Sarah (Lonas) Knott (1809 - 1901)

Born 23 Aug 1809 in Knox County, Tennessee

Ancestors

Wife of Andrew Knott — married 19 Jan 1830 in Knox County, Tennessee

Descendants

Died 10 Feb 1901 at age 91 in Knox County, Tennessee

90th Birthday Party!

In August, 1899, about three hundred guest were present to celebrate Sally's birthday. The article appearing in the Journal and Tribune, Knoxville, Tenn. Saturday, Autust 26, 1899 about the party appears later. The article states she had 11 children and some 50 or 75 grand children and great grand children.

THREE HUNDRED GUEST PRESENT
To Celebrate Mrs. Sallie Lonas 90th Birthday
Gen. J. C. J. Williams' Review of Family History
Hon. William Osborne, Who Was Present at Mrs. Lonas' Wedding
Was Among the Guest

On Wednesday, near her home, the children of Mrs. Sallie Lonas Knott celebrated her ninetieth birthday. The place selected was very appropriate for the occasion. It was the grove opposite the home of her son, Mr. James Knott, some four miles distant from Knoxville on the Middlebrook Pike.

Some 300 guests were present and a most enjoyable time it was. At first it was thought that Mrs. Knott, on account of her feeble condition, could not be present, but later on she decided to come. Accordingly about 11 a.m. she was placed in a buggy at her home, a mile distant, and was drawn to the grove by her grand children and great-grand children (some eight or ten), escorted by a band of music furnished for the occasion.

On entering the park or grove, a very beautiful scene was presented. The band playing "Dixie", followed by the buggy drawn as before mentioned; and lined up within the park were some fifty or seventy-five grand children and great-grand children, who as the aged pilgrim went by, waved their white handkerchiefs to her in recognition of their love and tenderness, while she, in turn, waived her handkerchief back again.

Reaching the park, where a stand had previously been erected and which had been decorated with the national colors, and bunting, the procession halted. At this juncture, Gen. J. C. J. Williams, who had been specially invited by the family to read a paper, entertained the assembly for twenty-five minutes by an interesting review of Henry Lonas, the father of Henry (should be Sallie)Knott, and the early history of his settlement in Knox county, together with a review of the life and character of Mrs. Knott.

From this paper it was learned that Henry Lonas came to this country in 1795, and settled where Lonsdale is now located. Here he bought a farm for a gun, a shot pouch and a red handkerchief, and built his cabin near the big spring. Later on he built the brick house that may be seen now, occupied and owned by Mr. Richardson, the florist. For more than forty years his home was the voting place for the twelfth district. He had married twice, and was the father of nineteen (should be eighteen) children, Mrs. Knott being one of the children by the first marriage, and the only surviving one. By the second marriage two survive - Mrs. William McClelland of Powell's Station, and Mrs. Katherine Owens of Clinton; that Mrs. Knott herself was born in 1809, and married Andrew Knott in 1830. Her wedding gown was made of calico at twenty cents per yard and did not contain exceeding eight yards. Many incidents were told touching the family and its history, and in this connection, the customs that prevailed in that early day.

Mrs. Knott went to Virginia on a bridal tour, and rode horseback staying a year. She and her husband returned to Tennessee and took up their residence upon the farm given her by her father. Here they entered a log cabin which stands to this day immediately at the rear of her present brick residence.

Mrs. Knott was the mother of eleven children, nine of whom survive, all living and residing near her, and enjoying the reputation of honest citizens.

After the reading of this paper, a sumptuous repast was served. The table covered with white linen, was 150 feet in length. Everything conceivable was offered to tempt the appetite of the assembled guests.

Cold ham, chipped beef, cold mutton, cold beef tongue and last, but not least, good country-fried chickens; chicken salad galore, crackers, beaten biscuits, stuffed eggs, every kind and character of cake up to fruit cake, grapes, etc.

Everybody enjoyed the great dinner, and there was enought left to feed 300 more.

After dinner there was music by the band, many pieces played at the special insistance of Mrs. Knott, who continued to occupy her seat in the buggy.

Then came an address by Rev. J. B. Carnes, an old acquaintance. After this many prizes were distributed, but space forbids entering into detail.

One of the interesting features was the presence of Mrs, Ruley, the mother-in-law of Mr. W. B. Lonas and mother of Mr. Robert Ruley, well known citizens of Knoxville. She, too, had advanced to the great age of eighty-eight years, but is not possessed of every mental faculty.

Another interested spectator was Hon. Wm Osborne, of Knoxville, a distant relative to Mrs. Knott, who enjoyed the distinction of attending her wedding, and is possibly the only living man today who witnessed the ceremony.

The occasion was one long to be remembered by every one present.

All congratulated and bid good-bye to the dear old lady, in whose honor the assembly had been gathered. For each and all she had a kindly word, and a blessing to bestow.

The Journal and Tribune
Knoxville, Tenn.
Saturday, August 26, 1899
page 6

Written on the bottom Sallie Lonas Knott was the youngest daughter of Henry and Sebilla Helsley Lonas.

Copied June 18, 1995 by Helen Wells Sharpe ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=groom&id=I688

• Find A Grave: Memorial #8223167
• http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=groom&id=I688
• http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=bevangenealogy&id=I404
• http://www.ancestry.com/genealogy/records/%22sallie%22-sarah-lones_33614509