William Knight (bef. 1715 - bef. 1763)

Born before 10 Jan 1715 in Colony of Virginia [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Alice (Unknown) Knight — married before 17 May 1737 in Surry County, Colony of Virginia

Husband of Mary (Unknown) Knight — married 3 Mar 1741 in Surry County, Colony of Virginia

Descendants

Died before 17 Feb 1763 at about age 48 in Albemarle Parish, Sussex County, Colony of Virginia

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Biography

On 10 January 1735/6, William Knight was granted 285 acres in Surry County, Virginia.^[1]

William Knight married Alice Unknown before 17 May 1737 in Surry County, Virginia. On that date, William and Alice Knight sold the 285 acre tract in Surry County to Thomas Moore.^[2]

Alice died on 2 March 1740/1 in Surry County, Virginia.^[3]

William then married Mary Unknown before about 1742.

He is named in his father's Will dated 7 February 1760.^[4][5]

William passed away before 17 May 1763.^[6]

Will & Death

Last Will and Testament of William Knight^[6]
Albemarle Parish, Sussex County, Virginia.
14 July 1761.
17 February 1763 (proved).
17 March 1763 (probate)

Signed: W'm. Knight.
Witnesses: Sarah Waterfield (her mark), David Mason, Mary Mason.
Executors: my loving wife (Mary), my friend David Mason.

In his Will, he names:

• my loveing wife Mary (personal items, my plantation and land)
• two negros Dmpy (sp?), Judith
• my children (not named)

[An additional record concerning his estate is listed directly below the Will, but difficult to read. Dated 18 April 1782.]

At a Court held for Sussex County 17 February 1763. The Last Will & Testament of William Knight deceased was presented into Court & proved by the Oath of Mary Mason one of the witnesses thereto.^[7]

At a Court held for Sussex County 17 March 1763, the last Will & Testament of W'm Knight deceased was presented into Court by Mary Knight the Executrix therein named who made oath thereto as the law directs & the same being proved at the last Court by the oath of Mary Mason & now by the oath of David Mason two of the witnesses thereto was by the Court ordered to be Recorded & on the motion of the said Executrix Certificate is granted for obtaining a probate.^[6]

The Albemarle Parish Vestry Book, in the processioning of 19 August 1767, refers to land "Belonging to the Estate of Wm Knight."^[8]

Timeline & Land

1735[/6] Jan 10 - William Knight of Surry County, Virginia, was granted 285 acres, in Surry County, Virginia, on both sides of the Little Swamp on the South side of Nottaway River.^[1]

1737 May 17&18 - Two Indentures between William Knight and Ales/Alce Knight of Surry County, Virginia, and Thomas Moor/Moore of Surry County, Virginia, for £0.5.0 and £30.0.0 current money of Virginia, 285 acres, in Surry County, Virginia, on both sides of the little Swamp on the South side of Nottoway River. Wit: W'm. Jones, Edward Epes, Charles Lucas. Ack: William Knight, Alce Knight (her mark). Ordered to be recorded at Court held for Surry County on 18 May 1737.^[2]

1767 - Aug 19 – VA Sussex – Admin – John Knight, Jordan Knight, Moses Knight - Albemarle Parish Vestry meeting to report Processioning. Names mentioned: “Estate of William Knight”, John Knight, Jordan Knight, Moses Knight. (APVB, pp167-173).

