Joseph Knowlton (1795 - 1867)

Born 9 Jul 1795 in Mason, Hillsborough, New Hampshire, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Harriet Temple — married 14 Oct 1821 in Westborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States

Died 2 May 1867 at age 71 in New Ipswich, Hillsborough, New Hampshire, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Barbara M [send private message]

Biography

Research Notes

Email messages from Marilyn Madden; mmadden@northland.lib.mi.us:
Subject: Re: Knowlton:
22 Apr 1999:

“Hello, Joseph Knowlton is my 4th gr. grandfather. In vital records it is said he was adopted. My family lore says his mother was Native American and his father was French Canadian. Parentage has yet to be proven. Perhaps his mother was a servant in the Knowlton family?? He married Harriet Temple in Westborough MA and had 5 children, including my 3rd gr. grandfather. I believe the other marriages took place in New Ipswich NH. He died in New Ipswich and is buried in Center Cemetery, New Ipswich NH. Kindest Regards, Marcia” from e-mail dated 10/10/2013

“Hello, As a follow-up to my previous message, Vital Records say he was born in either Wenham or Ipswich MA 19 Jul 1795. The date of his first marriage to Harriet Temple was 4 October 1821. William Rodolphus b. 4 Sep 1822; Sarah E. b 1825; Benjamin Franklin b. 2 Nov 1828; Laura Jane b. 2 Jun 1830; and Franklin. All births are recorded in New Ipswich NH. although the 1850 census says they were born in MA Marcia”

More Research Notes

The Errata and Addenda to the Knowlton Ancestry, Page 66 had the following to say about Joseph:

“Joseph, b. July 19, 1795, was legally adopted son of John Knowlton and Sally Holden, his parents both dying when he was a very young child. His father's surname was Darling (not Dorling). Joseph was always known by, and used his adopted name, as have all his descendants. He m. 1st Harriet Temple (not Harriet Jane), Oct. 24, 1821 (Temple History says July 1821), dau of Benjamin Temple of Northboro, Mass., and Fitzwilliam, N.H., a farmer and miller, by his first wife Phoebe Green, Harriet was b. Oct. 4, 1799, d. Oct. 4, 1855; and Joseph married 2nd Sarah Bucknam, who d. July 8, 1863. He then m. 3d Sophronia Sawtelle, who is now living (February, 1902) in New Ipswich, N.H. No chil. By 2d or 3d wives.”

In addition, the Errata page 98 states that Joseph was a wheelright who lived in New Ipswich, N.H. where he died May 2, 1867, aged 71 years, 10 mos.

However, The Errata didn't quite get the story right. Joseph was born July 9, 1795 in Mason, New Hampshire to Benjamin Darling and Tabitha Johnson Darling his wife. Tabitha died giving birth to Joseph. The Knowltons (who lived in the adjoining town of New Ipswich) adopted Joseph. Benjamin Darling remarried and had several children with his second wife. See the link to the profile page of Tabitha in the comment by Matthew Wilder below.

Joseph is found in the 1830, 1840, 1850 and 1860 U.S. Census of New Ipswich, New Hampshire. In the 1850 census he gives his occupation as cabinet maker and in the 1860 census he gives it as wheelwright.

Please note that Joseph has a Find A Grave Memorial which is linked below. The biography page of the FAG gives Joseph a son, Henry Riker Knowlton. This is an error which was submitted for correction on Oct. 30, 2020.

Sources

• [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHPX-79Z "Massachusetts Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910," database, FamilySearch: 10 December 2014, Joseph Knowlton in entry for Benjamin F. Knowlton, 20 Jul 1894; citing , reference p 138 frame 731; FHL microfilm 2,109,175.
• "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001", database with images, FamilySearch: 13 July 2016, Joseph Knowlton and Harriet Temple, 14 Oct 1821; citing Marriage, Westborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States, , town clerk offices, Massachusetts; FHL microfilm 758,488.
• "United States Census, 1850", database with images, FamilySearch: 12 April 2016, Joseph Knowlton, New Ipswich, Hillsborough, New Hampshire, United States; citing family 76, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.)

See also:

• Stocking, Rev. Charles Henry Wright. D.D. The History and Genealogy of the Knowltons of England and America. Vols.1, & 2 pgs 156 and 294. New York: The Knickerbocker Press, 1897. (Stocking ID 2113).
• Knowlton, George Henry. Errata and Addenda to Dr. Stocking's History and Genealogy of the Knowltons of England and America New York (1903) pgs. 66 and 98.
• Find A Grave Memorial: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63095896/joseph-knowlton