Jesse K. Knight (1817 - 1911)

Born 18 Aug 1817 in Wayne, Georgia, United States

Ancestors

Son of Samuel Knight and Mary Nancy (Roberts) Knight

Husband of Rebecca Caroline (Varn) Knight — married 1 Oct 1840 in Hamilton, Florida, United States

Descendants

Died 4 Oct 1911 at age 94 in Nokomis, Sarasota, Florida, United States

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Biography

Jesse was born in 1817. He died in 1911. ^[1]

From "The History of Sarasota"

Among the earliest settlers were Jesse and Rebecca Varn Knight and their children, who came to Florida around 1853, first settling in Hillsborough County. They had married when Rebecca was just 16, and he was 22. Their large family consisted of seven boys and eight girls.

Jesse raised cattle in Georgia but could not afford to buy more land there to expand his herd and decided to move farther south.

Herding the cattle for the long, arduous journey — it took over a year to reach Hillsborough — they homesteaded in an area that became known as Knight’s Station, near Tampa.

When the Civil War erupted in 1861, Knight moved his livestock south, near the Upper Myakka Lake, to prevent Union troops from requisitioning them.

After the war ended in 1865, the Knight herd numbered approximately 300. According to historian Karl Grismer, Knight wanted to move them to an area where they would have more room to freely graze. “The Knights, along with three other families, eight covered wagons drawn by oxen, three buggies drawn by mules, seven mounted horses and 300 head of cattle began the trip.”

They headed for Horse and Chaise, so named because of the way the silhouette of land looked from the water — a horse and a chaise. Today this is Venice-Nokomis. The 60-mile journey took nearly a month.

The story goes that when they got to a creek that Knight’s buggy mule refused to cross, Jesse told one of his sons to take a shakit, a dried piece of buckskin, and slap the mule with it. The sound of the shakit startled the mule, giving it enough motivation to cross. The creek became known as Shakit Creek — today’s Shakett Creek.

Knight was a deeply religious man, a Methodist minister who founded the Venice-Nokomis Church. According to Grismer, he alternated conducting services with another settler, Isaac A. Redd, a Missionary Baptist and founder of the Bee Ridge community.

Initially, services were held in settler homes but as the need for a larger facility became apparent, Knight and his family and neighbors constructed a plank church in Nokomis used by Methodists with Knight as pastor. The church also served as a school. Although never ordained, he was known throughout the area as the Reverend Jesse Knight.

As Grismer wrote, “Many members of the congregation came to the services by boat, down the creeks and bays to a boathouse at Venice inlet, where they would change into their Sunday clothes and walk the rest of the way to the church.”

Knight proved a successful rancher. According to Grismer, “Jesse Knight established a veritable kingdom of his own, dominating the entire region southeast of Horse and Chaise.”

Area cattlemen were selling much of their stock to Cuba. And during the Spanish American War, many head were sold to the U.S. Army, stationed in Tampa. Grismer noted that cattlemen made a killing as prices rose to new heights. Jesse’s herd multiplied to 20,000 head.

After years of toil and success, Rebecca, who was born in 1825, died in 1901. She was remembered by those who knew her as “a worthy woman as evidenced in the lives of her noble and saintly daughters as well as the sons who were blessed by her faithful training.” She is buried in the Jesse Knight Memorial Cemetery in Nokomis.

Jesse was 94 when he passed away in 1901, and rests next to his beloved wife, a short distance from their original homestead.

Being such a large family, the Knight descendants still contribute to Sarasota’s success. One member of the family, Jon Thaxton, was a highly regarded Sarasota County commissioner active in the community.