Relationships

William is godfather to his sister Anne's son Sylvanus Stokes. Sylvanus was christened in the Episcopal Church on 16 March 1739/40, in Albemarle Parish, Surry County, Virginia. His godfathers are Wm Knight and Vaughan Hilborn, and his godmother is Rebecca Harwood.^[9]

William is godfather to Absalom Harwood, son of Joseph Harwood and Sarah (Sarah Harwood), his wife. Absalom was christened in the Episcopal Church on 7 August 1743, in Albemarle Parish, Surry County, Virginia. His godfathers are Wm Knight and Charles-Roy Carter, and his godmother is Eliza Wiggins.^[10]

Children

The children of William and Mary Knight (listed with baptismal sponsors) included:^[11][12]

1. Charles Knight, b. 7 Oct 1742; Thomas Andrews, William Land, Elizabeth Shelton.
2. John Knight or John Knight, b. 17 Sep 1745; Edward Shelton, Samuel Wright, Elizabeth Alsobrook. [there does not appear to be any sources to deconflate these two John Knights]
3. Elizabeth Knight, b. 19 Apr 1747; William Lee, Rebecca Harwood, Mary Alsobrook.
4. Sarah Knight, b. 19 Jan 1748/9; Samuel Harwood, Sarah King, Elizabeth Harwood.
5. Archibald Knight, b. 10 Jan 1750/1; John Avent, John Moss, Elizabeth Carter.
6. William Knight, b. 18 Mar 1753; James Carter, William Ezell, Mary Bass.

Dorman lists:

• Rebecca, given, 22 June 1765, by her grandfather Andrews a slave after the deaths of her parents.
• John, named as grandson in the will of his grandfather John.
• (possibly) William, b. 1762, d. 14 Mar 1839, of Mecklenburg Co., Montgomery and Bedford Cos. TN. [more details listed]

Identity of son John needs to be proved. See also:

• John Knight (1745-1838)

Research Notes

Jordan and Eppes

See John Knight of Sussex County VA for discussion of theory that John Knight married two women named Elizabeth:

• Elizabeth (Jordan) Knight (1683-1755)
• Elizabeth (Eppes) Knight (abt.1690-1760)

Conflated

William Knight Sr. (1695-abt.1752) was conflated with this profile. That profile purported that William was from Maryland, married twice in VA, had children in MD, children in VA, and died in NC.

Vital Statistics

Birth
His birth date is estimated as bef. 10 Jan 1715:

• based on 10 January 1735/6 land grant, (10 Jan 1736 - minimum 21 years old) = bef. 10 Jan 1715.
• based on bef. 17 May 1737 marriage, (bef. 17 May 1737 - average 24 years old) = bef. 17 May 1713.

An unsourced birth of about 1719 in Nanesemond County, Virginia, was previously listed.

Wife Alice's LNAB

Alice's LNAB is unknown.

Wife Mary's LNAB

Mary's LNAB is unknown.

See LNAB Theories for further discussion.

Disproved Child Joel

Boddie^[12] lists (p84) an additional child Joel:

Joel, 11/17/50, Francis Reading, David Woodruff, Frances Williams

However, this entry almost certainly corresponds to the below entry in the Register:

Joel; Son; John King and Mary his Wife; Nov 17, 1750; March 17 , 1750-1, Godfathers: Francis Redding, David Woodruff; Godmothers: Francis Williams.

This entry is clearly not for a Joel Knight. The last name Knight is clearly spelled out, especially the final letters "ght" in each of the other 6 birth records.

Additional Estate Records?

See these records:

• Inventory (by David Mason) and Account, 16 November 1781, returned 19 December 1782.^[13]

