter of Francis Cook)
• 5. Thomas Knight. Baptized 6 April 1818. s/o John and Elizabeth Knight (daughter of Francis Cook)
• 6. A Joseph Knight can be added to this list, born about 1823.

In the 1841 census John and Elizabeth both appear in the village of Westoning, with the spelling Night. They are said to be about 60 years old. Joseph, 18, is still living with them, as is one Rebeca Cox, 28, with her apparent children. This must be their married daughter.

The poor law records for Ampthill Union Workhouse, concerning the parish Westoning mention the family. Pauper Description List PUAR 7/17 1835-1836

• John Knight of Westoning born 1775 was amongst the able-bodied, married, a ploughman, settled in Westoning and requiring relief due to having lost work
• Elizabeth Knight, wife, of Westoning, born 1779, able bodied, was a straw plaiter
• William Knight, son, born 1809, able bodied and married was a labourer
• Thomas Knight, is also listed as a son, born 1819, able bodied, single, a shepherd
• Joseph Knight, also seems to fit, born 1823, also an able bodied shepherd

Application and Relief Reports PUAR 5/1 covering the period 21 Sept 1839 until 1843.

• 5 December 1839. Thomas Knight, 22 of Westoning, single, was allowed 7 shillings and was admitted conditionally.
• On the same date. William Knight, aged 31 with wife aged 30, plus 4 daughters, received 3/- relief and was given medical aid for his wife. It was granted conditionally as he had work. The medical aid was as a loan.
• 19 December 1840. John Knight, aged 63, of Westoning and with wife was granted 1/6d relief and given a weekly allowance of 3/6d. Wants relief, unfit to work. The board in this case let him in the workhouse.
• 20 March 1841. John Knight, aged 60, of Westoning and his wife, paid 3/- weekly allowance 7/- an order given for medical aid. Confirmed 3/- a week during illness.

John also appears in the earlier P16/12 Westoning Overseers of the Poor records which cover 1794-1810. Several times he and his wife appeared to need assistance while ill, even when younger.

There is a death registration for a John Knight in Westoning (Ampthill District, Eleventh Oct 1844). He was recorded as being a labourer, 65 years old. He died of Dysuria, and the witness, who signed with a mark X, seems to be Amelia Sharman of Westoning.

Sources

• The first version of the above was made descendant Andrew Lancaster, drawing upon his earlier webpage about the family.