From: the Church History of Venice-Nokimis United Methodist Church

Venice-Nokomis United Methodist Church was established in 1868 by Jesse Knight, one of the first settlers in this territory. His first homestead was near Tampa but during the war he moved south to the Upper Myakka Lake area. The cattle did exceptional well in Myakka but Jesse didn’t want to live inland - he preferred the coast. He finally selected to reside in Horse & Chaise. The community got its peculiar name from a growth of timber on a promontory facing the open Gulf of Mexico. Two clumps of trees stood there and seamen coming up the coast swore that one clump looked exactly like a horse and the other exactly like a chaise. The community of Horse & Chaise was later renamed Nokomis. Karl H. Grismer describes the Knight family’s arrival in his book “The Story of Sarasota” as follows:

“The Knights suffered a minor disaster when they were almost in sight of the Gulf. They came to a board creek, near the head of Dona Bay, which they had to ford. The mules pulling the leading buggy refused to budge. Knight tried to coax them to enter the water by holding ears of corn in front of their mouths. But the stubborn animals would not be tempted. Whips were swung but still the mules stood rooted in their tracks. Finally Knight had an idea. He yelled to his oldest son: 'Bill, in that second cart there are some dried deer hides. You know, they make a wicked, cracking noise when you handle them. Get one of those hides and stand just behind those critters and then take the hide and sort of shake it - and sort of not shake it.' Bill got the idea. He hurried back to the cart, pulled out a large hide, and stood alongside the team of balky mules. Then he shook the hide - not rather lightly, as his father had suggested, but with all his strength. The shaking hide sounded like exploding firecrackers. Frightened, the mules leaped forward, splashing through the creek. The result was near catastrophe. Two of the buggies and a heavily loaded cart upset in the creek and many of Knight's belongings went overboard. Because of this proof on the super-efficiency of shaken deer hides, the creek became known as Shakit Creek."

After succeeding in getting the entire caravan across the creek and providing shelter for his family, Jesse gathered his wife and fifteen children around him to read the scriptures, thank God for their safe journey, and ask for His guidance in the future. This event is considered to be the first worship service held in the area and established what later became known as Venice-Nokomis United Methodist Church. The Knights became one of the leading families on the West Coast. Jesse, a staunch Methodist, became known throughout the region as the Rev. Jesse Knight even though he was never officially ordained.

As more people settled in Nokomis the Knight’s home became too small to hold the worship services. Rev. Knight built an arbor on his property consisting of an open frame and roofed with palm fronds to keep the sun out. This arbor was used as the Church for about five years.

The community continued to grow and the need to provide an education for the increasing number of children had to be addressed. In 1893 Rev. Knight donated land and supplied the lumber for a Schoolhouse to be constructed. The lumber came from the nearest sawmill, located at Cedar Key, and was delivered by sailboat. The School house was small (18' x 24') and only contained straight benches. It also served as the Church.

By 1903, the Schoolhouse/Church had outgrown the facility so Rev. Knight once again provided the land and a separate church building was constructed..

This Church had stained glass windows, a belfry, and a cast iron bell. Our Church obtained the bell in the late 1800's. Its original use was on an old "iron horse," coal and wood-burning locomotive. Its sound became the familiar call to worship for those who resided in the area. When Rev. Knight died at the age of 94, the bell was tolled 94 times in his honor.

Venice was later moved south of Roberts Bay and Nokomis named for the area north of Roberts Bay.

This first Church was built on a piece of property that today is recognized as an historical landmark for being the area’s first cemetery. The Knight Memorial Cemetery is located on Colonial Lane in Nokomis, Florida. The cemetery is about 300 feet north of the Knight’s first home. The name was changed from “The Nokomis Cemetery” to “The Knight Memorial Cemetery” in honor of the founder of our Church.

On September 18, 1926 the Florida West Coast was hit by a severe hurricane. One of the casualties of that storm was our Church - it was completely destroyed. The organ and beautiful pews were damaged beyond repair and the books water-soaked beyond redemption. The cast iron bell from our 1903 Church crashed to the ground as our Church building collapsed. After the hurricane, the bell was loaned to serve another Methodist Church in the area. The hurricane was a tragedy that left the community in shock.

A great deal of building was occurring at this time due to the development of Venice by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers who offered us land but it came with the stipulation that the Church must be used for all denominations. The pastor and members of our Church decided against accepting the land with these restrictions.