John and William of Goochland County

• 23 Jun 1743 • Goochland, Virginia • Admin • This Indenture made the twenty third day of Jan Anno Dominy one thousand seven hundred and forty three (1743) between William and John Knight of the County of Goochland of the one part and James Cocke of the County of Henrico of the other part Witnesseth that the said William and John Knight for Divers good causes and considerations them thereunto moving but more espitially for the valuable consideration of fifty pounds currant money of Virginia to them in hand paid by the said James Cocke the receipt whereof they the said William and John Knight doth hereby acknowledge and themselves therewith fully satisfied contended and paid hath fully clearly and absolutely acquitted exonerated and discharged the said James Cocke by these presents hath bargained sold aliened enfoefd and confirmed … unto the sd Joames Cocke to him his heirs and assigns forever one tract or parsel of land containing one hundred and thirty acres more or less situated lying and being in the County of Goochland on the North side James River and on the head of the Western branch of Tuckahoe Creek and part of a tract of land formerly taken up by Charles Evans in his own name and bounded as followeth…. etc Allin Howards corner… Howard’s line which divided him from the said William and John Knight to a corner stone placed in the former dividing line between Joseph Woodson and Charles Eavans … crossing the easternmost branch of the Horsepen creek of Beaverdam etc. T have and to hold… William and John Knight doth further covenant and agree that they will warrant unto the said James Cocke etc… In witness thereunto the said William and John Knight hath hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year above written. Signed: William V. Knight (his mark/seal); John Knight (seal) Wit: Joseph Lewis, Thomas Cocke, William Wadd (his mark); Abell A. Clarkston (his mark).
• Memorandum that on the twenty third day of June 1743 land was delivered to James Cocke; Same signatures and witnesses.
• At a Court held for Goochland County January 17 1743 deed was proved in Court. (Image of document from LDS Family History Library in possession of Laura Knight-Jadczyk.)

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Virginia Land Office Patents and Grants, Patents No.16, 1735, pp441-443; digital images, Library of Virginia (p441, p442, p443).
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} County Court, Surry County, Virginia, Wills and deeds (Surry County, Virginia), 1652-1907, Wills and deeds, No. 8 1730-1738; database with images, FamilySearch (images 378-379).
3. ↑ Albemarle Parish, Episcopal Church, Sussex County, Virginia, Parish register of Albemarle Parish of Surry and Sussex counties, 1739-1778; database with images, FamilySearch (image 173).
4. ↑ County Court, Sussex County, Virginia, Will books, 1754-1864; index to wills, 1754-1948, Index to wills 1754-1948 Will book, Vol. A 1754-1764; database with images, FamilySearch (image 441).
5. ↑ Transcription of Will: Media.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2} County Court, Sussex County, Virginia, Will books, 1754-1864; index to wills, 1754-1948, Index to wills 1754-1948 Will book, Vol. A 1754-1764; database with images, FamilySearch (image 458).
7. ↑ County Court, Sussex County, Virginia, Order and minute books, 1754-1864, Order books 1754-1800; database with images, FamilySearch (image 626).
8. ↑ Episcopal Church, Albemarle Parish, Sussex County, Virginia, Albemarle Parish, Surry and Sussex counties, Va., vestry book, 1742-1787; database with images, FamilySearch (image 233).
9. ↑ Episcopal Church, Albemarle Parish, Sussex County, Virginia, Parish register of Albemarle Parish of Surry and Sussex counties, 1739-1778.; database with images, FamilySearch (image 45).
10. ↑ Episcopal Church, Albemarle Parish, Sussex County, Virginia, Parish register of Albemarle Parish of Surry and Sussex counties, 1739-1778.; database with images, FamilySearch (image 13).
11. ↑ Albemarle Parish, Episcopal Church, Sussex County, Virginia, Parish register of Albemarle Parish of Surry and Sussex counties, 1739-1778; database, FamilySearch (images 16 (Charles), 121 (John), 59 (Elizabeth), 80 (Sarah), 112 (Archibald), 134 (William)).
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1} John Bennett Boddie, Births, Deaths and Sponsors, 1717–1778, from the Albemarle Parish Register of Surry and Sussex Counties, Virginia (Baltimore, Maryland: Reprinted for Clearfield Company, Inc. by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1958, 1992, 1998), pp83-84; online, Google Books (https://books.google.com/books?id=lnD8tlRsj-UC&q=45+John+Knight#v=snippet&q=9%2F17%2F45%20John%20Knight&f=false).
13. ↑ County Court, Sussex County, Virginia, Will books, 1754-1864; index to wills, 1754-1948, Will book, Vol. D-E 1782-1796; database with images, FamilySearch (images 74-75).

See also - other family trees:

• Ancestry Profile for William Knight; lineage XII Jordan-Eppes line.