In 1927, Dr. Fred Albee donated land close to Dona Bay free of any restrictions and construction of a new Church began. It is believed that our Church was officially named Venice-Nokomis United Methodist Church at this time. Today our Sanctuary stands on the exact spot as the 1927 church. The flooring and plaster on the walls was not added to the Church until 1942 due to financial constraints.

For years, some of our members use to pole their flat bottom boats down the shallow bays (traveling as much as 10 to 15 miles) to the Boathouse on Dona Bay each Sunday to hear Rev. Jesse Knight preach. They used the Boathouse to change into their "Sunday best" before walking the short distance to the Church. The property and boat dock where the Boathouse once stood is still owned by Venice-Nokomis United Methodist Church.

In 1949, a tower was added to the Church and chimes were installed. The chimes play hymns three times per day and can still be heard throughout the area. During the 70’s, after considerable effort, our cast iron bell was returned to us. It now resides in a small tower built especially for it. The bell is one of only two church bells in the area that still actually rings. The cast iron bell is the oldest article we have representing our heritage

Census 1880

Census Place: Pine Level, Miakka, Sarsota And Manatee, Manatee, Florida

Source: FHL Film 1254130 National Archives Film T9-0130 Page 36D

Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace

Jesse KNIGHT Self M M W 60 GA

Occ: Farmer Fa: GA Mo: GA

Caroline KNIGHT Wife F M W 52 GA

Fa: GA Mo: GA

John L. KNIGHT Son M S W 25 FL

Occ: Stock Driver Fa: GA Mo: GA

Cally KNIGHT Dau F S W 20 FL

Occ: Housekeeper Fa: GA Mo: GA

Fred R. KNIGHT Son M S W 18 FL

Occ: Cow Hunter Fa: GA Mo: GA

Alice KNIGHT Dau F S W 15 FL

Occ: Cow Hunter Fa: GA Mo: GA

William A. KNIGHT Son M S W 13 FL

Occ: Cow Hunter Fa: GA Mo: GA

Sarasota Co FLGenWeb Project - Census - 1897 Manatee Co Directory

Venice Located thirty-two miles southeast of Braidentown, on Casey's Pass, between Little Sara Sota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Land, pine, suitable for orange culture. Splendid fishing grounds. Mail tri-weekly from

Sara Sota. Postmaster, C. O. Curry

CREQUITT, W. E. - farmer

CURRY, C. O. - farmer

CUREY, Claude T. - teacher

DANIELS, _____ - farmer

HIGEL, Geo. - farmer

HIGEL, Ral. - farmer

KENNEDY, H. J. - carpenter

KNIGHT, F. R. - cow hunter

KNIGHT, Rev. Jesse - _____

KNIGHT, J. J. - farmer

KNIGHT, L. J. - farmer

LOWE, C. L. - farmer

LOWE, Rev. Wm. - ______

OLIVER, L. - carpenter

STEPHENS, W. E. - merchant

WREDE, A. F. - carpenter

1) Notes from "Ancestors of Jacob Varn" @ http://lamartin.com/genealogy/varn.htm : "Jesse Knight was born in Wayne County, August 18, 1817, the son of Samuel Knight and his wife Mary Roberts. Jesse Knight moved with his family to Lowndes and grew up there. He was married in Hamilton County, Fla. October 1, 1840 to Rebecca Caroline Varn. She was born November 27, 1825. Jesse Knight served in the Indian War in Georgia and North Florida. He was a private in the 2nd Regiment, Florida Militia under Captain Samuel E. Swilley from June 16, 18937 to December 16, 1837; and also under Captain David R. Bryan in his company of Lowndes County militia in 1838. He also served as a private in 1840 in Lieutenant Stephen W Whitfield's unit of Georgia militia stationed at Fort Gilmer, now in Clinch County, on the Suwannee River. After their marriage Jesse and Rebecca Caroline Knight lived in Hamilton County, Florida near the home of Frederick Varn, Rebecca Caroline's father. About 1860 the Knight family moved to Manatee County, Florida. Jesse Knight was a preacher in the local Methodist Church and helped establish other local churches. Jesse lived in the Manatee County area until he died on October 4, 1911. Rebecca Caroline Knight died April 7, 1901. They were buried at Venice, Florida.

2) SOURCE INFO "PIONEERS OF WIRE GRASS GEORGIA" BY HUXFORD SOCIETY. IS VOLUME NUMBER - PAGE NUMBER. Source: A Tree of the South by Thomas Parker

2 3

Contact: Steve Mears

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Jesse the father served in Indian Wars in his section in N Florida a a private

Under Capt Sam E Swilley in 2nd Reg. Florida Militia from June16-Dec 1837 & under Capt David Bryan in Lounds Co. in1838 & under Lt. Stephen Whitfield’s detachment of Ga. militia at old Fort Gilmer, now in Clinch Co. on the Suwannee River.

Following his marriage, he lived in Hamilton Co. near Frederick Varn’s home, near Plant City, his wife’s father.

In 1868 he moved his family to Manatee Co. ( now Sarasota Co.) to Horse & Chaise –now Nokomis. He founded the local Methodist Church (1903-1904) built east of the Pioneer Cemetery in Nokomis.He also donated the land & founded the first school where his wife taught. His home was on the south side of Shakett Creek near the old trestle.

http://pagenweb.org/~bucks/Surnames/knight.htm

Occupation

Occupation: farmer

Date: 1880

Place: , Manatee, Florida [estab 1855]

Residence

• Fact: Residence (1837)
• Fact: Residence (1860) Hillsborough, Florida
• Fact: Residence (1870) Township 34, Manatee, Florida, USA
• Fact: Residence (1880) Pine Level, Miakka, Sarasota and Manatee, Manatee, Florida, USA
• Fact: Residence (1910) Venice, Manatee, Florida, USA

Death

Death location alternatively given as Manatee, Florida.

Sources

1. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 01 December 2023), memorial page for Rev Jesse Knight (18 Aug 1817–4 Oct 1911), Find A Grave: Memorial #12304663, citing Jesse Knight Memorial Cemetery, Nokomis, Sarasota County, Florida, USA; maintained by * (contributor 50805433), two headstone and portrait photos.

See also:

• Ancestry Profile"Public Member Trees", database, Ancestry.com (accessed 2 May 2020), profile for Jesse Knight.
• 1860 United States Federal Census
• 1870 United States Federal Census
• 1880 United States Federal Census
• 1910 United States Federal Census
• 1910 United States Federal Census
• Florida Marriage Indexes, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001
• Florida, Compiled Service Records, Florida Indian Wars, 1835-1858; Ancestry Record 2246 #20275; Name: Jesse Knight; Residence Date: 1837; Enlistment Date: 16 Jun 1837; Enlistment Place: Lowndes county GA; Military Unit: 2nd East Florida Mounted Volunteers; Rank: Private; War: Florida War. Image
• Source Info "Pioneers of Wire Grass Georgia" by Huxford Society; Parents: Samuel Knight / Mary Roberts; WorldConnect Database: 106129.
• Paternal relationship is confirmed through Y-chromosome DNA testing. Anonymous Knight, FTDNA kit #(withheld for privacy), and his withheld cousin, Robert Knight Jr., FTDNA kit #920130, match at a Genetic Distance of 11 on 738 STR markers with 7 non-matching SNPs and 855,493 matching SNPs thereby confirming their direct paternal lines back to their MRCA Thomas James Knight (1754-bef.1820) and another match with his withheld cousin, Charles Martin Knight Jr. (1966-2020), FTDNA kit #916667, match at a Genetic Distance of 9 on 711 STR markers with 6 non-matching SNPs and 850,349 matching SNPs and their MRCA is William Knight (abt.1719-1767). (one of which is also one of the non-matching 7 for Robert). James and Charles are 7th cousins once removed and match at Genetic Distance of 12 on 713 STR markers with 11 non-matching SNPs and 847,185 matching SNPs and their MRCA is William Knight (abt.1719-1767). All three cousins are in haplogroup R-FT420076.